The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992): Season 1, Episode 1 - Marionettes, Inc. - full transcript

[music playing]

RAY BRADBURY
[VOICEOVER]: People ask,

where do you get your ideas?

Well, right here.

All this is my
Martian landscape.

Somewhere in this room
is an African veldt.

Just beyond perhaps is a small
Illinois town where I grew up.

And I'm surrounded on every
side by my magicians toy shop.

I'll never starve here.

I just look around, find
what I need, and begin.

I'm Ray Bradbury, and this is--



Well, then, right
now, what shall it be?

Out of all this, what do
I choose to make a story?

I never know where the
next one will take me.

And the trip?

Exactly one half exhilaration,
exactly one half terror.

[music playing]

[coffee grinder whirring]

[blender sounds]

[toaster noises]

[orange squeezer churning]

[tea kettle whistling]

[various noises]

MRS. BRALING: So I told him.

I said, Mr. Berkowitz,
if you can't see anything



wrong with charging an extra 20
cents a dozen for large eggs,

well, then, he can just find
himself another customer.

And you know what?

He lowered the price,
just like that.

Don't forget to eat your prunes.

All right?
Ooh!

You're out of coffee.
I'll get you some more.

It's all right.

I hope you like it.

It's one of those new
gourmet decaf blends.

You know you have trouble
sleeping at night,

so you tell me if
it's too strong, OK?

Now, oh!

Here is your bacon.

There we go.

You haven't touched your egg.

Is it too runny?
Ah!

You hate runny eggs.

I forgot that.

It's OK, don't worry.

I can cook it over again.

It'll only take a second.

I'll just rinse out the pan.

[gasp] The weatherman said
it was gonna rain today,

and I see clouds in the
sky, so you'd better take

your raincoat, just in case.

And I put your
umbrella in the car

last night so you
wouldn't forget it.

Now, you have been sneezing
an awful lot lately.

[gasp] I hope you're not
coming down with anything.

There is that new
bug going around,

so you keep yourself bundled up.

OK?

And don't eat any spicy foods
at lunch, because you know

they do give you heartburn.

Mwah!

Ooh!
The time!

Here we go.

There we go.

That's nice.
[SING-SONGY VOICE] Aha!

Here we are!

There's your coat.

There, now.

Oh, John, what would
you do without me?

[indistinct nagging] It
seems really foggy out there,

doesn't it?

[knocking] [MUFFLED]
Why don't you

just wrap your scarf all the
way around your throat, darling?

Oh, right there.

Oh, oh.

[indistinct nagging]

[grunt] Yes, Marjorie.

Yes, Marjorie.

[nervous laughter] Bye-bye!

MRS. BRALING: Now, don't forget
to call your sister in Iowa.

She's talking about coming
out this summer with George

and the kids, so we have
to get that spare room

painted before they get here!

Oh, now, remember that
movie you wanted to see?

It's on tonight!

Drive carefully now!

Have a good day!

And oh, now, look
out for that car!

Ooh!

Slow down!

Bye!

MAN: Morning, John.

BRALING: Oh, thank you.

Uh, a man's been calling you,
but he won't leave his name.

He called again.

There's his number.

That's bizarre.

They call, they don't
leave a message,

they don't leave a name.

[sigh]

[beep]

[ominous music playing]

COMPUTER: Marionettes,
Incorporated.

We shadow forth personal data
sheet, Mr. John R. Braling.

Full name, John Raleigh Braling.

Date of birth, March 21st, 1930.

Height, 5 feet,
10 and 1/2 inches.

Weight, 250 pounds.

Eyes, hazel brown.

Medical history,
mild heart condition.

Blood type, RH negative.

Far sighted, uses
prescribed medication,

Sevepol, frequent
user of aspirin,

occasionally uses Valium.

Marital status, married.

[phone ringing]

Wife's first name, Marjorie.

Hobbies, model
airplane building,

fly fishing, woodworking,
crossword puzzles.

Sports, pool, checkers,
poker, televised football,

and baseball.

Dislikes, hockey and tennis.

Favorite television
show, "Wheel Of Fortune."

[ominous music continues]

[soft flute music playing]

[ominous music playing]

BRALING: Now, I'll
just demonstrate

this telephone connection modem
on this very special program.

What about compatibility?

BRALING: Oh, it's
completely compatible.

COMPUTER: Marionettes,
Incorporated.

We shadow forth personal data
sheet, Mr. John R. Braling--

BUYER 2: That's,
uh, very creative.

[nervous laughter]
It's just a little joke.

COMPUTER: [beep] --1930.

Height, 5 feet, 10
and 1/2 inches--

BUYER 3: Why don't we
arrange another time for you

to come back in, once you
have the bugs worked out?

COMPUTER: --mild
heart condition.

No major operations.

However, appendix removed
at age 11, slight scar.

Blood type--

[computer slammed shut]

[jazz music playing]

John, what the hell
are you doing here?

I need a drink.

Scotch, neat, please.

CRANE: I thought drinking
gave you heartburn.

BRALING: Don't you start.

[sigh] That's fine.
Thank you.

Here.

John, what's wrong?
You look terrible.

You want to know what's wrong?

Yeah.

I'll show you what's wrong.

You won't believe this.

Now, look at this.

Every time I punch into my A3
program, look what happens.

COMPUTER: Marionnettes,
Incorporated.

We shadow forth personal data
sheet, Mr. John R. Braling--

BRALING: That's all I get.

CRANE: This is a joke?

No joke.
All right.

Then, what is it?

I don't know.

That's the problem.

Look at the thing.

It knows everything about me.

It has every scrap of
information-- how I-- how

I look, how I act, how I think.

It's all there.

Whoever is doing this
must be following you.

Crane, I only
sell the computers.

I don't own the company why
would anyone want to follow me?

Oh.

Here, look at this.

CRANE: "Marionettes,
Inc. We shadow forth."

That's weird.

They really want
to blackmail you.

Blackmail me?

I haven't done anything!

Why would anyone
want to blackmail me?

Have you been fooling around?

Are you kidding?

Fool around-- you know Marjorie!

Where would I be fooling around?

[UNDER HIS BREATH]
I just don't get it.

Why me?

CRANE: Why don't you
ask them yourself?

Ask them?

Look, somebody must
have something on you.

I mean, what they're
doing is illegal, right?

Digging into your private life?

I wouldn't put up with it.

If I were you, I'd pay
these guys a visit.

You would?

Maybe you're right.

Crane, maybe you're right.

[ominous music playing]

Another wall.

[floor creaking under feet]

[QUIETLY] Damn shoes!

[bubbling noises]

[knocking on door]

Hello?

[SHOUTING] Hello?

[MORE LOUDLY] Hello?

Hello?

[SHOUTING] What the hell
are you people up to?

[SHOUTING LOUDLY] Hello!

There is no need to
shout, Mr. Braling.

You.

Are you in charge here?

Yes.

My name is Fantoccini.

Well, I want to know,
what-- what the hell do you

think you're doing,
following me around

and digging into my life?

What are we doing?

Why, we're helping
you, Mr. Braling.

Helping me?

Yes, helping you.

Why the hell would
you want to help me?

You don't even know me.

And I sure as hell
don't know you.

Oh, we're helping
you because--

because you are.

You live.

You exist.

You with the government?

Oh.

[CHUCKLING SOFTLY] no.

No, no, far from it.

I suppose you could call me
a social worker of sorts.

Tell me, Mr. Braling.

Are you happy with your life?

Happy?

[TO HIMSELF] Happy.

'Course I'm happy.

Listen to your voice.

BRALING [ON MACHINE]: Happy?

Happy.

'Course I'm happy.

You have no right.

FANTOCCINI: Any human
being has a right

to meddle, to intervene, to
step forward, when he sees

a sad man rushing to
the edge of the cliff

toward his own destruction.

You are that man, Mr.
Braling, a species of one,

self-endangered.

I don't know what
you're getting at.

I don't know what you--

I don't like it.

You can live
again, Mr. Braling.

Do you hear me?

Live.

[QUIETLY] How?

Come with me.

[ominous music playing]

Observe, Mr. Braling.

[WHISPERING] It can't be.

It is.

It's impossible.

Obviously not.

Oh, my god.

Oh, my god.

Can-- can I, uh--

FANTOCCINI: Touch him?

Go ahead.

[nervous chuckle]
I feel silly.

It's warm.

Put your ear to my chest.

He even sounds like me.

[distorted heartbeat]

FANTOCCINI: He's perfect
in every way, Mr. Braling,

an exact copy, right
down to the ingrown nail

on the little toe
of your right foot.

Don't forget to tell
him about the birthmark.

He's got my birthmark?

It's all right.

I believe him.

I don't understand.

He's-- he must have
cost a fortune.

Why would you build it?

It is the new
age, Mr. Braling.

Look at it.

Marvel at its wonders.

It can be yours.

Oh, wait a minute.

Now, I get it.

You expect me to buy this?

Forget it.

No way.

Observe, Mr. Braling.

BRALING: Are these all robots?

FANTOCCINI: I suppose
in layman's terms,

you could say that.

These are much more than that.

These are a chance, a
gamble, an opportunity

to reclaim your life.

Surely you've had
fantasies, Mr. Braling,

of the vacation you never
took to Paris, Rome,

Rio, and the Club Med, maybe.

A few women you had your eye on?

Think of it, Mr. Braling.

He could stay home
with your wife,

and you could do, well,
do whatever you want.

Not a bad deal.

FANTOCCINI: Hmm?

Forget it.

No way.

What-- what would a thing
like that cost me anyway?

The exact amount in your
savings account, Mr. Braling.

$25,000.

$25,952.50, to be exact.

My life savings?

FANTOCCINI: We have a financing
plan for everyone, Mr. Braling,

but you could pay
in installments.

Very easy payments.

$5,000 down should
close to the deal.

$25,000.

I would never do that.

$25,000.

I-- I want to get
the hell out of here.

FANTOCCINI: Think
about it, Mr. Braling.

Think about the possibility.

Yes.

Think of the possibilities.

See, it's madness.

FANTOCCINI: Just think about it.

Think about it, Mr. Braling.

Madness!

Madness.

[jazz playing]

Scotch, please.

Uh, make it a double.

Hello, my friend.

CRANE: Braling, My God.

You haven't come here at
night since you got married.

Haven't I?
I didn't know that.

Here, to life.

CRANE: I don't get it.

You look like the little
boy who just discovered

there really is a Santa Claus.

Crane, there is a Santa Claus,
and Tinkerbell, and the tooth

fairy, and the Easter Bunny,
and then a pot of gold

at the end of the rainbow.

CRANE: Braling, what the
hell are you talking about?

What am I talking about?

You really want to
know what I'm talking?

I'll show you.

Shh.

Go on.

[clearing throat] Oh, yes,
put it on his bill, will you?

Give yourself a nice tip.

[laughter]

CRANE: Twin brother?

BRALING: Better than that.

Remember that stuff on
the computer screen?

Yeah.

Remember the black card?

Marionettes, Inc.

MARJORIE'S LAUGHTER
FROM THE HOUSE

You mean they--

They did, indeed, down
to every last detail,

except for a weird heartbeat.

It's indeed perfect.

He's better than perfect.

He's my freedom.

No wonder you look so happy.

Happy?

I'm mad with happiness.

I keep him in the basement
and I trade places with him

two or three times a day.

my salvation, my declaration of
independence, my deliverance.

John Braling is free at last.

Free?

You mean you've been out
every night this last week?

Every night, all night,
every day, all day.

Movies, bowling, all the
things I've wanted to do.

Wine, women, and song?

MRS. BRALING'S
MUFFLED LAUGHTER

I hadn't thought about women.

CRANE: Think about it.

I would.

When are you leaving town?

Leaving town?

Yeah!

Paris, Rome, Rio, Club Med--

surely, you've got a plan.

I haven't made any plans.

This is fantastic.

Every man should have one.

CRANE: That's for sure.

[mrs. braling's muffled voice]

CRANE: She seems to
be enjoying herself.

Yeah.

CRANE: Ah, who cares?

How do I get in touch
with these people?

Live!

How much?

Every last cent in
your bank account.

And don't try to lie to them.

They know exactly
what you've got.

You really think it's
worth all that much?

BOTH: [LAUGHING]
Every last penny.

[stifled laughter]

[ominous music playing]

What?

$20,000?

[ANGRILY] $20,000?

All of our money is gone.

What in god's name
are you thinking of?

Wake up!

What have you done?

What-- have you--

done?

[distorted heartbeat]

MRS. BRALING: [MUFFLED]
Oh, what a dear!

It's so thoughtful!

Oh, John!

I don't believe this!

Oh, this is so exciting!

Oh, [gasp] John!

Oh, oh, look!

They're beautiful!

Oh, oh, my goodness.

John, what's wrong?

Nothing.

I have to go downstairs.

I want to check the furnace.

I'll be right back.

Why don't you take the
champagne to bed with you?

- All right.
- OK?

I'll be right back.

MRS. BRALING: You'd better be.

Don't be long!

[soft laughter]

You called?

It's time for me to
go back in my box.

What the hell are you up to?

Champagne?

What am I supposed
to do now that you've

got her all riled up?

You know hard it is to
go up there and pretend?

You haven't been around.

You're acting
like a damn fool,

like the perfect little husband.

I couldn't imitate you.

Another thing--
what are all those

presents you're getting my wife?

Hmm?

You've got some nerve.

From now on, you check with
me on every action you make.

You got that?

No.

No?

No.

I've been watching you and
your wife very carefully.

At first, I sympathized with
you, your reason for buying me,

your motive.

But then--

But then?

But then, that was before I
really got to know your wife.

We've been doing a lot of
talking while you're away,

doing whatever it is you do.

Talking about what?

All the things you should have
talked about a long time ago--

the way you changed,
how cold you've

grown, always busy at work,
never happy a minute--

not a minute-- to tell
her that you love her.

Now, wait a minute.

Shutting your poor
wife out of your life,

driving her insane
with your indifference.

She did everything for
you, kept the house clean,

cooked you wonderful meals,
gave your massages, anything

to get your attention--

- Shut up.
- --your love.

[SHOUTING] Shut up!

Braling, do you
really know what

it feels like to be trapped?

Where were you going?

[NERVOUSLY] I was just--

I was just going upstairs.

The wife-- we've been
talking too lately.

BRALING'S MARIONETTE:
Let's consider it.

You're sure you aren't going to
call Marionettes, Incorporated?

Why would I do that?

To tell them to take me away?

Of course not.

That's silly.

No?

BRALING: Have you been
talking to my wife?

Did she put you up to this?

That dear, sensitive woman.

She'd never think of
a thing like this.

- What are you gonna do?
- Second honeymoon, I think.

Six months, South America, Rio--

I already bought the tickets.

My wife would love it.

South America?

Your wife?

Yes, Mr. Braling.

My wife.
BRALING: No.

What are you gonna do?

I'll-- I'll give you anything.

You already have
everything, Mr. Braling.

[hissing noise]

[SINGING] We're
flying down to Rio.

We're flying down
to Rio, to Rio,

to Rio, the land of romance.

What were you doing
down in the basement?

I heard a noise.

Just a rat.

Oh, my hero.

[soft laughter]

Oh!

[laughter] Oh, John!

Oh!

[music playing]