The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992): Season 5, Episode 7 - Let's Play Poison - full transcript
Mr. Howard witnesses the death of a favorite student because of bullying. He retired but is called back as a substitute teacher. Howard informs his new class that he considers them devils and will treat them accordingly, and they plan a chilling revenge around a game called Poison.
[music playing]
RAY BRADBURY: People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here-- all of this
is my magician's toy shop.
I'm Ray Bradbury and this is--
[chatter]
Give me it back.
It's mine!
No, get out of my way.
Hey, wait up!
[inaudible]
[sounds of fighting]
Hello, I didn't
hear you come in.
I didn't want to bother you.
What are you doing?
Whoever worked this
problem got it wrong,
so I thought I'd put
my answer next to it
so the kids could compare.
Ha-ha-- and who gave
you permission to do that?
And who are you?
Michael McDonald, sir.
I'm new.
The principal told me
to come to your class.
[screaming]
Walk!
Walk!
Stop behaving like animals.
Sir, are those to
keep your cuffs clean?
Mm-hmm.
A very good idea.
Correct?
Michael McDonald, I think
we're going to get along.
[footsteps]
Good morning, Mr. Howard.
Good morning,
Michael McDonald.
Settled in now, have you?
Enjoying school?
I guess so, sir.
Something's missing.
Oh my books?
They're in my locker.
I didn't need them last night.
What about your homework?
Oh, I did it at recess and
half an hour after school.
Good heavens, don't
let the others know.
They'll hate you for it.
They already do.
They broke all your pencils.
Michael, let me
give you some advice.
You have to live among
your classmates, right?
But if I try to interfere
and protect you,
it'll only make matters worse.
So you must protect yourself.
How do I do that?
Try not to be too
perfect all the time.
Make a few mistakes.
You know, give the wrong
answer now and then.
And stop wearing ties and,
you know, muss up your hair.
Are you saying I'm
some sort of a freak?
Unfortunately, a minority
of one, if you're not careful,
it'll be a lonely life for you.
It already is.
Here, something
for that pencil bar.
Wow, for me?
That one, they can't break.
Gee, thanks, Mr.
Howard, thanks a lot.
Hm.
[bell ringing]
School's starting, Einstein.
Don't be late.
What are you doing?
We wanted Michael to
help, sir, but he wouldn't.
[laughing]
ALL: Good morning, Mr. Howard.
[laughter]
[bell ringing]
[laughter]
- What a loser.
Let's go!
[laughter]
What is this?
What is what, Mr. Howard?
We all wanted to get As too.
[basketball dribbling]
[cheering]
Hey look!
There he is.
[chatter]
(CHANTING) Michael,
Michael teacher's pet!
Michael, Michael, teacher's pet!
[laughter]
Oh, ain't that nice?
A present from the teacher.
Give it back!
Can't break it,
but we can take it.
Give it back, it's mine!
Come and get it, pet.
[beating on window]
Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it!
Do you hear me?
Give it back.
Stop!
[horn blowing]
[tires squealing]
Oh no!
[sad music]
[knocking]
Mr. Howard?
Yes, I'm Frank Colish,
principal at Jason Elementary.
Oh yes, yes, come in.
And when Mr. Clemens
said you had taught there,
I decided, well, [inaudible].
I was sorry to
hear he was ill.
Blood pressure, actually.
How long will he be away?
Frankly, we don't know.
I must admit, it's left
us in a bit of a jam.
Have you kept in touch
with the academic world?
Oh yes, teaching
correspondence courses--
pays the bills.
Ha-ha, and when were you last
in the classroom, Mr. Howard?
Seven years and one week.
Oh-ho, you have
quite a memory.
Yes, I do.
Mr. Howard, since
I was made principal,
we've tried very hard to
turn things around at Jason.
It's quite different than--
than when you left.
It would help us a lot.
What do you say?
Very well, Mr. Corlist.
I think I still have
something to offer.
You are not human.
You are, shall we say, invaders
from another dimension.
And as such, you are the enemy.
And it is my task to reform
your uncivilized little minds.
You may think I do
not understand you.
You are wrong.
I understand you all too well.
I know that children are
as far removed from adults
as monkeys are from men.
And it is my duty to
forge the missing link.
That link is, of
course, made of iron.
It is called discipline.
It is my thankless
task to train you,
even though we
look at each other
from the opposite sides
of the bars of a cage.
Sometimes I believe that
you are little monsters
thrust out of hell
because the devil
can no longer cope with you.
You are another
species entirely.
Your motives, your beliefs,
your disobediences--
but remember, you have no
rights, and no privileges,
and no choice.
[jackhammer]
[squeak]
Since when do you
do that on a Sunday?
What?
Since when do you
do that on a Sunday?
Since they pay us double time.
We'll be done in
a couple of days.
WORKER: Sorry, about the noise.
So am I.
Well, excuse me.
Have I frightened you?
I have, good.
Well and good.
You deserve to be.
I want you to know
where we stand.
I'm not frightened of
you, remember that.
I'm not frightened of you.
Here!
What are you whispering
about back there?
Well, young men?
We don't like you.
That's all we said.
Good, I like frankness, truth.
Thank you for your honesty.
Now we know where we stand.
One hour's detention
for the both of you.
Mr. Howard?
Sorry I haven't
managed to get down
to see you and your students.
How are things going now?
Oh very well, Mr. Corlist.
Exactly according to plan.
It's always good to hear.
How do you like
Mr. Howard, boys?
We like him just
fine, sir, just fine.
Well?
Well, good morning, sir.
Good morning,
which one are you?
You mean you don't
know, Mr. Howard, sir?
You've been my teacher
for nearly three weeks
and you don't know my name?
I can't be expected
to remember you all.
But that's your
job, Mr. Howard,
sir, is to at least know names.
Mine's Jones,
Charles Scott Jones.
Why are you wearing that tie?
Well, you are.
And you're also dead.
What?
You're poisoned.
See the name and the date.
That's a cement
layer's imprint.
No, sir.
There's someone
buried under there.
That's a name and see the date?
And you stepped on his grave.
Poison-- get off!
Get off quick!
Is that your contribution
to my knowledge for the day?
Yes, sir.
You can't be too careful.
Oh!
Watch out, sir, you
stepped on another one.
[yelling]
(CHANTING) Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
I understand
Charles Scott Jones.
I understand Donald Powers.
I understand you all.
You have drawn your silly little
battle lines in a war of wills,
but because my will is
stronger, I will win.
You live outside my room in
your childish world of fantasy,
but here there is no fantasy.
There are no games.
Within this room,
there is reality.
And the reality is that you are
under my control for as long
as I'm here.
It'll be a very
long time indeed.
[creepy music]
[knocking]
[door shut]
[phone ringing]
YOUNG VOICE (ON
PHONE): Mr. Howard--
Who's there?
YOUNG VOICE (ON PHONE):
Let's play poison.
Who is this?
[dial tone]
[knocking]
[knocking]
GLASS SHATTERING]
All right!
I know you're there.
Any more of this nonsense,
and I'll call the police.
[knocking]
[glass shattering]
MR. HOWARD: That is it!
[no dial tone]
You'll pay, damn it.
You'll pay.
Come out, damn you.
I'll have you all expelled,
arrested, thrown in jail.
(CHANTING) Mr.
Howard, [laughing] Mr.
Howard, let's play poison.
Monsters, I'm
not afraid of you.
I'm not afraid of you.
BOY: Mr. Howard,
right behind you.
[crash]
[suspenseful music]
[grunting]
Mr. Howard?
Watch it.
Cement's not dry,
and even if it was,
you wouldn't want to step on it.
Hm?
Step on a gave--
poison.
Rubbish, Jones.
You know better than that.
Hm-- that's his name.
Cement layer's mark.
Kelly and Peterson,
contractors.
Shucks.
Have you seen Mr. Howard?
No.
I don't know where he is.
Guess he must have
stepped out, sir.
[whistling]
[organ music]
[scary music]
RAY BRADBURY: People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here-- all of this
is my magician's toy shop.
I'm Ray Bradbury and this is--
[chatter]
Give me it back.
It's mine!
No, get out of my way.
Hey, wait up!
[inaudible]
[sounds of fighting]
Hello, I didn't
hear you come in.
I didn't want to bother you.
What are you doing?
Whoever worked this
problem got it wrong,
so I thought I'd put
my answer next to it
so the kids could compare.
Ha-ha-- and who gave
you permission to do that?
And who are you?
Michael McDonald, sir.
I'm new.
The principal told me
to come to your class.
[screaming]
Walk!
Walk!
Stop behaving like animals.
Sir, are those to
keep your cuffs clean?
Mm-hmm.
A very good idea.
Correct?
Michael McDonald, I think
we're going to get along.
[footsteps]
Good morning, Mr. Howard.
Good morning,
Michael McDonald.
Settled in now, have you?
Enjoying school?
I guess so, sir.
Something's missing.
Oh my books?
They're in my locker.
I didn't need them last night.
What about your homework?
Oh, I did it at recess and
half an hour after school.
Good heavens, don't
let the others know.
They'll hate you for it.
They already do.
They broke all your pencils.
Michael, let me
give you some advice.
You have to live among
your classmates, right?
But if I try to interfere
and protect you,
it'll only make matters worse.
So you must protect yourself.
How do I do that?
Try not to be too
perfect all the time.
Make a few mistakes.
You know, give the wrong
answer now and then.
And stop wearing ties and,
you know, muss up your hair.
Are you saying I'm
some sort of a freak?
Unfortunately, a minority
of one, if you're not careful,
it'll be a lonely life for you.
It already is.
Here, something
for that pencil bar.
Wow, for me?
That one, they can't break.
Gee, thanks, Mr.
Howard, thanks a lot.
Hm.
[bell ringing]
School's starting, Einstein.
Don't be late.
What are you doing?
We wanted Michael to
help, sir, but he wouldn't.
[laughing]
ALL: Good morning, Mr. Howard.
[laughter]
[bell ringing]
[laughter]
- What a loser.
Let's go!
[laughter]
What is this?
What is what, Mr. Howard?
We all wanted to get As too.
[basketball dribbling]
[cheering]
Hey look!
There he is.
[chatter]
(CHANTING) Michael,
Michael teacher's pet!
Michael, Michael, teacher's pet!
[laughter]
Oh, ain't that nice?
A present from the teacher.
Give it back!
Can't break it,
but we can take it.
Give it back, it's mine!
Come and get it, pet.
[beating on window]
Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it!
Do you hear me?
Give it back.
Stop!
[horn blowing]
[tires squealing]
Oh no!
[sad music]
[knocking]
Mr. Howard?
Yes, I'm Frank Colish,
principal at Jason Elementary.
Oh yes, yes, come in.
And when Mr. Clemens
said you had taught there,
I decided, well, [inaudible].
I was sorry to
hear he was ill.
Blood pressure, actually.
How long will he be away?
Frankly, we don't know.
I must admit, it's left
us in a bit of a jam.
Have you kept in touch
with the academic world?
Oh yes, teaching
correspondence courses--
pays the bills.
Ha-ha, and when were you last
in the classroom, Mr. Howard?
Seven years and one week.
Oh-ho, you have
quite a memory.
Yes, I do.
Mr. Howard, since
I was made principal,
we've tried very hard to
turn things around at Jason.
It's quite different than--
than when you left.
It would help us a lot.
What do you say?
Very well, Mr. Corlist.
I think I still have
something to offer.
You are not human.
You are, shall we say, invaders
from another dimension.
And as such, you are the enemy.
And it is my task to reform
your uncivilized little minds.
You may think I do
not understand you.
You are wrong.
I understand you all too well.
I know that children are
as far removed from adults
as monkeys are from men.
And it is my duty to
forge the missing link.
That link is, of
course, made of iron.
It is called discipline.
It is my thankless
task to train you,
even though we
look at each other
from the opposite sides
of the bars of a cage.
Sometimes I believe that
you are little monsters
thrust out of hell
because the devil
can no longer cope with you.
You are another
species entirely.
Your motives, your beliefs,
your disobediences--
but remember, you have no
rights, and no privileges,
and no choice.
[jackhammer]
[squeak]
Since when do you
do that on a Sunday?
What?
Since when do you
do that on a Sunday?
Since they pay us double time.
We'll be done in
a couple of days.
WORKER: Sorry, about the noise.
So am I.
Well, excuse me.
Have I frightened you?
I have, good.
Well and good.
You deserve to be.
I want you to know
where we stand.
I'm not frightened of
you, remember that.
I'm not frightened of you.
Here!
What are you whispering
about back there?
Well, young men?
We don't like you.
That's all we said.
Good, I like frankness, truth.
Thank you for your honesty.
Now we know where we stand.
One hour's detention
for the both of you.
Mr. Howard?
Sorry I haven't
managed to get down
to see you and your students.
How are things going now?
Oh very well, Mr. Corlist.
Exactly according to plan.
It's always good to hear.
How do you like
Mr. Howard, boys?
We like him just
fine, sir, just fine.
Well?
Well, good morning, sir.
Good morning,
which one are you?
You mean you don't
know, Mr. Howard, sir?
You've been my teacher
for nearly three weeks
and you don't know my name?
I can't be expected
to remember you all.
But that's your
job, Mr. Howard,
sir, is to at least know names.
Mine's Jones,
Charles Scott Jones.
Why are you wearing that tie?
Well, you are.
And you're also dead.
What?
You're poisoned.
See the name and the date.
That's a cement
layer's imprint.
No, sir.
There's someone
buried under there.
That's a name and see the date?
And you stepped on his grave.
Poison-- get off!
Get off quick!
Is that your contribution
to my knowledge for the day?
Yes, sir.
You can't be too careful.
Oh!
Watch out, sir, you
stepped on another one.
[yelling]
(CHANTING) Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
Poison!
I understand
Charles Scott Jones.
I understand Donald Powers.
I understand you all.
You have drawn your silly little
battle lines in a war of wills,
but because my will is
stronger, I will win.
You live outside my room in
your childish world of fantasy,
but here there is no fantasy.
There are no games.
Within this room,
there is reality.
And the reality is that you are
under my control for as long
as I'm here.
It'll be a very
long time indeed.
[creepy music]
[knocking]
[door shut]
[phone ringing]
YOUNG VOICE (ON
PHONE): Mr. Howard--
Who's there?
YOUNG VOICE (ON PHONE):
Let's play poison.
Who is this?
[dial tone]
[knocking]
[knocking]
GLASS SHATTERING]
All right!
I know you're there.
Any more of this nonsense,
and I'll call the police.
[knocking]
[glass shattering]
MR. HOWARD: That is it!
[no dial tone]
You'll pay, damn it.
You'll pay.
Come out, damn you.
I'll have you all expelled,
arrested, thrown in jail.
(CHANTING) Mr.
Howard, [laughing] Mr.
Howard, let's play poison.
Monsters, I'm
not afraid of you.
I'm not afraid of you.
BOY: Mr. Howard,
right behind you.
[crash]
[suspenseful music]
[grunting]
Mr. Howard?
Watch it.
Cement's not dry,
and even if it was,
you wouldn't want to step on it.
Hm?
Step on a gave--
poison.
Rubbish, Jones.
You know better than that.
Hm-- that's his name.
Cement layer's mark.
Kelly and Peterson,
contractors.
Shucks.
Have you seen Mr. Howard?
No.
I don't know where he is.
Guess he must have
stepped out, sir.
[whistling]
[organ music]
[scary music]