The amazing drama you're about to see is a matter of human record.
You may believe it or not, but the real people who lived this story, they believe it.
They know.
They took that one step beyond.
Last summer I went on a short holiday to wonderfully cosmopolitan Mexico City.
It was Thursday, my wife had of course gone shopping, and I had a few hours to kill.
One of the hotel porters told me about this cellar bar and...
Embarrass him, Mr. Newland.
Michael, this is Mr. Newland.
He's from the United States.
He's very interested in true stories such as yours.
What was that?
I don't want to embarrass him.
Maybe we should...
Embarrass him?
Why, nothing can embarrass him.
Why, he tells this story to anybody for a little wine.
Why don't you buy him some wine?
All right.
Por favor, una botella de vino para el señor, para darselo al otro.
You're sure this is a...
It's the right thing to do.
She was an evil woman.
I had a future.
I was well liked.
I had a pleasing personality.
I could have been manager of an enterprise.
I was handsome too, handsome.
She promised me so much.
She promised me everything and...
And she treated me so shamefully.
Oh, really.
Countess, it's five minutes after nine.
We're already an hour late.
Then we'll be two hours late.
Reasonable, don't we?
Open the door.
Oh, this is not the way.
After all those centuries, when you have at least learned to comb my hair, take a letter
properly or keep my books properly or do something properly.
I'm sorry.
Both of you bore me so.
He was his fading Irish charm and you...
Well, while I even knew you, I don't know why.
I really do my very best, ma'am.
Yeah, I really do my very best, ma'am.
Bring the necklace.
No, no, no.
Call Mr. Barry for his little performance.
He is so fond of my necklace.
He loves to touch it.
One day, just for a joke, I'm going to buy him one of those little things the jewelers
wear in their eyes when they make a prayer.
What you are begging for.
Countess Ferenzi wants you to help her with her necklace.
Darling, we're going to have to think of some absolutely outrageous lie about why we're
so late.
I leave all outrageous lies to you, dear boy.
I'm sorry, darling, but this clip always did give me so much trouble.
But you put it on me so often, you should be able to do it with your eyes closed.
Well, I'll do it.
All right.
I'll do it, darling.
Take your time.
There, there now, there you are.
Darling, you know, you look positively radiant tonight.
But you always look at my necklace when you make your pretty speeches.
Oh, Countess, why do you have to tease me so much?
Tease you?
But it is a remarkable necklace.
When you are old, it makes you young.
And when you are plain, it makes you beautiful.
Grace, tonight, dozens of young men, slender young men, will crowd around me.
And my tail will get absolutely furious.
Won't you?
Yes.
It's because I have a jealous nature, you know.
Furious, frightened.
So there's my beauty secret.
If you want Michael to notice you, you need more than a pink nose.
Countess, now you're embarrassing her.
Embarrassing her.
Bring the car around the front.
Yes, yes, of course.
You know, you behave quite ridiculous in front of him.
Pardon?
You make yourself such a fool.
Fool?
You know what?
If you are very, very, very good, I will give him to you for Christmas.
Madame, please.
Isn't that a lovely Christmas present?
A beautiful Irish boy.
Oh, a little bit too fat.
Madame!
And slightly beyond his prime.
But still very useful.
Please.
No, no!
Please, please.
Madame!
Hey, hey, hey!
Can't breathe!
Help me.
Bueno?
He's at it!
Come on, hurry!
Go see the countess!
What is it?
The countess!
She's here, dear!
Madame!
Give me the police!
What a stubborn old woman she was.
I don't know how many times I told her.
The doctor warned her again and again about her heart.
Cut down on your activities, he said.
Or you'll be sorry.
Oh, no.
She just wouldn't listen.
I tried to help.
But before I could reach her, she was dead.
The countess is dead?
It just doesn't seem possible, does it?
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
It's perfectly all right.
Mr. Rivas?
Please sit down, Miss Harkness.
You both know that Countess Ferezzi had no living relatives.
Yes, it is a shame, isn't it?
But I mean she didn't even have a little niece to come visit her during the holidays.
Well, I'm thankful to say that at least I could make her last years less unhappy.
Yes, I'm sure.
In this letter, accompanying her will, she asked that both of you attend the reading as interested parties.
I told you, Miss Harkness, you see, she hasn't forgotten you.
And with all her faults, she had a generous heart.
I'll read the pertinent paragraphs, skipping for the moment items relating to taxes and so forth.
Fine, fine, good idea. Go ahead.
Nothing to worry about, Miss Harkness.
To grace Evelyn Harkness, who has served me as well as she could for many years,
I leave my house at 6-7 Avenue Barzoni and all the furnishings therein.
What?
I don't understand.
What?
I further bequeath all other property, personal and real, covered in the enclosed inventory.
Specifically, to include my most prized possession, my diamond necklace.
She didn't even mention me.
My name isn't even mentioned in there, is it?
Yes, Mr. Barry.
I leave to Michael Barry the sum of 30 centavos,
which should be enough for bus fare to his young lady friend at 1216 Rolando Plaza.
I am certain the tranquility that Mr. Barry will feel,
knowing he is no longer in danger of being discovered,
will more than compensate for any monetary consideration.
Well, Miss Harkness, there's still quite a lot.
Miss Harkness!
I expected you at 9.
I came at 11 instead.
I won't be needing that anymore.
What is it you wanted to see me about?
Champagne is probably warm.
Oh, so now we're drinking champagne now.
Just for tonight.
Well, would you open it?
I'm afraid I can't.
Well, would you open it for me?
I don't know what, but I will, ma'am.
So, we're the new lady of the house, are we?
How's it feel?
Frankly, I am still in a daze.
It has only been a week.
You know, frankly, may I tell you something?
You don't act like the lady of the house.
You haven't told me why you sent for me.
I will.
Was it to show me your new position in life?
Barry, I am not like that.
Oh.
Oh, look, look.
Look at that beautiful young Irish boy, will you?
You're being a trifle deceived, though, huh?
I wanted to talk to you.
Did you? What about?
About several things.
First of all, I want you to know that I think that she treated you very badly.
I often heard her promise you.
The moon?
Oh, yes, of course, I remember that well.
You know what I wound up with?
30 centavos.
And even at that, she cheated me because the bus fare was 40 centavos.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
I'm forgetting my manners, may I?
Of course, all you want.
And help yourself to the hors d'oeuvres.
Miss Dale, but I had the maid make the kind that you like.
That's your me with a maid.
Well, here's to good health.
Thank you.
I really meant what I said.
I mean about the countess.
She had no right to treat you as she did.
Tell me something, Darl.
You're all right.
Don't let anyone ever tell you different.
You're all right.
You've got a good heart.
Think of what a fool I made of myself in that attorney's office.
I couldn't help it, I suppose.
When I heard that 30 centavos, it was enough to drive me out of my mind.
What's she in for?
Has she ever found out about me?
No, I'll never know.
You know, when I think of that old woman.
Don't think of her.
Makes my blood boil inside of me.
How she degraded me.
Rubbed my nose in that dirt.
You know, I could have been something.
I really could, and I still can, you know.
I could have been manager of an enterprise.
You still can.
No, no, no, that's too late.
No, no.
Let me think of the many times that I sat here in this chair waiting for her to open that door.
You shouldn't give up.
That's fine.
It's easier for you to say, my dear.
You're young and you're still very handsome.
Handsome?
Yes, you're handsome.
It's been my undoing.
About that young girl?
Nina?
We know all about her.
You going to marry her?
Marry her?
You know, when she heard about the will, you know what happened?
She just...
And I haven't seen a eye in her hair ever since.
But did you ever think...
Is she very young?
Well, I don't know.
She's about 25, 26, something like that, I guess.
But she looked about 30.
And the countess was much too old.
Forgive me for being forward, but did you ever consider that a woman your own age
could offer you a great deal more than either one of them?
Understanding, companionship?
Excuse me.
Listen to me.
Babbling away.
What did you say?
Excuse me.
Just a minute.
What did you say about Nina a moment ago?
Huh?
Nina, what about her?
A moment ago you said something about her.
Nina?
Yes, Nina.
Well, why do we have to talk about Nina?
You haven't commented on my new clothes.
It is very ungallant of you, Mr. Barry.
You always spoke of how lovely the countess looked.
And I went to the same dressmaker.
Oh, goodness, I...
They charged me enough for the hair.
I hope there's some improvement.
What was it you said about Nina a moment ago, huh?
Come on, tell me.
You know, there's only one thing missing, and I'll be right back.
Wait a minute.
Wait a minute, do you hear me?
Come back here.
How did you know how old she was?
How did you know what she looked like even?
Come on and open up this door and answer me.
Come on!
Oh, yes, now I see it.
That's how the old woman found out about us,
because you saw us together someplace, isn't that it?
And you told her.
That's why she tried to ruin me.
Come on and open up this door and answer me.
Open it up!
You told her.
Oh, come on now.
Now you're still trying to pretend to me.
Come on, you little fainted.
Come on.
Now I know what the lock is for.
What a nice way to say hello.
Oh, I can say goodbye much better.
No, Nina, you're a terrible girl.
I always told you.
You know that I've spent almost a whole week looking for you.
You should have spent it looking for another nice, rich old woman.
Nina, Nina, please.
Please, don't say that.
Please, I beg you.
You still wear too much hair oil.
Aren't you even going to ask me where I came by?
I'm much too busy for riddles.
I've got a date.
With who?
Somebody who can show me some fun.
Somebody with something in his wallet besides pictures of himself.
Somebody who will fit me steak instead of pie rings.
Also somebody who's not 17 years older than me.
You stole it.
Oh, no, no.
The Countess promised it to me a thousand times, and I insist on people keeping their promises.
I never saw anything so beautiful in my life.
Yes, it is, isn't it?
One hundred and eighty diamonds.
And each and every one of them absolutely perfect.
Do you know it's worth more than everything else she had put together?
You must have stolen it.
Now, why talk about it?
I'm keeping you from your date.
Yes, I think I have to be going now.
Going?
That's what I merely dropped around to say goodbye.
Unfortunately, I'm cursed with good manners.
Going where?
I don't know.
Rome, Madrid, Paris, Havana.
I don't know.
Any place to go.
You tried to sell that necklace, and the only place you'll go is to jail.
Oh, no, darling, you're wrong.
Not if I sell it one diamond at a time.
But here now, forgive me, I'm keeping you from your handsome young man.
Goodbye, dear.
Wait.
Don't go.
I've missed you, Michael.
Have you?
Really?
Of course I have.
Yes, of course you have.
Look, you promised me so much, and then to end up with nothing.
You know how you felt about the old lady when you ended up with nothing.
Oh, it's a foolish date, and he's the most foolish man imaginable.
Don't go.
No, darling.
I am the most foolish man imaginable.
Darling, I tell you what.
Why don't you finish dressing, pack a suitcase, and I'll be back for you in an hour.
What are you going to do?
Oh, there was a man in town who said that he would buy some of these diamonds.
I called him up, and he told me to meet him at his hotel at 8.30.
I'll be back then, darling.
Michael.
Hmm?
May I see them just once more?
Oh, really.
They're so beautiful.
They almost hypnotize you.
It seems so wrong to break them up.
Yes, but I imagine when you see how much money they realize that you'll feel much better about it.
Now, come on, give them to me, darling.
Just once.
Just for a second.
Darling, look.
Just so I can see myself in the mirror with them on my throat.
Darling, I promised the man 8.30.
Dearest, just for a second.
Oh, well, all right then.
Come on, I'll help you with the clasps.
Oh, I'm so excited.
You know, it's a funny thing, now that they're mine, I don't feel at all nervous about them.
I never saw anything so beautiful in my life.
Look at me, Michael.
Just look at me.
Come on, let's have them back.
Darling, what's the matter?
Nina, darling, what's the matter with you?
Take them off.
Nina.
They're choking me.
Oh!
Help!
They're choking me.
Oh!
Do you really need to be so miserable?
Hey.
It moved.
Well, Mr. Newland?
What happened to him?
What could happen?
They put him in a place where the criminals or...
How do you say it?
The mad...
How long was he there?
Eight, nine years, sir.
Who knows?
All right, thank you.
You're safe.
Thank you.
Well?
What do you think?
Did the necklace really move?
If it did, it isn't the first time that a necklace seemed to have a life of its own.
Around the turn of the century, a lady in Brighton, England...
was most certainly strangled by her string of pearls.
But how could such a thing possibly happen?
Well, the psychic answer would be...
that somehow the vengeful spirit of the Countess...
managed to impart some sort of life...
an evil life...
to her necklace.
Or if you want a more rational answer...
as José de Porres says...
Quixote.
Who knows?
In a moment...
something about next week.
Next week, and every week...
we'll be bringing you the personal records...
of the rarest kind of human experience.
Man's adventure in the world of the unknown.
That mysterious psychic world...
beyond our five senses.
This is your invitation...
to take with us that astonishing...
one step beyond.
© BF-WATCH TV 2021