Servant Problem story
Successful author Kerwin Drake receives a surprise visit from Molly, the wife he walked out on 22 years ago. Kerwin has made a new life for himself and refuses to acknowledge Molly; instead he tells his friends that she is his cook. Later, Kerwin visits Molly at her apartment and, after an argument, strangles her to death. The murder is witnessed by one of Kerwin's friends, who was at the apartment to hire Molly as a cook. Directed by: Alan Crosland, Jr. Story by: Henry Slesar.
11 total · 5 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| coping with an unwelcome house guest | major | Kerwin's estranged wife, Molly, showed up at his house unannounced and refused to leave to his dismay. |
| husband and wife | major | Kerwin was unexpectedly and disagreeably re-united with the young wife he had walked out on some 22 years ago. |
| master and servant | major | Kerwin passed his estranged wife, Molly, off as his new cook to his guests. |
| reunion with a loved one | major | Kerwin was unexpectedly and disagreeably re-united with the young wife he had walked out on some 22 years ago. |
| spouse murder | major | Kerwin ended up strangling his estranged wife when she refused to give him a divorce. |
| American football | minor | In his sketch, Alfred Hitchcock feigned to be refereeing a game of touch football. |
| boyfriend and girlfriend | minor | Kerwin and Sylvia were an item. |
| cooking | minor | Kerwin passed Molly off as his new cook. |
| creative writing | minor | Kerwin was a successful author. He hosted a dinner party for his publisher and other presumably professional acquaintances. |
| divorce | minor | Kerwin spoke of how he had sought Molly in order to formalize their divorce. Later, when she refused to give him one, he strangled her to death. |