Victim Four story
While on their honeymoon, Joe and Madeline Drake get into an accident that leaves him with a bad leg and her with painful headaches. Later, Joe discovers that Madeline's old boyfriend Ralph Morrow sent her an expensive wedding present. When Ralph shows up at their house, Joe become paranoid. He is worried that Ralph is responsible for a number of butcher knife murders that have been occurring in their neighborhood. Joe goes to search for his wife, as does Ralph. Meanwhile, Madeline is walking home. She hears someone behind her. She ducks into an alley, but is followed. Joe arrives on the scene only to discover Madeline standing over Ralph's bloody corpse. She confesses to her husband that she thought someone was following her and killed to protect herself. She then admits that it has happened three times before when her headaches struck. Directed by: Paul Henreid. Story by: Talmage Powell.
9 total · 1 choice · 6 major · 2 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| coping with a loved one being in peril | choice | Most of the story followed Joe and Ralph, as they searched for the mutual object of their romantic affections: Madeleine. They feared she had run afoul of a serial murderer. |
| acute anxiety | major | It was revealed that Madeline had paranoid delusions about people following her with murder in mind. |
| husband and wife | major | The story culminates with Joe discovering that the serial killer is none other than his wife, Madeleine. |
| love triangle | major | Most of the story followed Joe and Ralph, as they searched for the mutual object of their romantic affections: Madeleine. |
| mobility impairment | major | The conclusion of the story was that Madeline had been driven to homicidal madness from looking after a crippled husband. Joe was walking on crutches throughout. |
| persecution complex | major | It was revealed that Madeline had paranoid delusions about people following her with murder in mind. |
| serial murder | major | A serial murderer with a penchant for slashing their victims was on the prowl in the neighborhood. It was later revealed that this was, in fact, Madeleine. |
| newlywed couple | minor | The viewer is treated to a flashback scene of Joe and Madeline frolicking around a bickering cascade on their honeymoon - a scene that culminates with the pair taking a bad fall. |
| old flames | minor | Ralph went searching for his ex-girlfriend, Madeline, with romantic intent. |