 Murder! What are you doing with that knife? Knife? Well, this isn't a knife. Well, it's a letter. Can't you see that it's a letter if you're just imagining things again? Put it down. Put it down, you idiot. Either that or you're trying to make me believe I'm imagining things. All I want to do is read it to you. Keep away from me. Keep away from me. But I'm telling you, all I want to do is show it to you. Show it to you like this. Midnight. Midnight. The witching hour when the night is darkest. Our fears the strongest. And our strength at its lowest end. Midnight. When the graves gape open and death strikes. How? You'll learn the answer in just a moment in. Murder out of mind. And now, murder at midnight. Tales of mystery and terror by radios masters of the macabre. Our story by Sigmund Miller is. Murder out of mind. 12 o'clock. Midnight. In the home of Carl and Mary Watson. Carl is sleeping, but sleeping restlessly. Uneasily. And suddenly, Mary. Mary, what are you doing? Doing what? That knife there in your hand. A knife? I don't understand. What am I doing with a knife? I guess would be that you're about to kill me. Oh, no. No, I couldn't. Wait till I put on the light. Your throat. It's bleeding. It's a pretty sharp knife. The touch of it against my throat that woke me. I couldn't have done it. I couldn't. Then may I have it? I'll get you some iodine and a bandage. Never mind. It's only a scratch. But it's bleeding. It's all right. Why did you bother killing me? I didn't want to kill you, Carl, darling. I don't know how the knife got in my hand. I was asleep. But I don't remember getting it. I don't remember anything. You do believe me, don't you, Carl? You know I wouldn't hurt you for anything. I do believe you're married. Why should I do such a thing? Possibly because you hate me and wish I was dead. What? Oh, but I don't, Carl. I love you. I always have. Is it possible to hate someone and not even realize it? No, no. Subconsciously, you haven't been feeling too well lately, have you, darling? Only since George's accident, when he was killed. That could be the reason, you know. Because I lent your brother the car. You could hate me for that. No, that isn't so. It wasn't your fault. Of course it wasn't my fault. Your brother was reckless and foolhardy. Don't say that. You see? Carl, you think I'm going crazy? No, but I think it might be a good idea for us to see a doctor. A doctor? A psychiatrist. Oh, I don't need a doctor. It won't happen again. I swear it won't. You can't tell, darling. It wasn't something you did deliberately. You might do it again still without knowing it. Next time you might succeed. I think we'd both feel safer if we did see a doctor. And she tried to murder you in her sleep? Yes, doctor. And she was asleep, really asleep. Well, has there been any other manifestation of erratic behavior? Yes, lots of little things. She's abstracted off and hears things that aren't there very forgetful. Well, the other day she forgot to make dinner for me. Of course she was abject about it, but they all seem to point to an unconscious hostility toward me. Well, let's call her in. Mrs. Watson, will you come in, please? Good morning, Dr. Heller. Good morning, Mrs. Watson. Has my husband told you? Yes, he did. Won't you sit down? Yes, thank you. Tell me, were you very much attached to your brother? Well, you see, I raised him since he was a baby. A mother died soon after George was born. And there was a strong bond between the two of you then? Yes. But I'm sure it had nothing to do with last night. But I didn't say it did. I'm merely gathering all the facts in the case. Facts? What are the facts? I tried to kill my husband. Please, Mary. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's also dreadful. Maybe I am crazy. I don't think you are, but you may be in need of treatment, Mrs. Watson. Have you been sleeping well lately? Yes. Well, have you had any nightmares or terrifying dreams? No, I don't dream at all. Well, do you find yourself unusually upset when little things go wrong? No, not generally. Mary, put Dr. Heller's pen down. I'm sorry. You broke the point, jabbing it into the blood of that woman. I didn't mean to. I wasn't thinking. Oh, that's all right. I'm very sorry. It's just that I've been nervous ever since my brother was killed. That's understandable, Mrs. Watson. Can you come in to see me tomorrow? Your husband won't have to come with you. Oh, yes, Doctor, if you want me to. You sure you don't want me to come with a Dr. Heller? I'm very much concerned. I'd rather you didn't, Mr. Watson. You know best. This same time tomorrow then? Yes. Goodbye, Mrs. Watson. Goodbye, Dr. Heller. Dr. Heller. Yes? What do you think? Well, I can't say right now. This was just a superficial examination. She doesn't have any important outward symptoms. Is there anything serious? What about her jabbing the pen into the blood? Wasn't that significant? I mean, in a minor way, wasn't she trying to stab me again? You're being an amateur psychiatrist, and that's dangerous. Goodbye, Mr. Watson. Goodbye, Dr. Heller. I'll let you know if anything unusual happens. Do you want another cup of coffee, Carl? No, darling. Why don't you go to bed? No, I can do them. I feel fine. I'm not tired at all. Put the knife down, Mary. I was just going to cut some cake. Oh, yes. Just a little jumpy. You're afraid of me. Oh, don't put it that way. It's just that we should be careful. Yes, Carl. I'll sleep in the living room tonight. Hmm. Well, perhaps that would be best. Then? Someone's at the door. Why do you say that? Because the doorbell is ringing. What are you talking about? The bell. It's ringing. Easy, Mary. There's no bell ringing. But there is. I can hear it. All right. Open the door and see for yourself. There must be someone there. There must be. There's no one. The bell stopped. As soon as you satisfied yourself that no one was at the door, the bell stopped. That is, your mind stopped ringing the imaginary bell. I don't know what to do. What shall I do, Carl? Well, Dr. Heller seemed to think he can help you. He must help me. He must. Mary! What? I didn't say anything. Didn't you just call my name? I didn't say anything. Mary! Someone's calling my name. Stop it, Mary. You mustn't let yourself go. Your imagination is running away with you. Mary, Mary, quite contrary. Mary, Mary, Mary, quite contrary. I can't do anything. It's you who's got to stop it. You have to force it out of your mind. I'll call Dr. Heller. Dr. Heller, Carl Watson, can you come over right away? Yes, she's bad, very bad. I gave her a sedative. She's resting quietly now. What do you think we ought to do? I'll be in a better position to tell you tomorrow. When I examine her thoroughly. I feel rather uncomfortable. She might try to kill me again. again hmm but I can't recommend institutionalizing her I'm not convinced yet it's necessary and it might be very harmful to her she might make the attempt again just watch her closely by tomorrow I'll know what should be done all right you're the doctor it's a very unusual case as far as I can see there's no real mental illness but then again as I've said before my examination has only been superficial I'll see her in the morning call me about noon and I'll let you know yes Dr. Heller and just be on your toes for tonight good night's raspberry yes dear I said very soundly after that stuff Dr. Heller gave me oh that's wonderful what's that you got there tomato juice we're out of oranges you mean you fixed breakfast oh you should I wanted to here come thanks darling what's matter what what did you put in this juice but why nothing just a dash of lemon lemon maybe but something else too iodine iodine why did you do it Mary but I didn't I swear I didn't I just poured the juice out of let's look in the medicine chest please you've got to believe me I didn't do it I just poured the juice out of the can and the can was fresh here here's the iodine bottle and it's just been used see it's on my fingers and I haven't used it in weeks I got myself this morning where I don't know I just don't understand I don't remember even coming in here I must be crazy I must be really crazy a pen stabbed into a blotter and poisoned for breakfast are these both repeat performances of that first attempt to commit murder back to murder at midnight and murder out of mind Irene over here get in quickly anyone see you no I waited back where it was dark well what's happening with Mary won't be long now darling Karl you've said that a dozen times before this time I mean it she's really starting to go how do you know I just do she's naturally high strong and nervous I'm making the most of it now the few days and she'll be so bad that I can have her institutionalized and keep her there for life life not getting squeamish are you no well that's just a little too much for me stop that the only way you'll never give me a divorce you know that oh I know this driving her mad almost rather you killed her what well at least that would be quick this will be quick too here on in you just leave everything to me what happened to dr. Hellers Mary he asked me a lot of questions over an hour what did he say he said I seem to be all right he wants to see me again tomorrow did you tell him about the iodine yes what did he say about that he tried to make me remember it but I couldn't I just couldn't remember doing anything like that I spoke to him a little while ago called him out you left what he tell you he thought perhaps you needed a rest but I am resting I'm not doing much work you need a rest at a rest home what kind of home they're a nice quiet private places where you'll be very comfortable after all you probably only have to be there for a short time I won't go to an institution you mustn't get yourself upset about it doctor heller didn't tell me that naturally not I won't I won't go Mary something must be done about you you're ill seriously twice in two days you try to kill I know you hear things that aren't there you've completely lost control of yourself if you don't have the proper care you may get worse you may become stark staring mad look at you you can't keep your eyes steady they dart around like a bird I can I keep them steady look at me you're not looking you've dropped your eyes you can't look at me because you feel guilty you hate me you want to kill me no I don't hate you at all I love you I really do I'll be all right I know I will you're getting worse you keep forgetting things I don't forget what's today's date it you see you can't remember the date how many days in this month 30 days at September April June and you see your mind goes back to your childhood that's what happens with people who are mentally ill you can't even remember what month this is what is the month I know if you don't have to think to know what month this is it's August your mind is closing up you're losing contact with the world outside so you won't even know whether it's winter or summer or whether it's day or night you need treatment you need hospital care right now the thing is will you take it now or do you prefer to wait until you're hopelessly insane yes I very well I can't not until Mary's put away another few days and it'll be all over she's in constant hysterics now one word from me and she breaks down completely he's puzzled oh everything's gotta be all right I look darling I won't be able to call you anymore but I'll write you every day remember it won't be long now please don't wash the dishes Mary I want to come to do something look you can't even hold a dish in your hands watch out it slipped yes so it did it slipped because your fingers are getting nervous I'm fine when you aren't around perhaps perhaps it's because you hate me when you see me your mind just closes up you go completely to pieces what do you want me to do I've made some inquiries about the children home it's a very fine place in the lovely part of the state of you you won't mind being there for a few months a few months yes it might take half a year I thought what did you think well tell me what you thought yes I know you can't remember it's hard for you to remember it gets harder and harder every day but I'm fine with Dr. Heller I remember everything with him he's a psychiatrist he knows how to help you there are dozens of psychiatrists at Chilton Dr. Heller never said anything about my going to a sanitary I've had long discussions with Dr. Heller about you now believe me this is the best course if you really think that if you want me to go come all right I will I'm just finishing a letter dear to Chilton I'll be right up just felt lonely I didn't mean to interrupt you that's all right Mary I'll be back in a few minutes I'm just gonna mail this I'll mail if no I don't want you to leave the house anymore not alone it's not safe for you let it for you Mrs. Watson return for lack of postage no stamp on it well if you wait a minute I'll get you three no no I can't do that you'll have to re-mail it oh I see thank you in Craig was our in Craig dearest Irene I've done it at last Mary is committing herself voluntarily to an asylum once she's there I'll be able to keep her there for as long as I want today I frightened her so that she forgot her own name just a few more days and she'll be arriving you know that have patience darling Irene just a few days longer love car love car she forgot her own name my name is Mary is Mary Mary Mary I'm sure there's nothing wrong with me I'm saying completely saying my name is saying is a any Mary say Carl said that's what he said I tried to kill him twice he said I hated him and all the time he hated me he hated me it's Irene loves Irene whom I don't even know maybe she has a better memory than I had maybe she knows what today's date is maybe she knows what time it is maybe she doesn't forget her name it's Irene I won't forget her name either I mean I mean I won't forget anything any more I remember everything I must tell Carl and show him how much I can remember I must bring him something to show how good my memory is I'll appreciate this oh yes he will oh yes he will he'll appreciate this oh Carl dear what is it Mary who was that what are you doing with that knife knife this isn't a knife it's only your imagination it's really a letter a letter to Irene that's in my hand but it isn't a knife it's a letter can't you see it has your signature on it love Carl it says how do you know about the letter came back without a stamp just imagine that there is no Irene now put that knife down you know it isn't a knife card you're just making believe that clean is only the gleam of my tears but it is sharp when I read it it's tap me Dr. Heller said I was perfectly sane he asked me a lot of questions about you yes you yes you he thought there was something the matter with you more than with me he caught on to you fast he did remember what you told me Kyle you told me that soon I wouldn't know whether it was winter or summer outside but you made a mistake it was you who won't know about the weather you won't care you'll be satisfied with just this letter close in your heart I hate you I hate you the way you hated me love Carl great in your eye now I can't you can't look in mine anymore and so the pattern is played out and the knife that Carl Watson first placed in his sleeping wife's hand ended up in his own heart you see we always try to give you poetic justice along with murder remember to be with us again when death steals into a tortured mind and the clock strike 12 for murder our stars tonight were Charlotte Holland and Alan Hewitt with music by Charles Paul murder at midnight was directed by Anton M. 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