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He finds Mason instead, and Mason is drinking heavily.
Peter: (Entering through the front door) Mason, do you know where Kelly is?
We mustn't forget what few civilities that we have left. They are
the oil that smooths our way through the daily tangle of
business and social encounters that we call life.
Peter: Mason, do you know where Kelly is or did you just
managed to drown any memories you have of your sister?
that's what you'd like us to believe, isn't it?
Peter: I don't care what you believe, Mason. I just want to know where Kelly is.
Mason: Ah, yes, Kelly, the recurring theme. Well, as a matter of fact, I know exactly where
she is because she was very explicit on that matter just before she left. (He refills his glass)
She's with Joe Perkins. Remember him? (He resumes drinking.)
Peter: I fail to see what you find amusing about this.
Mason: Oh, absolutely nothing Peter except that it upsets you so much. You're like a
Pavilion dog. I say the name Joe Perkins and you salivate, or foam at the mouth, or
whatever it is you do. That I admit gives me the smallest ounce of pleasure and appeals to
my scientific mind.
Peter: Mason, what's wrong with you? I'd think you'd be horrified that your sister is taking
up a man who killed your brother.
Mason: Oh, believe me, I'm horrified, Peter, but then there's so much to be horrified about.
Peter: I can't think of anything worse, or more potentially dangerous than Kelly seeing Joe
Perkins.
Mason: Well, that's true but then at least I don't have to worry about you anymore. (He sits
down at a table.)
Peter: And what does that mean?
Mason: Well, obviously you can see that you're losing Kelly to Joe, can't you? I mean, she's
not only going to see him one time. No sir, she's gone, and Peter Flint, well, I can hardly
remember who he was anymore.
Peter: You're really on a roll tonight, aren't you?
Mason: Let's see, Peter Flint, Flint, ah yes, he was that young man that my younger sister
had a brief fling with. They may have been engaged at one time, I don't really remember, he
didn't last long.
Peter: I'm not going anywhere, Mason.
Mason: Maybe not, but Kelly is. I figure once we've gotten rid of you then we'll mop up Joe
Perkins and then Kelly can find some nice, decent young man and get safely married.
Peter: You're drunk. (He turns and starts to leave.)
Mason: Oh, hold on a minute (he rises out of the chair), Peter we still have a little business
matter to discuss. I'm still waiting to find out who managed to break into the presidential suite
and plant that mike.
Peter: We had the building searched, Mason, and there was some additional equipment
found in one laundry room.
Mason: And the perpetrator?
Peter: I haven't been able to pin him down, yet. But you can be assured that the building is
clear.
Mason: You know I do know if I can be assured of anything when you're running this show,
Peter. What's to keep him from doing it again?
Peter: I've doubled the security, Mason. It's not going to happen again.
Mason: Well, that's good to know. That's just swell. I'm glad to know that it occurred to you
after something like this has happened to double the security. That's as good as time as
any, I suppose, for our man, Flint to come to the rescue. You know what?
Mason: I'm glad you're losing Kelly, Peter. You know why?
(Pause with no respond) Because I don't really want you for a
brother-in-law. You told Augusta about my efforts to get the
beachfront property. Turn what should have been a simple real
estate coup into one big, tangled mess. I didn't like that, Peter.
No, I didn't like that a bit. I'm glad you're not going to be a
member of this family.
brother-in-law, that's fine. You just keep sneering at me, driving me away from your
sister, you'll drive her right back into Joe Perkins' arms. How would you like your
brother's killer as a member of your family? Well, you better like it, because you're
going to get it. (Walks out of home.)