The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992): Season 4, Episode 6 - Touch of Petulance - full transcript
Jonathan Hughes is traveling on the train from work, when he meets a man reading a paper from the future, with an article saying that Hughes will kill his wife. The man admits that he is Hughes' future self, come back to stop Hughes from murdering his wife sometime in his future. The older Jonathan goes home with his younger self to try to figure out what went wrong and stop it.
[music playing]
RAY BRADBURY
(VOICEOVER): People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here.
All this is my
magician's toy shop.
I'm Ray Bradbury.
And this is--
[music playing]
[dog barking]
[music playing]
[gun shots]
[music playing]
[clock ticking]
s
[music playing]
[sirens wailing]
[music playing]
[alarm clock ringing]
[music playing]
[birds chirping]
- Jonathan, breakfast is ready.
- Yeah, I'm coming!
[birds chirping]
Mm, good morning.
[birds chirping]
[laughing] You're going
to be late, Mr. Hughes.
[music playing]
Bye-bye, Alice.
I'll see you tonight.
I'll be here.
Mm-hmm.
[kissing]
[music playing]
Excuse me, sir, I'm--
excuse me, sir?
Your paper is so much
different than mine is.
That's a-- um, is
that a later edition?
Uh, a much later edition, yes.
Is that a trial copy
for future change?
Are you an editor
of "The Herald?"
Future change, indeed.
[bell ringing]
2025?
What kind of sick joke is this?
Look, look, you
must listen to me.
Only you can wash
away the blood.
Your fine life, you youth,
your innocence, you--
Get away from me!
Look, I don't know who you are
or what you're trying to pull!
Don't leave me, please!
Please!
Please!
There's still time!
[music playing]
But what do you want?
Who are you?
We are one, the same
person, Jonathan Hughes.
[music playing]
What's going on here?
What do you want from me?
We were born in Quincy,
the 22nd of August.
We?
Lived at 49 Washington
Street, went to Central School,
walked that school all
through the first year
with Isabelle Perry.
Isabelle.
We broke our right
ankle when we were 10.
We almost drowned at
age 11, father saved us.
And we-- we fell in love
age 12 with Hippy Johnson.
Anybody can know those things.
What are you trying to do?
I can tell you anything
you want to know,
past, present, future.
Future, your business
will slowly deteriorate.
You'll have a
child who will die.
No.
You will take a mistress.
And lose her.
Your wife will slowly
become less loving.
And at last, very slowly,
you will come to--
how shall I say it--
to hate her living presence.
That's impossible.
Yes, it seems impossible now.
You've been married only
a year, a wonderful year.
The best-- it's hard to
think that this can change,
fall apart, be poisoned.
Your wife-- our wife, Alice--
the fine dream lost.
[bell ringing]
So you killed her?
We both killed her.
Well, I killed her.
You will kill her.
But if I can convince you,
neither one of us will do it.
And she will live.
And you will grow old
a happier, finer me.
[bell ringing]
Crazy.
No, Jonathan,
there's still time.
I have to shake you, change you.
There's still hope.
I have somehow got here, touched
you, and begun to change the--
it will save our soul.
We are one and the same.
And the twins of time ride
this train now, this hour,
this night.
[music playing]
She has been dead only a day.
And I ran.
Where-- where to go?
Nowhere to go except in the
past before all this happened.
All of my sanity lies in you.
You turn away, we're lost.
We'll share a grave bearing
forever in our misery.
CONDUCTOR (OVER
LOUDSPEAKER): Plandome.
Next stop Plandome.
[music playing]
Do you see, we're
in this together.
We've got to solve it
together before you become me.
Jonathan, the summer of '68,
we hid in grandma's attic
for two days.
You thought we'd run
away to drown in the lake
or fall in the river.
But there we were in the
attic all the time, miserable,
feeling unwanted, crying,
listening to the wind,
wanting to die.
[bugs chirping]
No one knows that but me.
Alice will be here
in just a moment.
There's so much I
want to tell you.
You can't know what I know,
30 years of experience
to trade, to understand.
You-- you must listen!
Take me with you.
We'll watch-- I'll watch.
I'll teach you, find out
what went wrong, maybe
correct it before-- bef-- bef--
Hello, handsome.
You want a lift?
Yeah, yup.
Who's your friend?
Well--
Uh, his teacher
in Mid Central.
Yeah, we, um--
we met on the train.
Well, how nice.
It's always a pleasure to meet
someone from Jonathan's past.
Won't you join us for dinner?
No, I-- I--
I don't think Mr--
Yes, I'd like to.
Well, come along then.
Dinner's waiting.
[music playing]
What did you say your name was?
Oh--
He didn't say.
Weldon.
-
Why, that's my maiden name.
Is it?
That's curious.
I wonder if we're related?
Was your family from
around here Mr. Weldon?
It's quite
possible, Mrs. Hughes.
Please, call me Alice.
It's funny.
I feel like I know you.
[music playing]
What's wrong?
Why are you two staring at me?
[music playing]
Mr. Weldon, what is it?
What's the matter?
You remind me of
someone I once knew.
It's been a long time since
I had such a lovely dinner.
[music playing]
Dessert.
I got something really special.
Ah, thanks.
Hey, you have to go.
Alice will begin to suspect.
We haven't even begun.
[alice humming]
For you.
Mm, thanks.
Mm.
Alice, you truly are a wonder.
This is superb.
I love you.
I love you too.
Oh, you see, I love
my wife very much.
I remember.
You remember?
A toast to a wonderful
wife and to a grand future.
[music playing]
Mr. Weldon,
you're not drinking.
[music playing]
It's not going to happen.
I could never hate her.
I watched her all evening.
I didn't see anything
that [drink pouring]
would suggest that she--
I was watching you too.
And?
You drink too much.
You've got to watch that!
Maybe I ought to
write a list of things
that you should watch for.
You look at them every day.
I'll remember
everything you tell me.
Yeah, for how long,
a month, a year?
It'll go like everything else.
You'll be busy living.
You'll be turning into me.
And she-- she'll
be turning in to--
to something you want
out of this world.
No, never.
You got to tell
her you love her.
Every day.
It's very important.
I promise.
Every day!
[music playing]
Is something wrong?
Oh, no, no.
We were, uh-- we
were just trying
to decide who likes you best.
[music playing]
Would anyone care for coffee?
No, no, not for me, thanks.
No, thank you.
Well, I'll be
back in a minute.
[music playing]
I think it's
time for you to go.
I just had an idea.
Maybe it's better if I
do away with her now.
The old man takes the blame now.
The younger man goes
on with his life.
[music playing]
[phone ringing]
I wouldn't let you.
No, you wouldn't.
ALICE: Jonathan?
It's for you.
Excuse me.
[music playing]
[alice humming]
[gasps] Mr. Weldon,
you startled me!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Uh, could I have a
glass of water, please?
Oh, certainly.
I must go now.
Oh, your glass of water.
Oh, yes, thank you.
I'll show you out.
I'll never forget
this evening.
Good bye, Mr. Weldon.
Good bye, Mrs. Hughes.
[music playing]
Good bye, Alice.
[music playing]
This way.
Yeah, I know.
Maybe I shouldn't
have come to upset
you and disrupt your life.
It's going to happen again
up ahead 30 years from now.
I've been no help whatsoever.
Oh, no, no, you have helped.
Oh.
You told me to
tell her I love her.
Oh, yes, I did.
Yes.
Do you think there's
any hope for us?
I'll make sure of it.
Good.
Good.
Where will you go?
Up the road, wait for you.
You'll be a along someday.
To become you and to
kill her, not a chance.
[music playing]
Oh, uh, yes, you
had better take this.
I don't trust myself, uh,
I might do something wild.
How will you get back to--
I don't know.
It'll happen somehow.
I must get back to
finish out our life.
Bye.
That means God be
with you, doesn't it?
Good bye.
[music playing]
[dogs barking]
[music playing]
ALICE: Darling?
[music playing]
Don't stand there letting
the draft in, Jonathan.
[music playing]
Jonathan, did you hear me?
I said, shut the door!
[music playing]
RAY BRADBURY
(VOICEOVER): People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here.
All this is my
magician's toy shop.
I'm Ray Bradbury.
And this is--
[music playing]
[dog barking]
[music playing]
[gun shots]
[music playing]
[clock ticking]
s
[music playing]
[sirens wailing]
[music playing]
[alarm clock ringing]
[music playing]
[birds chirping]
- Jonathan, breakfast is ready.
- Yeah, I'm coming!
[birds chirping]
Mm, good morning.
[birds chirping]
[laughing] You're going
to be late, Mr. Hughes.
[music playing]
Bye-bye, Alice.
I'll see you tonight.
I'll be here.
Mm-hmm.
[kissing]
[music playing]
Excuse me, sir, I'm--
excuse me, sir?
Your paper is so much
different than mine is.
That's a-- um, is
that a later edition?
Uh, a much later edition, yes.
Is that a trial copy
for future change?
Are you an editor
of "The Herald?"
Future change, indeed.
[bell ringing]
2025?
What kind of sick joke is this?
Look, look, you
must listen to me.
Only you can wash
away the blood.
Your fine life, you youth,
your innocence, you--
Get away from me!
Look, I don't know who you are
or what you're trying to pull!
Don't leave me, please!
Please!
Please!
There's still time!
[music playing]
But what do you want?
Who are you?
We are one, the same
person, Jonathan Hughes.
[music playing]
What's going on here?
What do you want from me?
We were born in Quincy,
the 22nd of August.
We?
Lived at 49 Washington
Street, went to Central School,
walked that school all
through the first year
with Isabelle Perry.
Isabelle.
We broke our right
ankle when we were 10.
We almost drowned at
age 11, father saved us.
And we-- we fell in love
age 12 with Hippy Johnson.
Anybody can know those things.
What are you trying to do?
I can tell you anything
you want to know,
past, present, future.
Future, your business
will slowly deteriorate.
You'll have a
child who will die.
No.
You will take a mistress.
And lose her.
Your wife will slowly
become less loving.
And at last, very slowly,
you will come to--
how shall I say it--
to hate her living presence.
That's impossible.
Yes, it seems impossible now.
You've been married only
a year, a wonderful year.
The best-- it's hard to
think that this can change,
fall apart, be poisoned.
Your wife-- our wife, Alice--
the fine dream lost.
[bell ringing]
So you killed her?
We both killed her.
Well, I killed her.
You will kill her.
But if I can convince you,
neither one of us will do it.
And she will live.
And you will grow old
a happier, finer me.
[bell ringing]
Crazy.
No, Jonathan,
there's still time.
I have to shake you, change you.
There's still hope.
I have somehow got here, touched
you, and begun to change the--
it will save our soul.
We are one and the same.
And the twins of time ride
this train now, this hour,
this night.
[music playing]
She has been dead only a day.
And I ran.
Where-- where to go?
Nowhere to go except in the
past before all this happened.
All of my sanity lies in you.
You turn away, we're lost.
We'll share a grave bearing
forever in our misery.
CONDUCTOR (OVER
LOUDSPEAKER): Plandome.
Next stop Plandome.
[music playing]
Do you see, we're
in this together.
We've got to solve it
together before you become me.
Jonathan, the summer of '68,
we hid in grandma's attic
for two days.
You thought we'd run
away to drown in the lake
or fall in the river.
But there we were in the
attic all the time, miserable,
feeling unwanted, crying,
listening to the wind,
wanting to die.
[bugs chirping]
No one knows that but me.
Alice will be here
in just a moment.
There's so much I
want to tell you.
You can't know what I know,
30 years of experience
to trade, to understand.
You-- you must listen!
Take me with you.
We'll watch-- I'll watch.
I'll teach you, find out
what went wrong, maybe
correct it before-- bef-- bef--
Hello, handsome.
You want a lift?
Yeah, yup.
Who's your friend?
Well--
Uh, his teacher
in Mid Central.
Yeah, we, um--
we met on the train.
Well, how nice.
It's always a pleasure to meet
someone from Jonathan's past.
Won't you join us for dinner?
No, I-- I--
I don't think Mr--
Yes, I'd like to.
Well, come along then.
Dinner's waiting.
[music playing]
What did you say your name was?
Oh--
He didn't say.
Weldon.
-
Why, that's my maiden name.
Is it?
That's curious.
I wonder if we're related?
Was your family from
around here Mr. Weldon?
It's quite
possible, Mrs. Hughes.
Please, call me Alice.
It's funny.
I feel like I know you.
[music playing]
What's wrong?
Why are you two staring at me?
[music playing]
Mr. Weldon, what is it?
What's the matter?
You remind me of
someone I once knew.
It's been a long time since
I had such a lovely dinner.
[music playing]
Dessert.
I got something really special.
Ah, thanks.
Hey, you have to go.
Alice will begin to suspect.
We haven't even begun.
[alice humming]
For you.
Mm, thanks.
Mm.
Alice, you truly are a wonder.
This is superb.
I love you.
I love you too.
Oh, you see, I love
my wife very much.
I remember.
You remember?
A toast to a wonderful
wife and to a grand future.
[music playing]
Mr. Weldon,
you're not drinking.
[music playing]
It's not going to happen.
I could never hate her.
I watched her all evening.
I didn't see anything
that [drink pouring]
would suggest that she--
I was watching you too.
And?
You drink too much.
You've got to watch that!
Maybe I ought to
write a list of things
that you should watch for.
You look at them every day.
I'll remember
everything you tell me.
Yeah, for how long,
a month, a year?
It'll go like everything else.
You'll be busy living.
You'll be turning into me.
And she-- she'll
be turning in to--
to something you want
out of this world.
No, never.
You got to tell
her you love her.
Every day.
It's very important.
I promise.
Every day!
[music playing]
Is something wrong?
Oh, no, no.
We were, uh-- we
were just trying
to decide who likes you best.
[music playing]
Would anyone care for coffee?
No, no, not for me, thanks.
No, thank you.
Well, I'll be
back in a minute.
[music playing]
I think it's
time for you to go.
I just had an idea.
Maybe it's better if I
do away with her now.
The old man takes the blame now.
The younger man goes
on with his life.
[music playing]
[phone ringing]
I wouldn't let you.
No, you wouldn't.
ALICE: Jonathan?
It's for you.
Excuse me.
[music playing]
[alice humming]
[gasps] Mr. Weldon,
you startled me!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Uh, could I have a
glass of water, please?
Oh, certainly.
I must go now.
Oh, your glass of water.
Oh, yes, thank you.
I'll show you out.
I'll never forget
this evening.
Good bye, Mr. Weldon.
Good bye, Mrs. Hughes.
[music playing]
Good bye, Alice.
[music playing]
This way.
Yeah, I know.
Maybe I shouldn't
have come to upset
you and disrupt your life.
It's going to happen again
up ahead 30 years from now.
I've been no help whatsoever.
Oh, no, no, you have helped.
Oh.
You told me to
tell her I love her.
Oh, yes, I did.
Yes.
Do you think there's
any hope for us?
I'll make sure of it.
Good.
Good.
Where will you go?
Up the road, wait for you.
You'll be a along someday.
To become you and to
kill her, not a chance.
[music playing]
Oh, uh, yes, you
had better take this.
I don't trust myself, uh,
I might do something wild.
How will you get back to--
I don't know.
It'll happen somehow.
I must get back to
finish out our life.
Bye.
That means God be
with you, doesn't it?
Good bye.
[music playing]
[dogs barking]
[music playing]
ALICE: Darling?
[music playing]
Don't stand there letting
the draft in, Jonathan.
[music playing]
Jonathan, did you hear me?
I said, shut the door!
[music playing]