The Cheney Vase story
Lyle Endicott worms his way into the good graces of Martha Cheney, a rich, invalid woman with a penchant for sculpture. Lyle hopes to obtain her Cheney vase, which will fetch a high price on the market. Lyle methodically cuts Martha off from the world in the hopes that she will die. When Lyle's girlfriend warns the authorities about his plan, Lyle rushes to Martha's gallery to take the vase, but discovers that Martha has been working on dozens of copies of the vase, and now he is unable to identify the correct one. Directed by: Robert Stevens. Story by: Robert Blees.
11 total · 7 major · 4 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| boyfriend and girlfriend | major | Lyle and Pamela. |
| con artistry | major | Lyle underhandedly endeared himself to a wealthy, old invalid in an effort to get his hands on her expensive antique vase. |
| greed for riches | major | Lyle was notably avaricious in his efforts to acquire the Cheney Vase. |
| mobility impairment | major | Martha was wheelchair-bound and had to rely on Lyle. |
| sculpture | major | Martha was an accomplished maker of clay sculptures and Cheney vase replicas. |
| the Casanova stereotype | major | Lyle seduced women and used them to his own ends. |
| what if I fell into the clutches of a person with malicious intent | major | Lyle wormed his way into Martha's good graces whereupon he began secretly stage managing her life so that he could get his hands on her expensive antique vase. |
| boss and employee | minor | Lyle's boss fired him for taking time off. |
| compromising one's ethical principles for personal advantage | minor | Lyle's girlfriend reluctantly went along with his scheme but moralized and hesitated each step of the way. |
| getting fired from one's job | minor | Lyle was fired for loafing off on a fine day. |