Perry Mason

Ever hear the story of the little girl

who has nothing to wear?

She wants to talk to you.

Heh.

All right, Della, I give up.

No joke.

She lives in a trailer, and somebody stole it.

Trailer hitch and all, along with everything she owns.

Everything?

She was sunbathing at the time.

I think she said she was calling from a golf course.

Must be quite a sensation.

Hello.

Mr. Mason?

That's right.

My name is Arlene Dowling.

I don't know how much your secretary told you.

Just the bare facts.

Where did you say you were calling from?

You know the Remuter Golf Club?

Well, my trailer was parked in the woods nearby.

There's a telephone for the members on the...

On the 14th tee.

I waited till there was no one around

Mr. Mason, I need your help desperately.

Why didn't you call the police?

I can't.

My father is Frank Dowling.

Do you understand what that means?

All right, Ms. Dowling.

I'll turn you back to my secretary.

Give her your measurements,

and she'll try and get some clothes to you.

All right.

We'll start from the top.

What size?

Shoes.

Well, that's the whole story.

By the time I got there, my trailer was gone.

How did you happen to call me?

Actually, I've been meaning to for some time.

Why didn't you?

Let's just say a friend advised against it.

What friend?

Well, it doesn't matter.

Anyway, when my trailer was stolen,

I decided to trust my first instinct and call you.

And not your friend.

No.

What makes you think the police took your trailer?

I didn't say that.

No, but that was the implication

when you told me your father was Frank Dowling.

I imagine that's why you planned on calling me

in the first place.

Mr. Mason, just how much do you know about my father's case?

Uh, one, he worked at the main office

of the Mercantile Security Bank.

Two, about nine months ago,

he made up a cash shipment of almost $400,000.

Three, your father and the bank inspector sealed the package.

Four, when the armored truck delivered the shipment,

all they found were canceled checks.

Now,

have I overlooked something?

Only that my father didn't take that money.

The jury found him guilty.

He was the only one who could have made the substitution.

He or the bank inspector.

What was his name?

Oh, you mean Uncle George.

Oh, he's not really my uncle.

I've known him since I was a child.

His name is George Ballard.

Well, only George Ballard and your father had the seals,

the access to the canceled checks

and the keys for the armored truck.

And as I recall,

Uncle George had an alibi.

I tell you, my father is innocent.

That's why you've got to find my trailer.

I'm a... I'm afraid I don't make the connection.

I've spent all my time since dad was convicted

trying to clear him.

I quit my job.

Everything I've learned these past ten months,

I've written in my diary.

That diary is hidden in my trailer.

I must have it back.

I'll pay any price.

Would you say it was worth $1,500?

You'll have it first thing in the morning.

Is that satisfactory?

Quite.

You can always reach me

through Dr. Ralph Chandler in Santa Ana.

Kimberly 3-6518.

Kimberly 3-6518.

Just one thing.

I have an unqualified aversion to being used.

If I find it's happening here...

I'll throw you to the wolves

without the slightest compunction.

That understood?

Perfectly.

Thank you again.

I just don't understand that girl.

She didn't bat an eyelash

when you asked her for $1,500.

If she isn't working...

Where is the money coming from?

That's a good question.

I have another one for you.

Where on earth do you expect to find that trailer?

Well, we could put Paul Drake on it.

Or we might try the power of the press.

Let... Let's do that.

Take down an ad.

Wanted.

Used Biltmore trailer, deluxe model.

"Will pay top dollar for one in excellent condition.

Phone Perry Mason, Madison 5-1190."

Huh, you gotta give that Mason fella credit.

Oh, I'm disappointed, Uncle George.

I didn't think he'd handle it this way.

What's the matter, honey? What did you expect?

I don't know exactly,

but for $1,500 I certainly expected a lot more.

You're missing the point, Arlene.

What do you want Mason to do?

Well, find my trailer.

Exactly. And any way he accomplishes that

is okay with you, isn't it?

Yes.

Then even if he just stumbles across it,

it's worth $1,500.

The main thing is to get the trailer back.

Remember, you can't go to the police.

I'm not denying that, Uncle George.

I just don't feel anything will come of the ad.

Well, you can't tell.

It's so simple, it just might work.

I learned a long time ago

that the best way is through the direct approach.

Some fellas get so brilliant

that sometimes they fall flat on their face.

I guess you're right.

In case Mason does get a lead,

how's he going to contact you?

Through Ralph. Dr. Chandler.

Kind of like that boy, don't you?

Yes.

If I were you, I'd watch my step, honey.

He wants to help so much.

Why?

I guess it's because of me.

Because of you,

or because of $400,000?

Now, now, now, now, now.

Don't get mad.

You're a mighty pretty girl.

But just remember, there's $400,000 floating loose

around this town some place.

You got to practice an awful lot of medicine

to pick up money like that.

Are you trying to say that...?

I'm just trying to say

that you can't trust anyone completely.

Not your lawyer,

not your doctor,

not even me.

Yeah, you got to give that Mason fella credit.

It just might work.

Dr. Chandler.

Oh, I guess I'm a little tired.

Ms. Rucker is that the x-ray on the Finley boy?

It'll keep.

Why don't you go home and get some rest.

You've been up all night.

No.

This is supposed to be your day off, remember?

And you're going to get some sleep if I have to...

burn the office down to get you out.

Now, I told Mrs. Markel I'd look in at 5,

and then there's Ms. Vaughn.

You know perfectly well Dr. Willis can cover for you.

I don't know why I put up with you.

Dr. Chandler's office.

May I speak to the doctor, please?

I'm sorry, Doctor isn't in.

Can I help you?

This is Ms. Rucker, his nurse.

My name is Perry Mason.

I'm the attorney for Arlene Dowling.

She told me I could always reach her through Dr. Chandler.

I think I may have a lead to her trailer.

Oh?

W-where is it?

Tell her to meet me at the Ideal Trailer Mart

on Sepulveda at 10:00.