TCOT Bedeviled Doctor….Part 1

Again, my thanks to Rachel for being my second pair of eyes and for all her help and ideas. Not to mention her support. It is much appreciated.

This episode originally aired on April 4, 1959. It was directed by Arthur Marks. The teleplay was by Gene Wang and the story was by Jay Draft and Gene Wang.

The characters are not mine. I am only borrowing them for a little bit and promise to return them in perfect condition.

Story Synopsis: Dr. David Craig is in big trouble. Some of his tapes with conversations of his psychiatric patients are missing and being used for blackmail….one in particular. After a brief meeting with his good friend, Perry Mason, Craig decides to drop the issue. But Craig has been covering for Edith, his nurse and the woman he loves, while she in turn has been protecting her brother from the mob. When Edith's brother is murdered, the good Doctor is arrested for the crime.

Working together with Della and Paul, Perry of course solves the case. It turns out that the culprit is none other than Barbara Haywood, the wife of the patient whose taped session was stolen. The Doctor is acquitted and he and his nurse can finally be together. Meanwhile, Mr. Haywood and his secretary are in love, a fact not lost on Mason. Dana's loyalty is appreciated by Della, who "confesses" this to Perry.

That conversation is part of the last scene of the episode. Della is sitting in the big, comfortable chair in Perry's office, reading the evening edition of the paper. The case is page 1 headlines. Perry enters from the law library and walks towards Della smiling.

Perry: "Well, shall we go."

Della: (handing him the paper) "I don't get it."

Perry: (leaning against his desk)"Well, it's very simple. Mrs. Haywood confesses murder."

Della: (gets up from the chair and stands next to her boss) "I don't mean that. I mean what put you on to Mrs. Haywood in the first place?"

Perry: (picking up Della's purse and gloves and handing them to her)"Hmmm….it was when you and Paul exonerated her."

Della: "Seems logical. She wouldn't kill Mark Douglass unless she'd gotten the tape from him."

Perry: "On the other hand, if she'd gotten the tape from him, she wouldn't have had to kill him. Suppose she killed him first, then couldn't find the tape because his sister had destroyed it….wouldn't that explain everything?"

Della: True…..Confessions in order?"

Perry nods his head.

Della: "I was afraid Dana Lewis was guilty…..uh, from the way you described her, I didn't think she'd be troubled with indecision as Mr. Haywood was…..and then when you told me she how she tried to protect Mr. Haywood…..I liked her."

(She pauses and looks away from Perry, with a teasing tone in her voice and a mischievous gleam in her eyes) "I don't know a secretary who would go to bat for her boss like that."

Perry: (using the same tone and the same look) "I don't either."

There is a momentary pause. They turn to look at each other, burst out laughing and turn and walk out of the office.

My story picks up from here.

Perry Mason slipped his arm around Della Street, tugging her close. Their laughter rang out as they stopped momentarily to close up the office. Once the lights were turned off and the door locked, the attractive couple walked down the hallway of the 9th floor to the elevators. It was late on a Friday night, the rest of the occupants of the fashionable Brent Building, already having left for the evening and the anticipated weekend. There was of course the cleaning crew and the night watchmen but other than those few employees, there seemed to be no one else around. As they waited, Perry took notice of the empty corridor. Seizing the opportunity, he put his briefcase down next to him. Then, standing back up, he turned Della to him and took her face in his hands, his fingers lightly brushing her cheeks. His lips met hers for a slow, sensuous kiss and Della felt a shiver flow through her. When at last they broke away, Della kept her eyes closed and it was a full moment before she could speak.

Opening her eyes and letting a soft sigh escape her lips, she looked up at Perry. Placing her hands on his chest she fingered the navy silk tie and the lapels of his light grey suit. She then ran those soft delicate fingers up to the collar of his crisp white shirt, making her way inside to his neck and traveling around to the back of his ears. Perry flinched and sucked in a deep breath. At that moment, the elevator arrived. Acting quickly….for both were skilled in the art of swift separation, they gathered themselves. When the door opened, there stood one very handsome but quiet attorney and his reserved but very beautiful secretary.

The elevator reached the parking garage level and stopped, allowing Perry and Della to exit and walk to his car. No words were spoken between them until they were both ensconced inside the vehicle.

Turning to Della, Perry smiled the smile that was hers alone. His voice was quiet but slightly rough.

"My dear Miss Street, would you be so kind as to tell me what you were doing to me while we were waiting for that elevator?"

Della flashed Perry a spectacular smile. Using her best Southern accent and pretending to fan herself, Della gave Perry the most innocent look she could. "Why Mr. Mason, I do declare….. I have no idea what you are referring to…..Come now, how could you possibly think that little ole' me could or would do anything to such a big strong strapping man as yourself…Oh my, you're just giving me a case of the vapors. Whatever shall I do?" With that, Della closed her eyes, made a swooning noise and fell back against the seat, trying to contain her laughter.

Perry had to take a deep breath and bite his lips to keep from laughing himself. He wondered how long Della could keep from losing control. Playing along, he feigned a serious tone and said, "Well now, it looks as if I'm going to have to drive you to the hospital Miss Street. I can't let you be that sickly. You need immediate medical care. After all, what kind of employer would I be if I didn't make sure you received the care you needed. The hospital is only a few minutes away. Shouldn't take us long to get there." Then, in a somewhat disappointed voice he said, "You know, it's really a shame. I had plans for us tonight. Now I guess I'll just have to cancel them."

Della sat straight up in the seat. Continuing the game, she said, "Oh I can't let you cancel all your plans, Mr. Mason. Not when you've already gone to so much trouble. I…I feel better already. Can't you tell? She looked straight at Perry and batted her beautiful, long, full lashes for all it was worth.

Perry wasn't through. In his famous Perry Mason courtroom voice he said, "I'm afraid I have to overrule this decision Miss Street…..My mind is made up, I am taking you to the hospital."

Perry turned and started the car. Suddenly he felt a soft but firm hand on top of his. Looking straight ahead, he heard the smooth voice that always seem to wash over him like warmed honey.

"The only place you are taking me counselor, is home… with you."

Perry shut off the engine and turned to the woman next to him. Putting his arms around her he whispered, "Come here, you beautiful creature. Pulling Della as close to him as the car would allow, Perry bent down and kissed her deeper and more passionately then he had while they were waiting for the elevator. When at last he released her, Della said softly, "all I can say is, you really know how to make a girl feel faint my darling attorney…..and this time it's for real."

Perry's response was a promise of things to come. His voice took on a Paul Newman accent. "Then stick with me baby, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Starting the engine a second time, Perry put his arm around Della, letting her snuggle up close to him before pulling out of his parking space and heading for home.

Perry Mason turned the key and opened the door, allowing Della Street to enter. Following her into his apartment, Mason walked up behind his beautiful secretary. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he gently pulled her backwards to him and left a soft kiss in her hair. Releasing her, the attorney removed her coat as well as his own and along with his suit jacket hung them in the hall closet. Turning back to Della, he gave her a loving smile and held her hand as he guided her into the living room and over to the couch. Once there, he proceeded to sit down, pulling Della slowly along with him. The two sat together silently, momentarily occupied with their own private thoughts. Then as if on cue, the couple turned to each other at the exact moment and uttered simultaneously, "a penny for your thoughts?" For a split second they were silent. Then Della giggled and Perry laughed, pulling her closer to him.

When at last they could speak, Perry looked at Della and said, "It did turn out to be an interesting day."

Della's voice was low…..quiet. "Yes it most certainly did. You know, I think it's wonderful that Edith and David are in love. Now they can be together in public and without having to worry about public scrutiny and negative publicity."

Perry was thoughtful. "Yeah, I'm with you. I always like a happy ending." He raised his eyebrows, the hint of a question on his lips.

Knowing what was coming, Della took the conversation in another direction. She was well aware of the subject uppermost on Perry's mind and not wanting to talk about it at the moment, decided to make someone else the topic of discussion.

"Gertie seemed to be glad about the outcome. When you telephoned me at the office to tell me what happened and that you would be a little late, she came running into my office faster than a jack rabbit. What in the world did you say to her?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary." The lawyer gazed at his secretary, an impish look written all over his face. "I just told her what happened, leaving out the confidential details of course…..those I save only for my "closest confidante." I just told her enough to make her happy….to make her day."

"If I may ask Mr. Mason, just who is your "closest confidante"

Perry couldn't resist. In voice halfway between seriousness and teasing he sat straight up and looked directly at Della. "Why darling, you should know the answer to that….it's Paul of course"

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Perry yelped as Della hit him with the sofa's pillows. "Alright!…..alright!….enough! I was just teasing. C'mon Della, stop." You know I didn't mean it." Perry's face took on the appearance of a little boy who had been caught with his hand inside the cookie jar.

"That will teach you to toy with my feelings, Counselor."

Perry leaned over and kissed Della on the forehead. Tapping his finger lightly on her nose, he said, "I'm just teasing you sweetheart. You know what you mean to me….what you've always meant. Now why don't you just lie back and put your feet up. Maybe you'll just doze a little….hmmm? It's been a long day. I'll light a fire, then start dinner. You know, even though it's Spring, it's early in the season and the nights are still chilly. I want to make sure you're nice and warm."

Perry pushed his large frame from the couch and walked over to the fireplace. Bending down, he began to crumble some old newspaper he kept on the hearth and throw it on top of the logs. Watching him from her place on the sofa, Della snuggled down into the comfortable cushions. A smile came over her beautiful face. There was no need for Perry to start a fire. Della didn't need the warmth of the flames to ward off the evening's chill…she had something much better…Perry's arms.

The sounds of pots and pans being pulled out from their nesting places and delicious smells emanating from the kitchen came over Della as she stretched gracefully on the couch watching the fire's flame as they danced their way over the logs, radiating warmth and an iridescent luminosity. She raised a delicate hand to her mouth in order to suppress a yawn that was determined to make an appearance. On his way into the kitchen, Perry had turned off all the lights allowing just the fire's glow and the lit candles to illuminate the room. A smile began to form on Della's lips and widened as she reminisced about other dinners Perry had cooked for her… those wonderful dinners that always ended with spectacular deserts…deserts that did not necessarily include food.

Perry was right. It had been a long day. It seemed to Della, that this trial especially, had taken a lot out of him. True, he….they, were always tired and emotionally spent at the end of every trial but to Della, Perry seemed tonight to be more tired than usual, even a little distracted. Although he had been attentive and loving as ever, there was something in his eyes…

Della was brought out of her daydream by the increasing noise from Perry's cookware. Not tired enough to sleep, and by this time curious to what her Mr. Mason was up to in the kitchen, Della removed the soft light throw Perry had covered her with and got up from her place on the couch.

Without bothering to slip on her black patent leather peep toed shoes, Della quietly wandered into the kitchen. Perry's back was to her. As she walked up to him, ready to put her hands around his waist, she heard his voice…..soft and tender…..and teasing

"Someone is supposed to be resting." Perry turned to face Della, drawing her into his embrace. Even though his eyebrow was raised in an admonishing stare, nothing could hide the twinkle in his mesmerizing blue eyes.

Della's voice was smooth….sultry. "I did rest Counselor. I'm not really sleepy and besides, I was lonely out there all by myself. I heard all this noise and then I smelled something so fragrant and delicious, I wondered what was going on in here. I thought perhaps I could be of some service to you….that you could use my help…..hmmm?" Della stood on her tiptoes and put her arms around Perry's neck. She pulled his face down to hers until their lips met in a soft brush. Normally there was a definite height difference between the big lawyer and his beautiful slim secretary when Della was wearing her shoes. Without them, the difference was even more noticeable.

Perry smiled as he gently extricated Della's hands from around his neck. Bringing them up to his mouth, he placed a soft kiss on them and said quietly, "as much as I would love your help Miss Street, there isn't anything for you to do. I told you that I have specific plans …..and I mean to carry them out. Now why don't you be my good girl and go back out to the other room. Sit and relax. I won't be too much longer."

Determination could be heard in Della's voice. "You know, if you'd let me make the salad, you'd been finished sooner."

Placing a finger to Della's lips to silence her Perry said, "that won't be necessary my dear. Nestling her chin in his hand, he continued, "my plans, remember?"

A soft sigh could be heard from Della. Gazing up at Perry with a teasing, familiar pout on her lips she said, "yes, your plans. Alright Mr. Mason, you win…..for now. Just one thing, mind telling me what's for dinner?"

"That, my beauty, is a surprise." Tender hands were placed on the lovely Miss Street's shoulders as the very good looking Mr. Mason, ushered her out of the kitchen and into the other room.

The romantic sounds Frank Sinatra, Dean Martina and Johnny Matthews could be heard coming from the stereo in the living room. The fire still held its glow and the candles still gave off their soft lights

Perry and Della were finishing the meal that Perry had so lovingly prepared. Given Perry's secrecy about the food, Della had expected a different or unusual sort of fare. What a sweet surprise to find that instead of something out of the ordinary, he was the one who now made her a dinner of comfort food. Della thought back to all the times she had done that for Perry. Now, before her, were the remnants of what had been a warm and soothing supper. For the appetizer, Perry had made steaming crocks of tomato soup. These had been served on a plate surrounded by petite grilled cheese sandwiches. The entrée consisted of pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. All through the meal they had sat quietly, from time to time, taking the others hand and smiling as they met each other's gaze. So much was said with just those looks that words were unnecessary.

Finished eating, Della pushed her plate away and sighed contentedly. "This was certainly a wonderful surprise." Della grinned and nodded at the empty soup crocks. Nice touch. Trying to tell me something Mr. Mason?"

"Noooo, " There was a mysterious gleam in the attorneys eye. Like I said, the night is chilly and we're so tired from this case, I just thought you'd like a simple home cooked meal for a change. Did you enjoy it?

"It was perfect sweetheart. Everything was just delicious. I know you're a great cook but where did you learn to make the pot roast? I was expecting something more exotic."

" More exotic huh? I'll have you know Miss Street, I am just a simple guy who likes simple food." Perry paused a minute to hide a smile. "Besides, I have a confession."

"Really…and that would be…."

"It's an old family recipe….it was handed down from my Grandmother. I remember her making the pot roast and the gravy and the potatoes, mixing and measuring until everything was in just the right amounts and it blended to just the right taste. I used to help her when I was a boy. I always loved visiting her and I always loved the smells from her kitchen. "

"And the soup?"

Perry lowered his head a moment. His answer was muffled.

Della repeated her question. "Perry? ….the soup?"

Perry's answer bordered on embarrassment. He raised his head and Della could have sworn that his voice sounded almost shy….like the little boy he'd just told her about.

"Campbell's"

"What?"

"The soup….it's Campbell's"

Della stood and went around to Perry. Sitting down on his lap, she put her arms around him and put her face next to his. Keeping her voice very low and very soft she said, "I'm very grateful to your Grandmother and I'm very grateful to Mrs. Campbell. I loved dinner and…..I love you for doing all this for me. I love who you are and how you take care of me…how you spoil me. Della pulled back and looked at Perry. Her next statement was clear….direct….pure…..and said in a whisper. "I just…love you."

Perry brushed the hair away from Della's face. Maneuvering her off his lap, he stood, then brought her into his embrace, holding her close. Swaying, more than walking, Perry slowly and seductively guided Della to the center of the room, while moving to the romantic pulsations of the music. Lifting her face to his, Perry's voice matched Della's. "I love you too, darling and…I have a surprise."

Della moved slightly from her place in Perry's arms. Moving her arm in a sweeping motion, she cocked her head to the side and said, "firelight, candlelight, dinner, dancing….all this and a surprise too? Why Mr. Mason, you do know how to turn a girls head. Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to drag it out of you?"

Perry grinned and said "You're the only girl whose head I want to turn and no, you're not going to have to drag it out of me. He nodded his head towards the small corner table. If you go over there and open the top draw, I think you'll find what you're looking for."

Reluctantly extricating herself from Perry's embrace, Della walked over to the mahogany table and pulled out the draw. Lying on top was a manila envelope. Della looked questionably at Perry who now was sitting on the couch. Smiling, he held out his hand, beckoning her. In a few sleek steps, she stood in front of him as he slowly and gently brought her down to sit in his lap.

"Perry, what's in here?"

"Just open it honey."

Della cautiously opened the envelope and removed its contents. Inside was a brochure with a picture of a steamship on the cover. Della's eyes were immediately drawn to the pictures in the small booklet which depicted fun-filled days and starry, romantic nights. "A cruise? Are you serious?" she asked delightedly.

"Of course I'm serious!" he replied, laughing at her astonished expression. "No work, no clients, no police or private eyes. Just you and me.

"Oh, Perry, it's a wonderful idea!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. When she started to pull away, Perry held her close and deepened the kiss. The brochure fluttered from her fingers down to the floor where it lay unnoticed for quite some time.