- [distressed woman] Let me die... Let me die!

♪ (sinister ominous music) ♪ (tense ominous music) (surgeon sighs) ♪ (tense music) - I should've known he was as good as dead when they wheeled him in.

- You did everything possible, everything you could, Dr. Cortner.

- Everything?

Everything except save my patient.

- Everything in the books.

♪ (tense music) Now Dad, do I have permission to take over and try things my way?

- The operating room is no place to experiment.

- He's dead.

I can't do any harm.

- Very well.

The corpse is yours.

Do you what you want to do.

- All right.

Make an opening into the chest cavity.

Apply 100 milliamps of current directly to the heart, then massage by hand.

I'll handle the brain area.

- By yourself?

- By myself.

♪ (ominous music) (scalpal clangs) ♪ (tense ominous music) Got to work fast...if it isn't too late.

♪ (ominous music) - You talk as if he's still alive.

- [woman] He is!

I just picked up a faint pulse beat.

- [son] Keep massaging the heart.

- I am, I am.

- These electric shocks should stimulate the motor area enough to enervate the heart again.

Then he won't need any external stimuli.

- Keep away from the motor area.

You'll paralyze him for good!

- Which would you rather be, paralyzed or dead?

- Don't try to play God.

Some choices are not yours to make!

- When the obstetrician has to decide which to save, the mother or the child, who plays God then?

It's part of the game.

- Game?!

The human body's not a jigsaw puzzle to experiment on.

- Still playing like it safe like the other doctors, hmm?

Might as well save my breath.

Keep massaging the heart.

You've already lost your patient, Doctor.

I'm going to save mine.

- [woman] His pulse is coming back stronger than ever!

It's unbelievable.

- [son] Nothing's unbelievable if you have the nerve to experiment.

I've been working on something like this for weeks.

- In your..."laboratory?"

- I knew this would work if only I had the opportunity-- - You don't conduct experiments on people!

You should be sure of the results first.

- I am now.

Stop massaging the heart.

Let's see if it can take over by itself.

(sound of labored breathing) All right... close up the chest.

I'm about finished with the cerebral area.

How's his pulse?

- [woman] Strong and steady.

(sound of labored breathing) (Cortner sighs) - You did perform a miracle...

I may not approve of your methods, but...

I am proud of your results.

♪ (soft dramatic music) Well... That was an amazing...even an extraordinary operation, son... but it still is too risky, too uncontrolled.

- It saved his life.

- And the after effects?

What about them?

(glove smacks) - You've lost the urge to experiment...to explore.

(door opens) (glove smacks) (running water) - You don't explore on people.

Before you put a scalpel to one, an operation like this needs testing under every condition...over and over again.

Rabbits, mice, monkeys...not people!

- That man who should be dead now won't think so.

There's more to surgery than just being a carpenter to patch up walls...or a plumber to drain pipes.

Our bodies are capable of adjusting in ways we've hardly dreamt of.

(water running) If we can only find the key...

I'm so close now, so very close... (water running) - The key to what?

- Complete transplantations... to be able to transplant limbs and organs... to be able to replace diseased and damaged parts of the body as easily as we replace eye corneas now... so that the new parts will join together as though they were born there.

- Can't be done!

- It can be done!

With my new special compound I've created, I'll do it.

I know I can do it-- - Sure, sure, that's what you say.

- That's what I know!

I know I'm close!

(door opens) - Darling, I'm so proud of you I could kiss you.

- Promises, huh?

Always promises.

- Careful, your father's liable to report us.

- (scoffs) And stop the floor show?

When you two are married, it won't be fun to watch anymore.

- Well I can promise you one thing: your grandchildren won't be test tube babies.

- You better hurry if you want to catch that plane to Denver, Dad.

You know that medical convention can't start without you.

- Uh...Jan, you'd better check about my reservations.

- Oh yes, I'll call the airport.

I'll be right back.

- Bill... the line between scientific genius and obsessive fanaticism is a thin one.

(Bill sighs) I want you on the right side it it!

- If I don't experiment, how can I expect to perform operations like the one you almost messed up?

- But I can't cover up for you anymore.

The superintendent had it out with me.

He thinks it's you who's been stealing those limbs from the amputee operations.

- So what if it is?

I've got to have limbs for my transplant experiments.

Test and experiment, test and experiment!

- Yes, but limbs and organs taken from people?

- I've got to have them to work with.

Sure, I've made a few mistakes... but I've learned from them.

I've learned!

- Your reservations are all set.

3:30 takeoff.

- Well...what have you two planned for the weekend?

- Oh, nothing much.

Just a quiet weekend.

- You sure you're not going up to the country house?

You're always sneaking off up there.

The place give me the creeps.

I should have sold it when your mother died.

- You can't sell that place!

Well, I mean it's nice to get away from the city.

I can work without anyone snooping around.

- You spend too much time up there!

All right, I'll uh, I'll see you both in a few days.

I have to clean up and get out of here.

Fine operation or not, Bill... you're walking on thin ice.

Don't go too far.

(door opens) (door closes) - Oh...every time you touch me, I go out of my mind.

I want to kiss you.

Bill, I want to get married.

I can't stand not having you.

- You've been wonderful.

- I'd rather be a bride.

- In a few more weeks... then nothing will keep us apart.

We'll be together.

(sighs) - Dr. Cortner!

I'm so glad you're here.

I was afraid you'd gotten way.

There was very important phone message that came for you.

It sounded quite urgent, and I've been looking everywhere.

It was from a man called Kurt.

He called from the country place, and he said something terrible has happened.

He wanted you to come right out.

- Thank you.

- Well, you've always wanted to know what's kept me away from you so many weekends.

Have you got the keys to your car?

(car rumbles) - Why haven't your ever taken me up here before?

- Because the things I'm working on don't need an audience.

- That telephone call...what about it?

- All right, all right, hold off the questions.

- [Jan] Why the mystery, Bill?

What's this all about?

- We'll be there soon enough.

You'll see.

I've got to hurry.

♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (car accelerates) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (car accelerates) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (car accelerates) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (tires squeal) ♪ (suspenseful jazz music) (crashing sound) (Jan cries out) ♪ (suspenseful music) (flames crackle) ♪ (suspenseful music) (flames crackle) ♪ (tense music) (flames crackle) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (ominous music) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (dramatic music) [Bill] Kurt!

Kurt!

(knocking on door) - All right, all right!

- [Bill] For God's sake, open the door!

- I'm coming!

(knocking on door) (door opens) What's the matter?

What's happened to you?

(door closes) - There's been a terrible accident...

I've got to save her...

I've got to save her.

- What is it?

What have you got there--?

- Kurt, please!

Sterilize the tubes and instruments, quickly!

- Well what are you going to do?

Aren't you going to have a look in the closet first?

- Oh, I can't now.

This is more important.

- But you don't understand--!

- For God's sake Kurt, this is urgent!

Do as I tell you before it's too late!

I can't waste precious time arguing with you!

♪ (ominous suspenseful music) (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) (liquids bubbling) ♪ (dramatic sinister music) (liquids bubbling) - The eyelids...

I saw them move!

It can't be... (liquids bubbling) My eyes are deceiving me!

- [Bill] What you see is real.

What's done is done, and what I've done is right.

It's the work of science.

(liquids bubbling) (Jan groans softly) - I...remember...fire... burning... (Jan wimpers) Let me die... Let me die... - I've had success with transplants, now I can do it for her.

- Transplant her into what?

- I brought her back... she'll live, and I'll get her another body.

I can make her complete again.

- Only a madman... can believe that she could ever be like before!

- Don't argue with me...

I love her too much to let her stay like this.

I'll restore her as before.... you'll see.

- Can't your realize?

Can't you see?!

There's a pattern to all that lives... an order, an arrangement!

She had a heart...and a brain, and her spirit was in both, not in one or the other--!

- No...

I'll give her a brain and a heart.

- Yes, and what of her soul?!

You say you love her, and...you can remember her love for you.

Then, how can you make of her an experiment of horror?

- All the skill and science I possess was meant for this.

Life has a pattern.

The whole pattern of my life is shaping itself to save her now.

- Then you intend to go through with it?

- Yes!

(liquids bubbling) Sleep, my darling.

Rest and grow stronger... (liquids bubbling) (Jan moans softly) - How long do you think we can keep her alive under these conditions?

- 48...50 hours at the most.

- Yes... And you really believe you can work a transplant on her...successfully?

- Yes.

- Like my arm... ♪ (dramatic music) withered and deformed... - [Bill] Yours was an early experiment that failed.

With her, I'm using my new adreno serum.

It must work.

I...I've got to go now.

If the police... or anyone call... tell them you don't know anything about it.

I don't think anyone will trace us here because her body was burned in the wreckage.

- Yes yes, of course, of course.

Look Bill, before you go...do have a look in that closet.

It's the reason why I called you up here!

(retching sound) (strange breathing sound) (strange breathing sound) (lock pops) (inhuman growling & grunting sounds) (lock pops) - Keep it locked!

(growling sounds) - Last night it got so violent, it almost broke out!

- No... (growling sounds) No, not through that thickness.

Keep it closed!

(Bill sighs) I've got to think about her now.

I've got to find her a body.

- How are you going to go about getting one?

Bill, how will you do it?!

- There are ways.

There are ways.

♪ (ominous music) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Jan moans softly) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) ♪ (burlesque music) (applause) ♪ (slow jazz music) (liquids bubbling) (electric whirring sound) ♪ (slow jazz music) (door closes) ♪ (slow jazz music) - [woman] What took you so long?

- [Bill] What made you think I'd come?

- [woman] You know a good thing when you see it.

- [Bill] Yeah, there was plenty to see.

I liked your act.

- [woman] Is that all you liked?

- Well, your costume; what there was of it, was interesting.

- Is that all?

- The rest of the equipment is standard... but, uh...the arrangement is pretty special.

- You're no tourist just looking at the sights.

What are you doing here, slumming?

- I get my allowance once a week.

- Okay, if you're so loaded, you pay for the drinks.

- I already did.

Are you hustling for the house?

- I hustle for myself!

(glass sets down) I'm the leading lady around here.

I can sit with the squares out front, or I can relax back here with my friends.

- I'll bet you don't have an enemy in the world.

Hmm?

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) - Let me die... (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Let me die... (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) - Where are you from?

- Oh, around... just looking around.

- When you get done "looking," then what?

- I operate.

- I get your message.

You're coming across.

You could flip any chick in the house.

Why me?

- Well like I said, I'm "looking."

- Well, you don't have to look any further.

I'm not gonna fake it for you.

- When do you go on again, hmm?

When?

- Relax, I got another show yet... but it could be for you.

- Oh, I was just asking.

- Try taking.

Are you getting nervous?

I'm over 21.

- Oh it isn't that, it's...

I've just got things to do... things to take care of.

- Well, if how I was acting makes you sick, what could be more important that could be taken care of right now?

- Well I've, uh...

I've got to see about helping somebody.

Somebody who needs my help very badly.

- You can't cut out on me now, baby... not when you've got me feeling so good.

I'm so warm all over...

I'm good for you.

I know I'm good for what...you want.

- You may be just what I'm looking for.

(door slams) ♪ (soft faint jazz music) - You've got your nerve!

- Oh, look who's talking.

- Why don't you haul your beat-up body back to the bar with the rest of the flies?

- Keep your g-string on.

I only came in here to change my clothes.

I got admission, now I'd like to see the rest of the show.

- Come back in half an hour and, maybe you will.

- Get lost.

Hi, loverboy...

I see you've met the queen.

(laughs awkwardly) Hey... Come here, don't hide.

You know, you've got the kind of face a girl doesn't mind looking at... even out front all the other girls are asking about you.

- Get out of here, two's company...three's a crowd!

- Who's to tell me to blow if I don't want to?

This here is my dressing room too, remember?

- It kills her to see me make time.

- You're the only thing that's going to be made around here tonight, honey... - Eat your heart out!

- Yeah?

- Yeah!

- Yeah well, uh, I'd better be going, hmm?

- What for?

Look what you've done!

You come busting in here with your two cents... Let me see you later...I'll make everything up to you...

I swear I will.

- Yeah, come on back later.

I'll remember you.

- Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.

♪ (faint jazz music) (door closes) - You lousy tramp!

Once in a blue moon I latch onto a guy with class, and you mess it up!

- Eh... what makes you think you had him?

He wouldn't have you on a bet.

- Says who?

- Says me.

What's a guy like that want with leftovers for?

- Leftovers?!

- (crack) Why you cheap third-rate stripper!

(women bickering) ♪ (jazz music plays) Let go!

♪ (jazz music plays) (women bickering) ♪ (jazz music plays) I'll mash you like a bug!

- You can try!

- Oh I'll try alright!

(cartoonish meow sound) (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) (electric humming sound) (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) - You... (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Inside the closet... ♪ (ominous music) [Jan] What has he done to you?

(liquids bubbling) (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) I know there's someone there.

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Knock once if you hear me.

(knocks once on door) ♪ (ominous music) ♪ (eerie ominous music) Then I'm not the first...

Knock twice if I'm not the first.

(two knocks on door) ♪ (ominous music) He should have let me die... ♪ (ominous music) I hate him for what he's done to me.

(liquids bubbling) If he only knew what it's like being like this... (liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Do you know what it's like?

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) (knocks once on door) ♪ (ominous music) Together we could have revenge.

♪ (ominous music) Do you want revenge?

♪ (ominous music) (knocks once on door) ♪ (ominous music) Yes... You, a thing inside, and me a thing out here... My brain's still untouched... and his keeping me alive has given me a power he didn't count on... a power that you can feel... across this room and through that door.

Can't you?

(banging steadily on door) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (ominous music) ♪ (suspenseful music) Together we're both more than things... We're a power as hideous as our deformities.

Together we'll wreak our revenge.

I shall...create power, and you will enforce it!

You the thing inside... me the thing out here... ♪ (ominous music) (knocks on door) (Jan laughs) (liquids bubbling) What's locked behind that door?

- A horror...no normal mind can imagine.

Something even more terrible than you.

- No, my deformed friend... Like all quantities, horror has its ultimate, and I'm that.

- No...

There is a horror beyond yours, and it's in there... locked behind that door!

(liquids bubbling) The paths of experimentation twist and turn through mountains of miscalculation, and often lose themselves in...error and darkness.

Behind that door... is the sum total of Dr. Cortner's mistakes.

(liquids bubbling) - He had no right to bring me back to this.

- Perhaps not.

Who knows?

But you should know...that before he injected the serum into that, it was but a mass of grafted tissues...lifeless.

It just lay there, weighted down with its transplants of broken limbs and amputated arms... but with this serum... it began to breathe!

- It's impossible.

- Would you have thought possible what he's already done?

Take yourself...

He's brought you back...you live!

Only a few years ago, all transplants were impossible.

- That's what he's been doing up here where no one could see his work.

- Yes.

Experimenting with transplants on that...and on me...

But he can...tear away my flesh time after time... test after test... my hopes shattering with each grafted arm he fastened to me... watching it... wither and warp... instead of strengthening.

Though you see...he's learned from his mistakes.

- And you stayed with him...helping him in his grotesque work that he claims is for science.

- Is there a place for me on the outside with this?

A world where eyes would look upon me with pity...and people would turn away from me in disgust!

No...

The alcoholic has his bottle...

The dope addict, his needle... (liquids bubbling) I had my research...

I used to be a surgeon.

It was my life... and one night in the laboratory, there...there was an accident...

They had to amputate my arm.

(liquids bubbling) - And, he has used you to... - I had no choice.

He was my only hope.

A surgeon needs both his arms, not just one.

Well you see, my... transplanted grotesqueness stayed, and so did I. I live only for the day he can work a successful transplant to my body.

That is why I stay.

- Transplant...my head onto another body?

- Yes... and he's insane with the belief he can do it!

- But the tissues of my body would reject the tissues of another...reject it as the foreign substance it is.

The transplant would never take.

It would never stay in place.

My blood's antibodies would attack it as they attack any invading matter.

- Yes, but his new discovery, this new serum, may change all that.

This serum, injected into the bloodstream, affects the lymphoid tissues...here, in the neck.

The lymphoids that provide the antibodies for the blood, that detect foreign transplanted matter.

It was untested, untried... until we used it on you.

- So...that liquid in the blood that's being pumped through what's left of me... is what makes me feel the... (Jan chuckles) He may produce results he didn't ask for.

- Results?

You mean...like this?

- Results more terrible than your arm of relative beauty!

Results of power...of magnitude!

- Power...what power?

Can't you see that you're at the mercy of every element of the universe?

How can you speak of power?

- I have power.

This liquid that he's pumped into me... my brain burns with it.

That thing inside and I are in touch.

Want me to prove it?

- (scoffs) You can prove nothing.

You're powerless!

- I'll show you how powerless I am.

You!

Behind that door.

(door rattles) (door bangs) Let me know if you hear me.

(loud banging sounds) Whoever... whatever you are...

I command you.

(door bangs) You understand me.

(liquids bubbling) I'm only a head, and you're whatever you are.

Together we're strong!

More powerful than any of them!

(creaking sound) (scrambling footsteps) ♪ (ominous music) (door closes) ♪ (suspenseful music) - What are you running from?

What's wrong with you?

- Oh...it's you.

There's something wrong, something beyond control in that room!

- There's nothing beyond my control.

She's alive, and I'll keep her alive until I find her a body.

I can't talk anymore, I'm tired.

I've got to go to sleep.

- Then you...you didn't find her a body?

- Well I've got to be careful!

I can't afford to be identified as the last person seen with a girl before she disappears!

- Do you think you'll get one?

- There are many things left for tomorrow.

♪ (burlesque music) (car door opens) ♪ (burlesque music) (car engine starts) ♪ (burlesque music) ♪ (burlesque music) - Hi!

I was about to call a cop the way you were looking me over.

How have you been, Bill?

- Oh just fine, Donna.

I haven't seen you for quite a while.

- Too long, I'm still waiting for that call you once promised me.

- Well, you know how it is with interns...all work.

- All work and no play even makes for dull doctors.

You're gonna lose that bedside manner of yours.

Say, how about a little side course in anatomy?

- [Bill] Yours?

Any time.

- No, not mine.

A body beautiful contest.

You know, bathing suit models?

Plenty of females on the hoof.

Your eyes will have a field day.

Interested?

- Well, why not?

You're just what the doctor ordered.

Come on, jump in.

Uh...on second thought, I just remembered I've got to stop by my place and take care of a few things.

It'll only take a minute.

You don't mind, do you?

- I always follow the doctor's orders.

Anything you prescribe, I'll take.

- That's what I like about you, Donna.

Always so obliging.

♪ (burlesque music) - Hey Donna, where you going?

What's the hurry?

- [Donna] Hi, Jeannie.

We're going to look for some bodies.

- You mean the contest?

- [Donna] Yeah.

- Got any room for me?

- [Donna] Oh sure, plenty.

Bill, this is Jeannie Reynolds.

Jeannie, this is Dr. Bill Cortner.

- [Bill] Hi.

- Hello.

- [Donna] Hop in, but first we've got to stop off at his place.

- Sure.

(car door opens) ♪ (burlesque music) (car door closes) ♪ (burlesque music) - Well as a matter of fact, it can wait.

Now that there's two of you, it will have to wait.

- [Donna] Guess he thinks there's safety in numbers.

- [Bill] Well this time there is.

- We promise not to hurt you.

- And I promise not to hurt you.

(all laughing) (car engine starts) (car softly accelerates) (indistinct chatter) - Bill, there's a seat.

- Yeah, it looks fine.

(indistinct chatter) (applause) - Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Well, it looks like we're about ready to go.

Backstage are five of the girls who have reached the contest finals, and we are here to choose Miss Body Beautiful.

Now, we've eliminated everyone except the five finalists, and they will be judged solely by your applause, so let's bring them on.

First...Helen Appleton!

(applause) (applause) ♪ (light orchestral music plays) ♪ (light orchestral music plays) Betty Frampton!

(applause) ♪ (light orchestral music plays) Terry Lund!

(applause) ♪ (light orchestral music plays) Peggy Howard!

(applause) ♪ (light orchestral music plays) - She has the second nicest body I've ever seen.

- Second to you?

- No, another girl.

A figure model.

You remember that one in school years ago?

The one who had the accident.

- Oh, yeah, yeah, Doris, uh-- - Doris Powell.

- Yeah.

She still around?

- Few people see her nowadays.

[Donna] She just stays in her studio, posing for art classes and camera bugs.

♪ (ominous music) - [Bill voiceover] Fitting, all right...

Poses for art classes...

The nicest body she's ever seen...

The nicest body... Maybe this is the one.

She's got to be.

I can keep Jan alive only for a few more hours.

I've got to find her a body.

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) - He...he intends to kill somebody... to rob them of their body... Do you hear me?

(bangs on door) (liquid bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Yes, you hear me.

You know how Bill's egotism drives him on and on...to infamy upon infamy.

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) Can good ever be born of evil?

(two bangs on door) Yet he claims his...work is for science...humanity.

(liquids bubbling) ♪ (ominous music) To be joined to flesh not your own... What's human in this?

Of how you must exist... locked behind that door?

We've got to stop him!

(bangs on door) ♪ (burlesque music) (cameras clicking) ♪ (burlesque music) - Okay boys, I've had it for today-- - Come on baby, one more!

- Just one more, please?

- [man] Another five minutes, baby?

- Time's just about up, anyway.

- [man] Okay.

- Say, Doris?

Would you like to have a drink with me, just you and me?

Away from everybody?

Someplace where nobody will butt in, where you and I can really be alone?

- No, thank you.

- How about posing for me?

Private-like?

I'll pay you real money.

Real good money.

The kind of money they don't throw at you every day, and for doing hardly nothing at all.

- I do my posing for classes only, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 to 10.

- Yeah, I know, but we can-- - Good night.

(door closes) See it all, Mister?

The show's over.

Next time bring a camera and buy a ticket.

I'm not running a charity.

- You don't remember me, do you Doris?

- Every guy on the make gives me that same, tired line.

- I'm Bill Cortner.

- Bill Cortner... Long time ago, that fight... You almost tore that wiseguy apart for making fun of me... after my accident.

- Look, uh, can't we go somewhere and talk?

- No, I don't date men.

Because I pose like I do, your mind works overtime.

You get ideas.

You're all alike.

- No, not all of us.

I'm not on the make for you.

- Okay, so maybe you're better than most.

Maybe not.

I still hate all men.

I hate them for what one did to me once.

Have you forgotten?

Well, have you?

- No, I haven't forgotten.

- Well...neither have I. I carry the memory around with me.

- But you can't hide yourself away here forever, posing bare in front of a bunch of neurotics.

- Listen, Galahad...I trusted a man once.

All the way!

What did it get me?

He gets his head full of jealous lies, and I get-- - You've got to forget what happened-- - How can I forget!

I carry the memory around with me...permanently.

♪ (dramatic music) ♪ (ominous music) Am I so appealing to you now?

Still so interested?

Doesn't it make you sick?

You don't even turn away from me...like everyone else does.

- To me you're not ugly.

I see only beauty in you.

You have a lovely body and a face that can be made beautiful again also.

- Yeah...

I've heard that song before.

- I'm a doctor.

I know.

My father's one of the leading plastic surgeons.

If anyone can help you, we can.

I know I can.

- I've been to doctors.

It's no use!

The scar tissue's too deep.

No one can help me.

- That was a few years ago.

Today nothing's hopeless.

Now we can graft scar and skin tissue... Why, we can even freeze areas of the skin... and sand away damaged skin tissues.

- The way you say that, that look in your eyes...

I almost want to believe you...

I almost want to believe you!

- Well then start believing, hmm?

- Even if your father could help me, I couldn't pay him the kind of money it would take.

- Don't talk about money, he does a lot of work without any charge.

- Why should you want to do this for me?

What's in it for you?

- I'm going to make your face beautiful again... cut it off and give your body away.

(Doris laughs) [Doris] I'm sorry... Bill...

I have been knocked around so many times...

I've lost count!

It's tough living with this.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful.

- Well, because you've been battered around, don't go sour.

You shouldn't lose your trust in people... not all of us.

- I believe you.

I want to.

Do you really think something can be done?

- Only my father knows.

Look, we have a country place just out of town.

He's visiting for the weekend.

I could take you there now for a consultation.

- You mean tonight?

- Well, if you'd rather wait 'till he comes back, if he comes back-- - Oh no, no, I mean, he wouldn't be annoyed, being bothered with me so late at night?

- Well, you let me do the worrying, hmm?

- I'll do anything that'll help me get rid of this face.

- Well, that's where I come in.

Remember the last time I helped you?

Where are you going?

[Bill] Who are you calling?

♪ (tense music) - [Doris] My girlfriend.

I want to tell her the news.

- [Bill] Before you know what the verdict is going to be?

♪ (tense music) - You're right.

I shouldn't talk until I know what's going to happen.

My girlfriend, she's supposed to drop in later.

I'll have to leave her a note or something.

- Well, just tell her you'll see her later.

Otherwise she'll ask a lot of nosy questions.

We want to be sure first.

Just throw something on, eh?

- I'll be with you in a minute.

♪ (tense music) - Just tell her you'll keep in touch.

I'll leave it on the table, she'll see it.

- [Doris] "Had to go out with old friend Bill Cortner.

I'll call you tomorrow.

Doris."

♪ (tense music) Here.

♪ (tense music) - I'll leave it on the lamp.

(paper rustles) She'll see it, won't she?

(paper rustles) - [Doris] That's the first place she'll look.

I'll leave the lights on for her.

♪ (eerie ominous music) - Hmm... - I have waited so long for this.

- So have I.

(creaking sound) (banging) (bang) - Again!

Hit it again!

(bang) I've got to see your hideousness.

You've got to see mine.

(liquids bubbling) Wonder which of us is more awful... (liquids bubbling) Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am.

A head without a body.

(liquids bubbling) A head that should be in its grave.

I hate him...

I hate him for what he's done to me!

Can your horror match mine?

(banging on door) Quiet!

Someone's coming.

(liquids bubbling) - I've come to feed your friend.

While you feed yourself with hate, it prefers food.

- Your formless, sniveling fear becomes you more.

(Kurt scoffs) (liquids bubbling) What makes you think I'm afraid of what's in there?

Or of you?

A mere head in search of a body?

- People fear what they don't understand... and what they can't see.

- What are you talking about?

You're nothing but a freak of life...and a freak of death!

Why should I be afraid of a few knocks on a door?

- But last night you ran.

You're afraid of what you imagine lay behind that door.

- I?

Imagined?

It was I who helped graft together the bits and pieces that were stolen from the hospital.

An amputated arm, a leg, a torso...

It was I who helped piece him together like a monstrous jigsaw puzzle!

- And that same medicine that he's fed to me to activate my lymphoid tissues... has he fed it to that?

- No.

No, on that he used an earlier formula.

It wasn't as successful as the serum he's using on you... but it was enough to allow the transplants to take.

If your experiment is successful... then it'll be my turn.

- And what else has happened to it?

- What do you mean, "what else?"

Well, it's...it's mutated some, of course.

It's...changed considerably.

- Why don't you open the door... and we'll both see how it's changed?

- Listen, you...I warn you!

You better stop pestering me, do you hear?

I'm getting fed up with you and you're insidious talk!

He should've cut out your tongue while he was at it!

- Afraid?

- Afraid of whom?

Of you?

No...not anymore.

- But of it?

- Nor of it!

(latch unlocks) No, he...keeps it locked in there so that... it'll be safe, that's all.

- Safe?

From me?

(laughs) (Jan laughs) - You beast!

I hope he prolongs your existence into a lifetime of agony!

Then we'll see who's laughing at whom!

You miserable fool!

- [Jan] Get him!

(Kurt screams) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (suspenseful music) Kill him!

(Kurt cries out) ♪ (suspenseful music) ♪ (suspenseful music) (Kurt screams) ♪ (suspenseful music) Kill him!

♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Kurt groans) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Kurt groans) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Kurt groans & whimpers) (door handle rattles) (door handle rattles) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (bang) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Jan laughs) ♪ (ominous music) ♪ (ominous music) (Kurt gasps & groans) ♪ (ominous music) ♪ (ominous music) (door opens) (door closes & locks) - You and your father live here?

- Only on weekends when we want to get away from the city.

- This place certainly is lonely.

- Well, the further from prying eyes the better.

I mean it's nice and quiet here, we can get away from the noise and telephones.

- Oh, I guess it is.

- Well sit down, sit down, I'll fix us a drink, eh?

My father should be back soon.

- You mean he's not here now?

- Oh come on now, Doris.

Do I look like a maniac who goes around killing girls?

You've got to learn to trust people.

Well, people like me, really.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

I trust you.

I trust you with my life.

- Well I can't ask for any more than that.

♪ (ominous music) I'll be right back.

♪ (ominous music) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (panel thumps shut) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) ♪ (suspenseful music) (gasps sharply) - Oh, I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me.

- Forgotten you?

Why Doris, you've become very important to me.

Very important...

I put a little water in it, so it wouldn't be too strong for you.

- Fine.

I'm not a very heavy drinker.

- Neither am I.

Well, um, here's to your future... whatever it may be.

- I'll drink to that.

(glasses clink) (liquids bubbling & electric humming sound) (glass sets down gently) ♪ (soft ominous jazz music) Oh, it's getting awfully warm in here.

♪ (soft ominous jazz music) I feel kind of funny... ♪ (ominous jazz music) Bill?

You put...something in my drink!

Didn't you?

(glass shatters) ♪ (ominous jazz music) - I told you I'd bring you a body... [Bill] A beautiful one.

Soon it will be yours.

- [Jan] Bill!

You can't!

- Yes I can.

I want you as a complete woman, not part of one.

[Bill] Is it a crime to want to keep you alive?

Is it a crime for science to jump ahead by years?

This kind of thing must be done.

When it's over, you'll see.

I've got to hurry now... the drug will wear off soon and she'll be awake.

When she does come to... it will be your head consciously awakening for her.

♪ (dramatic ominous music) - You must be stopped!

You must!

- And who's going to do it?

It's got to be quiet here.

- You can't stop me... - [Bill] Very well... ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (heavy knocking on door) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (heavy knocking on door) ♪ (dramatic ominous music) (Bill grunts) ♪ (suspenseful music) (splintering sound) ♪ (suspenseful music) (Bill grunts) ♪ (suspenseful music) (Bill groans & whimpers) ♪ (suspenseful music) (flames burst) (Bill groans & whimpers) ♪ (suspenseful music) (Bill cries out) (flames crackle) (Bill groans & whimpers) ♪ (suspenseful music) (flames crackle) ♪ (suspenseful music) (Jan screams) (Bill groans) (flames crackle) ♪ (suspenseful music) (flames crackle) - I told you to let me die!

(flames crackle) (Jan laughs) ♪ (suspenseful ominous music) ♪ (suspenseful music)