The Twilight Zone (1959–1964): Season 1, Episode 30 - A Stop at Willoughby - full transcript
Ad agency executive Gart Williams has had a particularly rough day - his young protégé has left to work at another agency and took a $3-million account him. He falls asleep on the train home and wakes up in another place and another time. It's July 1888 and he's in the village of Willoughby, a peaceful town where life is easy. He comes to back in his own time but as the pressures of works and his home life continue to mount, he decides Willoughby is exactly where he would like to spend the rest of his days.
A Stop at Willoughby
First Aired: 6 May 1960
English Subtitles by
Pandorafilm - Heerlen
You're traveling
to another dimension.
A dimension not only of sight
and sound, but of mind.
A journey into a wondrous land
of imagination.
Next stop: The Twilight Zone
I want Jake Ross' secretary, please.
Williams, we're still waiting
for your Mr Ross.
I'm trying to get him
right now, sir.
Joanie, where is he?
I know he's out to lunch but we got
a conference called. Where is he?
Call Sardi's East or The Colony.
He has to get over here in a hurry.
Well, where is your protege with
the $3 million automobile account?
He's due at any moment, Mr Misrell.
Probably a big lunch crowd or so.
-No, more likely, a big Martini.
He was too young to put on this
account. I kept telling you that.
He's much too young to put on
this large and important account.
We have now been here 34 minutes.
This is a communication
from Jake Ross.
Would you share its contents with us?
-I can give you the sense of it.
This is Jake Ross's resignation.
He's moving over to another agency.
And?
He's taking the automobile
account with him.
That account represented
A gross billing
In the neighborhood
of $3 million a year.
And how many times have
you promised it to me?
This is as much a shock to me.
-Don't sit down.
And don't con me.
It was your pet project.
Then it was your idea to give it
to that little college greenie.
Now, get with it, Williams.
Get with it, boy.
So what's left? Your pet project
sprouted wings and left the premises.
I'll tell you what's left, a deep
concern about your judgment in men.
This is a push business, Williams.
Push and drive.
But personally...
you don't delegate
responsibilities to little boys.
You should know it better
than anyone else.
A push, push, push business,
Williams.
It's push, push, push
all the way, all the time.
It's push, push, push,
all the way, all the time
Fat boy, why don't you
shut your mouth.
Messages are on the desk.
Can I bring you some coffee?
No, thanks.
-Well, want anything at all?
A sharp razor and a chart, showing
where all the human arteries are.
This is Gart Williams, age 38.
A man protected by a suit of armor
all held together by one bolt.
Just a moment ago,
someone removed the bolt.
Mr Williams' protection fell away
from him and left him a naked target.
He's been cannonaded this afternoon
by all the enemies of his life.
His insecurity has shelled him.
His deep-rooted disquiet about
his own worth has blown him apart.
Mr Gart Williams, ad agency exec who
will move into the Twilight Zone.
In a desperate search for survival.
How are you tonight, Mr Williams?
-In the absolute pink.
Cold winter this year. Seems to get
darker earlier than it ever has.
Well, that's the way of the world.
The rich get richer...
and the days get shorter.
-That's right.
A push, push, push business.
Push and drive.
It's push, push, push all the way,
all the time right on down the line.
That's enough.
Willoughby. This stop is Willoughby.
What do you mean, Willoughby?
-That's Willoughby right outside.
Wait a minute. There's no stop
on this line called Willoughby.
And look at it outside.
The sun is out, it's summer.
That's what she is, mid-July.
-Wait a minute, it's November.
What's going on here anyway?
It's November. Where is Willoughby?
That's Willoughby right outside.
It's 1888.
Willoughby. July.
Summer. It's 1888.
Really a lovely village. You ought to
try it sometime. Peaceful, restful.
Where a man can slow down to a walk
and live his life full-measure.
Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Westport Saugatuck next stop.
Have a good sleep, Mr Williams?
-Yeah, I had a good sleep,
But an idiotic dream.
You know a town called Willoughby?
-Willoughby where?
Willoughby, Connecticut.
Or Willoughby, New York.
No Willoughby on this run.
Westport Saugatuck next stop.
What are your plans
for this evening?
To get quietly plastered and
then sing old college songs?
It's been one of those days.
-Yes, Bob Lair's wife called me.
She told me he'd been in the meeting
with you. You got hysterical?
She called to find out how you were.
-They were all very solicitous.
That free-flowing compassion that
is actually relief. I'm the victim.
They've mistaken an intake of breath
for an outpouring of sympathy.
Just give me a simple and
direct and honest answer.
Did you throw away a job this
afternoon?
It appears not. Misrell phoned
before I left the office.
He has found it in that great
over-sized heart of his to forgive.
This somewhat obese, gentleman will
allow me to continue in his employ.
He's such a human-type fellow with
the small additional reason.
If I would go to a competitor, I
might take a lot of business with me.
Go on.
-That's all of it.
I'm tired, and I'm sick, Janie.
Then you're on the right ward.
We specialize in people that are
sick and tired, too, Gart.
I'm sick, and I'm tired of a husband
who lives in permanent self-pity...
whenever he decides the competition
is is a little too rough for him.
Some people aren't
built for competition.
Or big, pretentious houses
they can't afford.
Or country clubs they wear around
their neck like a badge of status.
And you'd prefer?
-I'd prefer...
a job, any job, any job at all
where I could be myself.
Where I wouldn't have to climb on
a stage and mouth all the dialog.
And make believe I'm the bright,
young man. I'm not that person.
You've tried to make me that person
But that isn't me at all.
I'm a not-very-young,
soon-to-be-old...
Very noncompetitive, rather dull,
quite uninspired, average-type guy.
With a wife who has an appetite.
And just where would you be
if it weren't for my appetite?
I know where I'd like to be.
-Where's that?
A place called Willoughby. A little
town I've manufactured in a dream.
Tell me about your dream, Gart.
It was an very odd dream.
Willoughby.
It was summer, very warm.
Kids were barefooted.
One of them had a fishing pole.
It all looked like...
a Currier & Ives painting.
Bandstand, bicycles, wagons.
I've never seen such serenity.
It was the way people must have
lived a hundred years ago.
Crazy dream.
You let me know when you wake up?
-No, wait. Please, Janie.
You know what the trouble with
you is? You were just born too late.
Because you could be satisfied with
an ice wagon being drawn by a horse.
So it's my mistake, pal,
my miserable, tragic error.
To get married to a man whose dream
in life is to be Huckleberry Finn.
Yeah, maybe.
Something like that.
A place, a time where a man can
live his life full-measure.
That's what he said,
that's what that conductor said.
A place where a man
can live his life full-measure.
Willoughby?
-What?
Last week you asked me about
a town called Willoughby.
I looked it up.
Every old timetable I could find.
No such place, as far as I could see.
-Thanks.
It was a dream, is all.
-Probably was.
Stamford, next stop.
Next stop, Stamford.
Stamford, next stop. Stamford.
Next stop, Stamford.
Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Willoughby, sir.
Yes, sir, Willoughby.
All on for Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Conductor.
Conductor.
Conduc...
-You all right, Mr Williams?
Yeah, yeah.
Sure, I'm all right.
Willoughby.
Next time...
Next time, I'm going to get off.
I'm going to get off at Willoughby.
What we need here, Williams,
is a show with zaz.
We've got to take the audience by the
ears and give 'em a yank, rock 'em.
I understand, Mr Misrell.
-It's gotta be bright, with comedy.
And everything push push push.
Of course, now it's gotta be bright.
That's the show the client will like.
-I understand, Mr Misrell.
Tomorrow morning, I want at least
a preliminary idea for the show.
Just a rough format how we integrate
the commercials in the show.
I understand. I'll do my very best.
-Do more than you can.
Aspire. Dream big and then get
behind it. Push push push push.
Yes?
I haven't seen the ratings
on the show. No, no.
That's the time slot the sponsor
wanted. Hang on a minute.
Yes?
They what?
Hold on a second.
Helen.
What office did the Bradbury film?
The negatives are all scratched.
I'll have to check, sir.
Mr Misrell wants to see you.
I'll tell you when I know something.
Mr Williams.
Mr Misrell seemed very insistent.
Mr Williams.
Mr Misrell.
Push, push, push, Williams.
Get with it, boy. Push, push, push.
Will you get me Westport,
Connecticut, please?
Capital 7-9899.
Yes, please.
Janie, this is Gart, honey.
I'm coming home.
Will you stay there?
I just want you to stay there.
No, honey, listen, please.
I've had it, understand?
I just can't take this another
minute. I've got to get out of here.
Janie, will you help me, please?
Will you please help me?
Janie?
How are you tonight, Mr Williams?
Stamford, next stop.
Stamford.
Next stop, Stamford.
Next stop...
-Is Willoughby.
Willoughby?
-Yes, sir.
Hi, Mr Williams.
-Hi, boys. You catch some big ones?
I think tomorrow I'll join you.
-Plenty of room and lots of fish.
Hiya, Mr Williams. Welcome.
-Thank you, I'm glad to be here.
Just jumped off the train, did he?
-Shouted something about Willoughby.
Then ran out. Doctor says he
must have died instantly.
They're gonna do an autopsy. Funeral
parlor there sent the ambulance.
Poor fella.
Willoughby?
Maybe it's wishful thinking.
Or maybe it's the last stop
in the vast design of things.
Or perhaps, for a man
like Mr Gart Williams...
it's a place around the bend
Where he could jump off.
Willoughby? Whatever it is...
it comes with sunlight and
serenity and is a part...
of The Twilight Zone.
English Subtitles by
B. Cornelis - Pandorafilm - Heerlen
First Aired: 6 May 1960
English Subtitles by
Pandorafilm - Heerlen
You're traveling
to another dimension.
A dimension not only of sight
and sound, but of mind.
A journey into a wondrous land
of imagination.
Next stop: The Twilight Zone
I want Jake Ross' secretary, please.
Williams, we're still waiting
for your Mr Ross.
I'm trying to get him
right now, sir.
Joanie, where is he?
I know he's out to lunch but we got
a conference called. Where is he?
Call Sardi's East or The Colony.
He has to get over here in a hurry.
Well, where is your protege with
the $3 million automobile account?
He's due at any moment, Mr Misrell.
Probably a big lunch crowd or so.
-No, more likely, a big Martini.
He was too young to put on this
account. I kept telling you that.
He's much too young to put on
this large and important account.
We have now been here 34 minutes.
This is a communication
from Jake Ross.
Would you share its contents with us?
-I can give you the sense of it.
This is Jake Ross's resignation.
He's moving over to another agency.
And?
He's taking the automobile
account with him.
That account represented
A gross billing
In the neighborhood
of $3 million a year.
And how many times have
you promised it to me?
This is as much a shock to me.
-Don't sit down.
And don't con me.
It was your pet project.
Then it was your idea to give it
to that little college greenie.
Now, get with it, Williams.
Get with it, boy.
So what's left? Your pet project
sprouted wings and left the premises.
I'll tell you what's left, a deep
concern about your judgment in men.
This is a push business, Williams.
Push and drive.
But personally...
you don't delegate
responsibilities to little boys.
You should know it better
than anyone else.
A push, push, push business,
Williams.
It's push, push, push
all the way, all the time.
It's push, push, push,
all the way, all the time
Fat boy, why don't you
shut your mouth.
Messages are on the desk.
Can I bring you some coffee?
No, thanks.
-Well, want anything at all?
A sharp razor and a chart, showing
where all the human arteries are.
This is Gart Williams, age 38.
A man protected by a suit of armor
all held together by one bolt.
Just a moment ago,
someone removed the bolt.
Mr Williams' protection fell away
from him and left him a naked target.
He's been cannonaded this afternoon
by all the enemies of his life.
His insecurity has shelled him.
His deep-rooted disquiet about
his own worth has blown him apart.
Mr Gart Williams, ad agency exec who
will move into the Twilight Zone.
In a desperate search for survival.
How are you tonight, Mr Williams?
-In the absolute pink.
Cold winter this year. Seems to get
darker earlier than it ever has.
Well, that's the way of the world.
The rich get richer...
and the days get shorter.
-That's right.
A push, push, push business.
Push and drive.
It's push, push, push all the way,
all the time right on down the line.
That's enough.
Willoughby. This stop is Willoughby.
What do you mean, Willoughby?
-That's Willoughby right outside.
Wait a minute. There's no stop
on this line called Willoughby.
And look at it outside.
The sun is out, it's summer.
That's what she is, mid-July.
-Wait a minute, it's November.
What's going on here anyway?
It's November. Where is Willoughby?
That's Willoughby right outside.
It's 1888.
Willoughby. July.
Summer. It's 1888.
Really a lovely village. You ought to
try it sometime. Peaceful, restful.
Where a man can slow down to a walk
and live his life full-measure.
Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Westport Saugatuck next stop.
Have a good sleep, Mr Williams?
-Yeah, I had a good sleep,
But an idiotic dream.
You know a town called Willoughby?
-Willoughby where?
Willoughby, Connecticut.
Or Willoughby, New York.
No Willoughby on this run.
Westport Saugatuck next stop.
What are your plans
for this evening?
To get quietly plastered and
then sing old college songs?
It's been one of those days.
-Yes, Bob Lair's wife called me.
She told me he'd been in the meeting
with you. You got hysterical?
She called to find out how you were.
-They were all very solicitous.
That free-flowing compassion that
is actually relief. I'm the victim.
They've mistaken an intake of breath
for an outpouring of sympathy.
Just give me a simple and
direct and honest answer.
Did you throw away a job this
afternoon?
It appears not. Misrell phoned
before I left the office.
He has found it in that great
over-sized heart of his to forgive.
This somewhat obese, gentleman will
allow me to continue in his employ.
He's such a human-type fellow with
the small additional reason.
If I would go to a competitor, I
might take a lot of business with me.
Go on.
-That's all of it.
I'm tired, and I'm sick, Janie.
Then you're on the right ward.
We specialize in people that are
sick and tired, too, Gart.
I'm sick, and I'm tired of a husband
who lives in permanent self-pity...
whenever he decides the competition
is is a little too rough for him.
Some people aren't
built for competition.
Or big, pretentious houses
they can't afford.
Or country clubs they wear around
their neck like a badge of status.
And you'd prefer?
-I'd prefer...
a job, any job, any job at all
where I could be myself.
Where I wouldn't have to climb on
a stage and mouth all the dialog.
And make believe I'm the bright,
young man. I'm not that person.
You've tried to make me that person
But that isn't me at all.
I'm a not-very-young,
soon-to-be-old...
Very noncompetitive, rather dull,
quite uninspired, average-type guy.
With a wife who has an appetite.
And just where would you be
if it weren't for my appetite?
I know where I'd like to be.
-Where's that?
A place called Willoughby. A little
town I've manufactured in a dream.
Tell me about your dream, Gart.
It was an very odd dream.
Willoughby.
It was summer, very warm.
Kids were barefooted.
One of them had a fishing pole.
It all looked like...
a Currier & Ives painting.
Bandstand, bicycles, wagons.
I've never seen such serenity.
It was the way people must have
lived a hundred years ago.
Crazy dream.
You let me know when you wake up?
-No, wait. Please, Janie.
You know what the trouble with
you is? You were just born too late.
Because you could be satisfied with
an ice wagon being drawn by a horse.
So it's my mistake, pal,
my miserable, tragic error.
To get married to a man whose dream
in life is to be Huckleberry Finn.
Yeah, maybe.
Something like that.
A place, a time where a man can
live his life full-measure.
That's what he said,
that's what that conductor said.
A place where a man
can live his life full-measure.
Willoughby?
-What?
Last week you asked me about
a town called Willoughby.
I looked it up.
Every old timetable I could find.
No such place, as far as I could see.
-Thanks.
It was a dream, is all.
-Probably was.
Stamford, next stop.
Next stop, Stamford.
Stamford, next stop. Stamford.
Next stop, Stamford.
Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Willoughby, sir.
Yes, sir, Willoughby.
All on for Willoughby.
This stop is Willoughby.
Conductor.
Conductor.
Conduc...
-You all right, Mr Williams?
Yeah, yeah.
Sure, I'm all right.
Willoughby.
Next time...
Next time, I'm going to get off.
I'm going to get off at Willoughby.
What we need here, Williams,
is a show with zaz.
We've got to take the audience by the
ears and give 'em a yank, rock 'em.
I understand, Mr Misrell.
-It's gotta be bright, with comedy.
And everything push push push.
Of course, now it's gotta be bright.
That's the show the client will like.
-I understand, Mr Misrell.
Tomorrow morning, I want at least
a preliminary idea for the show.
Just a rough format how we integrate
the commercials in the show.
I understand. I'll do my very best.
-Do more than you can.
Aspire. Dream big and then get
behind it. Push push push push.
Yes?
I haven't seen the ratings
on the show. No, no.
That's the time slot the sponsor
wanted. Hang on a minute.
Yes?
They what?
Hold on a second.
Helen.
What office did the Bradbury film?
The negatives are all scratched.
I'll have to check, sir.
Mr Misrell wants to see you.
I'll tell you when I know something.
Mr Williams.
Mr Misrell seemed very insistent.
Mr Williams.
Mr Misrell.
Push, push, push, Williams.
Get with it, boy. Push, push, push.
Will you get me Westport,
Connecticut, please?
Capital 7-9899.
Yes, please.
Janie, this is Gart, honey.
I'm coming home.
Will you stay there?
I just want you to stay there.
No, honey, listen, please.
I've had it, understand?
I just can't take this another
minute. I've got to get out of here.
Janie, will you help me, please?
Will you please help me?
Janie?
How are you tonight, Mr Williams?
Stamford, next stop.
Stamford.
Next stop, Stamford.
Next stop...
-Is Willoughby.
Willoughby?
-Yes, sir.
Hi, Mr Williams.
-Hi, boys. You catch some big ones?
I think tomorrow I'll join you.
-Plenty of room and lots of fish.
Hiya, Mr Williams. Welcome.
-Thank you, I'm glad to be here.
Just jumped off the train, did he?
-Shouted something about Willoughby.
Then ran out. Doctor says he
must have died instantly.
They're gonna do an autopsy. Funeral
parlor there sent the ambulance.
Poor fella.
Willoughby?
Maybe it's wishful thinking.
Or maybe it's the last stop
in the vast design of things.
Or perhaps, for a man
like Mr Gart Williams...
it's a place around the bend
Where he could jump off.
Willoughby? Whatever it is...
it comes with sunlight and
serenity and is a part...
of The Twilight Zone.
English Subtitles by
B. Cornelis - Pandorafilm - Heerlen