The House That Dripped Blood Page #3

When that house was empty again,

the estate agent rented

it out to a new tenant.

A retired stockbroker from the city.

A Mr. Philip Grayson.

Interesting house.

Yes it is, for the right person.

You're retired, aren't you?

Yes.

Businessman?

Yes.

Oh, I see.

Wife?

I beg your pardon?

Are you married?

No, I've never been married.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.

I was just thinking you

might get rather bored

living all alone in this house.

I'm used to being alone.

As a matter of fact, I'm

looking forward to living here.

And doing some of the things

I had little time to do

when I was working.

Gardening, reading, listening to music.

Oh, no.

I shan't be bored.

She is beautiful, isn't she?

My Salome.

Oh, yes.

Yes, it's very well done.

Perhaps she reminds you of someone?

You see, she has a

strange effect on people.

They seem to see in her

all sorts of things.

Was she modeled from life?

You might say that.

Who was the model?

My wife.

She must be a very beautiful woman.

She's dead.

Murdered.

No doubt you've seen

the rest of the figures

in my exhibition.

They're all murderers.

That's what the public wants to see.

But you said your,

the model you used for

Salome was a victim.

A victim, yes.

And also a murderess.

I found her one day holding an ax.

And nearby, the body of my dearest friend.

It was the state that murdered her.

I made a waxen image

of her body, her face.

I wanted to preserve her beauty forever.

And now, men come and stare

at her the way you did.

You will come again, won't you?

Even though you know.

No.

No, I don't think I shall.

Thank you, goodbye.

My dear Philip.

Neville!

Friends?

Yes, yes, of course.

Aren't you gonna invite me in?

Forgive me, come on in.

I was so surprised to see you.

So this is where you've

been hiding yourself.

I never thought I'd see you

in this part of the world.

Can I offer you a drink?

Thank you.

Scotch?

Lovely.

I was travelling north on business.

Then I remembered you had a place

about a mile from the road

so I thought I'd drop in and surprise you.

To tell you the truth, I

was getting a bit lonely.

Will you stay to dinner?

Overnight if you wish.

I've got lots of room.

You sound as though you'd be afraid

to be left here on your own.

That's past now.

And with me.

We could never have won her, Philip.

Either of us.

We're not winners, you and I.

Anyway, it was a long time ago.

Now she's dead.

How do you manage to occupy

yourself here all day?

Oh, I have plenty to do.

I read, listen to music, do the garden.

And I walk into town occasionally,

when the weather is nice.

That reminds me, I must pop in myself

and get some tobacco before I leave.

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