The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992): Season 5, Episode 8 - The Martian - full transcript
A middle-aged Earth couple emigrates to Mars after the death of their son Tom. On a particularly bad night of grieving, a psychically sensitive native Martian is captured by their strong emotions and forced into the form of Tom an...
[music playing]
[eerie music]
[elevator dings]
RAY BRADBURY: People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here.
All of this is my
magician's toyshop.
I'm Ray Bradbury.
And this is--
[theme music]
[music playing]
[hissing]
[thunderstorm rumbling]
[moans]
[moans]
[moaning]
[thunderstorm rumbling]
Ah.
I was--
Dreaming.
You too?
About what?
[sighs]
I've never been so cold.
Turn on the heat.
[coughs]
The same dream.
[buzzing]
Why?
It's that awful
artificial rain.
Every time I hear it,
I go back to Earth.
Sweet smell of Earth's rain.
God, how I miss it.
WOMAN: I know.
Turn it off now.
[beeps]
[rain stops]
Was Tom in your dream?
Isn't he always?
We should've
brought him with us.
Anna-- Anna, he's
been dead five years.
What would be the use?
(WHISPERS) Anyway, he's
here with us, always.
It's just-- oh Lord,
I miss driving out
on Sundays to visit the
grave and give flowers,
and talk to him.
No more.
No more.
Sleep.
[soft music playing]
[disembodied breathing]
[disembodied moaning]
[wind howling]
[disembodied moaning]
[wind howling]
[suspenseful music]
[disembodied moaning]
MAN: No.
[disembodied moaning]
MAN: Let me go!
Who-- who's there?
Who is it?
MAN: Let me be.
Let me be!
What's going on out there?
MAN: I'm caught.
Don't do this to me.
What?
What?!
MAN: You caught me.
Let me go.
Hold on.
I know you.
MAN: Yes.
Tom.
Is that you?
Yes father.
Tom, it's can't be.
I'm here.
How could you be?
You've got me now.
I can't leave.
Tom?
[door closes]
Where are you going?
Not in there.
[moaning]
It's all right, father.
I'm home.
[ominous music]
ANNA: --the night, Tom.
Why didn't you wake me?
I would have made
you place to sleep.
TOM: I don't want to
disturb your sleep, mother.
Besides, I wasn't very tired.
ANNA: But you must have been.
You traveled all
the way from Earth.
TOM: It was a restful journey.
I can catch up on sleep later.
ANNA: Oh, Tom.
Just as stubborn
as you always were.
TOM: Yeah, I guess so.
ANNA: I'll never forget that 4th
of July when you were only 10,
and you won that contest.
TOM: Yeah, I got to carry
the flag in the town parade.
ANNA: Remember how everyone
said you were too small to march
with it the whole way?
TOM: Even father thought so.
Guess I showed him, didn't I?
ANNA: You sure did.
He never doubted you again.
TOM: No mother, he sure didn't.
[laughter]
Well, sleepyhead, come, sit.
TOM: Morning, dad.
Say good morning to your son.
Tom?
What's going on here?
And isn't it fine,
all of us together?
Sit down.
I'll bring some more coffee.
What did you do?
Talk to her.
All night long.
I didn't want to come here.
Now, I accept.
She has too.
You see?
Se what?
Anna?
Don't you realize
that he's been--
Been what?
TOM: Away on Earth too long.
ANNA: And isn't it
grand, the three of us?
Oh dear, cream and sugar?
I'm so excited.
Don't you want me to be here?
I do.
I do, but--
Well, then why
can't you accept me?
Because you died.
Nothing has to stay, dad.
It does.
It always has.
Who are you?
Haven't you guessed?
They say the Martians, the
few left alive, somewhere
out there, can read our minds.
Shaped themselves to our
image, and come among us
disguised as Earth men.
Tom, is that you?
Don't doubt me.
Don't make it hard to stay.
It will hurt her.
Tom?
You mean-- not fighting again!
Tom!
Where are you going?
Anna?
Did you say
something to upset him?
Don't you remember
Tom having pneumonia,
the gravestone, the hospital?
What are you talking about?
Never mind.
Tom?
You'll come back?
[distant jack hammer]
[mournful music]
Tom?
Where have you been?
I was caught, almost trapped.
Caught?
Other people, their
thoughts, dreams.
The only safe place is here.
Do you believe in me?
Do you accept me?
Yes.
[peaceful music]
Tom.
[sighs]
Eat.
Eat.
Now, what should
we do after supper?
Do?
We should have a night out,
let Tom meet some people.
Let me show him off.
There's a flea market in town.
The only shopping
place on Mars, really.
We could go there.
Well, I don't think that--
I'm afraid.
Afraid?
Crowds.
Too many people.
Oh, Tom, you'd think
you were born yesterday.
I was.
What are you saying?
Well, just that he
arrived on Mars yesterday.
Oh, that's what
I meant, mother.
[laughs]
Then you have lots to see.
Don't worry.
We'll take care of you.
Will you?
Will you stay close?
Close.
[sighs]
Hey, come here.
You want to buy
a rabbit's house?
Ah, good evening,
Anna, La Farge.
Saul.
Who's this?
It's our son, Tom.
Oh, welcome to Mars, Tom.
Thank you.
So how goes it, La Farge?
Fine.
you
I don't know.
Kind of a strange
day, peculiar.
Oh?
How so?
Well, you remember Jim
Connors, lived down the way?
Rumor had it he left Earth
'cause he killed a man?
Yeah, I remember.
About two hours ago
I saw Connors running,
wailing into town.
Swears he saw the
dead man alive,
here on Mars, this afternoon.
Then before you know
it, Connor's running
home, blows his brains out.
ANNA: Oh, gee, the
saddest things happen.
Yeah, sure do.
Well, goodnight Anna, La Farge.
Welcome to Mars, Tom.
[crowd chatter]
Isn't this fun, hmm?
Let-- let's go home.
We only just got here.
Oh, look.
Oh, oh!
Tom?
Where were you at noon today?
I-- I can't tell you.
Where?
Isn't it enough I
escaped and came back?
Yes.
No!
I don't know!
All right, you two.
Let's--
- Oh!
- Hey, man.
- Hey, cut that out!
Don't!
Get away!
Tom!
Tom?
Bring him back.
He'll be lost.
Tom!
All right, you wait here.
In case he comes
back, I'll get him.
Tom!
Tom?
[dance music]
Tom!
Come on, Tom.
No tricks now.
Tom!
Tom!
Tom?
Tom!
WOMAN: Lavinia!
LAVINIA: Mother!
Oh, mother!
WOMAN: Oh!
My baby!
LAVINIA: I'm here.
WOMAN: Thought you were dead.
MAN: Honey, it's so
good to have you back.
WOMAN: Oh, honey.
LAVINIA: Father!
Oh!
LAVINIA: I missed you.
MAN: You all right?
Take me home.
WOMAN: Let's go.
Let's go.
[hissing]
[crowd chatter]
It's OK.
I'm good for now.
I'll be back.
Just go inside, OK?
It's OK.
I-- I can't talk about it now.
Let's just go inside, OK?
Charlie?
Why are you standing here?
You look like you seen a ghost.
Bullseye.
You remember the
Spalding family,
Joe and his wife, Clara?
Remember Lavinia, his daughter?
Lavinia?
Lost out on the foothills,
never found, presumed dead?
She's come home alive.
Yeah.
Just now, right there.
Imagine how they feel.
Imagine.
Every once in
awhile, happy endings.
Goodnight, La Farge.
LA FARGE: Goodnight, Charlie.
No.
Go away!
I can't.
Come home.
Now, Tom.
Tom?
Obviously I'm not.
You were.
You can be.
It's your fault!
You should've never
brought me to town.
I know.
I know it's not safe.
The crowds, the people.
Let us protect you.
Out where we live are few
houses, hardly anyone.
Tom.
Lavinia!
My son!
Their daughter.
Tom, remember your mother's
face when you returned?
How happy she was?
Don't do this to me!
Don't do this to her.
She loves you.
And I--
You'll break her heart!
[groaning]
[buzzing]
Yes.
All right, father.
WOMAN: Who's down there?
What's going on?
- Tom!
Quick, the market!
WOMAN: Lavinia!
Lavinia!
Stop!
LA FARGE: Tom!
Slow down, tom.
Not so fast, Tom!
Tom!
Mother?
[crowd chatter]
Uh-- uh-- mother?
[groaning]
[buzzing]
Get him!
Move it!
There he is!
[suspenseful music]
OFFICER: I'm telling you,
the guy's a murderer.
[buzzing]
[gasping]
WOMAN: Oh my god!
[crowd chatter]
[suspenseful music]
[buzzing]
[crowd chatter]
[buzzing]
Mother?
Tom?
Tom?
Mother!
ANNA: Tom!
Tom!
[crowd shouting]
ANNA: Tom!
Mother?
[groans]
[buzzing]
[groaning, voices changing]
[screaming]
[grunts]
Mother?
Tom.
Tom.
Mother.
[buzzing]
Tom?
[buzzing]
[distant vocalizing]
Tom?
Tom?
I'm glad you came.
He was our son.
For a little while.
For a little while.
[mournful music]
[eerie music]
[eerie music]
[elevator dings]
RAY BRADBURY: People ask,
where do you get your ideas?
Right here.
All of this is my
magician's toyshop.
I'm Ray Bradbury.
And this is--
[theme music]
[music playing]
[hissing]
[thunderstorm rumbling]
[moans]
[moans]
[moaning]
[thunderstorm rumbling]
Ah.
I was--
Dreaming.
You too?
About what?
[sighs]
I've never been so cold.
Turn on the heat.
[coughs]
The same dream.
[buzzing]
Why?
It's that awful
artificial rain.
Every time I hear it,
I go back to Earth.
Sweet smell of Earth's rain.
God, how I miss it.
WOMAN: I know.
Turn it off now.
[beeps]
[rain stops]
Was Tom in your dream?
Isn't he always?
We should've
brought him with us.
Anna-- Anna, he's
been dead five years.
What would be the use?
(WHISPERS) Anyway, he's
here with us, always.
It's just-- oh Lord,
I miss driving out
on Sundays to visit the
grave and give flowers,
and talk to him.
No more.
No more.
Sleep.
[soft music playing]
[disembodied breathing]
[disembodied moaning]
[wind howling]
[disembodied moaning]
[wind howling]
[suspenseful music]
[disembodied moaning]
MAN: No.
[disembodied moaning]
MAN: Let me go!
Who-- who's there?
Who is it?
MAN: Let me be.
Let me be!
What's going on out there?
MAN: I'm caught.
Don't do this to me.
What?
What?!
MAN: You caught me.
Let me go.
Hold on.
I know you.
MAN: Yes.
Tom.
Is that you?
Yes father.
Tom, it's can't be.
I'm here.
How could you be?
You've got me now.
I can't leave.
Tom?
[door closes]
Where are you going?
Not in there.
[moaning]
It's all right, father.
I'm home.
[ominous music]
ANNA: --the night, Tom.
Why didn't you wake me?
I would have made
you place to sleep.
TOM: I don't want to
disturb your sleep, mother.
Besides, I wasn't very tired.
ANNA: But you must have been.
You traveled all
the way from Earth.
TOM: It was a restful journey.
I can catch up on sleep later.
ANNA: Oh, Tom.
Just as stubborn
as you always were.
TOM: Yeah, I guess so.
ANNA: I'll never forget that 4th
of July when you were only 10,
and you won that contest.
TOM: Yeah, I got to carry
the flag in the town parade.
ANNA: Remember how everyone
said you were too small to march
with it the whole way?
TOM: Even father thought so.
Guess I showed him, didn't I?
ANNA: You sure did.
He never doubted you again.
TOM: No mother, he sure didn't.
[laughter]
Well, sleepyhead, come, sit.
TOM: Morning, dad.
Say good morning to your son.
Tom?
What's going on here?
And isn't it fine,
all of us together?
Sit down.
I'll bring some more coffee.
What did you do?
Talk to her.
All night long.
I didn't want to come here.
Now, I accept.
She has too.
You see?
Se what?
Anna?
Don't you realize
that he's been--
Been what?
TOM: Away on Earth too long.
ANNA: And isn't it
grand, the three of us?
Oh dear, cream and sugar?
I'm so excited.
Don't you want me to be here?
I do.
I do, but--
Well, then why
can't you accept me?
Because you died.
Nothing has to stay, dad.
It does.
It always has.
Who are you?
Haven't you guessed?
They say the Martians, the
few left alive, somewhere
out there, can read our minds.
Shaped themselves to our
image, and come among us
disguised as Earth men.
Tom, is that you?
Don't doubt me.
Don't make it hard to stay.
It will hurt her.
Tom?
You mean-- not fighting again!
Tom!
Where are you going?
Anna?
Did you say
something to upset him?
Don't you remember
Tom having pneumonia,
the gravestone, the hospital?
What are you talking about?
Never mind.
Tom?
You'll come back?
[distant jack hammer]
[mournful music]
Tom?
Where have you been?
I was caught, almost trapped.
Caught?
Other people, their
thoughts, dreams.
The only safe place is here.
Do you believe in me?
Do you accept me?
Yes.
[peaceful music]
Tom.
[sighs]
Eat.
Eat.
Now, what should
we do after supper?
Do?
We should have a night out,
let Tom meet some people.
Let me show him off.
There's a flea market in town.
The only shopping
place on Mars, really.
We could go there.
Well, I don't think that--
I'm afraid.
Afraid?
Crowds.
Too many people.
Oh, Tom, you'd think
you were born yesterday.
I was.
What are you saying?
Well, just that he
arrived on Mars yesterday.
Oh, that's what
I meant, mother.
[laughs]
Then you have lots to see.
Don't worry.
We'll take care of you.
Will you?
Will you stay close?
Close.
[sighs]
Hey, come here.
You want to buy
a rabbit's house?
Ah, good evening,
Anna, La Farge.
Saul.
Who's this?
It's our son, Tom.
Oh, welcome to Mars, Tom.
Thank you.
So how goes it, La Farge?
Fine.
you
I don't know.
Kind of a strange
day, peculiar.
Oh?
How so?
Well, you remember Jim
Connors, lived down the way?
Rumor had it he left Earth
'cause he killed a man?
Yeah, I remember.
About two hours ago
I saw Connors running,
wailing into town.
Swears he saw the
dead man alive,
here on Mars, this afternoon.
Then before you know
it, Connor's running
home, blows his brains out.
ANNA: Oh, gee, the
saddest things happen.
Yeah, sure do.
Well, goodnight Anna, La Farge.
Welcome to Mars, Tom.
[crowd chatter]
Isn't this fun, hmm?
Let-- let's go home.
We only just got here.
Oh, look.
Oh, oh!
Tom?
Where were you at noon today?
I-- I can't tell you.
Where?
Isn't it enough I
escaped and came back?
Yes.
No!
I don't know!
All right, you two.
Let's--
- Oh!
- Hey, man.
- Hey, cut that out!
Don't!
Get away!
Tom!
Tom?
Bring him back.
He'll be lost.
Tom!
All right, you wait here.
In case he comes
back, I'll get him.
Tom!
Tom?
[dance music]
Tom!
Come on, Tom.
No tricks now.
Tom!
Tom!
Tom?
Tom!
WOMAN: Lavinia!
LAVINIA: Mother!
Oh, mother!
WOMAN: Oh!
My baby!
LAVINIA: I'm here.
WOMAN: Thought you were dead.
MAN: Honey, it's so
good to have you back.
WOMAN: Oh, honey.
LAVINIA: Father!
Oh!
LAVINIA: I missed you.
MAN: You all right?
Take me home.
WOMAN: Let's go.
Let's go.
[hissing]
[crowd chatter]
It's OK.
I'm good for now.
I'll be back.
Just go inside, OK?
It's OK.
I-- I can't talk about it now.
Let's just go inside, OK?
Charlie?
Why are you standing here?
You look like you seen a ghost.
Bullseye.
You remember the
Spalding family,
Joe and his wife, Clara?
Remember Lavinia, his daughter?
Lavinia?
Lost out on the foothills,
never found, presumed dead?
She's come home alive.
Yeah.
Just now, right there.
Imagine how they feel.
Imagine.
Every once in
awhile, happy endings.
Goodnight, La Farge.
LA FARGE: Goodnight, Charlie.
No.
Go away!
I can't.
Come home.
Now, Tom.
Tom?
Obviously I'm not.
You were.
You can be.
It's your fault!
You should've never
brought me to town.
I know.
I know it's not safe.
The crowds, the people.
Let us protect you.
Out where we live are few
houses, hardly anyone.
Tom.
Lavinia!
My son!
Their daughter.
Tom, remember your mother's
face when you returned?
How happy she was?
Don't do this to me!
Don't do this to her.
She loves you.
And I--
You'll break her heart!
[groaning]
[buzzing]
Yes.
All right, father.
WOMAN: Who's down there?
What's going on?
- Tom!
Quick, the market!
WOMAN: Lavinia!
Lavinia!
Stop!
LA FARGE: Tom!
Slow down, tom.
Not so fast, Tom!
Tom!
Mother?
[crowd chatter]
Uh-- uh-- mother?
[groaning]
[buzzing]
Get him!
Move it!
There he is!
[suspenseful music]
OFFICER: I'm telling you,
the guy's a murderer.
[buzzing]
[gasping]
WOMAN: Oh my god!
[crowd chatter]
[suspenseful music]
[buzzing]
[crowd chatter]
[buzzing]
Mother?
Tom?
Tom?
Mother!
ANNA: Tom!
Tom!
[crowd shouting]
ANNA: Tom!
Mother?
[groans]
[buzzing]
[groaning, voices changing]
[screaming]
[grunts]
Mother?
Tom.
Tom.
Mother.
[buzzing]
Tom?
[buzzing]
[distant vocalizing]
Tom?
Tom?
I'm glad you came.
He was our son.
For a little while.
For a little while.
[mournful music]
[eerie music]