Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor

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Thank you.

Mr. Richard, how does it feel to be the frontrunner in the race for governor?

Well, you know, politics is a lot like the circus.

It's always better to be in front leading the parade than in back sweeping up after the elephants.

No, no, seriously, seriously, there are no guarantees in this.

Or any other election.

Do you think your recent surge in the polls reflects voter interest in your

programs or simply a rejection of incumbent Governor Allison?

I think it's a little bit of both.

I think the voters have taken a look at Governor Allison's record and decided I might do better.

How much will the voters like you and the program when they see this?

Where'd you get this?

What is this?

That's a press release just issued by a young woman who claims to be your mistress.

Now, according to this woman, you and she had an affair while your wife lay dying in a hospital.

We're waiting for your comment.

Mr. Richard, do you have a comment on that?

What is your comment on that?

Is that true what they say right there?

Mr. Richard.

Mr. Richard.

Good morning, John.

No use campaigning here, Harlan.

You already got my vote.

I appreciate that.

Where's Mckenzie?

We're open.

Morning, Bill.

Morning, Harlan.

Thanks for seeing me, Bill.

Yeah.

Guess you know why?

I'm here.

I saw the news on the TV.

All lies.

Didn't have anything to do with that girl.

Do you know her?

Met her at a fundraiser, had my picture taken with her.

Then, you know, she started to call the office, and I didn't feel good about that, so I didn't take the calls.

Gotta believe me, Bill.

Oh, hell, Harlan, I believe you.

I don't think you've got the imagination to take up with a girl like that.

Will you talk to her for me?

Just see what it's gonna take to get rid of her.

Harlan.

I've never cared for your politics.

As a matter of fact, I'm voting for Allison.

But you've always been straight with me, even when you were the DA.

So I'll be glad to look into it for you.

Thank you, Bill.

Don't thank me yet.

I got a feeling this ain't gonna be easy.

Hey, John Red.

You weren't easy to find.

You're here to convince me to retract my story.

So, what is Harlan offering?

He's not offering one thin dime.

Just a chance to tell the truth before I have to call you in court.

Harlan Richards had an affair with me.

You seen the picture?

Oh, now, Miss Moore used to be the camera never lied.

But with the tabloids and all that's over, you could take my head and put it on

another man's body and swear that I was in love with Saddam Hussein.

Okay.

Just what are you offering?

I can't for the life of me figure out why a beautiful and apparently nice young

woman like you would want to destroy a man as decent as Harlan Richards, wreck his

election, his political future, bring this grief to him and his daughter.

Why are you doing this, Miss Moore?

I have no choice.

You don't.

Whatever your personal grudge against him, I feel obliged.

I'm obliged to warn you that you're committing libel and tampering with the electoral process.

Now, Mr. Richards is at this hotel.

Here's his number.

Please, if you won't talk to me, talk to him.

Where is everybody?

Send them all home.

It's been a long, hard day.

Well, I'm afraid I'm not going to make it any easier.

I come up dry.

I come up dry with Violet Moore.

Damn that woman.

She's lying.

Why is she doing this to me?

She wouldn't say, but whoever put her up to it planted a tape recorder in her purse.

You're not going to give up, Harlan.

Now, you listen to him, Daddy.

Hi.

Bill, any luck with her yet?

Afraid not.

I tell you, you give me five minutes alone with that Miss Violet Moore, and I'll get the truth out of her.

Now, Karen, you're a loyal daughter, and I admire your spirit, but that's a wretched idea, and you know it.

Well, what are we supposed to do?

All I can do is stand by my denial and continue the campaign.

You saw today's polls.

Unless we do something, we are going to lose.

Then we lose.

I'm real sorry about all this.

Enough to vote for me?

You take care.

You too, Karen.

Thanks.

Oh, wife.

Harlan Richards.

This is, uh, Violet Moore.

What is it, Ms. Moore?

Look, I've been thinking things over, and I've decided that I really can't go through with this frame-up thing.

Mr. Richards, it's just not right.

I'm very relieved, Ms. Moore.

Are you willing to make a public retraction?

Uh, I don't know if I can do that.

Uh, it would be a little challenging.

Who put you up to this, Ms. Moore?

You know what?

I really can't get into this over the phone.

See, if they found out that I called you, well, I don't know what they'd do.

Ms. Moore, if you'll come forward and tell your story, I guarantee you my protection.

I tell you what, I could meet you tomorrow morning, uh, at 8, say, um, in your hotel.

In the coffee shop.

I'll be there.

I didn't hear you come in.

Hi.

Keep.

Everybody out of here.

My.

Father didn't commit suicide.

God, Bill.

I know, I know, I'm so sorry.

He's dead, Bill.

I know.

They are saying he threw himself out the window.

He wouldn't have done that, Bill.

I know.

Let me sort this out with the sergeant.

Can you sit over here for a minute?

Yeah.

Be all right here.

Yeah.

All right.

Bad business, Joe.

What'd you find?

Nothing complicated.

He opened the window and jumped out.

Just like that?

Just like that.

Come on, Karen.

Come on.

Come back to the ranch with me.

I just, I don't understand it, Bill.

Neither do I.

We interrupt this program for a special news brief.

Here's Dale Scott.

The medical examiner's office has officially concluded that gubernatorial

candidate Harlan Richards' death was suicide.

Richards was recently accused by a former campaign worker, Violet Moore,

of having an affair with her, and she was charging him with sexual harassment.

Apparently distraught over the scandal, Mr. Richards jumped from his hotel room window, dying instantly.

State political experts agree that the death of Harlan Richards guarantees the

re-election of his opponent, incumbent governor, Ryan Allison.

We'll have more on the death of Harlan Richards, including reactions from around the country.

I might as well say what everybody's thinking.

Congratulations on the second term, Governor Allison.

We lucked out.

I didn't want it this way.

Everybody knows that, Ryan.

And, Dan, you keep quiet about luck.

Folks will think we're dancing on Harlan's grave.

Lighten up, Al.

This is good news for us all, so why not admit it?

Yeah, it's a gift horse.

Why look at the mouth?

Absolutely.

I'm.

Harlan Richards' daughter.

I've been looking for you for four months.

I need your help.

Do I look like I can help anybody?

My father didn't commit suicide.

He was murdered.

And whoever put you up to framing him is behind it.

I'm sorry.

You're wasting your time.

Who used you to make it look like this?

Like my father had a reason to kill himself.

I need to know what you know.

Look, lady, I got enough trouble, see?

Just leave me alone.

I'll make it worth your while.

Oh, yeah?

How much?

$50,000.

In advance.

Then I'll tell you what I know.

I can get you $50,000.

Now you tell me what happened.

First, I get my money.

I'll tell you this.

The frame-up, your father's death, it was all about getting Allison elected governor.