Alternate Ending of 'Sorry, Wrong Number' by Lucille Fletche

Sorry, Wrong Number

MRS. STEVENSON: Well, it is absolutely necessary. I'm a sick woman. I'm - I'm very upset. Very. I'm alone in this house -- and I'm an invalid -- and tonight I overheard a telephone conversation that upset me dreadfully. In fact, if someone doesn't come at once, I'm afraid I'll go out of my mind!

WOMAN:  I see. Well -- I'll speak to Miss Phillips as soon as she comes in. And what is your name, madam?

MRS. STEVENSON: Miss Phillips? And when do you expect her in?

WOMAN: Well, I really couldn't say. She went out to supper at eleven o'clock.

MRS. STEVENSON: Eleven o'clock! But it's not eleven yet! (SHE CRIES OUT) Oh -- oh, my clock has stopped. I t hought it was running down. What time is it?

WOMAN: Just fifteen minutes past eleven....

TELEPHONE RECEIVER BEING LIFTED ON THE SAME LINE AS MRS. STEVENSON'S

 

MRS. STEVENSON: What - what was that?

WOMAN: What was ... what, madam?

MRS. STEVENSON: That -- that click -- just now, in my own telephone. As though someone had lifted the receiver off the hook of the extension telephone downstairs.

WOMAN: Well, I didn't hear it, madam. Now, about this--

MRS. STEVENSON:

But I did. There's someone in this house. Someone downstairs in the kitchen. And they're -- they're listening to me now. They're –

MRS. STEVENSON HANGS UP

 

MRS. STEVENSON: (IN A SUFFOCATED VOICE) I won't pick it up. I -- I won't let them hear me. I'll be quiet and they'll think... (WITH GROWING TERROR) Oh, but if I don't call someone now while they're still down there, there'll be no time... .

 

SHE PICKS UP RECEIVER AND DIALS OPERATOR ... RING THREE TIMES

OPERATOR:  Your call, please?

MRS. STEVENSON: (IN A DESPERATE WHISPER) Operator. Operator. I'm in desperate trouble.

OPERATOR: I'm sorry. I cannot hear you. Please speak louder.

MRS. STEVENSON: (STILL WHISPERING) I don't dare. I -- there's someone listening. Can you hear me now?

OPERATOR: I'm sorry.

MRS. STEVENSON: (DESPERATELY) But you've got to hear me. Oh, please. You've got to help me. There's someone in this house. Someone who's going to murder me. And you've got to get in touch with ...

CLICK OF RECEIVER BEING PUT DOWN ON MRS. STEVENSON'S LINE

MRS. STEVENSON: (BURSTING OUT WILDLY) Oh -- there it is. There it is. Did you hear it? He's put it down -- he's put down the extension phone. He's coming up... (HER VOICE IS HOARSE WITH FEAR) He's coming up the stairs. Give me the Police Department ... the police department ... police department ... give it to me ...

OPERATOR:

One moment, please -- I will connect you.

SOUND:

CALL IS PUT THROUGH

MRS. STEVENSON: I can -- I can hear him. He's nearer. (WEAKLY) Oh, I hear him, I hear him. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry.