Deja Vu - Part II(Lisa McDonald) Deja Vu - Continued...

Monday evening finally arrived. Though it had only been a few days, it might as well have been an eternity as far as Eliza was concerned. She puttered around the house all day biding time till 7:00 pm. At one point she made herself a cup of tea and sat at the breakfast nook playing solitaire. When that was done, all that was left to do it seemed, was to sit at the nook, arms folded staring off into space, picking at her bottom front teeth with the thumb-nail of her free hand. It wasn't too long after that she had the brilliant idea of making herself another cup of tea and retiring to the living room sofa for another game of solitaire, this time with snacks. She eventually became so bored that she actually thought about giving Mrs. Ingersoll a call. It was at that moment she realized that she hadn't received one phone call from Mrs. Ingersoll since the last time when she informed her of Muffy's sudden, ill fated departure....How unusual for Mrs. Ingersoll, She thought. Eliza momentarily considered giving her a cheer-up-call, but quickly decided it was best to leave well enough alone. But the time eventually passed and it was now a quarter to seven. Time to get things ready.

"Oh Mr. RCA I'm so excited!" She says, giving her old friend a friendly pat on top. "Oh I'm as giddy as a school girl!" She said, dancing her way to the kitchen and doing something as close to a pirrouette that a woman of her, well for lack of a kinder word let's say, " experience" can do.

She melted the butter, popped the popcorn--You know, the usual, except this time she decided to be a little more adventurous. After years of only Butter Pecan she decided Rocky Road would be a nice change and perhaps some macaroons to compliment the chocolate. After all, if she needed a more fulfilling life, she needed to do her part. If she wanted adventure, she would have to make her own. This sudden realization occurred to her at some point during the day's long boredom she had found herself suffocating in. This night was going to be extra special. A change was coming, she could feel it in her bones. This sudden epiphany awoke in Eliza a new zest for life.

Eliza sits in the cozy brown easychair, leans forward and switches on the old faithful floor model radio.

The sound of a creaking door, followed by eeri, ominous music. C-O-O-ME IIN. Welcome. I'm E G. Marshall and this is The CBS Radio Mystery Theater's -If The Doorbell Rings Don't Answer- starring James Mason, Edward G. Robinson, Raymond Burr, Myrna Loy and Joan Blondell.


Beginning of Act one

riiing... riiing... riiing...riin- "Hello?"... Hello? Is anyone there, hello?

"Click" dial tone.

riiing... riiing "Hello?"

"Eve Dear, how are you?"

"Oh hello Blanche. Say, listen was that you who phoned a moment ago?"

"No this is the first phone call I've made all day. Why do you ask?"

"Oh it's nothing really. It's just that the phone rang only a moment before you called, and I picked it up but no one answered, then there was a click on the other end. I just thought perhaps it might have been you is all."

"Well why on earth would you think I would call you and say nothing? Heaven knows you can't shut me up. At least that's what Bob always says."

"No I just thought perhaps you didn't hear me."

"That's probably it. A bad connection. I wouldn't doubt it with that storm your having over there."

Eliza shakes her head. "A bad connection my foot. I'll eat my hat if that was a bad connection."

"I know it's absolutely dreadful. I'm getting spooked at every turn. I'm not used to being all alone in this big old house."

"Say, I'll bet that was Ted phoning to check on you, and it w-a-s a bad connection."

"Yes of course, that's probably it."

"Oh girly, take it from me, DON'T listen to Blanche she doesn't know what she's talkin' about."

"So when's he due back?"

"His plane is supposed to arrive tomorrow evening. He should be home by 7:30."

"Well listen darling, why don't you drive out here tonight and spend the night with us? That way you won't have to spend the night all alone in that mausoleum. Besides it will do you good to get some of this grand Manhattan air in your lungs. I'm absolutely positive that clean fresh country air will kill you."

Eve laughs.- " No, thank you, I'll be fine here. Ted will be home tomorrow, I can wait it out."

"LISTEN TO BLANCHE! LISTEN TO BLANCHE!" Mrs. Whittle shouts.

"Ooh, can't I change your mind? We can take in a show if you leave right now. You know how much you love Broadway."

"YES! Change her mind Blanche. Change her mind!

"Tempting, but I want to stay here. I want to be here when Ted gets home."

"Well you said yourself he won't be home till 7:30."

"I know, but I want to be here in case he arrives early."

"Oh alright darling, if you absolutely insist... I've forgotten what it's like to be young and inlove, not to mention, newly weds."

Eve chuckles softly. "Yes! I absolutely insist."

"Well alright, I'll let you go. Ted's probably trying to reach you again and I'm keeping you tied up. But listen, don't be a stranger do you hear me? I miiiss you."

"Alright I won't, I promise. I miss you too."

"Good bye darling. Be sure to give Ted my love."

"No no no! Don't say goodbye! Convince her to go to Manhattan!
Go to Manhattan! G-o-o to M-a-n-hattan!"

"I will."

"Alright darling. " Kisses" to you. Bye bye." Click, Dial tone.

"Oh what a shame. Poor girl. I've listened to enough of these programs to know that you should've gone to Manhattan."


Middle of Act Two

Eve is taking a hot soak in the large marble tub before turning in for the night. Thunder looms in the distance.

riiing... riiing Eve stretches forward to answer the phone.

"Hello, Ted?... Hello...Ted darling if this is you and you can hear me, I'm sorry darling, there's a devil of a storm here and I can't hear you... I miss you darling. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love you. I hope you can hear me... I hope you miss me too..."

Click. Dial tone.

"Hello?"

Eve hangs the phone up in frustration.

She gets out of the tub, dries off and ties on her bathrobe. She goes down stairs and puts on a record and pours herself a glass of wine.

"Maybe this will help me relax."

She sits on the sofa flipping through a copy of Vogue.

"What time is it anyway? 11:30"

Eve picks up A photograph of Ted sitting on the end table next to her.

"...Oh Ted, I wish you were here darling, I miss you. I'm bored. There isn't anything to do. It's as if life suddenly stops when you leave the room, only your not in the next room. You're all the way in Boston... I can tell you one thing I've learned since you've been away, Jimmy Dorsey, this glass of wine I'm holding in my hand, and the most intriguing copy of Vouge, are no replacement for you darling...Oh why didn't I go with you! Why can't I talk to you just once? Hear your voice for just a moment?"

Eve's suddenly startled by Jasper, the black and white Tabby when he jumps on her lap.

"OH! Ja-s-per, you naughty cat. You frightened me... Did you come to keep me company? You're all wet."

The cat purrs as she scratches him behind the ears.

"Where have you been anyway? Have you got a girlfriend somewhere? Well if she ever goes on a trip, you be sure to go with her, or don't let her leave... You'll be miserable if you do."

The cat raises up on his two front paws.

"Would you like a nice bowl of milk? Does that sound good? Well alright come on."

The lights begin to flicker on the way to the kitchen.

"Oh no... That's all we need Jasper, is for the lights to go out!.. Well come on, we must be brave.

The cat meows, following at her heels.

"Just look at the two of us."

She places Jasper on the counter and opens the refrigerator.

"We're quite the pair, aren't we? A couple of old scaredy cat's like us.

She pours milk into a saucer for Jasper and pours herself a glass.

"Here we are. Drink up...Say, you know what this party needs? Some oatmeal cookies."

She moves the cookie jar to the counter next to the glass of milk.

"Mmm, these are wonderful. Here you go."

She offers a piece to the cat. He sniffs and turns his nose up.

"Why did Ted have to go anyway? It would serve him right if I sat here and ate the whole jar. Then I'd be nice and plump and round when he came back. That would teach him to go away and leave me all alone, wouldn't it?"

She tussles the top of Jasper's head. The cat sits up, licks his paw, then his jaw while Eve rambles on.

"Just look at you."

She leans forward and nuzzles her face with Jasper's.

"Even you're bored with me... Alright then, let's go to bed now, shall we? The sooner we get to sleep, the sooner this dreadful day will be over with, and the sooner Ted will come home."


COMMERCIAL BREAK

This is The CBS Radio Mystery Theater, brought to you by Sonoma Wine...

"Ah-oh, I've gotta get to the little girls room, but fast!"

Eliza hurries to the bathroom. " Darn chocolate. I guess I should've known better. Doctor Price said not to mix these new pills with chocolate." She continues mumbling, unsteadily tottling down the hallway. "It's a good thing I didn't take two of'em."

Five minutes later

OH no, what'd I miss?


End of Act Two


It is 3:00 am. Eve is sleeping soundly.

riiing... riiing...rii-

She lifts the sleep mask from her eyes as she groggyly feels around for the phone.

"Heeello?...Hello?...Ted darling is that y-?"

Click. Dial tone.

She switches on the light and looks at the clock.

"3:00 am?!...It MUST be Ted trying to get through... Just try again in the morning Darling."

She says out loud, then turns out the light and pulls the mask back over her eyes and lies down.

10 minutes later.

riiing... riiing

Eve quickly sits up and grabs the phone.

"Hello Darling is that you?...Ted, listen Darling if you can hear me at all, I want you to know that I love you and miss you terribly darling and I can't wait to see you-"

Click. Dial tone.

"Hello hello, Ted, hello?!!

She frantically presses the receiver button.

"Ooh it's no use!"

Eve lies down again, frustrated. She tosses and turns.

riiing

"Hello?!"

There's only the sound of heavy breathing.

"Hello?, Who is this? Hello, please tell me who this is!"

Click. Dial tone.

Eve sits up, waiting for the phone to ring. She can't sleep so she goes down stairs.

It is now 5:30 in the morning

riiing.

"Hello?! "

There's a whisper on the other end..." Do you like being alone? Does the storm frighten you?"

"WHO ARE YOU?! Why do you keep calling here?!!"

Click. Dial tone.

Eve starts to cry.

It is now 6:00 am.

riiing... riiing... riiing.. riiing...rii-

"STOP CALLING HERE! DO YOU HEAR ME?! JUST STO-!"

"Eve Darling! What's wrong?!"

"TED?!, Oh darling is it really you?!"

"Well of course it's me, what's wrong?"

"I've just had the most awful night darling! Someone keeps calling and then they don't say anything. And when they finally do- Oh Ted I'm terribly frightened, I think someone is watching me."

"Now calm down darling and tell me what this is all about?"

" Someone keeps calling. At first I thought it might be you and there was just a bad connection because they wouldn't answer me."

"Well it wasn't me darling. I haven't been able to get through to you all night. There was always a busy signal or the operator would cut in and say there was trouble on the line."

" Can't you come home now, I'm very frightened! Whoever is calling knows that I'm alone."

"How would they know that you're alone?"

"Because I told them I was alone."

"Darling! Why in heaven's name, would you do that?!"

" Because, don't you see I thought it was yooou!"

"Alright calm down. Don't cry sweetheart. Now tell me what happened for you to think you're in some kind of danger?"

Eve sniffles

"They...(sniffle sniffle) asked me if I liked being alone and if the storm frightened me."

Ted laughs it off.

"Oh is that all, darling don't you see? It was probably just a couple of punk kids with a lot of time on their hands and had nothing better to do. Once they knew you were alone they simply made the most of it. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

"But what if isn't just a couple of punk kids? What if it's someone who really wants to hurt me?"

"Well of course it's only kids. Kids do things like this all the time. You should hear some of the stuff I used to do. I'd tell you but you'd probably pack your bags and leave. No no, there's nothing to worry about darling. Besides I'll be home around 4:00 o'clock-

"You're coming home early?!"

"Yes that's why I've been trying to reach you. One of my meetings was cancelled so I'll be home early."

Oh that's the most wonderful news I've heard all night. I'll be just fine now. I really will. I feel so much better knowing you'll be home early, besides the sun is beginni-...Oh, hold on darling the door bell is ringing someone's at the door, let me see who it is. Now I'll be right back darling don't you dare hang up."

Eve puts the phone down and rushes to the door.

"NO EVE! Eve darling DON'T ANSWER THE DOOR!...EVE?!

"Yes can I help yo-".............................

................"EVE...,EVE, EE-!"

"Click"

"Oh heaven's, that poor dear girl. Such a shame! So young and so naive. And newly weds too! Poor Ted!" But I tried to tell her, so did Blanche. She should've gone to Manhattan. Eliza sighs as she leans over to switch off the radio.


No sooner had She switched off the radio when the door bell rang.

"Oh for heaven's sake, is this gonna turn out to be a regular thing?" She says struggling to get out of the chair.

"Sittin' extra long tonight, I guess maybe I "should've" taken an extra pain pill." She says in a strained mumble.

She tottles to the door and peeks out the window cover. A tall man in blue stands with his back close to the door. She taps on the window and the man turns around.

"Oh yes ma'am" He says turning to face her as he places his Cap on his head. "Ma'am, I'm officer Doyle with the Center City Police Department up in Philadelphia. If you have a moment ma'am I'd like to speak with you."

"Police?!" Eliza says with a hint of hope and excitement mingled with shock. "Of course you may speak with me officer, how can I be of assistance?" What do you know, I was right, things are getting more exciting by the minute. She thought to herself.

"Ma'am are you familiar at all with your neighbor across the street, a Mrs. Ingersoll?"


"Why yes she's a very dear friend of mine, we talk over the phone almost everyday, sometimes several times a day. Why do you ask?"

Eliza knew that wasn't true, but she was in a pleasant mood and willing to acknowledge that perhaps, she didn't really hate Mrs. Ingersoll as much as she wanted to believe. The truth was, she actually liked her more than she was inclined to admit out loud.

"Ma'am, it would help us out a lot if you could tell us the last time you spoke with her."

"Why is she alright? Has something happened to Gertie?"

"Ma'am please answer the question."

"Oh oh yes of course officer uh, let's see now...The last time I spoke with her was Friday about a quarter till 7:00.

"Is that in the am.or pm?"

"Oh yes of course, silly me. It was pm."

"Alright, thank you." He says as he makes note of it. "May I please have your name ma'am?"

"My name? Oh yes, of course. It's Eliza with a "z" "

"Eliza with a zee, alright. Last name?"

"Oh yes I was just getting to that.-Whittle. Eliza Jane Whittle."

"Is that two T's or two D"s ma'am?

"Two T's."

"Two Tee"s the officer mumbled as he scrawled in a small tablet.

"Yes, that's right."

" Now you're absolutely certain about the time?"

"Oh yes, yes absolutely. You see I know it was exactly a quarter till 7:00 because she phoned me just as I was getting ready to listen to my program. It's starts at seven and I wasn't quite ready yet when she phoned. What I mean is, I always fix myself a little snack before the program begins you know? And she had inter- she had detained me. She was calling to tell me her dog Muffy had passed away."

"Muffy? Is that the poodle we found poisoned over there?"

"POISONED! Why who would do such a thing to such a darling little dog? Oh NO, is Gertie alright?!"

"Well that's why were here ma'am, I'm very sorry to have to break it to you this way but I'm afraid your friend Mrs. Ingersoll has been murdered."

"M-u-r-dered you say?" She says holding her hand over her heart.

"Yes ma'am. That's why we need to be sure that you remember exactly the last time you spoke with her. According to the coroner's report your friend died somewhere between 7:00 and 7:15 pm. last Friday."

"Oh heaven's! Yes officer, I am positive about the time. Infact I was just wondering this afternoon why she hadn't called me today, and now I know wh-y-y." She whimpered softly.

""Are you alright ma'am?"

"Oh I'll be fine officer, I just need a moment to take it all in, that's all... Do They know who did it?"

"No ma'am not yet, though it does fit the M.O. of a fella we've been tracking for a couple of years now. He's got a number of alias's he uses, Steven Hawthorn, James Dodd, Bill Myer and couple of others I can't recall at the moment. He's known as the Gentleman Strangler, though that's putting a soft spin on it. He preys on the weak and defenseless, such as yourself and your poor friend Mrs. Ingersoll.

"Ooh, Poor Gertie!"

"Yes ma'am, poor Gertie indeed, and it might be poor YOU, if you don't pay careful attention to what I'm telling you. Now If it WAS the Gentleman Strangler, we suspect he'll strike again with in the same vicinity. He usually does. Sometimes the same street. And he always strikes within three days of his last victim. So you need to keep all doors and windows locked at all times, and don't answer the door to anyone that you don't know. I don't care if they're dying or just need to use the telephone...Is that clear?!"

"Yes officer! Clear as a bell, cl-e-a-r as a b-e-ll!"

"Now did your friend happen to mention anything that she found odd or out of the ordinary, such as a prowler?"

"No no nothing at all. She only talked about Muffy. Poor Dear how she loved that dog."

"Alright, I guess that's all I have for now. If we need anything else, we'll be contacting you. That reminds me, can I get your telephone number Mrs. Whittle.

"Certainly officer. My number is FV- 77684."

" Alright, ...8-4. Thank you for your help ma'am."

"Oh certainly, you're very welcome."

"Of course if you can think of anything else that may be useful to us, don't hesitate to contact me. Here's the number."

"Yes officer, I'll let you know."

"Thank you ma'am" He says and turns to leave. " BRANIGAN! That's one of the alias's that I forgot. Michael Branigan. Now if I could just remember the other one...

Eliza turns deathly pale.

"Ma'am, are you alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Tha-tha- that's the young man that was here Friday!" She stammered.

"Wait-a-minute, you mean he was here?!"

"Yes right after my program ended, right around twenty minutes till eight. I remember because I wondered who'd be knocking on my door at that time, so I looked at my watch and it was twenty till eight."

"Well Why didn't you mention this before?!"

"Well, you didn't ask. Besides it hadn't occurred to me that that nice young man would've, could've-"


"That NICE young man murdered your friend!"

"Ooh Geeertie dear."

"What did he look like? Do you recall?

"Yes yes! He was real tall-"

"About how tall would you say, ma'am?"

"Well, I'm not sure, but he was a tall one, probably an inch or two taller than you."

"So, 6'3" or 6'4"?"

"I reckon, like I said I'm not too sure, but he was a handsome devil. Blond wavy hair-"

"Okay, blond hair, wavy. Do you remember the eye color?"

"They were a light color, I remember."

"Blue?"

"No, not blue. I believe they were a gold color."

"Gold eyes, anything else, scars, blemishes, anything at all?"

"No, that's about it officer."

"Well, it looks like, thanks to you, we just may, finally get this guy."

"Oh that's wonderful. I'm so glad I could help!"

"Yes well, I'm afraid you're not quite finished just yet. Were gonna need your help to do this. "

"Why yes of course officer! Anything I can do to help you capture that scoundrel! Anything at all."

"Well, as far as we know, Branigan's got a partner by the name of McNeely. They operate as a team-."

"YES!..I had to call Mr. McNeely for him."

"I'm not surprised. He phones McNeely from the next victims phone. He either makes the call himself if he can find someone trusting enough to let him in, otherwise, if they appear especially nervous or too smart, to put them at ease, he cleverly asks them to make the call for him. He tells them that his boss dropped him off earlier and he's supposed to phone him when he's ready to be picked up. Once the call is made, a short while later, McNeely pulls up in front of the house and picks Branigan up. Takes him away from the crime scene and returns a few days later for the next victim."

"Exactly!..Oh wait that's me!"

" Most likely. He's probably been watching you covertly over the last couple of days, studying your every move, when you wake up, what time you go to bed, when and what time you leave the house, what time you return again, things of that nature."

"Oh, goodness gracious. What have I gotten myself into this time?"


"Alright now listen carefully, I'm gonna try to explain what will take place, as clearly and quickly as possible, and then I have to run across the street for a while. The way I see it, you'll be next and if he continues to follow the same M.O. He'll be back tonight, watching and waiting for us to clear out of here. So you'll be safe enough at least till then... But if something should happen, you don't need to be afraid, my partner is across the street with at least a dozen other officers. You scream and yell as loud as you can and we'll come running!"

"Yes sir officer, I will. I'm not worried at all. I'll be fine."

"Alright, we've got to do something about getting someone over here to keep an eye on you after we're finished up over there."





The officer turns to head back across the street, then stops short and turns back around looking past Mrs. Whittle at the wall behind her. "Excuse me, is that the only phone you have ma'am?" He says pointing to the archaic phone mounted by the kitchen entryway.

Eliza looks over at the old Crank phone. " No I have a rotary model in my bedroom, I much prefer it to that old thing. That one's been here since my late husband and I bought the place, years ago."

"I'm gonna need to use your phone to call the Sargent and get the okay from him to place you under states protection. If it's alright I'd like to use the rotary. He may have some questions for you."

"States protection, oh my, this is all so overwhelming."

"Ma'am, the phone?"

"Of course, it's the third door to the left just down the hall."

"Thank you ma'am."

"Oh my goodness! I just can't hardly believe it. Mrs. Ingersoll is gone! I wonder what that brute did to her?! That poor woman. You just never know." Mrs. Whittle shakes her head in disbelief. She moves closer to the edge of the hallway and tries her best to eavesdrop on officer Doyle's conversation. She leans in with her good ear.

"Yes sir...It's Mrs. Whittle Sir. Eliza Jane Whittle...Uh, the address is 1343 South Orangewood avenue...Cross street? Just a minute I'll ask her."

Eliza nearly stumbles, caught off guard, when officer Doyle abruptly pokes his head out the door.

"Mrs. Whittle, what is the cross street up here?" The officer says pointing towards Taft.

"Oh, uh, that'd be Taft street officer." She says trying to appear nonchalant.

"Thank you." He waves... "Sir?... it's Taft street sir... Uhum... Well the way I see it, he'll probably strike between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30 am."


"Goodness I could die between 5:00 and 7:30 in the morning!" She gasps as she leans in even closer.

" Murdock? Isn't he working on a homicide case with Matthews?... Alright then I'll stay here with her until Murdock arrives...No, officer Daniels is across the street...We'll get back with you as soon as we know more... Thank you Sargent."

Eliza hears the phone being placed on the receiver and hurries out of the view of the hallway.

"Do you suppose it will be in the paper?" She asks as soon as she sees officer Doyle.

"Yes I would imagine it would. In fact I can guarantee it will. This guy always lands in the paper wherever he goes."


" Oh my! Nothing that's ever happened around here has ever merited being mentioned in the paper. So, Is everything arranged and taken care of officer Doyle? The Sargent approved?"


"Yes ma'am, don't worry. There's just a few minor details that still need to be worked out first. Then we'll be all set. Right now we're just waiting on officer Murdock to arrive.

"Oh wonderful. It's so nice to have hard working officers like yourself to watch over us. I feel so safe knowing you're out there."

"Thank you ma'am. It's all part of the job. There's no one, single person who can take credit for the work we do. We work as a team. Unfortunately we sometimes fall short of the expectations of good people like yourself and poor Mrs. Ingersoll."

"Well that's not your fault. Things happen sometimes, even to good people and it's nobody's fault really."

"Yes ma'am. That's true. It wasn't anybody's fault that Mrs. Ingersoll didn't make it to the phone in time to call for help."


"No it sure wasn't, that poor dear....What's that you've got in your hand officer Doyle? It looks like a phone cord."

"It is. I took it from the phone in your bedroom."

"Well Why'd you do that for?"...Why are you wrapping it around your hands that way?"

Officer Doyle pulls the cord nice and taut, walking slowly towards Eliza. Eliza's eyes widen as she slowly backs away.

"And It wasn't my fault that the old lady stumbled as she tried to run away from me, but was unable to because she was too weak and frail. "

"Oh HEAVEN'S, You mean y-o-o-u!" She gasped. " But wha- what about Michael Branigan and and Mr. McNeely, how did you know?-"

" Oh, well you see, that's what we like to call in my profession, a "decoy." It distracts the prey, gets there focus off of you so that you can win over their trust and confidence. After all without your trust, how could I ever do my job?"

" That still doesn't explain how you knew everything about them."


"You left your bedroom window open. I had just finished with the old lady, so I climed in through your bedroom while you were listening to that crazy program, and hid in the next bedroom. A cop car drove by as I was leaving the old woman's house. They slowed down for a moment like they were looking for someone. I was afraid they might recognize me later and come back looking for me. So as soon as they drove on, I came over here. I heard your whole conversation with Branigan from the other room. Naturally when you made the phone call to McNeely, I snuck back to your room and listened in on your phone conversation with him."

"Well you won't get away with it so easily this time! "

"Won't I?"

"NO, I can scream pretty loud! The moment I do all those Police across the street will come running!"

"What Police? There aren't any Police."

"Yes there are! I saw the squad car with my very own eyes!"

"No, you only remember seeing a squad car because that's what I wanted you to remember. It's all part of the illusion. Once you're convinced something is a fact, you immediately form an image of that fact in your mind. That's the image you created in your mind that you're remembering. Not an actual memory."

"But I saw it I know I did. It was parked in front of Gertie's house."

He shakes his head slowly with a sardonic grin. "No, see for yourself."

Eliza turns her head quickly and looks out the door. "Oh my goodness! NO!" She gasps. "But wh-y-y?"

"Why not? You, like Mrs. Ingersoll and so many others have out lived your usefulness. No one will even know your gone. It's been three days and you hadn't heard anything from Gerti. And even though you found that odd, you , her dear friend didn't even bother to call and check on her... Nobody has!...And nobody will call to check on y-o-u!"

He starts towards Mrs. Whittle.


She looks at Doyle, as she backs up slowly, then to the open door, weighing her options. Stay put and die for sure, or take my chance and run as fast as my legs will let me.

Once again, adrenaline freed Eliza from the pain in her hip, as she fled swiftly down the steps to the stone walkway and-

"Alright young lady! Turn that radio off."

"But MOM!"

"Don't but-mom- me. You know during the week, it's lights out at 9:30. You have school in the morning."

"But pleeease can't I just stay up a little longer? It's the last half of Deja Vu. I've been waiting for this episode for six months! It's almost over. Mrs. Ingersoll was murdered and now someone's after Mrs. Whittle and I've just got to see what happens to her. Please?!"

"No, I'm afraid not dear...Now, don't look so glum. You'll find out what happens to Mrs. Whittle some other time."

"When?!"

"Oh, they'll play it again in another six months... Goodnight dear."

---