Dead of Night

Eliot Foley: Ah! Walter Craig? Walter Craig: How do you do? You're Eliot Foley. Eliot Foley: That's right. So glad you were able to come, let's have your bag. [takes Craig's bag] We'll put the car away afterwards. You know it struck me after I'd telephoned you, rather a cheek on my part asking a busy architect like yourself to come down and spend the weekend with a set of complete strangers. Walter Craig: Not a bit. Eliot Foley: You see we're pretty cramped for space here, we need at least two more bedrooms. Walter Craig: And with only one living room. Eliot Foley: Yes, only one living room. However, we'll go into all that in the morning shall we?

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Eliot Foley: Know this part of the world at all? Walter Craig: No. I've never been here before. No. Not actually. Eliot Foley: Well, let me take your things. Eliot Foley: Ha ha, fancy your spotting that. Trained professional eye, eh? Walter Craig: Yes, of course. Eliot Foley: Well, we have seven other guests, so I've put you in the barn. But don't get worried... Walter Craig: ...It has central heating and every modern convenience. Eliot Foley: The very words I was going to use! Well, this way; I expect they've started tea. Walter Craig: Yes. Yes, they have.

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Walter Craig: Of course! Dr. van Straaten. You're a psychiatrist. You always treat me. You'll treat me now, won't you? Dr. van Straaten: You must forgive me; I don't quite understand the joke. Walter Craig: It isn't a joke. I only wish it were. I've seen you in my dreams. Sounds like a sentimental song, doesn't it? I've dreamt about you over and over again, Doctor. Dr. van Straaten: That hardly turns you into a mental case. After all, recurring dreams are quite common. Walter Craig: But how did I come to dream about you? I've never set eyes on you in my life. Dr. van Straaten: It's very likely you've seen my photograph in the papers. That's why my face seems familiar to you. Walter Craig: I don't think so. And even if it were, is that any reason why I should keep on dreaming about you? After all, you don't mean anything to me. Dr. van Straaten: Huh. Well, maybe an association of ideas. I may be linked with something that means a great deal to you. Walter Craig: Such as? Dr. van Straate

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Dr. van Straaten: Mr. Craig, can you describe what happens in your dream? Walter Craig: Well, not in detail. But it always starts exactly the same as when I arrived, just now. I turn off the main road into the lane. At the bend in the lane, the house comes into view, and I stop as I recognize it. Then I drive on again. And Foley meets me at the front door. I recognize him, too. And then, while I'm taking off my coat, I have the most extraordinary feeling. I nearly turn and run for it, because I know I'm going to come face-to-face with the six... Sally O'Hara: Well, you've only come face-to-face with five of us so far, not counting Eliot. Walter Craig: That's right, five of you. There is a sixth person who comes in later. Dr. van Straaten: Can you describe this late arrival? Walter Craig: It's an attractive girl with dark hair. Dr. van Straaten: [laughing] Is that all you can tell us about her? Walter Craig: She comes in quite unexpectedly and says something about not having any money.

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Dr. van Straaten: Well, if I am a puppet and Mr. Craig's pulling the strings, the least he can do is to tell me a little bit more about the part he's giving me to play. Walter Craig: I wish it were as easy as that. But trying to remember a dream is like, how shall I put it, being out at night in a thunder-storm. There's a flash of lightning and, for one brief moment, everything stands out: vivid and startling. Dr. van Straaten: And what have the lightning flashes illuminated so far? Walter Craig: One thing is very vivid and very horrible. I hit Sally savagely, viciously. Sally O'Hara: Oh, no you won't! I shall stick close to Mr. Grainger. He's bigger than you. Walter Craig: Well, anyway, it isn't consistent. I shan't have a chance to, 'cause you leave here quite soon, quite suddenly.

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0

Peter Cortland: Well, you know that mirror you gave me? You didn't get it at one of those joke shops, by any chance? Joan Cortland: Of course not, why? Peter Cortland: Well, when I was dressing this evening, just as I was tying my tie, I suddenly realized that the reflection was all wrong. Joan Cortland: What do you mean, wrong? Peter Cortland: It wasn't my room I was seeing; it was some other room. Joan Cortland: Darling! Peter Cortland: I told you it sounded silly. It only lasted for a moment, but I could have sworn I saw it. Some sort of optical illusion, I suppose. Joan Cortland: [chuckles] All done with mirrors, in fact.

Dead of Night, CC BY-SA 4.0