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Harry Kramer:Theee Edgggge of Night.
ACT ONE
SCENE 1
In Ursula's lab, Kilborn is jubilant, but contained. He's feeling strong, a worthy antagonist for anyone. He walks to the drugged Phil and looks down at him as he says, "I don't see how the substitution can be detected - except by Louise Capice - except by his wife." He turns to Ursula saying there's no reason Louise shouldn't accept Lambert as her husband - he'll be injured - apparently in an auto accident - anything that doesn't look right to her could be attributed to that. They hope Lambert's sufficiently trained to get away with it.
COMMERCIAL
ACT TWO
SCENE 2A
It's after midnight in the Capice living room as Louise holds the phone toward Bill Marceau. There is a moment of paralyzing fear, then he takes the phone. Mike anticipates bad news and puts his arm around Louise. Calling from police headquarters is Lt. Bernhardt. He tells Bill they put out the alert on Phillip Capice. There's been an accident on a side street just off River Street. Phil's been hurt and he's on his way to Memorial Hospital right now. Bill thanks him, telling him to investigate the accident thoroughly. As he puts down the phone Louise is at him frenziedly asking what happened. Bill says there's been an automobile accident, that Phil was hurt and he's being taken to Memorial Hospital right now. Louise says she must go there at once and goes to get her coat. Mike picks up the phone to get a babysitter for Sara Louise and Bill throws on his coat and is ready to take off.
SCENE 2B
Back at the lab Phil is as he was before - drugged, immobilized, speechless, but semi-conscious. The pressure is off Kilborn and Ursula; all has gone well so far. Kilborn says that Lambert's injury - falling down the stairs, breaking his collarbone, was fortunate. Staging the automobile accident to use his injury was a stroke of genius! Reassuring himself he says that when Mrs. Capice sees him in the hospital bruised and bandaged she'll overlook any apparent change in him. He turns on the TV to a special news bulletin: "Leading Monticello citizen Philip Capice was found injured in his car, which for some unknown reason had gone out of control and crashed into the brick retaining wall of Riverview Cemetery. Mr. Capice has been taken to Memorial Hospital and his condition is said to be critical. . ." Kilborn is pleased. Ursula watches Phil whose eyes register shock.
COMMERCIAL
ACT THREE
SCENE 3A
Louise, Mike and Bill are waiting in the hospital emergency room as Dr. Hewson enters. He hasn't finished examining Phil yet, but wanted to assure Louise her husband was alive. He tells her his injuries are serious, but not critical. He has superficial bruises and lacerations and is suffering from a concussion but no definitive symptoms of skull fracture have been found. There is, however, a fracture of the right clavicle. Louise is told Phil is being x-rayed right now and she can see him a little later. She tells Mike and Bill they don't have to stay, but both men tell her they'll wait with her. Louise moans that she thought her and Phil's trouble with the narcotics people were all over - and now this! Mike pats her soothingly, but is concerned about this new development.
SCENE 3B
In Ursula's lab Phil is showing some signs of recovering from the drug. He moves weakly and his voice is thick as he tries to speak. Kilborn says to Ursula that Phil seems to be reviving. Ursula tells him that she gave him a minimal dosage as she thought they wanted him conscious but immobilized. Mumbling, Phil almost succeeds in getting up as Ursula restrains him. She asks Kilborn if he wants her to give him another injection and Kilborn nods saying, "he's not likely to become - dangerous - but he could be a nuisance." As Ursula prepares her hypo Kilborn holds Phil's arm steady. She injects the drug and Phil doesn't immediately subside. He still tries to ask "who. . .why," but in a moment goes back to semi-conscious immobility - his tortured eyes still ask the questions. On the TV, the announcer interrupts the program with another special news bulletin regarding the condition of Phillip Capice. Kilborn and Ursula listen intently as the announcer says that Mr. Capice is in the emergency room of Memorial Hospital - the extent of his injuries still unknown. Film coverage of the wreck is shown on the television as the announcer states that Mrs. Capice, accompanied by Chief of Police William Marceau and newly appointed Special Prosecutor of Narcotics Mike Karr, arrived at the hospital. Kilborn and Ursula note that Mike and Bill are still with Louise as the announcer intones in the background. The report continues: The circumstances of the accident are being investigated presumably because Capice has recently been prominent in the news - having been cited for his heroic exposure of key figures in the narcotic ring. The fact that Chief Marceau and Mike Karr accompanied Mrs. Capice to the hospital makes that a reasonable assumption. Ursula turns off the TV as Kilborn approaches Phil and asks him if he heard the news report. Phil nods but has no power of speech. Kilborn asks him if he still wants to know why he's here while "Phillip Capice" is in the hospital. As Phil just looks at him, Kilborn tells him he discovered that an employee of his looked very much like Phil. Plastic surgery made him a "twin" - a "doppelganger." Dr. Bauer conditioned him - trained him - to be able to take his place. Never mind why, it's sufficient that Kilborn knows why. Unexpectedly his twin had an accident; he fell down the stairs here - broke his collarbone. He was placed in the car after it was wrecked and Phil's wife is at the hospital where she will soothe and comfort the man she will think is her husband. Everything has been carefully planned and the impersonation will succeed. Phil's twin will not be able to use his right hand - thus removing the immediate necessity of forgery. When the new Capice is taken home, Dr. Bauer will go with him as his nurse. Kilborn says he now has a problem, he has one Phillip Capice too many. As Ursula says she has a suggestion, Kilborn waves her to silence. He says he'll keep Phil alive - about as much as he is right now - so that if Louise should suspect that his doppelganger is not her husband, he can persuade her that the only way she can keep the real Phil alive is to accept the substitution. Ursula says Kilborn should tell Louise the truth now, right from the beginning. It's too big a risk, a wife knows her husband too well! Louise will do anything to keep Phil alive. Kilborn says he likes it this way and Ursula submits. Phil knows . . . understands. . . but is powerless.
COMMERCIAL
STATION BREAK
ACT FOUR
SCENE 4
Louise, Mike and Bill are in the waiting area of the emergency room. They're drinking coffee, but it's not a satisfactory remedy for their emotional ailment. Waiting like this reminds Mike of when Sara was hurt and Louise puts her hand on his arm in sympathy. He lights a cigarette as Louise and Bill exchange an understanding glance. Dr. Hewson enters and tells the group there's nothing new to report, nothing more serious has shown itself. He lights a cigarette and tells them Phil is resting comfortably under mild sedation. Lt. Bernhardt enters and Bill goes to him. Louise asks Hewson when she can see Phil and the doctor tells her as soon as they patch him up and find a room for him. He exits and Bill and Lt. Bernhardt join Louise and Mike. Bernhardt tells the group they checked the tire tracks. For no reason they can figure his car swerved from the street, crossed the curb and crashed into a brick retaining wall. Maybe he had to dodge another car or a jaywalking pedestrian. Mike asks if there's any reason to suspect that the accident wasn't an accident. Louise asks Mike if he's trying to infer that someone tried to kill Phil. Bernhardt says there's no indication of that, so far. He asks why they think it wasn't an accident and Bill says Phil was on his way to meet a man who said he had narcotics information. The men do not want to discuss the serious implications of this in front of Louise and Bill says that maybe the lab will come up with something. Dr. Hewson enters and confirms his earlier diagnosis. Phil is not in danger. The only serious injury is a concussion and the broken collarbone. For the moment he isn't the picture of health, but should be up and around in a few days. He tells Louise she can see him in a few minutes. To the mild amusement of the men Louise sits down, the strain finally succumbing to the knowledge that Phil is out of danger.
COMMERCIAL
ACT FIVE
SCENE 5A
Kilborn is still sitting in front of the TV as Ursula goes to him saying they aren't likely to get any more news tonight - unless Mrs. Capice takes a look at Lambert and denounces him as an imposter. Kilborn scowls and rubs his hands nervously saying he's sure she won't. Ursula, who's not as sure, starts to turn off the TV and Kilborn tells her to leave it on. If Mrs. Capice is suspicious and doesn't accept Lambert there'll be enough excitement in the hospital to attract the attention of reporters and there might be another news bulletin. He says now is the crucial time. If his wife, of all people, accepts him without question as Phillip Capice his plan will work. He's well on his way to smashing - destroying - Winston Grimsley. Phil, who's been listening, reacts to this declaration. Ursula notices Phil listening and tells Kilborn not to say too much in front of him. He can't move or talk, but he can hear and understand. She says that he may end up being their only protection and the less he knows the better. She pours a pair of drinks and hands one to Kilborn. She touches her glass to his and says, "To the new Phillip Capice. Long may he - behave." Kilborn calms a little, saying if he only knew what was happening. He then gets an idea: Barbara Barnett can find out what's going on at the hospital. Karr, Marceau and Mrs. Capice have accepted her as the Governor's representative. They have no reason to suspect she is also on their side for the Syndicate. Ursula's still not sure Barbara can be trusted and Kilborn orders her to get her on the phone. He has to know what happens when Mrs. Capice sees Lambert for the first time - or what has already happened. Kilborn has a sudden fear of failure.
SCENE 5B
In the hospital waiting room Louise is with Mike and Bill. She has freshened up and returns her mirror and compact to her purse. She forces a smile even though her lip quivers. She asks if she looks all right and both Mike and Bill say she's the best medicine her husband could have. Mike and Bill tell her they'll wait while she sees Phil, Mike will take her home and Bill has some questions for Phil. Dr. Hewson enters and beckons for Louise. She leaves with the doctor.
COMMERCIAL
ACT SIX
Lambert is in bed in his hospital room. His right arm is in a cast as he eyes the door. Thinking to himself he wonders why Louise hasn't come. The doctor said she wanted to see him - wanted to see her husband. What'll she do? Come and kiss him and tell him how much she loves him - or take one look and back out - or maybe scream her head off? If she knows right off that he's not Capice, he's caught. One sure thing - he won't be the only one. Kilborn got him into this, he's in it too. . . he stops thinking as the door slowly opens. Dr. Hewson enters with Louise. Her heart is in her eyes as she stops just inside the door. Her face changes and she sways a little. Lambert follows her with his eyes as she slowly comes toward the bed.
COMMERCIAL
CLOSING BILLBOARD
HARRY KRAMER: This is Harry Kramer inviting you to join us each weekday afternoon for THE EEEDDDGGGEE OF NIGHT.
