The Mad Magician

The Great Rinaldi:
[about Ormond] You had every reason to hate him. What did you do with him, Gallico? How did you get rid of it? [Don's crematorium] Was this thing already built and hidden away, waiting for a job like that?

Don Gallico:
Ormond was seen alive two weeks ago, The Prentisses identified him.

The Great Rinaldi:
That didn't have to be him.

Don Gallico:
Who else could it have been?

The Great Rinaldi:
It could have been you, Gallico. From what Ormond told me you are a clever man, developed a wonderful new makeup, something new in the theater. Something that might be used offstage too. Only a man who dreams up illusions would think of such a thing, and only people of the theater would know it was possible.

Frank Prentiss:
Good luck on your murder. Oh, I say, [takes out a newspaper] there was a very nice one in the Fall River thing. The killer used an axe and...

Alice Prentiss:
Oh no no, don't tell me now, Frank, save it.

Frank Prentiss:
I shall. [leaves the room]

Alice Prentiss:
Oh, Frank! Do they know who did it?

Frank Prentiss:
Know who... oh no no, some neighbors saw him, but he was wearing a mask.

Alice Prentiss:
[writing, narrating] His impersonation of the man he had killed was perfect. The mask he wore was equally perfect. Another face that fitted him like an outer skin. Thin as tissue and elastic enough to give with every move of the facial muscles.

Alice Prentiss:
Frank, I've got it!

Frank Prentiss:
Your plot?

Alice Prentiss:
No, what actually happened. Remember I told you how much Mr. Gallico reminded me of Ormond?

Frank Prentiss:
Yes.

Alice Prentiss:
Well there had to be a reason for that and I think I know what it is. They've never found a trace of Ormond! I don't believe that he was ever in this house! I believe it was Gallico who rented those rooms upstairs!

Frank Prentiss:
Wearing grease paint make?

Alice Prentiss:
Oh no Frank, no, you were right about that, it had to be more than a makeup, I think it was a mask!

Frank Prentiss:
Alice!

Alice Prentiss:
A face I mean! The face of Ormond! That must have been his secret. How else could he have made those quick changes in his show?

Alice Prentiss:
I'm convinced of it, so convinced that I'm going to Lieutenant Bruce right now!

Frank Prentiss:
Alice, I forbid it.

Alice Prentiss:
My dear, don't be ridiculous.

Karen Lee:
[to Bruce] I should think you would be sorry. What you told me about Mr. Gallico on the phone is simply impossible. Why he's the kindest, sweetest man I know.

Alice Prentiss:
What he told you on the phone was my theory, not his, Karen.

Karen Lee:
Well how can you even think such a thing?

Alice Prentiss:
I'm sorry, I like Mr. Gallico too.