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The Weird Circle (06) 1943 A Terribly Strange Bed
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The Weird Circle (06) 1943 A Terribly Strange Bed
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How do you make an Airbnb? A vrbo. Picture a vacation rental with a host who's showing you every room like you've never seen a house before. Now get rid of them. There you go. No host ever. Now it's a vrbo. Make it a vrbo. The Weird Circle. In this cave by the restless sea we are met to call from out the past Stories Strange and weird. Bell keeper. Hold the bell so all may know we are gathered again in the weird. Circle it out of the past. Phantoms of a world gone by. Speak again. The Immortal tale. A Terribly Strange Bed. Jack Westcott was the best friend I ever had. He was the gayest of people. That was until we left America. I was writing a book about historic murder cases and had come to Paris to do some research work. Jack was fascinated with my work. Strangely fascinated, almost horribly so. He enjoyed finding twisted minds and probing them. His hunger for crime was bound to end in tragedy. On the last evening of our visit in Paris, we were walking on the left bank of the Seine river when Jack noticed a crowd gathered about our old friend, the head of the Paris police force, Inspector Duval. I was in a hurry to return to the hotel to finish writing my murder manuscript. The deadline was in the morning, but Jack insisted on stopping. What's the excitement all about, duval? Well, hello, Mr. Westcott. Still looking for ancient murders, Mr. Manning? Not tonight, Duval, ancient or otherwise. Stick around, Monsieur Manning. I'll show you a murder the likes of which you've never seen before. Okay, boys, drag it out of the river. What is it, Inspector? Of course, Monsieur Westcott. A corpse that's been squashed thin as a piece of paper. Let's see it. What do you mean, thin as a piece of paper? Bring it over here, boys. Right under the gas light. Horrible looking thing, isn't it? Horrible and fascinating. It looks like it got squeezed in a giant press. We've had an epidemic of these corpses lately. Any idea who's doing it? Not even a vague notion, mister. Hey. Hey, you. You the fat man. You mean me, Inspector? Yes, I mean you, fat man. How come you're always around when we pull a corpse out of the river? Why, I enjoy murder. You enjoy it? You enjoy murder? It appeals to my sense of the artistic. Oh, it does? Well, there's something fascinating about these bodies. Something for a connoisseur alone to appreciate the symmetry of the remains. The beautifully flawless flatness of the corpse, the hollow in the stomach lying in this puddle of gaslight. This mass of flesh and bones. Makes a nice picture. I Should enjoy painting this if I could paint. I know what you mean, fat man. But wouldn't you prefer probing the mind of a man who conceived this crime? A man's mind is his secret self. Well, enjoy the ghastly spectacle, my friend. Enjoy it. Good evening, gentlemen. All right, men, take the body down to the morgue and try and find out who it is. Come on, Burke. I'd like to follow that fat man. In heaven's name, why? He's nothing but a psychopathic case. I want to satisfy a hunch. Well, if you're such a good detective, why don't you join Scotland Yard? Why, I might, Burke. I might at that. Where the devil has that gross piece of flesh disappeared to now? He was right in front of us until we turned this corner. We've lost him, Jack, and I don't wonder. We've passed through every side street in the whole city. If you ask me, he knows he was being followed. Good. If he knows, he'll show his hand sooner. Now, the only place he could have gone around here is into the back door of this house. I wonder what house this is. It's a gloomy dump. Let's go back to the hotel, Jack. I've got to finish that manuscript tonight. Looks like a public bar to me. The La Belle Tavern. Are you coming with me, Burke, or are you going home? I'm with you, old boy. I brought you to Paris, and by heaven, I'm going to return you to America. This must be the doorbell. Here goes. And, Burke, no matter what I do tonight, don't worry. Come in, gentlemen, come in. You were perfectly right, fat man. Those two Americans did follow you. They're sitting at the bar. Inside. The Americans value their lives so. Slightly amazing, isn't it, Cecilia? Their lives. Our lives. They might be cops. I don't want to get my neck in a noose. To be quite candid, I am not interested in your neck. You are so impatient. And impatience is an evil ascribed to the very young. It might be a pity if you are not allowed time to cure yourself of that evil. Don't threaten me of that. Pig. You pig. I'd hope to slap some sense into that lovely but empty head. Obviously, my stupid pigeon, those two Americans are wealthy. They would enjoy our roulette table if you would show them to it. Remember, I'll talk to the croupier and he will take care of the wheel of fate. If you don't do your part well, you'll face a lifetime in jail. What happens if they get wise room 16. But of course. Let me go. I knew you'd understand. Yeah, I understand. There's something so gay about Americans, I always say. I hope you boys don't mind if I stick around. Well, Miss. Not at all, Miss. Not at all. You can call me Cecilia. How about another drink? That's fine. Three more of the same, bartender. What do you do for a living, Cecilia? Oh, I. I model in a dress shop. I don't believe you, Cecilia. Jack, stop ribbing the girl. She's a good kid. I'm on the level I'm interested in. Here's the drinks. Thanks. Why do I interest you? Well, because you're fairly easy to figure out. Am I? Why? You really want me to tell you? Sure I do. Well, here's mud in your eye. Potent stuff, Jack. Potent stuff. Tastes like cyanide. Well, Cecilia, I'd say you're a poor girl who lives in the slums, but you're pretty prettier than anybody in your entire neighborhood. Well, let's see, then you must have met a man. What of it? I'm no saint. He promised you a lot of do dabs and suddenly you found you'd committed your first crime, let's say murder. What'd she do, set her mother on fire? Oh, well, for that, let's have three more drinks. Bartender, three more. Well, now, let's say it really was murder. The second murder wasn't so hard and the third was easy, wasn't it? I never had nothing to do with a murder. Well, for the sake of argument, let's say you have. But inside of you all the time is his wanting to be liked, wanting to be on the level. But your so called friends, they don't trust you, Cecilia. Someday they'll double cross you. Here are the drinks. Thank you. Nobody will ever double cross me. Well, here's mutton. You're right. Drink up, boys. Is there anything else to do around here? You seen the gambling rooms? Gambling rooms? Ha. That's me. Who runs those gambling rooms, Cecilia? I don't know. One of your friends. A fat man perhaps, with a long nose. I don't know the owner. Gosh, you're real nice. Is there Batman in the back room now? Probably. Gamble's here a lot. Do you. Do you really want to play? Sure. Well, come on, Jack. We'll see who's right. My books are your instincts. Number 21 wins. Jack, the fat man's in the corner of the room. Yeah, I saw him, Burke. And he saw you, old boy. Don't think he didn't Come on, boys, let's play. Money, money, money. Place your bets, gentlemen. They'll make some room for us over here. Come on. Hello, Cecilia. Hello, Monte Laureate. You playing again? I thought you lost every cent you owned last night. A desperate man finds desperate ways to raise money. Even murder, eh? We heard about it. Perhaps, and perhaps not. Like you to meet some new friends of mine. Monty, this is Jack Wescott and Burke Manning. Monty Lauriard. How do you do? Money, money, money. Gentlemen, place your bets. I bet 30 francs on odd. How about 100 francs on number 13? Good boy, Jack. The play is dead. Round and round the little ball goes. Where she stops, nobody knows. Hey, jerk. I feel a little dizzy. You had too much to drink, pal. And those drinks were strong. Number 13 wins. I won. Good for you, American. Lucky for you I won the first time I ever played here. But never again. Money, money, money, money, Money, money, money, money. How do you make an Airbnb? A vrbo. Picture a vacation rental with a host. The host is dragging your family on a tour of the kitchen, the bathroom, the upstairs bathroom, the downstairs bedroom and the TV room. Which, surprise is where you can watch tv. Now imagine there's no host giving you a tour because there's never any hosts at all. Ever. Voila. You've got yourself a vrbo. Want a vacation that's completely and totally host free? Make it a vrbo. Limu. Emu. And Doug Limu. And I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu. Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth. Customize and save. We save. That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com. liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. That was the first time Jack won in that incredible evening. But as the ball spun, his winnings increased. The table seemed to have gone crazy. Jack became gambling drunk. The croupier seemed desperate as that wheel spun round and round, each time increasing Jack's winnings. The room was tense with excitement, and even the little thin loser lawyer had seemed surprised. Monsieur Westcott, your luck is phenomenal. You've won 30 times. 30 times, Jack. You've won a fortune, man. Stop now, before it's too late. Leave him alone, Burke. Let him play if he wants to. Sure, let me play if I want to. I. I want to break the bank. Careful, Miss Earth. Let me warn you. Careful, Jack. It's almost midnight and I've got a lot of work to do tonight. Please, let's go. And remember, the Fat Man. The Fat man be hanged. Here, Jack, have another drink. Thanks. Jack, be sensible. Ah, stop being an old Auntie, Burke. I'll see you later at the hotel. Make the book have a bloody ending. I'm in the mood for a good murder tonight. Remember, Jack, I warned you. Goodbye. Money, money, money. Gentlemen, place your bets. I. I told the croupier you wanted to see him back here. Fat Man. But it wasn't the croupier's fault. The American broke the bank. That is for me to decide. Where is the American now? Outside, buying drinks for the house. Good, good. That ought to keep him busy. You. You called for me, monsieur? Yes, yes, I did. I'll need you, too, Cecilia. Shut the door. I don't like to frighten our patrons. I'm sorry about the wheel, monsieur, but it was broken and I couldn't control it. That is unfortunate for you. What are you going to do, monsieur? Come here. Don't put your fat hands on me, fat man. Let me. Don't fight the fat man. You can't move, can you, croupier? Because if you move, my arm will break your neck. Call my men, Cecilia. I might need a little aid with the stupid fool. What are you gonna do? Fat man have his brains pressed out of his body in room 16? His mind is no good where it is not. Oh, no, monsieur, Please, monsieur, not room. It's. What was that? Monsieur Laureate, we'll probably be lucky if we don't ask questions. I want another drink. Jack, listen to me. Put on your hat and coat and leave this place. You're being watched all the time. Who's watching me? Hello, Jack. Oh, have a drink. No, Jack, you've had enough to drink. Leave this place right away. She's right, Jack. You must leave. I'll see you home personally. Come on, then. I know you don't. Money, Laureate. I know your tricks. The last man you saw home was found with a dagger in his breast. How come you're so interested in me, Sissy? Because you're the first person who ever treated me decent. Oh, please, go home. Sooner or later, every woman develops a mother complex over me. Now, I don't want to be mothered. Who is trying to mother you, my friend? Oh, hello, fat man. Cecilia's. Ah. She's developed a rather latent maternal instinct. I think a maternal instinct is out of place tonight. After all, tonight's a night for celebration. Yeah, the Fat man's right. Celebration Bartender, open a bottle of champagne. Bartender, champagne. Champagne for Monsieur Westcott. Won't you join us, Cecilia? Yeah, of course I will. Here is the champagne, monsieur. Won't you drink with us, Monsieur Leri? No, thank you, Fat Man. I don't think so. I never enjoyed toasting to death. Death. Open the bottle, bartender. Good night, Jack, and good luck. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Good night. Here's the handkerchief, Fat Man. Oh, Jack, your money is all tied safely in your handkerchief. Thank you, friend. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I put the handkerchief. It would be wisest to tie it to your belt. I feel dizzy, Fat Man. Oh, you need a cup of good, hot coffee. That will straighten you right out. Cecilia, go in the kitchen and fix our friend a cup of coffee. But I really. Don't tell me, my little pigeon, that your hearing is failing you. I'll get it right away. I'm glad we're alone, Fat Man. I want a chance to talk to you. Talk away. Jack. Tell me confidentially, why do you enjoy seeing a mutilated body dragged out of the river? There's beauty in death. In the act of death or in the recovery of a body after life has lifted in both. Then do you enjoy committing a crime? Perhaps. Perhaps it would be pleasant to watch a man die slowly, Very slowly, in order to see life leave the body. Say that you and I watched a murder by Prussia. What would happen? I'm interested that man. What would happen? The face is the first part affected. It would turn red, and the victim would probably feel hot blood pounding in his brain. Pounding like steel hammers. Mm. Then his eyes would feel sore, as if the fluid creating sight were ebbing slowly away. That would be painful. Painful but glorious. His face would discolor. The pressure on his chest would be so great, he. He'd try to scream, cry out, but he couldn't. He wouldn't be able to move. Not a limb, not a muscle. He'd be paralyzed. I'd see to that. And in that moment, all the horror that is in man's mind would be indelibly imprinted on the brain until a sudden crushing noise would blot out thought. And what would that crushing noise be? A pulverizing of the human bone. Here's the coffee, Fat Man. Ah. Let me see it. Hmm. Tastes all right. Here you are, Jack. This will fix you. I. No, I don't think I want any. If you'll pardon me. I'm so dizzy, so frightfully dizzy. Oh, of course you are. Here, Jack. Drink it. Drink it. My friend, my Good, good friend. If you don't want to drink it, Jack, don't. Don't. Open your mouth, my friend. It will sober you very quickly. No, I. Open your mouth now. There. Now. How do you feel? I'm sick. I'm sick. It's dope, isn't it? Stoked. Let me get. Our friend Jack is asleep. Cecilia, call the bartender. I think our friend will spend the night with us in room 16. Monsieur Manning. Monsieur Manning. I've been looking all over Paris for you, monsieur. You've been looking for me? Yes. I've called every hotel in the city trying to find you. I know you don't remember me, but I met you earlier this evening at the Lebel Tavern. My name's Laurie Otto of the Paris police force. Yes. Yes, of course. Won't you come in? Where's Mr. Westcott? I had to leave him at the tavern. He wouldn't listen to me. You see, monsieur, I've been assigned to watch that tavern. It's been under suspicion for several weeks. Great Scott, man. Where's Jack now? At the tavern. He's carrying an enormous amount of money on his person. I know the Fat man will never allow him to leave with that money. Why don't you raid the dam? Unfortunately, we can't. We have no proof. As a matter of fact, they might not harm him at all. But just in case, I thought it might be a wise idea for you to go down there. You can go to the door and ask for. Yes? What do you want? You're the bartender, aren't you? I am not Napoleon's grandma. What do you want? My friend Jack Westcott hasn't come back to the hotel as yet. We've been waiting for him, and I thought that he probably decides to spend the night here at your place, and I. Your friend is not here. Go home, American, before you get yourself in more trouble than you can handle. Who was it? The other American, asking about his friend. Where are you going? Upstairs to take Monsieur West. Got a candle like the fat man told me. Be sure the fat man told you, or else. I'm sure. Very sure. Jack. Jack, I. I brought you a candle. Are you asleep? Wake up, Jack, please wake up. Please. Maybe if I shake him. Wake up. Oh, I hate to slap you, but your life depends on it. What is it? Wake up. Wake up. Cecilia, my dear. Jack. Jack. Luckily, he's still asleep. Come, Cecilia. Let our friend sleep. I'm so sick. So dizzy and sick. Why didn't she let me sleep? I feel paralyzed. I can't move. At all. Just as if I'm drugged. Maybe if I concentrate on the room, I'll go to sleep. Funny. Funny that a French gambling house should have a bedroom. What is an old English four poster bed doing in a French room anyway? What a heavy canopy over my head. So solid looking almost as if it were made of steel. The mattress is so hard. I must concentrate on something. The picture above my head is just even with the canopy. An evil looking Spaniard with five feathers in his head. The eyes moved. I'm certain of it. The eyes moved. I wonder if I dare look up again. I was sure there were five feathers. Now there are only four. Four feathers. Four feathers now. Three feathers. I wonder who's outside my door. Try to sleep. No, no. Look at the picture. What? The feathers have disappeared. I can barely even see the face. God. The canopy is being lowered on me. That's what it is, the canopy. I can't move the paper thin corpse. Oh, I gotta move. It's coming closer, closer, closer. Luda, squash me. Oh, I must move. I. I can't go. It's almost done. Halfway down, go. Oh, just crawl out of bed. When I get a code, I crawl out of here. I'm safe. Safer than that horrible contraption. Now to get out of here. The window. Open the window slowly. I'll crawl to the window if I can push the window open slowly. Very slowly. The bat must have clamped down on him by now. Listen to me, men. Push the window open. Don't. It stuck. Be sure and deliver the money bags to me. There. I don't know how to open it. Why didn't it crawl through? You can raise the canopy now. Extra wind, gentlemen. Help. Help. Somebody get that man before I got him out the window. If the bed didn't work the first time, Mr. West, I have ways and means of making it work the second. And perhaps it would be more pleasant to watch light ebb out in front of me. No, no. Place him carefully on the bed. There we go. Let me go. Good. This ought to Prove Most enjoyable, Mr. Westcott. It's a pity you haven't my detached viewpoint. Put him in then lower the canopy. No, no, no. This way, Burke, out this way. Hurry into lure, y'. All. I can hear the bed movement. Cecilia, you fool. Look, get Jack out of that bad chair. Jack, boy. Here, hold on to me, I'll drag you out. Don't you put your hands on me. Lariat, box him to there. I'll take care of the bot in the long time. I'm all right. Burke. Don't worry about me. I'm so serious. I'll help her. Let me go, Cecilia. Don't push me. Help me, Lariar. Help. Help. No, you don't, Batman. You little. No, you don't. You're all devised to be a Frankenstein. There. Try and get out of your own bed. Well, Inspector Duvall, that's the story. Laud and Burke were waiting outside all the time. They saw me at the window and Cecilia let them in. Close shave, eh? A lucky escape. Lauriard and I pulled him out of the bed just in time. And Cecilia pushed the fat man under the canopy as it closed down. Must have been a horrible sight, Burke. Well, what about Cecilia, Inspector? What would they do to her? Unfortunately, the police can't find her and I've instructed them not to look too hard. From the time worn pages of the past we have heard the story. A terribly strange bed. Dell keeper toll the bell. Did you know using your browser in incognito mode doesn't actually protect your privacy? Take back your privacy with IPVanish VPN. Just one tap and all your data, passwords, communications, browsing history and more will be instantly protected. IPVanish makes you virtually invisible online. Use IPVanish on all your devices, anytime you go online, at home, and especially on public wi fi. 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