Psycho: I’m Not Capable Of Being Fooled

NORMAN (as if pleasantly exasperated): Listen, if you won't believe me, go ahead. You can help me make beds if you like. (laughs, shakes his head) Come on.

[He starts out. ABROGAST pauses, momentarily confused by the young man's openness. CUT TO: EXT. THE MOTEL PORCH - (NIGHT) Norman walks down the porch, hesitates before Cabin One, walks on a bit toward Cabin Two, stops, turns to see if ABROGAST is following. ABROGAST has come out onto the porch, but is not following. He has walked to the opposite end of the porch and is standing at its edge, looking up at the old house. The upstairs window is brightly lit, showing the silhouette of MOTHER. The neon of the Vacancy and Motel signs splash strange light over the scene.]

NORMAN: Change your mind?

[ABROGAST does not reply. Norman becomes apprehensive, starts to ABROGAST, forcing himself to remain calm and cheerful.]

NORMAN: I guess I've got one of those faces you can't help believing.

ARBOGAST (to Norman, but continuing to stare at the house): Anyone at home?

NORMAN: I live there. Alone.

ARBOGAST: Someone is sitting in that window.

NORMAN: Oh, that's just my mother.

[ABROGAST turns, gazes seriously at him.]

NORMAN: She's... ill. Confined to her room. It's practically living alonе.

ARBOGAST (after a pause): If this girl Marion Crane wеre here, you'd have no reason to hide her, would you?

NORMAN: Of course not.

ARBOGAST: If she paid you well?

NORMAN: Well, yes--

ARBOGAST: Or if she had you say... gallantly protecting her... you wouldn't be fooled... you'd know she was just using you. Wouldn't you?

NORMAN: I'm not a fool! And I'm not capable of being fooled! Not even by women!

ARBOGAST: I didn't mean that as a slur on your manhood. I'm sorry.

NORMAN (disturbed now): That's all right. Maybe she could have fooled me. But... (a rueful smile) She didn't fool my mother.

ARBOGAST: Your mother met her? (quickly) Can I talk to your mother?

NORMAN: No. I told you, she's confined...

ARBOGAST: Just for a moment. She might have picked up a hint you'd miss. Sick old women are sharp. Come on, I won't disturb...

NORMAN: Mr.--Mr. Abrogast, I think I've talked to you all I want to.

ARBOGAST: Yes, but if this were--

NORMAN: So I'm thinking it'd be much better if you let me go back to my work now.

ABROGAST: Well, all right. You sure would save me a lot of legwork if you let me talk to her. Would I need a warning for that? All right, thanks anyway.

[NORMAN does not respond. ABROGAST gets in his car, starts the motor. NORMAN looks up, studies the man's face, his own face showing apprehension. Arbogast backs the car around very slowly, his gaze divided between the old house and the lighted window of Cabin Two. As he turns the car out, his headlights light up the porch. NORMAN stands, watching him drive away.]