The File on Thelma Jordon

No luck.

I've checked everywhere.

Something must have come up, Pamela. There is nothing to worry about.

Maybe he is with the D.A.

Well, it's about time.

Your wife is on the phone. - Tell her to forget it.

What's the matter with you?

Where have you been?

Yes, Pam. I'm listening.

Why does he do this to me every time mother and father are here?

I've phoned everywhere, even that nasty place across the street.

What is it, "Al's bar"?

You know Cleve doesn't drink. He wouldn't be hanging around there.

He works too hard. That's all.

He probably forgot it.

She has her dear father the judge there.

What does she want me for?

Did someone come in?

Is there someone there, Miles?

Now look, Pam. I don't like to butt in.

But did it ever occur to you that Cleve may like to celebrate an anniversary ..

With just you yourself sometime?

I know how he feels.

Especially about father, but ..

It's only once a year.

Yeah, Christmas and birthdays and the 4th of July and Thanksgiving ..

And April Fool's day and every other day in the year.

Now look, Pam. There is really nothing I can do.

Well, if he is drunk you can just tell him not to bother coming home at all.

Not until father has gone anyway.

The children are here.

The cake was brought in. They sang Happy Anniversary to you.

I'm sorry.

Unforgivable. Unforgivable!

Why do you let him get away with it? - Father, please.

I'll be in in a minute.

You're a dog, that's all.

Fed up.

Ever heard that phrase?

No, you wouldn't. You're not married.

If you ever did fall, a smart cookie like you, you'd pick an orphan.

This is a little awkward, Cleve. You know how I like Pam.

You know how I like Pam.

Well then?

I can't talk until I have another drink.

Okay.

But you ought to work up to this. - I have.

Five years.

Five years drunk and I didn't know it.

What happened today? Where have you been for the last few hours?

Down in The Pike. - Yeah?

Not that part of The Pike.

There are some respectable sections.

I went down to an antique shop.

Yeah?

In that other part of The Pike I wouldn't know what to do.

Go on, don't bare your soul.

It was for Pam's anniversary present.

She told me where it was.

A Whatnot she's been wanting.

What's a "Whatnot"?

Well, it's a thing you stick in a corner and put junk and whatnot on it.

Ah, you're taking this too seriously. You are too sensitive.

I like doing things for myself.

It's my wife.

My kids. My house.

For one thing, I can tell him not to be there so often.

I can tell him to take his big car out of my driveway and his big fat ..

Windbag out of my living-room.

What's this go to do with the Whatnot?

Well.

It does sound sort of picayune.

It's the basis of it really.

I drove down and went in.

No Whatnot.

The Honorable Calvin H Blackwell, retired.

Bless his retired soul.

Had just been in this morning.

And bought it for his daughter. For her anniversary present.

Does she happen to mention to him that she wanted it too?

Does it all the time.

If I can't get something for her.

Father will.

You going someplace?

I've got to meet a train at ten. That witness that's coming in.

Want to come with me? - No.

Then I've got an idea for you.

If you're not going home.

I'm not going home.

Go out and get yourself really drunk.

And if there is a dame handy, tell her how your wife doesn't understand you.

It's not bad. They say it helps sometimes.

How my father-in-law doesn't understand me.

I think I'll do it.

Look Cleve, everything will be alright in the morning.

You've got too much to lose to let go now.

That Denham trial is going to the jury tomorrow.

The D.A.'s counting on you. - And I'm his fair-haired boy.

You didn't remind me of that.

And who got me my job with the District Attorney?

Who put me here?

Well.

Close up when you go, will you.

Yeah, sure.

Excuse me.

I beg your pardon.

Mr Scott, it was nice of you to wait for me.

I phoned earlier in the hope that you would.

Oh, I didn't wait for you.

Do you always work so late?

But then crime doesn't stop on the dot so I suppose you can't either.

Aren't you going to ask me to sit down?

Won't you?

In fact, I wish ..

I wish so much of crime didn't take place after dark.

It is most unnerving.

It's about my aunt, Miss Vera Edwards. I guess you know her. Everyone does.

She is a character around here.

Am I disturbing you or something?

Obviously I am.

But don't do that on my account.

After a long, hard day, if a man can't have a drink.

Or several drinks.

Oh, I'm drunk.

Extremely. Thank you.

Wouldn't you feel better? It's awfully stuffy in here.

I'll manage.

Would you rather I'd come back?

Only this has happened before.

I don't seem to be able to get any satisfaction out of the police.

I phoned you two weeks ago. That first scare we had.

This is not the police department.

Yes. I know. What I meant to say was ..

There are reasons why I have stay away from them and come to you.

My aunt is eccentric and uniforms upset her.

Mr Scott.

Is that what you want to do?

Or is it that you just don't want to listen to me?

What's your name?

Thelma Jordan. Miss Edwards' niece.

Well Miss Edwards' niece, I am not Mr Scott.

So you can save your breath.

Oh.

However.

If I can be of any help.

A lady in distress.

A pretty lady.

Distress is my speciality tonight.

You help me and I'll help you.

Do I make myself clear?

No, not quite.

And now, if you'll excuse me. - Wait.

Another time I'll hope to find Mr Scott here and tell him my troubles.

I'm sorry if I disturbed you. - You didn't disturb me.

I was just about to go out and find myself a dame.

If you will pardon the expression.

Good luck.

Miss Jordan.

Is that right?

I used to know your aunt.

She caught me stealing oranges in her orange grove once.

Did you ever get switched with an orange branch?

I've still got the scars.

Ruined my legs permanently.

I notice that you have not had the same experience.

I've only been here a few months.

I have passed the orange-stealing age and I ..

Haven't yet reached the flattering one.

Goodnight.

I was just trying to make a joke. Wait a minute.

I am a public servant. I am supposed to hear your troubles.

You listen to my troubles and I'll listen to yours.

Hey, wait a minute.

At least let me apologise.

Anything I can do?

If this isn't typical.

I come all the way down here to report an attempted burglary and I get ticket.

Not only do I find a drunk sitting in the Chief Investigator's office but I ..

The other cars don't have one.

That one is mine.

Will you move it please so I can get out of here.

Miss Jordan.

I am really a very respectable citizen.

But you see, I've got my troubles too tonight.

My name is Cleve Marshall.

I am 35 years old and Assistant District Attorney.

So?

Well, I'm not just an ordinary drunk.

You see how fair this hair is?

The promise of a most brilliant future.

What is it you want of me?

Buy you a drink some place?

I'm harmless.

And I'm lonesome.

You are very appealing but ..

Thank you just the same.

Aren't you interested in men with futures?

I have my own to look after.

Miss Jordan, at least let me fix that ticket for you.

Oh, would you?