# Black night is falling
# The sun is gone to bed
# The innocent are dreaming
# As you should, sleepyhead
# Sleepyhead, sleepyhead
# Does it hurt?
# I hurt you much more
# So don't you worry
# I don't know what to do
# Everything just feels so wrong
# Everything is fine
# Just stay strong
# Silly Selma
# You're the one to blame
# (Gene) You just did what you had to do
# You just did what you had to do
# The time it takes a tear to fall
# A snake to shed its skin
# Is all the time that's needed
# To forgive. Forgive me
# You are forgiven
(Siren)
# Come on, hurry
(Metallic tapping)
# I killed your man
# You have to hurry up
# I've called the police
# They're just down the road
# They've come for me
# Why should I run?
# They'll take your money
# Run for your boy
# Silly Selma
# You're the one to blame
# (Gene) You just did what you had to do
# You just did what you had to do
# The time it takes a tear to fall
# A heart to miss a beat
# A snake to shed its skin
# A rose to grow a thorn
# Is all the time that's needed
# To forgive me
# I am so sorry
# I just did what I had to do
# I just did what I had to do #
Selma?
Jeff.
What are you doing here?
Is it already three?
Well, not really. But, hell, I'm always early.
You cut yourself again.
There's some blood on your blouse.
Strange.
I couldn't feel it at all.
(Sirens)
Selma?
We're here now.
By the bus stop?
Yeah, the bus stop.
It's over there.
And the lake is here.
Promise me that you won't follow me. Promise.
Yeah, I promise.
(Speaks Czech)
I would like to pay for the operation now.
2,056 dollars and ten cents.
I know it's not quite what you told me, but...
But it's all I could get together.
What last name shall I put on the receipt?
Oh, I don't need a receipt, I really don't.
I have to know the name of your son
for when he comes in for his operation.
Novy.
He will come and he will say that his name is Novy.
And then you will know... that he's been paid for.
Novy?
Like Oldrich Novy, the tap dancer?
It is strange, isn't it?
He never really made it over here, did he?
I saw his films when I was a kid.
He was in the first musical I ever saw.
Same here.
(Jeff) Selma?
(Car door slams)
It's Tuesday night.
What about your rehearsal?
Yeah, I guess...
You wanna go?
Yeah.
And maybe put your arm around her and a little bit of...
Hi, Selma.
Hi, Samuel.
We weren't sure you'd show up, actually.
Sure I show up.
Nice to see you. Be right back.
OK.
(Murmuring)
(She's here.)
(Yeah. OK. OK. OK.)
Uh...
OK, I think you could try it one more time for me.
But I should... I should be going now. Gene might wonder where I am.
Jeff, he hasn't seen me all day.
I think we could do your scene. Let's do the tapping scene. OK?
We haven't done it in weeks.
While you're here, we might as well take advantage of the time. Please?
Let's do the tapping scene. Let me have the nuns up there.
Imagi... You do Selma's part for her for now, all right?
(Piano)
- Like it? - Yes.
We haven't done it for a while.
(Selma hums along)
Remember that part we did where you, uh, you come to the convent gate?
To say goodbye to Maria.
I should leave, Jeff.
- What? - Gene is probably worried now.
I haven't seen him all day.
I'm sorry, Samuel, but...
Betty, come here a second.
The drummer you wanted, remember?
I found somebody. She's fantastic.
She's here for the first time. Please meet her. This is Selma.
- Hi, Betty. You play the drums? - Yeah.
Tell her how long you've been studying.
Two years.
She's wonderful. You've gotta stay and enjoy this. You've...
I have an idea. Let's do the finale.
(Samuel) I just remembered, you hate finales.
No finale. I've a better idea.
"Climb Every Mountain", part one.
(All) # Climb every mountain
# Ford every stream
(Samuel) Like Indians!
# Follow every rainbow
# Till you find your dream #
# Why do I love it so much?
# What kind of magic is this?
# How come I can't help adore it?
# It's just another musical
# No one minds at all
# If I'm having a ball
# Cos this is a musical
# And there's always someone to catch me
# There's always someone to catch me
# When you fall #
(Siren)
The State will show...
that the defendant has not only perpetrated the most callous
and well-planned homicide in recent memory,
but is also a fundamentally selfish individual
who cynically hides behind a handicap,
devoid of sympathy for anybody but herself.
This woman found trust and friendship
when she sought refuge in our country.
And the evidence will show that she has repaid such kindness
with betrayal, robbery and murder,
inflicted upon the VERY people
who opened their homes and hearts to her.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
the evidence will prove that she herself
did not show that mercy she will ask of us.
Is this the bag here, Detective?
Uh...
Yes, the very same. Houston's blood was all over it.
Shortly before the homicide I had a check-up on her vision
and I found that she was myopic. That's near-sighted.
Near-sighted, but she COULD see.
Yes.
She said communism was better for human beings.
She had nothing but contempt for our great country and...
Apart from its musicals. She said the American ones were better.
So...
The defendant preferred Hollywood to Vladivostok.
I suppose that's an acknowledgement of sorts.
She just asked many times about the money.
(DA) She wanted to know where it was.
That's right.
- She asked about the gun? - Yes, she did.
She wanted to know where it was kept?
That's right.
Bill was lying on the floor... and he was wounded and...
Um...
(DA) He was pleading for his life.
Yes.
"I beg you. I beg you. I beg you."
You showed him no mercy, Selma.
You should have no mercy either.
(DA) Would you state your name for the record, please.
Selma Jezkova.
And Bill and Linda Houston... were your friends. Is that right?
Yeah.
In fact you lived in a trailer on their property.
Yeah.
And didn't they also take care of your young son when you were at work?
Yeah.
They bought him a birthday present recently.
Is that right?
Yeah, they got him a bike.
Right.
Your sight was poor, you claim -
contrary to the expert testimony we received.
But you saw well enough
to inflict 34 wounds on Bill Houston.
So why did you kill him, actually?
If I may be so bold to ask.
He asked me to.
He did?
How intriguing.
A man with a fine career, some wealth and a happy marriage?
Why would this Bill Houston ask you to kill him?
I promised not to say.
Oh! That clears things up immensely (!)
You promised you wouldn't say.
In that case we'll just have to take your word for it
that the money you stole was yours
despite the fact that Bill Houston's savings
also disappeared so mysteriously that same day.
Just, ah....
Just where did you get your money?
Well...
I'd been saving up.
I suppose you could call it that.
What were these savings to be used for?
You never bought your son so much as a birthday present, as we've heard.
Um...
Yes?
My...my father...
in Czechoslovakia.
Your father.
And what, pray tell, is his name?
My...my father is...
Oldrich Novy.
So...
We're meant to believe
that you killed Bill Houston by inflicting 34 wounds on him
because he asked you to?
Just as we're meant to believe
that you were blind when you did it.
As we're meant to believe that it was your savings you stole from him.
Just as we're meant to believe
you sent all you had to your father back home.
A man by the name of Oldrich Novy.
Is that right?
Yes.
Thank you, Miss Jezkova.
Ladies and gentlemen, you've now heard from the defendant's lips.
You must believe her.
Just as you must believe her
when she claims her father's name is Oldrich Novy.
Your Honour,
at this time the State calls to the witness stand...
Oldrich Novy.
(DA) Please state your full name.
My name is Oldrich Novy.
And you used to live in Czechoslovakia.
That is right. I live now in California, as you know.
Right. That's where we found you.
What exactly is your relationship to the defendant?
I do not know her.
You don't know her?
So...you have not received money from her?
Money, that...that she says was so dearly earned?
No, I have not.
Perhaps you're not her father, then.
- No, I am not. - No.
Well, if this relationship was made up by the defendant
then can you think of any way she might know your name?
(Novy) I was once well-known in Czechoslovakia
because of my profession.
Yes, and Mr Novy, what is your profession?
Maybe that can give us a clue to why -
why this somewhat romantic, certainly communistic woman
who worships Fred Astaire, but not his country -
why she might have lied and misused your name -
to make everybody think all her money was spent on a poor father
and not her own vanity?
- What do you do? - I was an actor. I made films.
They were musicals.
(Pencils tap in rhythm)
(Music starts)
# Why do I love you so much?
# What kind of magic is there?
# How come I can't help adore you?
# You were in a musical
# I didn't mind it at all
# That you were having a ball
# At my musical
# And I was always there to catch you
# You were always there to catch me
# When I'd fall
(All) # Say it again
(Novy) # I don't mind it at all
# If you're having a ball
# This is your musical
# I'll always be there to catch you
# You will always be there to catch me
# I'll always be there to catch you
# You will always be there to catch me
(All) # We'll always be there to catch you
# We'll always be there to catch you
# When I fall #
(Officer) Will the court please rise?
The honourable Judge AD Mantle presiding.
Have you reached a verdict?
Yes, Your Honour.
(Officer) Will the defendant please rise?
We, the jury, find the defendant, Selma Jezkova,
guilty of murder in the first degree
and hereby sentence her to death.
(Judge) Is this the verdict of this jury?
You fully understand that it must be unanimous?
(Foreman) We do, Your Honour.
(Judge) Selma Jezkova...
you are hereby sentenced to be taken from this place
and confined in the state penitentiary
until such time as you shall be executed
by being hanged by the neck, until you are dead.
This court is adjourned.
(Officer) All rise.
I just heard about the... the Supreme Court decision.
Yeah, I...I just want to talk practical stuff.
On Gene's birthday...
he will receive a letter.
And it's so important, Kathy, that he reads it very carefully.
I need you to take care of that for me.
Because I'm not going to be there when he gets it.
He should not be afraid, because there's nothing to be afraid of.
Listen, Gene wants to see you so badly.
Won't you let him? Please.
There's nothing for him to see.
He's got you now, Kathy.
And there's one more thing.
He has to call himself Novy.
That's very important.
- All right. Time's up, Selma. - I know it sounds foolish.
Sorry I didn't tell you before about this, I didn't dare to
because they would ruin everything.
But why does he have to call himself Novy?
Stop asking those questions, Cvalda.
Please, let me tell Gene hello, from you to him.
No.
I know you love your son very much.
I love him very much.
Got a boy of my own back home.
You never told me that.
- Good night, Brenda. - Good night.
Say hi to your son from me.
Thank you, Selma.
Can I help you?
Did you once have a patient called...
Jezkova?
Selma Jezkova?
Well, if it wasn't too long ago, I can check my records.
Jez...Jez...Jez...
Sorry, there's no one here by that name.
What about Novy?
- I have good news for you. - What's that?
We found a new lawyer and he is going to get your case reopened.
He says your lawyer was incompetent.
W-what do you mean?
Well, the case is going to be reopened.
You won't get the death sentence.
- Is that true? - Yes. New information has turned up.
What information?
We know the whole story, Selma. Why didn't you tell us anything?
You know, about...about the money for Gene's operation.
How did you find out?
Well, Jeff talked to the doctor.
Does...does Gene know?
Have you told Gene?
No. No, I didn't. But you've got a much better case now.
That's very important, Kathy.
His eyes might get worse from worrying.
And then the operation won't work.
Yes, Selma, but don't you see, it would help you if they knew
that you were trying to save your son from going blind.
The lawyer will come in two weeks' time.
Kathy, by then.. You know they're hanging me in one week.
We know, but he says you can apply for a stay.
Most cases get one the first time.
Well, you can smile.
- Selma? - Yeah... It's just too much for me.
I thought I was strong. I just can't take it, Kathy.
Apply for a stay.
What if they don't phone?
Ah, well, you'll be transferred to the other...
cell block at some point tomorrow.
That's the cell block where they hang people?
Yeah, that's where they... spend the last day.
And then they do their 107 steps that's from that room...
to the gallows, isn't it?
That's what they say, Selma, but...
Look, it... You're gonna get your stay.
Why don't you try to think of somethin' nice, all right?
It's just so quiet here.
What's that got to do with it, Selma?
You know, when I used to work in the factory,
I used to dream that I was in a musical.
Because in a musical nothing dreadful ever happens.
But it's so quiet here.
Don't the prisoners march or something?
March? No. No, they don't... they don't... There's not...
There's not much noise around here, Selma, I know.
But later they turn on the radio.
No, no, no. There's no...
They don't allow radio in the isolation block, Selma.
But I've been listening to the ventilation shaft.
I hear sometimes people singing there, like...
hymns, or...
It's not against the rules to listen, is it?
No.
I wonder if...
if maybe you're hearing the singing coming from the chapel.
Yeah?
- Maybe you'll even get a sermon. - Yeah?
(Choir singing)
# Raindrops...and roses
# And whiskers on kittens... #
(Sniffs)
(Crying) # Raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens... #
(Sniffs)
(Clears throat)
# Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
# Brown paper packages tied up with string... #
(Ghostly humming continues in background)
# These are the few of my favourite things... #
(Sighs deeply)
# Cream-coloured ponies
# And crisp apple strudels
# Doorbells and sleigh bells and...
# Schnitzel with noodles
# Wild geese that fly with the moon on their...wings
# These are the few of my favourite things
# When the bee stings
# When the dog bites
# When I'm feeling bad
# I simply remember my favourite things
# And then I don't feel so sad #
Selma.
You got your stay.
You got the stay.
I'm so happy for you.
I'm your new legal counsel. My name is Luke, OK?
Hi, Luke.
I'm quite sure I can get your sentence commuted.
All I need is a signature stating you want the case reopened.
Then I can get the paperwork ready by tomorrow.
There are things your other lawyer didn't do that I'm going to do.
A lot of ground wasn't covered that I'm going to cover.
The fact you were fighting for your boy is something we can really milk.
And I have some experience in cases like this, so...
That's what the attorney before said.
Oh, yeah.
You see, he was appointed by the court.
And you don't get the best legal counsel that way.
You were not appointed by the court.
I'm not, no.
You're gonna have to pay me.
- But...not to worry. - Yeah.
That's been taken care of. I made a deal with your lady friend.
- Deal? - Yeah, in regard to my fee.
I'm going to accept the amount that she said she could raise.
How much... How much was it?
I can tell you precisely because I received an envelope.
- It was, ah...$2,000... - $2,056 and 10 cents?
That's it, precisely.
Now...ah...
There's something here...
Uh...I'd like to... just sort of go over our tactics.
I have a couple of questions to ask you.
If he doesn't have the operation next month it'll be too late!
He'll never be able to see!
This is what it's all about.
So he can see his grandchildren...
- Let me tell you... - It's the only thing that matters!
You don't understand, Kathy.
It's plain stupidity to waste that kind of money
on a blind woman in jail.
But he needs his mother! No matter where!
You don't understand! He needs his eyes.
- He needs his mother. - NO!
- Yes, alive... - NO!
Listen to reason for once, Selma.
- Selma... - I listen to my heart.
I will go to the police, I will tell them you stole the money from Bill.
I will say that. I will tell them that.
That you stole it from Bill. Then you'll never see it again.
They will be gone for good.
No parachute. No mother. Nothing!
You can have your money back.
I just want to make sure
you fully comprehend what this means - this decision.
- Yeah. - You realise what will happen?
Yeah. I've already asked for no more stays.
Once this starts there's no stopping it, do you understand?
Yeah.
I'm prepared.
(Walkie talkie)
Gene says thank you.
Thanks for what?
Oh, some comic book on his birthday.
You can't buy him presents and say it's from me.
You're to stop doing that, Jeff.
Maybe you can just...
phone him.
Just say, you know...
something to him.
No, that's... That's not a good idea.
He wants to be the one...
who's allowed to be there when it happens.
But I... And then they told him he's too young.
Who put that crazy idea in his head anyway?
I don't want him to be there.
I'd be there if you would...
And Kathy?
You know Kathy, she's...
She's still angry.
If you think you can take it...
I would love you to be there.
Don't cry, Jeff.
Jeff, don't worry. It's gonna be fine.
Jeff?
Why did you have him?
You knew he would have the same disease as you.
I just wanted to hold a little baby...
in my arms.
I love you.
It's time, Selma.
OK?
OK.
Your meal, Jezkova.
(Rattling of keys)
(Footsteps)
(Key in lock)
(Door opens)
(Sobs softly)
Selma Jezkova.
It's time.
Please stand.
She can walk on her own.
Selma.
I'm afraid my legs aren't working very well.
- You can do it, Selma. - Yeah.
- I have a plan, OK? - Yeah.
- You're gonna stand up with me. - Yeah.
OK, I will make some noise.
It will give you something to listen to.
- Yeah. - Listen.
(Selma sobs)
(Stamping continues)
It's 107 steps.
- Listen to the march. - I couldn't even do one.
- You can do it. - (Sobbing) I can't do it.
Now, listen Selma, I want you to do one.
There - one.
Come on.
Listen.
Two.
(Soft music)
(Brenda) ..five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve,
thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen...
(Brenda continues counting in time to march)
..twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three...
(Rattles against bars)
..twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven,
twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty...
# Thirty-one
# Thirty-five, thirty-eight
# Forty-two... #
(Brenda continues to count)
# Forty-eight
# Fifty-one, fifty-four
# Fifty-eight
# Sixty-four
# Sixty-eight, sixty-nine
# Seventy-five
# Seventy-nine
# Eighty-two, eighty-six
# Eighty-nine, ninety-three
# One hundred and seven
# Steps #
(Brenda) One hundred and seven.
Selma Jezkova, do you have any last words?
Very well. Proceed.
Selma. Selma. Selma, are you OK?
It's OK.
Come on, now.
- Use the board. - No, wait. Give her a chair.
(Brenda) She can stand up, she can stand.
(Man) Get her feet.
(It's OK. It's OK. It's OK. It's OK...)
(Man) Straps on her hands...
- I'm scared. I'm so scared. - I know.
(Guard) On the mark.
No. I can't do the hood.
It's OK, Selma.
I have to breathe. Nobody told me about the hood.
- It's just so you can't see... - I can't breathe!
- Look, look...
(Screams) I can't breathe!
She can't breathe!
- (Screams) - She can't breathe!
She can't... I'm taking it. I'm taking it.
- Look... - This is irregular.
I don't care. She can't see...
- We have regulations... - I don't care!
The girl is blind for Christ's sake.
- I'm gonna make a call. - Make the call.
(Screams)
Gene!
We have a situation here. I'll hold for him.
Gene.
The woman is blind.
Gene!
Gene.
We're waiting for a call.
Gene.
(Screams)
Gene!
(Piercing scream)
Gene!
He's just outside. He gave me these for you.
So he had the operation?
He will see his grandchildren. He's just outside.
You were right, Selma. Listen to your heart!
(Sobs quietly)
(Heart beating)
(Hums)
# Dear Gene, of course you are near
# And now there's nothing to fear
# I should have known
# I was never alone
# This isn't the last song
# There's no violin
# The choir is so quiet and no one takes a spin
# This is the next to last song
# And that's all
# All
# Remember what I have said
# Remember, wrap up the bread
# Do this, do that, make your bed
# This isn't the last song, there's no violin
# The choir is quiet and no one takes a spin
# It's the next to last song
# And that's a... #
# Train whistle, sweet clementine
# Blueberries, dancers in line
# Cobwebs, a bakery sign
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# A sweet clementine
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# Dancers in line
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# If living is seeing
# I'm holding my breath
# In wonder
# I wonder what happens next
# A new world a new day to see
# See
# I'm softly walking on air
# Halfway to heaven from here
# Sunlight unfolds in my hair
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# I'm walking on air
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# To heaven from here
# Ooh-ooh-ooh
# If living is seeing
# I'm holding my breath
# In wonder, I wonder what comes next
# A new world, a new day to see
# See
# To see
# See
# See #