Previously onWhy Women Kill...
You know, a spot's opened up in the Garden Club.
It's considered the finest in Los Angeles.
We're having a gathering at my house on Saturday.
You're inviting me to a party?
Oh, honey. They don't let frumps
into the Elysian Park Garden Club.
Oh, no. The needle.
My Aunt Enid
had one just like it.
She died four years ago.
The man I need you to follow is my lover.
So you're the cheater?
My lover's name is Scooter Polarsky.
You're late.
Sorry, Scooter.
-Rita? -Carlo?
-It seems I'm dying. -I know.
When a dog or cat is ready to die, we help them.
We should show human beings the same kindness.
Alma?
I'm off to work. You awake?
In fact, Alma Fillcot had not slept a wink all night long.
The mysterious box in her attic kept taunting her, whispering,
"Your husband has a secret."
But she refused to believe it.
She knew Bertram Fillcot was the kindest man she'd ever met.
She had learned this years ago.
The night Tom Madison broke her heart.
What are you doing?
I found a baby bird on the ground.
I'm putting it back in its nest.
Aren't you worried about your tux?
No.
Just worried about the bird.
There you go, little buddy.
Be more careful in the future.
Be right down.
That was very kind of you.
I didn't do so much.
You were right.
My tux is a goner.
Guess I'll have to call it a night.
You're not going back to the dance?
I don't know many girls that would dance with me
looking like this.
Good night.
I'd dance with you.
The rip doesn't matter to me.
Not in the slightest.
My name is Alma, by the way.
Alma Wilkins.
Yes, uh, I know.
You do?
I've seen you around school.
I always thought you were nice.
I was right.
So, what's your name?
Oh, I'm Bertram Fillcot.
So, Miss Wilkins...
would you do me the honor?
Even after all these years,
Alma Fillcot still loved her husband.
But she now suspected he was keeping something from her.
So she decided to learn everything she could
about the secrets he was hiding inside that mysterious box.
And, like Pandora before her, she was completely unprepared
for the evil that was about to burst forth.
As Alma studied the various items
she'd found in her husband's box...
...there was one in particular that caught her eye.
And worried her.
Greatly.
Oh, good. You're finally up.
Been dying to find out what happened yesterday.
What do you mean?
The party.
-Did it go well? -Oh.
Are the Garden Club ladies going to invite you to join?
That. Um, you know, I-I don't, I don't think so.
I don't think I made a very good impression.
Oh, Mom. I'm sorry.
Are you devastated?
Um...
Probably.
I haven't had time to decide.
Excuse me.
This looks like a cleaning woman.
You said take a photo of every dame
who went into his apartment.
That's the only one who waltzed in.
Galumphed in is more like it.
If Scooter is having an affair,
it is not with that fat old thing.
If you say so.
You want me to keep tailing him?
One more week, to be sure.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to the hospital
to check on my husband's condition.
-Yeah, I heard he had a stroke. -Oh, it's devastating.
Carlo can still see and hear, but he can't speak or move.
The doctors say it's like he's trapped in his own body.
That's rough.
Yes, well, if he has to be stuck in anyone's body,
I'm glad it's his for a change and not mine.
I'm starting to think you don't care
if your husband lives or dies.
Oh, I don't mean to sound callous.
It's just...
I look so good in black.
Nurse?
When you're done in there,
could you tell Carlo's doctor I want to speak to him?
Oh, and I'd kill for a cup of coffee,
if there's a fresh pot somewhere.
I am not your maid, Rita.
And the nurses are here to heal my father,
not to pamper his concubine.
Catherine...
what a nice surprise.
Why didn't you tell me my father was ill?
If his lawyer hadn't called, I would still be in Texas.
Sorry, but I've been busy.
Oh, I'm sure spending my father's money
takes up a lot of your day.
Don't worry, Papa.
Your dumpling is here to take care of you.
Dumpling?
Do you not know how he feels about you?
You're an only child and still not his favorite.
I was owed a phone call.
The family trust clearly states
that I'm in charge of every decision
involving my father's health.
How did that happen?
You may have nicer legs, but...
I have better lawyers.
And they say I have the power to take him back home.
Did you hear that, Papa?
I'll be taking care of you from now on.
So you're taking him back to Texas?
Yes.
And now I have to go and speak with the doctors, and, no...
...you may not join us.
Oh, she's taking you out of my life, Carlo.
Whatever shall I do?
Besides cartwheels, I mean.
Hey.
Morning, Mr. Polarsky.
The usual?
You know it, doll.
You again.
So, what'll it be?
Cup of joe followed by six refills?
And some toast.
I'm feeling adventurous.
Craziest thing.
I, uh, I thought I saw you last night,
over in Chinatown.
Yeah.
That was me.
Oh.
Did, uh, you see me?
Maid's getup?
Old lady wig?
Yeah, you were hard to miss.
Look, about that...
Listen. You don't owe me an explanation.
Whatever's going on between you and that guy,
it's none of my business.
Why do you think there's a guy?
Well, for starters, you were in a disguise,
and it ain't Halloween.
Okay, yeah, there's a guy.
But it's a complicated.
Is it?
Don't act like you get what's going on,
'cause you don't.
You're right.
I don't get why a smart girl like you
would let some jerk humiliate her.
He's not a jerk.
He's in a jam, is all.
But deep down he's good people.
Alma Fillcot went into town that day
to learn the truth behind her husband's mysterious collection.
She knew in her heart, there was a simple explanation.
She was wrong.
Miss Moran?
Hello?
Miss Moran, are you home?
Hello?
Um, you don't know me,
but I-I have something that belongs to you.
Oh.
Miss Moran.
Miss Moran?
Are you asleep?
Miss Moran?
Oh, my God.
-Hello.
How did it go?
I hope Duke didn't give you too much trouble.
-Nope. He behaved like royalty. -Oh.
Oh, I've got the...
-prescription here for his eye drops. -Oh.
Thank you again, Dr. Fillcot.
Oh, wait. I almost forgot.
I brought a gift for Alma.
Oh. You know my wife?
Well, we just met at a party yesterday.
But she did the sweetest thing for me,
so I bought her some chocolates.
What on earth did she do?
Do you remember my Aunt Enid?
Who died?
Yes, uh...
heart attack.
Sweet soul.
Yes, well, after her death, some jewelry she owned went missing.
But thanks to your wife,
I now have it back.
Did she say where she found it?
Oh, I don't know, some rummage sale, I think.
Anyway, wasn't it just darling of her to return it?
Yes, darling.
I wonder why she didn't tell me herself.
Well, when you give her the chocolates,
do tell her they're from Belgium, please.
That's the expensive kind.
Come, Duke.
Hello, Bertram.
We need to talk.
They're mementos.
Things that once belonged to friends.
Patients.
People I've met.
People who are now dead.
If they were alive, I wouldn't need mementos.
If they're just harmless keepsakes,
then why do you hide them in the attic?
You're very emotional.
Well, of course I'm emotional.
I just saw a dead woman.
A dead woman?
Your friend Maisie Moran.
I saw her name on your latest...
souvenir.
So I looked up her address.
I wanted to talk to her.
But it was too late for a chat.
That must be very upsetting for you.
Let me get you some tea.
I don't want tea.
Bertram, I want answers!
Were you there last night?
Yes.
I'm sure that there is a perfectly logical explanation
for all of this.
And now would be a really good time
for you to share that with me.
Because the most dreadful thoughts
are racing through my mind.
Things that can't possibly be true.
Please tell me what is going on.
Maisie was very ill.
You're saying that she...
died of natural causes?
Bertram.
What happened last night?
She deserved a beautiful death,
and I made sure she got one.
You made sure?
It's why I was there.
To help her die peacefully.
What do you mean you helped her?
With an injection.
It's the same drug I use in my practice.
You put her to sleep?
Like she was a dog?
She was on the verge of so much suffering.
They all were.
They all were?
Yes, each was dying of something.
Alcoholism,
heart disease, cancer.
When there's no possibility of a cure, then...
I bring peace.
You killed all these people?
No, I helped them.
Helped them?
Did...
Did they ask you to?
Well...
Oh, my God.
What's wrong?
I can't breathe.
My heart is pounding.
You need to calm yourself.
Let me get you a sedative.
Don't you come near me!
No. Don't.
Alma, surely you don't think...
-You stay back. Back! -Alma.
-Get away. Ah! -Darling.
-Alma.
Alma.
Look, I-I know you've had a shock.
But... there's really no need to overreact.
You kill people for a hobby!
It's not possible to overreact!
Hobby? No.
You don't understand.
Those sweet souls, the...
the ones I helped, they were alone
and scared,
with nothing to look forward to
but unimaginable pain.
I eased them out of life to protect them.
I showed them mercy.
The first person I helped in this way, she...
She asked me to.
She begged me.
You should have seen her face afterwards.
Oh, it was so peaceful.
Ever since then, it's become my calling.
Alma, are you listening to me?
What?
You've never conducted a fire safety drill before?
Darling, please.
Can we talk about this?
-Alma? -No.
Don't come any closer!
Where are you going?
Where do you think I'm going? To the police!
Can't we talk about this?
You know I'd never hurt you.
I'm not afraid you'll hurt me.
I'm afraid you'll help me.
-No. No. -Alma...
Back up.
Get back.
-Alma?
Scooter, I've been thinking.
How'd you like to come live with me?
You mean shack up?
Well, what about Carlo?
His bitch of a daughter is taking him back home to Texas.
Oh, swell.
When should I start packing?
Today, if you'd like.
But since I'm still married,
we'll need a cover story to explain you being there.
Oh, right.
So we don't scandalize the Garden Club.
Exactly.
So we'll tell people you're my chauffeur.
-A chauffeur? -Mm-hmm.
But I'm an actor.
Mm.
Okay, an aspiring actor.
And I'm an aspiring widow.
So while we wait for our dreams to come true,
you'll stay in my guesthouse.
Trust me, it beats this pigsty.
That woman who cleans for you isn't just old, she's blind.
I never said I have a cleaning lady.
Oh, you must have.
How else could I know about her?
You know what?
Let's leave things how they are.
I want you as my lover, not my boss.
Oh, for God's sake, it's temporary.
Carlo is inches from death.
And once I have his money,
we can spend it on anything you'd like.
Travel, parties.
Give up my freedom for a few shindigs?
Pasadena.
I will have millions of dollars.
And...
there might even be enough to finance a film...
starring my former chauffeur.
Are you serious?
Of course I am, my beautiful boy.
Now, what do you say?
I say...
car's all gassed up, Mrs. Castillo.
Where to?
Paradise.
And step on it.
Alma Fillcot?
Rita.
What are you doing here?
Oh, I was just around the block, interviewing a new chauffeur.
Uh, so, Grace phoned me last night.
She went on and on about you.
She did?
Yes. She said you were very sweet.
You returned some old trinket?
Yes, her-her cameo.
Anyway, she's very grateful,
and she wants to nominate you for the open spot in the club.
Oh, my God.
I just didn't think I'd ever be nominated.
No one did.
But you now have Grace on your side.
So, good for you.
Do you really think I have a chance?
Maybe.
Ada Coy was my first choice, but...
Well, her husband was just caught
embezzling money from his bank.
Obviously, we can't admit someone
whose husband might be arrested.
Oh.
Wh-Why not?
The Elysian Park Garden Club has a sterling reputation.
We can't be associated with a public scandal.
Right.
That would be awkward.
What if she didn't know what her husband had done?
Oh. She's his wife.
She should have known.
Poor Ada.
I know.
She'll probably have to leave town.
No one decent will want to have a thing to do with her now.
It's not fair.
But the good news is, now you have a shot.
Someone will call you soon
to set up a date for your interview.
Oh, and, um,
when that day comes, Alma,
speaking as a friend...
Yes?
Don't wear that.
Are you crazy? You can't move this kid in here.
Oh. Lots of women have drivers.
Middle-aged men with a gut.
If you move a gorgeous young kid in here, people will talk.
Well, I'll just... I'll tell everyone he's an actor
and I'm only moving him in so I can mentor him.
People won't talk then.
No, they'll laugh.
That must be Scooter now.
His name is Scooter?
I know.
I begged him to change it.
Catherine?
What are you doing here?
Oh, I brought you a present.
Your husband.
Come on, Papa.
Home sweet home.
But you said he was going to live with you in Texas.
And when I saw how happy that made you,
I knew I'd made a mistake.
Then it occurred to me that I can live here,
look after Papa,
and keep an eye on you, as well.
Isabel, you can use the elevator
to take my father up to his room.
Isabel, no.
Carlo is not staying.
Father pays for your salary.
Not her.
Yes, Miss Castillo.
-Sorry, Mrs. Castillo.
You. You...
This is my home, Catherine, and I want you to leave.
My father's name is on the deed, so what you want is irrelevant.
Wheel Papa to the window, Isabel.
He likes looking at the flowers.
This is insane.
He needs better care than we can give him here.
You seem awfully eager to get him out of your hair.
Do you have some gigolo waiting in the wings?
How dare you question my fidelity?
Yoo-hoo!
Anyone home?
Excuse me.
What the hell's going on?
You have to leave now.
Rita, where are you?
Oh, crap.
-Give me this. -Hey. What are you doing?
-Shh. Give me this. -What?
Who is this?
Oh, for Christ's sake, Catherine.
It's just my dry cleaner.
I-I hope you haven't lost any more buttons.
Isabel.
Put these dresses away.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Oh, did I forget a tip?
There.
Off you go.
Aw. Thanks, Mrs. Castillo.
See you later.
Hmm.
I can't believe you just did that.
Did what?
You tipped him a whole dollar.
If that's how you're spending Papa's money,
it's a good thing I'm here.
What I spend is none of your business.
Oh, but everything you do is my business now.
Morally and legally.
And if I find legal grounds to sue for divorce on his behalf,
I will do so.
And take you out of his will.
So that's your plan?
To inherit the whole shebang yourself?
I don't need Papa's money.
But I sure would love to take it away from you.
Scooter? Scooter.
-Rita. -Oh, come here.
Who the heck was that?
Oh, it's Carlo's daughter.
She brought the S.O.B. home.
-Well, how long is she going to be here? -Who knows?
We'll talk about it tonight at your place,
-if I can get away. -Wait.
What about my garment bag?
Mr. Scotty.
Thanks so much.
A-And it-it's Scooter.
You should really think about "Scotty." It's better.
Mom.
What are you doing here? I was just about to head home.
Well, then I'm glad I caught you.
Um...
is there someplace else that you could go tonight?
A-a friend you could stay with?
I guess. Why?
Well, there's a...
a problem at home
with your father, and I...
it needs to be dealt with.
I just thought it might be better if we were alone tonight.
What's the matter?
Is Dad sick?
Maybe.
But not in the way that you mean.
I don't understand.
I can't go into it now.
Not here.
Mom, you're scaring me.
Sit down.
-Come on.
Dee, your...
your father is not the man I thought he was.
Is there another woman?
There was.
Oh, God.
So, Daddy...
I'm so sorry.
What are you going to do?
If I do what I should, then...
I'll lose everything I've ever dreamed of.
If I do nothing, then how will I live with myself?
People will talk.
They'll find out.
What would they say about me?
My whole life,
you've been worried about other people's opinions.
Put their needs ahead of your own.
Maybe it's time to be selfish.
For once in your life,
just do whatever makes you happy.
You know, I'm...
I'm very proud of the woman you've turned into.
I don't think I tell you that enough.
No, you don't.
So...
What happens now?
What a good question.
How's that, Papa?
Not too hot?
I agree.
It's just right.
I got to get your pills ready.
Shoot.
I'm missing one.
I'll be back.
You need to bathe your husband.
I thought you were going to do it.
Oh, I left some of his pills in the drugstore,
so I have to go get them.
I'll go get 'em.
It closes in ten minutes, and...
I don't trust you to get there on time or...
in one piece.
Is Isabel upstairs?
I want you to do it, you drunken fool.
Just go upstairs,
and make sure his bathwater doesn't get cold.
Hey, Carlo.
Nurse Rita reporting.
Is the water getting cold?
Sure looks that way.
You know...
It's been 15 years.
I lived up to my end of the bargain.
But I think it's your turn now.
I have so much unused love in my heart.
Let me find someone I can give it to, while I'm still young.
Oh, come on.
It's the last favor I'll ever ask of you.
Please.
Die for Rita.
Rita?
Turns out I left the pills in the car.
How are we doing in here?
Ay, por Dios, Rita.
I told you to keep the water warm, not scalding.
Can't you even get his bath right?
Oh, I'm sorry.
It was just my first try.
Maybe I'll get it right next time.
Hello?
Daddy, it's me.
Oh. Dee.
Hello.
Will you be home soon?
No.
Mom asked me to spend the night somewhere else.
Oh, right, y-your mother came to see you?
Yes.
Oh.
Dad, I am so disappointed in you.
What did she say, exactly?
You've been seeing another woman.
She said that?
How could you?
She's given you the best years of her life,
and this is how you pay her back?
With lies?
Mm, I, I don't what to say.
But I just want you to know that I never meant
to hurt her.
Oh, not that old line.
You were supposed to be one of the good ones.
And the worst part is,
I have no one to look up to anymore.
-Dee.
-Dee?
Yeah?
Scooter, get down here. It's me.
What are you doing here?
Sorry. Long story, but I can't spend the night at home.
I tried to go to my friend Karen's,
but she's got family in from Bakersfield.
Don't you got any other friends?
Not when it's raining.
-Are you going to let me in?
I think my rich lady friend's having me tailed.
Someone could be watching us right now.
I'm asking for one night.
It's pouring buckets, for God's sake.
Ah. Sorry, doll.
I can't lose my meal ticket.
Hey, I'll make it up to you.
Damn it.
Need a lift?
Vern.
What are you doing here?
What does it matter? You're soaked.
Wait a minute.
Are you following me?
I am not following you.
Then what are you doing here for the second night in a...?
Oh, my God.
You're the one tailing Scooter?
Is that why you've been coming into the diner?
Well, we'll discuss it later. Just get in.
No.
Dee.
Hold up.
You're a dirty gumshoe.
So what if I am?
You are going to catch your death out here.
Well, why do you care?
Do I need a reason?
Okay.
Now, where's home?
I'm not going home.
I need a motel.
Okay. I know one.
It's clean. It's safe.
I got a question.
Did Scooter's rich lady friend hire you?
Yeah.
She doesn't trust him.
Apparently, with good reason.
I can't believe you took that woman's money to follow him.
I thought you were a good guy.
If that haircut is your boyfriend,
you're not much of a judge on what makes a good guy.
We have an arrangement.
It works.
Well, maybe I'm dumb, but...
I'll never understand what you see in him.
He looks like a movie star.
Girls like me never end up with guys who look like him.
Yeah.
Yeah, I put up with a lot.
But for an hour, twice a week, I own his beauty.
During that 60 minutes,
I forget about all the guys I had crushes on,
all those jerks
who never gave me the time of day, and...
...and I forgive 'em.
Just a little.
Look, I'm sorry if I...
Just drive.
The desk clerk who runs this place is a pal of mine.
I helped him out of a jam once, back when I was a cop.
He'll take good care of you.
Dee?
What's her name?
The woman you work for?
I can't say.
It wouldn't be professional.
Do you think she loves Scooter?
Haven't a clue.
All I know is, she doesn't want to share him.
You know, the world's full of men.
Decent men who'd treat you right.
Well, if you meet one, tell him to hurry it up.
I'm tired of waiting.
I'll get the word out.
So...
what are you going to say to this rich lady about me?
You mean Scooter's maid?
Well, what can you say about that sweet old woman?
She's got a heart of gold.
Well, I'll see you.
Hey.
I was wrong.
You are a good guy.
Bertram?
What is that?
It's-it's a letter.
"By the time you read this, I will be..."
Bertram, is this a suicide note?
The drug in this vial...
will make my death seem like a heart attack.
You can dispose of the evidence
and tell people I'd been complaining of chest pains.
No one has to know I took my life.
Or why.
You really are the most selfish man that ever lived.
I was only thinking of you, Alma.
Trying to spare you pain.
By killing yourself?
Leaving me alone without the husband that I love?
I didn't think you still loved me.
Well, of course I still love you.
You might be a demented lunatic,
but you're still my Bertie.
Are you just going to just stand there?
Help me dry.
I'm confused.
I thought you were going to turn me in to the police.
You can't be half as confused as I am.
I'll do whatever it is you ask, Alma.
What is it you want?
I want my old life back!
I want to pretend none of this ever happened!
That's what I want, too.
Perhaps we can put it all behind us,
never speak of it again.
It's not enough not to speak of it, Bertram.
The killing has got to stop!
All right.
No.
Swear it.
Give me your solemn oath.
-Never again. -Ever?
Bertram.
Fine. I swear.
I'll never kill anyone, ever again.
In that case...
In that, in that case what?
You won't be needing these. Will you?
No. I'll put them back in the attic.
No, no.
These are going in the trash.
You can't toss them.
We'd be dishonoring those people's memories.
Memories are exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
Alma, wait.
Can't we talk about this?
No.
I'm not spending one more night under the same roof
with you and your collection of murder souvenirs.
Bertram! Don't you dare touch those!
Look, if you don't want to keep my collection in the house,
we can store it someplace else.
That you want to keep it at all is a very troubling sign.
Are we moving past this, or aren't we?
Yes.
What are you doing?
I'm not sleeping in the same bed with you.
Ever?
Well, certainly not tonight.
Sleep in Dee's room.
She won't be home.
She told me.
Did you tell Dee that I cheated on you?
I told her I was upset with you.
She assumed that was the reason.
And you let her believe that?
What was I supposed to say? "Don't worry, dear.
"Your father would never touch another woman...
except to kill her"!
Well, it just hurts me that Dee now sees me as an adulterer.
Bertram.
You have murdered dozens of people.
You don't get to pout!
You can hardly call it murder.
The people I helped were about to die anyway.
Then why not just let nature take its course?
-Because nature is cruel.
It takes away hope and leaves nothing but pain.
I can't bear to stand idly by and just watch someone suffer.
Then look away.
Honestly.
If I find out that you have helped one more person,
I will turn you in.
Even if it brings shame on me and Dee.
This ends now, Bertram.
I mean it.
There will be no more death.
That sounded dire.
Oh, my God.
Mrs. Yost.
Alma, call an ambulance!
Bertram, look at the trellis.
She was up there listening to us.
So what?
She needs an ambulance. Quickly.
Hang on, Mrs. Yost. Help is on the way.
Bertram...
I think she's dead.
Oh, Mrs. Yost.
Well, I guess we'll have to call the police now.
Wait. Wait! Wait! Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Wait? What for?
If the police come, then what will we tell them?
Well, the truth. She was eavesdropping and she fell.
Why was she eavesdropping?
They're going to want to know what was going on in our house
lurid enough to make a 70-year-old woman
climb a trellis.
There's going to be so many questions.
Rumors.
All over town.
And after all of your crimes, Bertram.
Crimes which even I was able to uncover.
Do we dare invite that kind of scrutiny?
What choice do we have?
Alma. Alma.
Captioning sponsored by CBS
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org