You never did eat your lunch, did you?
I'd better get back. These extended lunch hours give my boss excess acid.
Why don't you call and tell him you're taking the afternoon off?
It's Friday anyway, and hot.
What do I do with my free afternoon? Walk you to the airport?
Well, you could laze around here a while longer.
Hmm. Checking-out time is 3pm.
Hotels of this sort aren't interested in you when you come in
but when your time is up...
Sam, I hate having to be with you here.
Some married couples deliberately stay in cheap hotels.
When you're married you can do a lot of things deliberately.
You sure talk like a girl who's been married.
Oh, Sam. This is the last time.
Yeah? For what?
For this.
For meeting you in secret so we can be secretive.
You come down here on business trips and we steal lunch hours.
I wish you wouldn't even come.
All right. What do we do instead? Write lurid love letters?
I have to go, Sam.
- I can come down next week. - No.
Not even just to see you? Have lunch? In public.
Oh, we can see each other. We can even have dinner.
But respectably.
In my house with my mother's picture on the mantel
and my sister helping me broil a big steak for three.
Then do we send sister to the movies? Turn Mama's picture to the wall?
Sam.
All right.
Marion, whenever it's possible, I want to see you.
And under any circumstances, even respectability.
You make respectability sound disrespectful.
Oh, no, I'm all for it.
It requires patience, temperance, a lot of sweating out.
Otherwise, though, it's just hard work.
But if I can see you and touch you even as simply as this, I won't mind.
I'm tired of sweating for people not there.
I sweat to pay off my dead father's debts.
I sweat to pay my ex-wife alimony and she's on the other side of the world.
I pay too.
They also pay who meet in hotel rooms.
A couple of years and my debts will be paid off.
If she remarries, the alimony stops.
- I haven't been married once. - But when you do, you'll swing.
Oh, Sam, let's get married.
Yeah. And live with me in a storeroom behind a hardware store in Fairvale?
We'll have lots of laughs.
Tell you what, when I send the alimony, you can lick the stamps.
I'll lick the stamps.
Marion, you want to cut this off, go out and find somebody available?
I'm thinking of it.
How could you even think a thing like that?
- Don't miss your plane. - We can leave together.
I'm late and, er... you have to put your shoes on.
Is Mr Lowery back from lunch?
He's lunching with the man who's buying the Harris Street property.
- You got a headache? - Oh, it'll pass.
Headaches are like resolutions, forgotten when they stop hurting.
You got some aspirin? I've got this - not aspirin.
My doctor gave them to me on my wedding day.
Teddy was furious that I'd taken tranquillizers.
- Any calls? - Teddy called me.
My mother called to see if Teddy called.
Oh, your sister called to say she's going to Tucson
and she'll be gone all weekend and...
Wow. It's as hot as fresh milk.
Hey, you girls oughta get your boss to air-condition you up.
He can afford it today.
Marion, get the copies of that deed for Mr Cassidy.
Tomorrow's the day, my sweet little girl. (Chuckles)
Oh. Oh, not you. My daughter.
A baby.
And tomorrow she stands her sweet self up there
and gets married away from me.
I want you to take a look at my baby.
(Chuckles) 18 years old
and she never had an unhappy day in any one of those years.
Come on, Tom. My office is air-conditioned.
Do you know what I do about unhappiness?
I buy it off.
Are, er... Are you unhappy?
Not inordinately.
I'm buying this house for my baby's wedding present.
$40,000 cash.
Now, that's not buying happiness, that's just buying off unhappiness.
(Chuckles)
I never carry more than I can afford to lose.
- (Tom) Count 'em! - I declare!
I don't. That's how I get to keep it.
Tom, a cash transaction of this size is most irregular.
Ah, so what? It's my private money. Now it's yours.
Suppose we put it in the safe,
then Monday morning when you're feeling good...
Oh, speaking of feeling good,
where's that bottle you said was in your desk?
Oh.
(Laughs)
You know, sometimes I can keep my mouth shut.
(Chuckling)
Lowery, I am dying of thirstaroonie.
I don't even want it in the office.
Put it in the safe deposit box, we'll get a cheque on Monday instead.
Yes.
He was flirting with you. He must've noticed my wedding ring.
(Lowery) Come in.
The copies.
I'd like to go on home after the bank, I have a slight...
You go right on home
because me and your boss are gonna get a little drinkin' done, right?
- Of course. Do you feel ill? - Just a headache.
You need a weekend in Las Vegas, the playground of the world.
I'm spending this weekend in bed. Thank you.
Aren't you going to take the pills? They'll help.
Can't buy off unhappiness with pills.
I'll go put this money in the bank, then go home and sleep it off.
(Sam) 'Marion, what in the world... What are you doing up here?
'Course I'm glad to see you. I always am.
'What is it, Marion? '
- (Engine starting) - Hold it there.
(Engine off)
In quite a hurry.
Yes, I didn't intend to sleep so long.
I almost had an accident last night from sleepiness so I decided to pull over.
You slept here all night?
Yes. As I said, I couldn't keep my eyes open.
There are plenty of motels in this area, you should've...
I mean, just to be safe.
I didn't intend to sleep all night. I just pulled over.
Have I broken any laws?
- No, ma'am. - Then I'm free to go?
Is anything wrong?
Of course not. Am I acting as if there's something wrong?
Frankly, yes.
Please, I'd like to go.
Well, is there?
Is there what?
There's nothing wrong except I'm in a hurry and you're taking up my time.
- Just a moment. - (Engine starts)
- Turn your motor off, please. - (Engine stops)
May I see your licence?
- Why? - Please.
Be with you in a second!
- I'm in no mood for trouble. - What?
There's an old saying - "First customer is always the most trouble"
but I'm gonna treat you so fair you won't have one reason...
Can I trade my car in?
Do anything you've a mind to. Being a woman, you will. That yours?
Yes. There's nothing wrong with it, I just...
Sick of the sight of it.
See if something here strikes you and I'll give yours the once-over.
- You want some coffee? - No, thank you. I'm in a hurry.
One thing people never ought to be buyin' used cars - in a hurry.
But it's too nice a day to argue, I'll shoot your car in the garage.
That's the one I'd have picked.
- How much? - Spin it around the block.
It looks fine. How much would it be with my car?
You don't want a day and a half to think it over?
Heh. You are in a hurry, aren't you? Somebody chasin' you?
Of course not. Please.
It's the first time the customer high-pressured the salesman.
Oh, I figure roughly...
your car plus $700.
- 700? - Always got time to argue money, huh?
All right.
I take it you can prove that car is yours?
Out-of-state licence and all. Got your pink slip?
I have the necessary papers. Is there a ladies room?
In the building.
Over there.
You better take it for a trial spin.
I don't want any bad word of mouth about me.
I'd rather not. Can't we just settle this and?
I, er... might as well be honest with you, ma'am. I trust you but...
But what?
What's so wrong about making a decision and wanting to hurry?
- Do you think I've stolen my car? - No, ma'am.
All right, let's go inside.
- (Man) Hey! - (Tyres squeal)
Just put it in here, please.
Thank you.
'Heck, Officer, that was the first time a customer high-pressured a salesman.
'Somebody chasin' her? '
(Officer) 'Let me see those papers, Charlie.'
(Charlie) 'She look like a wrong one to you? '
(Officer) 'Acted like one.'
(Charlie) 'The only funny thing, she paid me $700 in cash.'
- 'Yes, Mr Lowery? ' - 'Caroline, Marion still isn't in? '
(Caroline) 'No, but she's always a bit late on Mondays.'
(Lowery) 'Buzz me the minute she comes in.
'And call her sister. No one answers at the house.'
(Caroline) 'I called her sister at work - the Music Makers music store -
'and she doesn't know where Marion is either.'
(Lowery) 'Run out to the house, she may be unable to answer the phone.'
(Caroline) 'Her sister's going to, she's as worried as we are.'
(Lowery) 'No, I haven't the faintest idea.
'I last saw your sister when she left on Friday.
'She didn't feel well and wanted to leave early.
'That was the last I saw... Wait a minute.
'I did see her some time later driving...
'I think you'd better come over here to my office, quick.
'Caroline, get Mr Cassidy for me.
'After all, Cassidy, I told you, all that cash!
'I'm not taking the responsibility.
'Oh, for heaven's sake.
'A girl works for you for ten years, you trust her.
'Yes, you'd better come over.'
(Cassidy) 'Well, I ain't about to kiss off $40,000!
'I'll get it back and replace what's missing with her soft flesh!
'Never you doubt it.'
(Lowery) 'Hold on, Cassidy. I still can't believe...
'lt must be some kind of a mystery. I can't... '
(Cassidy) 'You checked with the bank. They never saw her.
'You still trustin'? She sat there while I dumped it out!
'Hardly even looked at it. Plannin' and... and even flirtin' with me! '
(Horn)
(Long horn blasts)
Gee, I'm sorry, I didn't hear you in all this rain.
Go ahead in, please.
- Dirty night. - Do you have a vacancy?
Oh, we have 12 vacancies. 12 cabins, 12 vacancies.
They, er... they moved away the highway.
Oh, I thought I'd gotten off the main road.
Nobody ever stops here any more unless they've done that.
But... there's no sense dwelling on our losses.
We just keep on lighting the lights and following the formalities.
Your home address. Or just the town will do.
Los Angeles.
Cabin one. In case you want anything, it's next to the office.
I want sleep more than anything, except food.
There's a diner ten miles away, just outside Fairvale.
- Am I that close to Fairvale? - 15 miles.
I'll get your bags.
Boy, it's stuffy in here.
Well, the mattress is soft and there's hangers in the closet
and stationery with "Bates Motel" printed on it
to make your friends back home feel envious.
And the, er...
- Over there. - The bathroom.
Yeah.
Well, if-if you want anything, just tap on the wall.
- I'll be in the office. - Thank you, Mr Bates.
Norman Bates.
- You're not really gonna go to the diner? - No.
Then would you have dinner with me? I was just about to myself.
Nothing special, just sandwiches and milk,
but I'd like you to come up to the house.
I...
I don't set a fancy table but the kitchen's awful homey.
- I'd like to. - All right.
Get settled, take off your wet shoes and I'll be back when it's ready.
With my... With my trusty umbrella.
(Elderly woman) No! I tell you no!
I won't have you bringing strange girls for supper!
By candlelight, I suppose,
in the cheap, erotic fashion of men with cheap, erotic minds!
(Norman) Mother, please!
(Mother) And then what? Music? Whispers?
(Norman) She's just a stranger. She's hungry.
(Mother) "She's just a stranger." As if men don't desire strangers. As if...
Oh, I refuse to speak of disgusting things because they disgust me!
Do you understand, boy?
Go on, go tell her she'll not be appeasing her ugly appetite with my food
or my son!
Or do I have to tell her cos you don't have the guts?
- You have the guts, boy? - Shut up! Shut up!
I've caused you some trouble.
No, er...
M-Mother... My mother, er...
What is the phrase?
She isn't quite herself today.
You shouldn't have bothered. I don't have that much of an appetite.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I wish you could apologise for other people.
Don't worry about it.
But as long as you've fixed us supper we may as well eat it.
It, erm... It-lt might be nicer
and warmer in the office.
It stopped raining.
Eating in an office is just too officious.
- I have the parlour back here. - All right.
- Sit down. - Thank you.
You're very kind.
It's all for you. I'm not hungry. Go ahead.
You... you eat like a bird.
You'd know, of course.
No, not really.
Anyway, I hear the expression "eats like a bird"
is really a fal... false... falsity.
Because birds really eat a tremendous lot.
But I really don't know anything about birds.
My hobby is stuffing things. You know, taxidermy.
And I guess I'd just rather stuff birds because...
I hate the look of beasts when they're stuffed - foxes and chimps.
Some people even stuff dogs and cats but I can't do that.
I think only birds look well stuffed because...
well, because they're kind of passive to begin with.
It's a strange hobby. Curious.
- Uncommon too. - Oh, I imagine so.
And not as expensive as you'd think. It's cheap, really.
You know, needles and thread, sawdust.
- Only the chemicals cost anything. - A man should have a hobby.
Well, it's...
It's more than a hobby.
A hobby's supposed to pass the time, not fill it.
Is your time so empty?
No, er...
Well, I run the office
and tend the cabins and grounds
and do little... errands for my mother,
the ones she allows I might be capable of doing.
Do you go out with friends?
Well, a boy's best friend is his mother.
You've never had an empty moment in your entire life, have you?
Only my share.
Where are you going?
- I didn't mean to pry. - I'm looking for a private island.
What are you running away from?
- Why do you ask that? - I don't know.
People never run away from anything.
The rain didn't last long, did it?
You know what I think?
I think that...
we're all in our private traps,
clamped in them, and none of us can ever get out.
We scratch and claw but...
only at the air, only at each other.
And for all of it, we never budge an inch.
Sometimes we deliberately step into those traps.
I was born in mine. I don't mind it any more.
Oh, but you should. You should mind it.
Oh, I do but I say I don't.
You know, if anyone ever talked to me the way I heard...
the way she spoke to you...
Sometimes when she talks to me like that,
I feel I'd like to go up there and curse her and leave her forever.
Or at least defy her.
But I know I can't.
- She's ill. - She sounded strong.
No, I mean... ill.
She had to raise me all by herself after my father died.
I was only five and it was a strain for her.
She didn't have to go to work, he left her a little money.
Anyway, a few years ago, Mother met this man
and he... he talked her into building this motel.
He could have talked her into anything.
And... when he died too, it was just too great a shock for her.
And the way he died...
It's nothing to talk about while you're eating.
Anyway, it was just too great a loss. She had nothing left.
Except you.
A son is a poor substitute for a lover.
Why don't you go away?
To a private island, like you?
No, not like me.
I couldn't do that. Who'd look after her?
She'd be alone up there.
The fire would go out.
It'd be cold and damp like a grave.
If you love someone,
you don't do that to them, even if you hate them.
You understand, I don't hate her.
I hate what she's become. I hate the illness.
Wouldn't it be better if you put her...
some place...
You mean an institution? A madhouse?
People always call a madhouse "some place".
Put her in "some place".
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound uncaring.
What do you know about caring?
Have you ever seen the inside of one of those places?
The laughing and the tears
and the cruel eyes studying you.
My mother there?
But she's harmless.
She's as harmless as one of those stuffed birds.
I am sorry. I... I only felt...
It seems she's hurting you.
I meant well.
People always mean well.
They cluck their thick tongues and shake their heads
and suggest so very delicately...
Of course, I've suggested it myself.
But I hate to even think about it. She needs me.
It's not as if she were a... a maniac, a raving thing.
She just goes a little mad sometimes.
We all go a little mad sometimes.
Haven't you?
Yes.
Sometimes just one time can be enough.
Thank you.
Thank you, Norman.
Norman.
You're not... You're not going back already?
I'm very tired.
And I have a long drive tomorrow, all the way back to Phoenix.
Really?
I stepped into a private trap back there and...
I'd like to go back and try to pull myself out of it.
Before it's too late for me too.
Sure you can't stay a little while longer? Just for talk?
I'd like to but...
All right. Well, I'll see you in the morning.
I'll bring you some breakfast. What time?
- Very early. Dawn. - All right, Miss, er?
- Crane. - Crane, that's it.
Good night.
(Door opening and closing)
(Footsteps and clunking through wall)
(Noises continue)
(Paper crinkling)
(Screams)
No! (Shrieking)
No!
(Steady shower spray continues)
(Norman) Mother! Oh, God, Mother!
Blood! Blood!
(Shower droning)
(Tap running)
(Tap stops)
(Engine starts)
(Car approaching)
(Car driving past, receding)
(Engine starts)
(Engine stops)
(Water sloshing)
(Water bubbling and gurgling)
(Gurgling stops)
(Gurgling resumes)
(Woman) I've tried many brands.
So far, I haven't had much luck with any of them.
Let's see what they say about this one.
They tell you its ingredients
and how it's guaranteed to exterminate every insect in the world.
But they do not tell you whether it's painless.
And insect or man, death should always be painless.
This one seems to claim more and better qualities than the others.
Sam?
Sam!
Lady wants to see ya.
- Yes, miss? - I'm Marion's sister.
- Sure, Lila. - Is Marion here?
- Of course not. Something wrong? - (Customer) Thank you.
She left home on Friday.
I was in Tucson and I haven't heard from her since.
Not even a phone call.
If you two are in this together, it's none of my business
but I want Marion to tell me that and then I'll go...
Bob, run out and get yourself some lunch.
- That's OK, I brought it. - Run out and eat it.
(Sam) Now, what thing could we be in together?
(Lila) Sorry about the tears.
Well, is Marion in trouble? What is it?
Let's all talk about Marion, shall we?
Who are you, friend?
My name is Arbogast, friend. I'm a private investigator.
- Where is she, Miss Crane? - I don't know you.
I know you don't. If you did I wouldn't be able to follow you.
What's your interest in this?
Well... $40,000.
- $40,000? - That's right.
One of you better tell me what's going on and fast!
Now, take it easy, friend.
It's just that your girlfriend stole $40,000.
What are you talking about? What is this?
She was supposed to bank it on Friday for her boss and she didn't.
- No one has seen her since. - Someone has seen her.
Someone always sees a girl with $40,000.
They don't want to prosecute, they just want the money.
- Sam, if she's here... - She isn't. She isn't.
Miss Crane, did you come here on a hunch and nothing more?
Not even a hunch, just hope.
With a little checking I could get to believe you.
I don't care if you believe me or not!
I just want to see Marion before she's in too deeply.
Did you check in Phoenix? Maybe she had an accident.
No, she was seen leaving town in her own car - by her employer.
I can't believe it. Can you?
We're always quickest to doubt people
who have a reputation for being honest.
I think she's here, Miss Crane.
Where there's a boyfriend...
Well, she's not back there but she's in this town somewhere.
I'll find her. I'll be seeing you.
(lnaudible)
(Car approaching)
- Evening. - Evening.
I almost drove right past.
I forget to turn the sign on but we do have a vacancy.
12, in fact. 12 cabins, 12 vacancies.
- Candy? - No, thanks.
I've been to so many motels my eyes are bleary with neon
but this is the first place that looks like it's hiding.
To be honest, I didn't really forget to turn the sign on,
it just doesn't seem like any use any more.
That used to be the main highway right there. Wanna register?
No, I just wanna ask a few questions.
No trouble. Today's linen day. I always change the beds once a week.
Hate the smell of dampness. It's such a... creepy smell.
Come on.
You out to buy a motel?
No.
You said you'd seen so many, I thought maybe you, er...
What, er... What was it you wanted to ask?
See, I'm looking for a missing person.
My name's Arbogast. I'm a private investigator.
I've been trying to trace a girl
that's been missing for about a week from Phoenix.
The family wants to forgive her.
She's not in any trouble.
The police don't hunt people not in trouble.
- I'm not the police. - Yeah?
We believe she came along this way. Did she stop here?
No one's stopped here for weeks.
Mind looking before committing yourself?
Commit myself? You sure talk like a policeman.
Look at the picture, please.
- Sure? - Yeah.
Well, she may have used an alias.
Marion Crane's her real name
but she could've registered under a different one.
I don't even much bother with guests registering any more.
One by one, you drop the formalities.
I shouldn't even bother changing the sheets but old habits die hard.
Which reminds me...
- What's that? - It's the light, the sign.
A couple last week said without it they'd have said this was a deserted...
That's exactly my point.
You said that nobody'd been here
and there's a couple came by and didn't know you were open.
Well, as you say, old habits die hard.
This girl could've used another name. Mind if I look at your book?
- No. - Thank you.
All right. I'll get the date somewhere.
See, there's nobody...
Let's see, I have a sample of her handwriting here.
Oh, yes. Here we are.
Marie Samuels. That's an interesting alias.
- Is that her? - Yeah, I think so.
Marie - Marion. Samuels - her boyfriend's name is Sam.
Mm-hm. Was she in disguise, by any chance?
Wanna check the picture again?
- I wasn't lying, mister. - Oh, I know you wouldn't lie.
- It's tough keeping track of time here. - Oh, I know, I know.
Oh, yeah.
Well, it was raining and, erm...
her hair was all wet.
It's not really a very good picture of her, either.
No, I guess not. Tell me all about her.
Well, erm...
she arrived rather late one night,
she went straight to sleep and left early the next morning.
- How early? - Oh, very early.
Mm-hm. Which morning was that?
The, erm...
- Th-The next morning, Sunday. - I see.
- Mm-hm. Did anyone meet her here? - No.
- Did she arrive with anyone? - No.
- Did she make any phone calls locally? - No.
Did you spend the night with her?
No.
Then how would you know she didn't make any calls?
Well...
Well, she was very tired and...
See, now I'm starting to remember.
I'm making a picture. If you make a mental picturisation...
- That's right. Take your time. - Erm...
She was sitting back there...
No, she was standing with a sandwich.
She said she had to go to sleep early
because she had a... a long dr... drive ahead of her.
- Mm-hm. Back where? - Where she came from.
- No, you said she was sitting... - Back in my parlour there.
She was hungry, I made her a sandwich
and then she said she was tired and she had to go right to bed.
Oh, I see. How did she pay you? Cash? Cheque?
- Cash. - Cash, mm-hm.
And after she left, she didn't come back?
Well, why should she?
(Clears throat)
Well, Mr Arbogast, I guess that's about it.
I've got work to do, if you don't mind.
To tell you the truth, I do mind.
If it doesn't jell it isn't aspic and this ain't jelling.
It's not coming together, something's missing.
I don't know what you could expect me to know.
People just come and go.
That's right. She isn't still here, is she?
No. (Laughs)
If I wanted to check the 12 cabins I'd need a warrant, wouldn't I?
If you don't believe me, come help me change beds.
Oh. (Chuckles) No, thanks.
Er, change your mind?
I think I have one of those faces you can't help believing.
- Is anyone at home? - No.
- Somebody's in the window. - No.
- Sure, look. - That must be my mother.
She's an inavalid... invalid. It's practically like living alone.
Oh, I see.
If this Marion Crane were here you wouldn't hide her, would you?
- No. - Not even if she paid you well?
No. (Chuckles)
Let's just say that she wanted you to gallantly protect her.
You'd know you were being used, being made a fool of?
I'm not a fool. I'm not capable of being fooled, not even by a woman.
It's not a slur on your manhood...
She might have fooled me but she didn't fool my mother.
Then they met. Could I talk to your mother?
No. As I told you, she's confined.
Just for a minute. There might be a hint that you missed.
- Sick old women are pretty sharp. - Mr Arbogast...
I think I've... I think I've talked to you all I want to.
- Yes, but... - So it'd be much better if you left now.
Well, all right.
You'd save me a lot of legwork if you'd let me talk to her.
- Would I need a warrant? - Sure.
All right. Thanks anyway.
(Door shuts, engine starts)
(Engine revving as car pulls away)
Oh, hello, Loomis. This is Arbogast. Is Lila there?
Let me talk to her, please.
Hello, Lila?
Lila, listen. Marion was up here.
Yes, she spent Saturday night at the Bates Motel.
It's on the old highway.
I even know what cabin she was in - number one.
Well, this young fella that runs the place said she spent the night,
left the next day and that was it.
Mm. Erm, no, not exactly.
Well, I did question him, believe me, but I think I got all there was to get.
I'll just have to pick up the pieces from here.
Well, I tell you, I don't feel entirely satisfied.
This boy had a sick old mother.
I think she saw Marion and talked to her.
No. Unfortunately, he wouldn't let me see her.
Well, I was but I think I'll go back to the motel first.
No, you stay there with Loomis. I'll be back in an hour.
All right, fine. Listen, you'll be happy to know what I think.
I think our friend Sam Loomis didn't know that Marion was here.
Yeah.
See you in about an hour or less. Bye.
Bates?
(Arbogast screams)
Sometimes Saturday night has a lonely sound. Ever notice that, Lila?
Sam, he said an hour or less.
Yeah.
- (Sighing) It's been three. - Are we just going to sit here?
He'll be back.
Let's sit still and hang on, OK?
- How far is the old highway? - You wanna go out there.
- Bust in on Arbogast and the old lady. - Yes.
- That wouldn't be wise. - Patience doesn't run in my family.
- Arbogast said... - An hour or less.
Well, I'm going.
You'll never find it.
- Stay here. - Why can't I go with you?
I don't know. One of us has to be here, in case he's on the way.
What am I supposed to do, just wait?
Yeah. Stay here.
Arbogast?
Arbogast!
Arbogast! (Echoes)
(Car approaching)
(Door opens and shuts)
- He didn't come back here? - Sam!
No Arbogast, no Bates. Only the old lady at home.
Unable to answer the door - or unwilling.
Where could he have gone?
Maybe he got a lead and went on.
- Without calling me? - In a hurry.
He called when he had only a dissatisfied feeling.
Don't you think he'd have called if he had anything at all?
- Yes. Let's go see Al Chambers. - Who's he?
- Our deputy sheriff. - All right, let me get my coat.
Good evening.
Well, I don't know where to start, except at the beginning.
Yes.
- This is Lila Crane from Phoenix. - How do you do?
She's here searching for her sister.
There's this private detective helping.
He called to say he'd traced her to that motel out on the old highway.
The Bates Motel.
He called to say he was going to question Mrs Bates.
Norman took a wife?
No, I don't think so. An old woman. His mother.
We haven't heard from him since.
Now, your sister's missing how long?
She left Phoenix a week ago yesterday.
How'd you and this detective come to trace her to Fairvale?
They thought she'd be with me.
- Left Phoenix under her own steam? - Yes.
She's not missing so much as she's run away.
- (Sam) That's right. - From what?
- She stole some money. - A lot?
- $40,000. - And the police haven't?
Everyone concerned thought if she'd give the money back
they could avoid involving the police.
So the private detective traced her to the Bates place.
What did he say when he called you?
He said that Marion was there for one night, then she left.
- With the $40,000? - He didn't mention the money.
It isn't important what he said, is it?
He was supposed to come back after he talked to the mother.
You must do something about it.
Like what?
I'm sorry if I seem overanxious,
I'm sure there's something wrong and I must know what.
I think there's something wrong too but not the same thing.
What's wrong is your private detective.
I think he got himself a hot lead as to where your sister was goin',
probably from Norman Bates,
and called you to keep you still while he took off after the money.
No, he said he was dissatisfied and he was going back there.
Call Norman and let him explain.
(Chambers) At this hour?
He was out when I was just there. He probably isn't in bed yet.
He wasn't out, he just wasn't answerin' the door in the dead of night.
He lives like a hermit.
You remember that bad business out there ten years ago?
Please. Call.
Florrie, the sheriff wants you to connect him with the Bates Motel.
Norman? Sheriff Chambers.
I've been just fine, thanks.
Listen, we got worries here.
Have you had a fella stop by there tonight?
This one's not a customer. He's a private detective, name of...
- Arbogast. - Arbogast.
Yeah, and after he left?
No, that's OK, Norman.
This detective was there, Norman told him about the girl,
the detective thanked him and he went away.
And he didn't come back? He didn't see the mother?
Your detective said he couldn't come right back
because he was going to question Bates's mother?
Yes.
Norman Bates's mother has been dead and buried
in Greenlawn Cemetery for the past ten years.
I helped pick the dress she was buried in - periwinkle blue.
Local history. It's the only case of murder and suicide on Fairvale ledgers.
Mrs Bates poisoned this guy she was involved with
when she found out he was married,
then took a helpin' of the same stuff herself.
Strychnine. Ugly way to die.
Norman found them dead together.
(Whispers) In bed.
That old woman I saw wasn't his mother?
Now, wait a minute. Are you sure you saw an old woman?
Yes! In the house behind the motel!
I called but she just ignored me!
You wanna tell me you saw Norman Bates's mother?
But it had to be because Arbogast said so too!
The man said she was too ill for visitors.
If the woman up there is Mrs Bates,
who's that woman buried out in Greenlawn Cemetery?
Now, Mother, I-I'm gonna bring something up.
(Mother, chuckling) I am sorry, boy,
but you do look ludicrous when you give me orders.
Please, Mother.
(Mother) No! I will not hide in the fruit cellar.
(Laughs) You think I'm fruity, huh?
I'm staying right here.
This is my room and no one will drag me out of it,
least of all my big, bold son.
They'll come now, Mother.
He came after the girl and now someone will come after him.
Mother, please, it's just for a few days so they won't find you.
(Mother) Just for a few days?
In that dark, dank fruit cellar? No!
You hid me there once, boy, and you won't do it ever again!
Now, get out!
I told you to get out, boy.
I'll carry you, Mother.
Norman, what do you think you're doing?
Don't you touch me! Don't!
Norman!
Put me down! I can walk on my own.
(Bell tolling)
(Woman) Wonderful sermon. (Sam) Good morning.
- Good morning. - Thought we'd go to that motel with you.
- He's already been. - Before service.
- Had breakfast? - Didn't find anything?
Nothing. Let's clear the way here.
What did he say about my sister?
What he told your detective - she used a fake name.
Saw the register, saw the whole place. That boy's alone there.
- No mother? - You must've seen an illusion.
I know you're not the seein'-illusions type
but I don't believe in ghosts so...
- I still feel there's something. - I can see. I'm sorry I couldn't help you.
Come to my office and report a missing person and a theft.
The sooner you leave this with the law,
the sooner you stand a chance of finding your sister.
How 'bout that?
- I don't know. - It's Sunday.
Come to the house and do your reporting around dinnertime.
- You too, Sam. - Thank you.
Maybe I am the seeing-illusions type.
No, you're not.
- You want me to drop you at the hotel? - Sam.
I still won't feel satisfied until I go out there.
Neither will I. Come on.
We'd better decide what to say when we walk in there.
We're going to register as man and wife.
We're going to get shown to a cabin
and then we're going to search every inch of the place, inside and out.
I wonder where Bates hermits?
I just saw the curtain move.
Come on.
- Well? - Just coming up to ring for you.
Uh-huh. You want a room?
We were gonna try to reach San Francisco
but it looks like a bad day coming, doesn't it?
OK.
- Cabin ten. - Better sign in, hadn't we?
That's not necessary.
My boss is paying for this trip and it's 90% business.
He wants practically notarised receipts.
I'd better sign in and get a receipt.
Thank you.
- I'll get your bags. - Haven't any.
- I'll show you the room. - First time I've ever seen it.
Stay anywhere without bags and you pay in advance.
Ten dollars.
(Sam) That receipt.
I'll go on ahead.
There's your receipt. Now I'll show you the cabin.
Don't bother yourself. We'll find it.
Sam, we have to search that cabin, no matter how much it may hurt.
I know. Do you think something happened there?
I don't know but if you had a useless business like this motel,
what would you need to get a new business?
$40,000?
How could we prove it?
If he opens a motel on the new highway...
There must be some proof that exists now
to prove he got that money away from Marion.
- What makes you so certain? - Arbogast.
He liked me or he felt sorry for me
and he was beginning to feel the same about you.
I could tell the last time I talked to him.
He wouldn't leave without telling us unless he was stopped.
And he was stopped. So he must have found out something.
We'll start with cabin one.
If he sees us, we're just taking the air.
Bates?
- No shower curtain. - Sam. Look!
- What is it? - Figuring, not washed down.
Some figure has been added to or subtracted from 40,000.
That proves Marion was here!
Bates never denied she was here.
Oh. Doesn't it prove he knew about the money?
Do we ask him where he's hidden it?
No, but that old woman told Arbogast something.
I want her to tell us the same thing.
- You can't go up there. - Why not?
Bates.
One of us keeps him occupied, the other finds the woman.
You'll never hold him if he doesn't want to be held.
- I don't like you going in alone. - I can handle a sick old woman.
I'll find Bates and keep him occupied.
Wait a minute.
If you get anything out of the mother
can you find your way back to town?
Yes, of course.
If you do get anything, don't stop to tell me.
- Looking for me? - Yes, as a matter of fact.
Wife's taking a nap and I can't keep quiet enough for her
so I thought we could talk.
- Good. You satisfied with your cabin? - Oh, it's fine.
I've been doing all the talking so far.
I thought the people who were alone did all the talking when they could.
Here you are doing all the listening. You are alone here?
- Mm-hm. - Would drive me crazy.
That would be a rather extreme reaction.
Just an expression. I meant I'd do anything to get away.
- Wouldn't you? - No.
(Knocks lightly on door)
Mrs Bates?
(Gasps)
I'm not saying you shouldn't be content,
I just doubt that you are.
If you saw a chance to get out you'd unload this place.
This place? This place happens to be my only world.
I grew up in that house. I had a very happy childhood.
We were more than happy.
You look frightened. Something I said?
I don't know.
I've been talking about your mother, your motel.
- How you gonna do it? - Do what?
Buy a new one in a new town.
Why don't you just get in your car and drive away?
Where will you get the money? Or do you already have it?
- Shut up! - A lot of it. $40,000.
I bet your mother knows where the money is and how you got it.
I think she'll tell us.
Where's that girl you came here with? Where is she?
Mrs Bates, it's...
(Footsteps running on stairs)
(Screams) I am Norma Bates!
(Shrieking)
(Murmuring)
If anyone gets any answers, it'll be the psychiatrist.
Even I couldn't get to Norman and he knows me.
- You warm enough, miss? - Yes.
Did he talk to you?
No.
I got the whole story but not from Norman.
I got it from his mother.
Norman Bates no longer exists.
He only half-existed to begin with.
And now the other half has taken over,
probably for all time.
Did he kill my sister?
Yes. And no.
If you're laying some psychiatric groundwork
for some sort of plea for him...
A psychiatrist doesn't lay the groundwork,
he merely tries to explain it.
- But my sister is? - Yes.
Yes, I'm sorry. The private investigator too.
If you drag that swamp in the vicinity of the motel, you'll...
Have you any unsolved missing persons cases?
- Yes, two. - Young girls?
- Did he confess to? - Like I said, the mother.
To understand it the way I did, hearing it from the mother -
that is, from the "mother" half of Norman's mind,
you have to go back ten years,
to when Norman murdered his mother and her lover.
He was already dangerously disturbed,
had been since his father died.
His mother was a clinging, demanding woman.
And for years the two of them lived as if there was no one else in the world.
Then she met a man.
It seemed to Norman that she threw him over for this man
and he killed them both.
Matricide is probably the most unbearable crime of all,
most unbearable to the son who commits it.
So he had to erase the crime, at least in his own mind.
He stole her corpse.
A weighted coffin was buried.
He hid the body in the fruit cellar,
even treated it to keep it as well as it would keep.
And that still wasn't enough.
She was there but she was a corpse.
So he began to think and speak for her,
give her half his life, so to speak.
At times he could be both personalities, carry on conversations.
At other times, the "mother" half took over completely.
He was never all Norman but he was often only Mother
and because he was so pathologically jealous of her,
he assumed that she was as jealous of him.
Therefore, if he felt a strong attraction to any other woman,
the "mother" side of him would go wild.
When he met your sister,
he was touched by her, aroused by her. He wanted her.
That set off the jealous mother and Mother killed the girl.
After the murder Norman returned as if from a deep sleep
and like a dutiful son,
covered up all traces of the crime he thought his mother had committed!
Why was he... dressed like that?
He's a transvestite.
Er, not exactly.
A man who dresses in women's clothing for sexual satisfaction
is a transvestite.
But in Norman's case,
he was doing everything possible to keep alive the illusion
of his mother being alive.
And when reality came too close,
when danger or desire threatened that illusion...
he dressed up, even to a cheap wig he bought.
He'd walk about the house, sit in her chair, speak in her voice.
He tried to be his mother.
And, er... now he is.
That's how I got the story from the mother.
You see, when the mind houses two personalities,
there's always a conflict, a battle.
In Norman's case, the battle is over
and the dominant personality has won.
And the $40,000? Who got that?
The swamp. These were crimes of passion, not profit.
He feels a little chill. Can I bring him this blanket?
- Oh, sure. - All right.
(Mother's voice) Thank you.
(Mother) 'lt's sad when a mother has to speak the words
'that condemn her own son,
'but I couldn't allow them to believe that I would commit murder.
'They'll put him away now, as I should have years ago.
'He was always bad
'and he intended to tell them I killed those girls and that man,
'as if I could do anything except just sit and stare,
'like one of his stuffed birds.
'They know I can't even move a finger and I won't.
'I'll just sit here and be quiet, just in case they do suspect me.
'They're probably watching me. Well, let them.
'Let them see what kind of a person I am.
'I'm not even gonna swat that fly.
'I hope they are watching. They'll see.
'They'll see and they'll know,
'and they'll say, "Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly."'
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