The Twilight Zone (1959–1964): Season 4, Episode 15 - The Incredible World of Horace Ford - full transcript

Toymaker Horace Ford is increasingly preoccupied with memories of his childhood, endangering his job and marriage - but a visit to his old neighborhood brings a haunting encounter, suggesting the time was not as idyllic as he remembers.

YOU UNLOCK THIS DOOR
WITH THE KEY OF IMAGINATION.

BEYOND IT IS
ANOTHER DIMENSION...

A DIMENSION OF SOUND,
A DIMENSION OF SIGHT,

A DIMENSION OF MIND.

YOU'RE MOVING INTO A LAND OF
BOTH SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE,

OF THINGS AND IDEAS.

YOU'VE JUST CROSSED
OVER INTO THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

LISTEN, HORACE... NOW,
WHY DID YOU DO THAT?

DO WHAT?

YOU KNOW, WITH THE CAP PISTOL.

SCARED THE PANTS
OFF OF YOU, RIGHT?



LOOK, HORACE... YOU
DO IT ALMOST EVERY DAY.

BOY, I LOVE CAP PISTOLS.

THEY GOT A GREAT
SMELL. SMELL THAT.

I KNOW WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE.

WHEN I WAS A KID, I
ALWAYS HAD A CAP PISTOL.

LISTEN, LEONARD,

DO YOU REMEMBER KEN
MAYNARD IN THE MOVIES?

ALL THE OTHER KIDS ON THE BLOCK

WERE TOM MIX, EXCEPT ME.

I WAS KEN MAYNARD.

ME AND MY HORSE TARZAN.

LOOK, HORACE, I CAME IN HERE

TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR DESIGN

FOR THE NEW ROBOT TOY.



NOW, THERE'S
SOMETHING OUT OF WHACK.

LISTEN, WE USED TO
GALLOP OUT OF THE THEATER

AND SHOOT UP THE
WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

GOT YOU, RIGHT IN THE HEART.

ARE YOU CUCKOO?

YOU'RE CUCKOO.

YOU MISSED ME A MILE.

BING! BING! BING!

HORACE, HAVE YOU GOT ANY IDEA

HOW LOUD YOU'RE YELLING?

I'LL BET YOU CAN HEAR THAT

AL THE WAY DOWN IN MR. JUDSON'S
OFFICE. HOW MUCH? HOW MUCH?

I'LL BET YOU MY BALL
OF SILVER PAPER.

YOU REMEMBER THAT, LEONARD?

REMEMBER WHEN WE
USED TO COLLECT TIN FOIL

FROM THOSE CIGARETTE PACKS
AND ROLL 'EM IN A GREAT BIG BALL?

HORACE, I CAME IN HERE

TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT
THE NEW ROBOT TOY.

NOW, I'VE WORKED IN THE
OFFICE NEXT TO YOU FOR 15 YEARS.

I KNOW ALL ABOUT HOW YOU
USED TO COLLECT TIN FOIL.

NOW, WILL YOU LISTEN
TO ME FOR A SECOND?

YOU MUST HAVE HAD
A VERY MISERABLE TIME

WHEN YOU WERE A KID.

RIGHT. I COULDN'T
WAIT TILL I GREW UP.

ALL RIGHT, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

THERE'S SOMETHING
WRONG WITH THIS.

THERE IS NOT!

I DESIGNED THAT TOY!

THERE'S NOTHING
WRONG WITH THAT TOY.

KIDS'LL BE CRAZY ABOUT THAT.

LISTEN, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT DOES?

I KNOW WHAT IT
DOES. I MEAN, I MEAN,

A TOY WHERE THE EYES LIGHT UP

AND IT TALKS AND
EVERYTHING... HORACE, I'M TRYING

TO HELP YOU. IT'S A GOOD TOY.

I KNOW IT'S A GOOD TOY,

BUT IT CAN'T BE TURNED OUT

AT THE PRICE MR. JUDSON WANTS.

NOW, LOOK HERE...

HE'S GOING TO BLOW HIS STACK

WHEN HE SEES THIS.

IT'S GOT TOO MANY
PARTS, BELIEVE ME.

YOU THINK IT'S WRONG?

WELL, I KNOW IT IS.

LOOK, ALL YOU HAVE
TO DO IS WORK IT OVER.

HOW'S BETTY?

WHAT?

BETTY.

WELL, NOW, WHAT HAS
BETTY GOT TO DO WITH...?

THANKS A LOT. I'LL LOOK IT OVER.

MR. HORACE FORD,

WHO HAS A PREOCCUPATION
WITH ANOTHER TIME...

A TIME OF CHILDHOOD,
A TIME OF GROWING UP,

A TIME OF STREET GAMES,
STICKBALL AND HIDE AND GO SEEK.

HE HAS A RELUCTANCE
TO CHECK OUT A MIRROR

AND SEE THE NATURE
OF HIS IMAGE...

PROOF POSITIVE THAT
THE TIME HE DWELLS IN

HAS ALREADY PASSED HIM BY.

BUT IN A MOMENT OR
TWO, HE'LL DISCOVER

THAT MECHANICAL
TOYS AND MEMORIES

AND DAYDREAMING
AND WISHFUL THINKING

AND ALL MANNER OF
ODD AND SPECIAL EVENTS

CAN LEAD ONE INTO
A SPECIAL PROVINCE,

UNCHARTED AND UNMAPPED...

A COUNTRY OF BOTH
SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE

KNOWN AS THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

LAURA... WHAT'S THE MATTER?

I DON'T WANT HORACE TO SEE THIS.

IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY PRESENT.

WELL, HOW ARE YOU?

EXHAUSTED.

IT'S NOT EASY SHOPPING
FOR YOUR HUSBAND.

WHAT DID YOU GET HIM?

OH, A SMOKING JACKET.

THAT PROVES HE'S GOING TO BE 38.

THE SURPRISE PARTY'S
ALL SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT?

ALL SET.

WH-WHAT'S THE PLAN?

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO
MEET AT YOUR PLACE AT 7:30,

AND THEN YOU'RE ALL COMING
OVER TO OUR PLACE TOGETHER AT 8:00.

HORACE THINKS THE TWO
OF US ARE GOING TO A MOVIE.

I'LL MAKE HIM ANSWER
THE DOOR WHEN YOU RING.

HE'LL GO THROUGH THE FLOOR.

OH, LEN, WOULD YOU
TAKE THIS HOME WITH YOU?

I DON'T WANT... I DON'T WANT

HORACE TO SEE IT
AROUND THE HOUSE.

SURE. I'LL BRING IT
WITH ME FRIDAY NIGHT.

THANKS. IS HE BUSY?

WELL, PRETTY.

I'M GOING TO TAKE HIM HOME.

IT'S ALMOST 6:00, ANYWAY.

SEE YOU FRIDAY.

SO LONG, HONEY.

Man: HORACE, HORACE!

OH, MR. JUDSON.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING
AT THE WINDOW?

NOTHING, JUST THINKING.

THINKING ABOUT WHAT?

I DON'T KNOW... BUSINESS.

WHOSE BUSINESS?

YOU CERTAINLY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING

VERY MUCH THINKING ABOUT OURS.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

WELL, LOOK AT IT.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENED?

I DON'T KNOW, MR. JUDSON.

DO YOU KNOW HOW
MUCH WE COULD LOSE

IF WE PUT THIS TOY INTO
PRODUCTION THE WAY IT IS?

THAT'S A GOOD TOY.

VERY GOOD, BUT THAT
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

LOOK, HORACE, YOU'VE
BEEN HERE A LONG WHILE.

IT'S TIME YOU REALIZED
THAT WE'RE IN BUSINESS

TO MAKE A PROFIT.

NOW, THIS ROBOT TOY
IS TOO COMPLICATED,

TOO MANY PARTS, AND
I WANT IT SIMPLIFIED.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SIMPLIFY?

WELL, THE EYES DON'T
HAVE TO LIGHT UP.

SURE, THE EYES HAVE TO LIGHT UP!

WHAT, DO YOU WANT TO
RUIN THE WHOLE THING?!

THE EYES LIGHTING UP...
THAT'S THE BEAUTY PART!

THAT'S THE TERRIFIC THING.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, HORACE?

NOTHING! WELL,
YOU'RE JUST TALKING

ABOUT RUINING THE WHOLE THING!

I DON'T WANT TO ARGUE ABOUT IT.

I JUST WANT THE
WHOLE DESIGN REDONE,

AND I NEED IT RIGHT AWAY.

LISTEN, DON'T YOU REMEMBER

WHEN YOU USED TO PLAY SOLDIERS?

WELL, THIS ROBOT THING...

LAURA...

IS THIS THE OFFICE OF
HORACE MAXWELL FORD?

OH, HELLO, LAURA.

WELL, AREN'T YOU
SURPRISED TO SEE ME?

YEAH, I'M SURPRISED.
WHAT TIME IS IT?

ABOUT 6:00.

HORACE, I'VE NEVER
BEEN SO EXHAUSTED

IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

I'VE BEEN SHOPPING ALL DAY LONG.

I'M GOING TO TAKE
YOU HOME. OKAY.

I'M GOING TO FALL
INTO BED TONIGHT,

LITERALLY FALL INTO BED.

BOY, I GOT SOME HOMEWORK TO DO.

OH, NOT AGAIN.

WHAT IS IT?

THAT ROBOT TOY.

I'M TELLING YOU, THAT
NUTTY MR. JUDSON

IS TRYING TO RUIN
THE WHOLE THING.

THAT TOY HAS NO MEANING
UNLESS THE EYES LIGHT UP.

HELLO, CHILDREN.

HOW'S MY BOY?

FINE.

YOU HUNGRY?

A LITTLE.

GOOD, DINNER'S ALMOST READY.

OH, LAURA, THERE'S
SOMETHING'S WRONG

WITH THE CHICKEN.

IT'S LIKE LEATHER.

THESE BIRDS THEY
SELL YOU NOWADAYS...

LIKE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
WHAT CHICKENS ARE ANYMORE.

Laura: IT LOOKS ALL RIGHT TO ME.

WELL, HOW WAS THE OFFICE TODAY?

IT WAS OKAY.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

NOTHING. NOTHING'S THE MATTER.

NO, I CAN TELL JUST
FROM YOUR VOICE.

WHAT IS IT?

NOTHING. EVERYTHING'S
FINE. LET'S HAVE DINNER.

BOY, I'M TELLING YOU,

THAT MR. JUDSON
IS JUST PLAIN NUTS.

THE GUY REMINDS ME OF COREY.

HEY, MOM, YOU
REMEMBER MR. COREY?

MR. COREY, MOM...
I HAD HIM IN 5-B.

HEY, HEY, LAURA,

LISTEN, DID I EVER TELL YOU

WHAT WE USED TO CALL HIM?

HEY, GUESS.

COME ON, LET'S GET
READY FOR DINNER.

I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO TELL YOU.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THE TIME

HE CAUGHT ME WITH A
CANDY BALL IN MY MOUTH,

SEE, THE KIND THAT-THAT
CHANGE COLORS

WHILE YOU SUCK ON THEM.

HORACE... BOY, HE
MADE ME STAND UP,

AND EVERY MINUTE, HE'D
POINT THAT POINTER AT ME

AND HE'D SAY, "MR.
FORD, WHAT COLOR IS IT?

WHAT COLOR IS IT, MR. FORD?"

I GOT TO TAKE IT OUT OF
MY MOUTH AND TELL HIM.

OH, I THOUGHT HERMY BRANDT'D
BUST TRYING NOT TO LAUGH.

HORACE... HERMY BRANDT...

BOY, THE GREATEST STICKBALL
PLAYER IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

I'LL NEVER FORGET
THIS TIME... HORACE...

THIS FIRE DRILL,
SEE? ONE TIME...

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE
USED TO DO IN FIRE DRILL?

LET'S HAVE DINNER. HE'D... OH!

GEE... WHAT GREAT TIMES.

I WAS TEN.

BOY, WHAT GREAT, GREAT TIMES.

HORACE, WHY DON'T YOU STOP?

NOBODY CARES ABOUT WHEN
YOU WERE TEN ANYMORE.

I CARE.

YOU'RE ALMOST 38.

SO WHAT?

YOU DON'T ACT 38 SOMETIMES.

SO WHAT?

THAT'S WHAT I MEAN... "SO WHAT."

WHAT KIND OF AN
ANSWER IS "SO WHAT"?

I'M TELLING YOU IT'S DRY. WHY
DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP TALKING

ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE A KID?

IT'S STILL DRY.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST BE
QUIET FOR ONCE, WILL YOU?!

HORACE!

HORACE? LET HIM GO.

HORACE.

LAURA WAS PROBABLY JUST TIRED.

SHE DIDN'T MEAN TO YELL.

HEY... HEY, YOU
REMEMBER HERMY BRANDT?

NO.

LISTEN, HOW COME YOU
NEVER REMEMBER ANYTHING

ABOUT RANDOLPH STREET?

IT WAS A TERRIBLE STREET.

I JUST WANT TO FORGET IT.

WHAT WAS TERRIBLE?

I HAD THE GREATEST TIMES.

LIKE, LIKE, YOU REMEMBER

WHEN POP USED TO
GIVE ME THE INDIAN BURN?

WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO
TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE A KID?

AH... RANDOLPH STREET.

YOU KNOW WHAT I
THINK I'M GOING TO DO?

I THINK I'M GOING
BACK THERE RIGHT NOW.

HORACE?

WHY SHOULDN'T I?

HORACE... IT'S JUST
A DIRTY OLD STREET.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SEE?

STAY HOME.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

HORACE?

HORACE, LISTEN...

FRANK ON A ROLL?

THREE CENTS EACH.

BREAD AND BUTTER.
BREAD AND BUTTER.

DAVY!

YOU COME HOME OR YOU'RE
GOING TO GET SMACKED!

Man: ICE CREAM!

GET YOUR CHOCOLATE, VANILLA,

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM!

GET YOUR ICE CREAM HERE!

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

GIVE ME THAT BACK!

Boy: RING-A-LEVIO,
CAUGHT, CAUGHT, CAUGHT.

RING-A-LEVIO.

Boy: HEY, HERMY.

HERMY BRANDT, COME ON.

WELL, IT'S NICE OF
YOU TO COME BACK.

LAURA? WHERE WERE YOU?

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME
WHERE YOU WERE GOING?

LISTEN, LAURA...

I WAS DOWN ON RANDOLPH STREET.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

LAURA...

THERE'S SOMETHING
I GOT TO TELL YOU.

TAKE OFF YOUR HAT.

I KNOW.

LISTEN...

HEY, UH... I SAW SOME
KIDS ON THE BLOCK...

LITTLE KIDS... MAYBE...
MAYBE TEN, 11 YEARS OLD.

LAURA...

THEY WERE THE KIDS I
PLAYED WITH WHEN I WAS TEN.

THE SAME KIDS.

YOU'RE PERSPIRING.

I-I'M NOT.

YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME.

I HEARD YOU.

I THINK YOU'RE CATCHING
COLD OR SOMETHING.

WIPE OFF YOUR FACE.

WIPE OFF YOUR FACE.

THEY COULDN'T HAVE
BEEN THE SAME KIDS, DEAR.

THAT'S NONSENSE.

WELL, THEY WERE.

I SAW THEM.

I-I SAW... HERMY BRANDT

AND GEORGE LAMBERT
AND CY WRIGHT.

WELL, MAYBE THEY JUST LOOKED

LIKE SOME KIDS
YOU USED TO KNOW...

NO, I'M TELLING YOU, THEY WERE.

HORACE, YOU'RE
TALKING LIKE A CHILD.

HE DROPPED THIS.

YOU CAN'T TURN THESE
THINGS OUT LIKE DONUTS!

WELL, YOU TELL
HIM I AM RUSHING IT!

WHAT DOES HE THINK I AM?!

AW, LET HIM DO IT!

SURE, SURE, YOU TELL HIM THAT!

WHAT DOES HE WANT OUT OF ME?!

JUDSON? YEAH.

WELL, HE WANTS TO GET
THAT TOY IN PRODUCTION

IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.

WELL, WHAT'S HE NAGGING ME FOR?!

HE'S GOT SIX MONTHS.

NOW, TAKE IT EASY, HORACE.

LOOK, HE'S A PRETTY NICE
GUY, BUT HE'S A BUSINESSMAN.

NOW, YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THAT.

UH, DON'T YOU START ON ME, TOO.

WHAT'S WRONG, HORACE?

I DON'T KNOW. I...

LISTEN, I... I'M VERY NERVOUS.

I SAW A KID LAST NIGHT.

YOU EVER BEEN ON-ON
RANDOLPH STREET?

WELL, IT DOESN'T
MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

RANDOLPH IS-IS MY OLD
STREET WHEN-WHEN I WAS A KID.

HE WAS WEARING
KNICKERS, THIS KID I SAW.

YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU
USED TO WEAR KNICKERS,

WHERE THE... WHERE
THE BUCKLES AND ALL...

THEY'RE ALL THE
TIME SLIPPING DOWN?

SO HE WAS WEARING THESE...

KIDS NEVER WEAR
KNICKERS ANYMORE!

I'M TELLING YOU, NEVER!

BUT HE IS... WEARING
THESE KNICKERS AND...

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS...

BUT I SWEAR IT'S TRUE.

I WAS... WALKING
ON THE STREET...

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR
A KID YELLING, "RING-A-LEVIO!"

RING-A...?

WELL, THAT'S A GAME
WE USED TO PLAY.

RING-A-LEVIO.

YOU... YOU KNOW HOW THAT CAN
MAKE YOU FEEL, HEARING THAT?

I WAS A VERY GOOD
RING-A-LEVIO PLAYER.

SEE, YOU GOT TO BE VERY FAST.

YOU NEED A LOT OF STAMINA.

BOY, THE RUNNING YOU HAVE TO DO.

SEE, FIRST, YOU CHOOSE UP SIDES.

YOU GO, "ONE POTATO, TWO
POTATO, THREE POTATO, FOUR."

YOU REMEMBER THAT?
YOU REMEMBER THAT?

AND THEN ONE SIDE'S GOT TO HIDE.

SO, THIS TIME, I'M HIDING
BEHIND THE GROCERY,

BACK BEHIND WHERE THEY
KEEP THE CARTONS AND ALL...

WELL, NOW, HORACE...
AND I FELL ASLEEP.

IS THAT RIDICULOUS?
I FELL ASLEEP.

WHEN I WOKE UP, I TAKE ONE
LOOK AT MY MICKEY MOUSE WA...

MICKEY MOUSE WATCH.

OH...

GEE, I HAVEN'T THOUGHT
OF THAT IN 20 YEARS.

HEY, YOU REMEMBER WHEN
YOU HAD A MICKEY MOUSE WATCH?

WHAT A DEAL THAT WAS...

HORACE, UH... I GOT SOME WORK

STACKED UP ON MY DESK.

I-I JUST STOPPED
IN TO SAY HELLO.

I WANTED TO TELL
YOU ABOUT HOW SILLY...

I'LL SEE YOU LATER, HUH?

HORACE... I WANT TO
ASK YOU SOMETHING.

WHAT WAS THE POINT IN SHOUTING

AT MY SECRETARY ON THE PHONE?

SHE WAS SHOUTING AT ME!

I WAS IN THE SAME ROOM WITH HER.

SHE SPOKE IN A NORMAL VOICE.

AREN'T YOU HAPPY
WITH YOUR WORK HERE?

SURE.

HORACE, YOU'RE A FINE DESIGNER.

YOU HAVE VALUE FOR THIS COMPANY.

FOR OUR SAKE AS WELL AS YOURS,

I DON'T LIKE TO
SEE IT DISSIPATED.

BUT YOU'VE BEEN BEHAVING BADLY.

IS THERE SOMETHING
WRONG, MAYBE AT HOME?

I-I'M JUST TRYING TO GET
THIS THING DONE HERE!

I'M NOT SPEAKING JUST TO HEAR
THE SOUND OF MY OWN VOICE.

HORACE!

I'M SORRY I'M LATE.

THE SUBWAY WAS TIED
UP FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

SOMEBODY JUMPED? NOBODY JUMPED.

WHY DO YOU HAVE TO THINK

OF SOMETHING LIKE
THAT RIGHT OFF?

WELL, IT HAPPENS.
JUST READ THE PAPERS.

SOMETHING BROKE DOWN.

YOU CAN'T KISS YOUR POOR
OLD MOTHER HELLO ANYMORE?

YEAH, SURE.

DON'T BOTHER TO WASH UP.

IT'S OVERCOOKED ALREADY.

YOU TIRED?

YEAH.

LISTEN, HORACE...

THERE'S A GREAT DOUBLE
BILL AT THE REGENT.

I'M GOING BACK THERE TONIGHT.

WHERE?

RANDOLPH STREET.

WHAT FOR?

I GOT TO SEE THOSE KIDS.

WHY?

BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE THEM.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

IMPORTANT?

VEAL CUTLET.

SUCCOTASH.

IT'S CANNED,

BUT YOU CAN HARDLY
TELL IT FROM FRESH.

NOW, HELP YOURSELF
TO THE MEAT, HORACE.

IF IT'S STRINGY, BLAME
IT ON THE SUBWAY.

YOU SURE NOBODY JUMPED?

MOTHER.

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT DISASTERS?

WHAT?

YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER
YOU FROM RANDOLPH STREET.

EVERY TIME THERE WAS
AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING,

YOU WAS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE
IN THE FRONT ROW, WATCHING.

HORACE.

WELL, IT'S THE TRUTH.

NOW, WHAT-WHAT ABOUT THAT TIME

THAT HARVEY BENDER GOT HIS
ARM CAUGHT IN THE FIRE HYDRANT?

WE ALL THINK THEY'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO BUST IT TO GET IT LOOSE.

YOU NEVER BUDGED
OUT OF THE FRONT ROW.

HARVEY BENDER?
WHO'S HARVEY BENDER?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

IF THAT WASN'T THE
NUTTIEST THING...

WHAT'S HE TALKING ABOUT?

Horace: THE HOTTEST
DAY OF THE SUMMER,

AND HE THINKS TO CLOG
UP THE FIRE HYDRANT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T
REMEMBER HARVEY BENDER?

GEE, WE WERE ALL
PLAYING EMMY, SEE,

YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW,
ON A MANHOLE COVER,

AND MAN, I'M CLEANING UP.

OH, GOSH, I REMEMBER IT
JUST AS IF IT WAS THIS MORNING.

SEE, I GOT THIS BIG
FAT PUREY, AND I'M...

I'M CLEANING UP, AND ALL
OF A SUDDEN, THIS NUT SAYS,

"LET'S OPEN UP
THE FIRE HYDRANT."

AH, THAT WAS THE
NUTTIEST KID, I SWEAR.

HIS FAVORITE THING WAS

SHAKE, SPEAR, SOCK IN THE EAR.

HORACE, STOP IT!

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

JUST STOP IT.

HE WAS ONE OF
THE KIDS LAST NIGHT.

WHO WAS ONE OF THE KIDS?

HARVEY BENDER.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I SAW HIM LAST NIGHT.

DON'T YOU KNOW
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE?

I KNOW WHAT I SEE.

HE WAS TEN YEARS OLD WHEN
YOU WERE TEN YEARS OLD.

HE'S AS OLD AS YOU ARE.

I TELL YOU, I SAW HIM.

HE'S A GROWN-UP MAN!

WELL, YOU THINK SO...
YOU THINK SO, DO YOU?

LET ME TELL YOU, I SAW HIM
LAST NIGHT ON RANDOLPH STREET.

AND I SAW GEORGE LAMBERT,
AND I SAW CY WRIGHT,

AND THEY ARE STILL KIDS!

HORACE, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

FEEL HIS HEAD.

HE'S GOT A FEVER.

NOW, LEAVE ME
ALONE. I GOT NO FEVER.

MOTHER, BE QUIET.

HORACE, SIT DOWN.

FEEL HIS HEAD.

WILL YOU LET ME ALONE?

MOTHER... LISTEN, DARLING,

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU
QUIETLY JUST FOR A MINUTE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BEEN
HAPPENING AT THE OFFICE,

BUT I SEE YOU WHEN
YOU COME HOME AT NIGHT,

YOU'RE TIRED.

I MEAN, OVERWORK CAN CAUSE...

I WANT YOU TO SEE A DOCTOR.

WHAT FOR?

JUST TO HAVE A CHECKUP.

YEAH, YOU THINK I'M IMAGINING
THIS THING ABOUT THE KIDS.

NO, I DON'T.

YES, YOU DO.

HORACE, LISTEN.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

HORACE!

PLEASE.

FRANK ON A ROLL?

THREE CENTS EACH.

BREAD AND BUTTER.
BREAD AND BUTTER.

DAVY!

YOU COME HOME, OR YOU'RE
GOING TO GET SMACKED!

Man: ICE CREAM!

GET YOUR CHOCOLATE, VANILLA,

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM HERE!

ICE CREAM!

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

GIVE ME THAT BACK!

Boy: RING-A-LEVIO,
CAUGHT, CAUGHT, CAUGHT.

RING-A-LEVIO.

Boy: HEY, HERMY.

HERMY BRANDT, COME ON.

LET'S SWIPE SOME APPLES.
YOU EACH GRAB ONE.

HEY, MICKY, LARRY.

HEY, WAIT!

CAN YOU IMAGINE
NOT BEING INVITED

TO THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY?

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

YEAH, AND I'M SUPPOSED
TO BE HIS BEST FRIEND.

HE STINKS!

WE OUGHT TO MOB-ILIZE
HIM, RIGHT, HERMY?

OH, AND HOW.

HORACE?

HORACE.

HORACE, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

WHY DON'T YOU SAY SOMETHING?

SAME THING HAPPENED
ALL OVER AGAIN.

WELL, SIT DOWN OVER HERE.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE HOME.

I MEAN, THE WAY YOU
RAN OUT OF HERE...

NOTHING CHANGED.

SAME MAN WANTED
ME TO BUY A HOT DOG.

THOSE PEOPLE SAYS
"BREAD AND BUTTER."

THIS BIG GUY BUMPED INTO ME.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I'M TELLING YOU, LAURA,

I'M TELLING YOU, LAURA,
NO-NOTHING CHANGED.

IT'S SOME KIND OF A
PATTERN, AND I'M IN IT.

THE KIDS...

THEY... I MEAN, THEY
SWIPE SOME APPLES,

THEY RUN INTO AN ALLEY,
AND I HEARD THEM TALKING.

I ALMOST DIED.

I MEAN IT.

I REMEMBER BEING IN
IT FROM 28 YEARS AGO,

BUT I DON'T REMEMBER HOW.

OH, GOD, HORACE... STOP.

LISTEN, I'M GOING
TO CALL A DOCTOR.

YOU'RE NOT.

I DON'T NEED A DOCTOR.

I'M NOT SICK. I SAW THIS.

PLEASE. NOW, YOU
HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE
SOME HELP ON THIS THING.

JUST LET ME ALONE, WILL YOU?

WHY DON'T YOU GET INTO
BED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS?

I MEAN, YOU DON'T
HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

STAY HOME FROM THE OFFICE.

HE DROPPED THIS.

Announcer: TWILIGHT ZONE WILL
CONTINUE AFTER STATION IDENTIFICATION.

LAURA, HEY, AREN'T YOU
SUPPOSED TO BE HOME

BAKING A BIRTHDAY
CAKE OR SOMETHING?

NOW, DON'T TELL ME

IT'S GOING TO BE STORE-BOUGHT...

NOT A WOMAN WITH YOUR TALENTS.

I DON'T WANT HORACE TO SEE ME.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT

TO THE OFFICE THIS MORNING.

I BEGGED HIM TO STAY HOME.

LEONARD, I'VE GOT TO GET HIM

TO SEE A DOCTOR.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WELL, SOMETHING'S
HAPPENING TO HIM.

IT'S THIS THING WITH THE KIDS.

HE'S... WELL, IT'S LIKE IT'S...

EATING HIM ALIVE.

LAURA...

LOOK, HE-HE'S HAD THAT
EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER.

I MEAN, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN
ABLE TO SNAP HIM OUT OF IT.

NOT NOW.

YOU KNOW HE'S BEEN GOING
BACK TO HIS OLD STREET?

YEAH, HE STARTED
TO TELL ME ABOUT IT.

HE TELLS ME HE SEES KIDS
THAT HE GREW UP WITH,

AND THEY'RE THE SAME AGE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HIM.

LEN, HE'S GOT TO HAVE HELP.

I'M NOT SAYING I'M THE BEST
WIFE IN THE WORLD, BUT I TRY.

I-I TRY HARD.

NOW, I MAKE A HOME
FOR HIS MOTHER.

THAT'S NOT EASY.

BUT I LOVE HORACE.

SOMETIMES I DON'T
KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HIM,

BUT I LOVE HIM.

DO YOU WANT ME TO TALK TO HIM?

LEN... MAKE HIM SEE A DOCTOR.

I'M AFRAID.

I'M AFRAID FOR HIS
JOB AND FOR HIM.

I'M JUST AFRAID.

I WILL.

I-I-I'LL TALK TO HIM.

LOOK, UH... LAURA,
IT'S AFTER 4:00 NOW,

AND THE SURPRISE
PARTY IS TONIGHT.

NOW, SUPPOSE I HOLD
OFF UNTIL TOMORROW?

I-I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET
HIM UPSET BEFORE THE PARTY.

OH... BUT HE'S SO UPSET NOW.

LEN...

HELP ME GET HIM TO
A DOCTOR TOMORROW.

I-I'LL TALK TO HIM.

I'LL SEE YOU AT 8:00 SHARP.

I JUST FINISHED THE DESIGNS

FOR THAT KANGAROO TOY.

MR. HOP-HOP, THEY'RE
GOING TO CALL IT.

THOUGHT I'D COME
IN AND KILL SOME TIME.

WHO THOUGHT OF THAT
NAME, "MR. HOP-HOP"?

I DID.

NO KIDDING. WHEN?

LAST WEEK.

OH, IT'S A REAL
GOOD NAME. CATCHY.

LISTEN, LEONARD,

DID YOU EVER HEAR
OF THIS THING...

"STEP ON A CRACK

AND BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK"?

AND IT'S GOT ANOTHER PART TO IT.

I... I'VE BEEN TRYING TO
REMEMBER IT ALL DAY,

AND I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

I NEVER HEARD OF IT.

LOOK, YOU WERE TELLING
ME A STORY YESTERDAY

ABOUT SOMETHING THAT
HAPPENED ON YOUR OLD BLOCK,

AND YOU NEVER DID FINISH IT.

"STEP ON A CRACK..."

WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER NIGHT?

I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU.

YOU'D JUST GIVE ME A BLANK LOOK

AND TELL ME I'M
CRAZY OR SOMETHING.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU.

HELLO, LEONARD.

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK
TO HORACE ALONE

FOR A MINUTE, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

OH, MR. JUDSON, I WAS
JUST GOING TO ASK YOU

TO COME IN AND GO OVER
THAT HOP-HOP TOY WITH ME.

IN A LITTLE WHILE. I'LL
SEE YOU IN YOUR OFFICE.

WELL, THE DESIGNS
ARE ALL FINISHED.

IN A LITTLE WHILE, LEONARD.

HOW ARE YOU, HORACE?

OKAY.

YOU LOOK TIRED.

I'M NOT TIRED.

I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU'D HAVE

THE ROBOT TOY DESIGN
FINISHED BY NOW,

AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IT.

I DON'T HAVE THEM.

WHY NOT?

I DON'T KNOW WHY NOT.

I JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THEM.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?

WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING?

WHAT-WHAT-WHAT DO
YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING?

WELL, HORACE, YOU...

YOU HAVEN'T BEEN VERY
HELPFUL AROUND HERE

FOR QUITE A WHILE.

HELPFUL? I DON'T KNOW
HOW YOU CAN SAY THAT.

THAT TOY HAS TO
GET INTO PRODUCTION.

MAYBE YOU'D BETTER
START ON SOMETHING ELSE,

AND LEONARD CAN FINISH UP.

LISTEN, THAT'S MY DESIGN,

AND NOBODY ELSE IS TOUCHING IT.

I STILL RUN THIS FIRM, HORACE.

YOU ARE NOT TAKING MY STUFF!

LOWER YOUR VOICE.

LOOK, HORACE, I'M TRYING
TO BE DECENT TO YOU

BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S
SOMETHING WRONG.

I THINK MAYBE YOU'RE ILL.

I'D LIKE YOU TO TAKE
A LEAVE OF ABSENCE,

AND I WANT YOU TO
SEE A PSYCHIATRIST.

I THINK YOU'RE APPROACHING
A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.

I AM NOT APPROACHING
ANY NERVOUS BREAKDOWN,

AND I DON'T KNOW WHO
YOU THINK YOU ARE,

TALKING TO ME LIKE THAT!

I'M ONLY TRYING TO HELP.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME.

THAT MAY BE, BUT IF THERE IS,

IT-IT'S NOTHING
TO BE ASHAMED OF.

I WANT YOU TO TAKE A LEAVE
OF ABSENCE AND FIND OUT.

I AM NOT TAKING ANY
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

WELL, THE WAY THINGS ARE,

I'M AFRAID YOU CAN'T
WORK HERE ANYMORE.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT,
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT!

ALL RIGHT, THEN, I CAN'T
WORK HERE ANYMORE!

I'M SORRY, HORACE.

I WISH YOU'D THINK ABOUT IT.

WOULD YOU PLEASE
JUST GET OUT OF HERE?!

WOULD YOU, PLEASE?!

LAURA.

ALL RIGHT, UH, ONE
CHOCOLATE CHIP.

543 DAYTON STREET,
APARTMENT "D."

"D" AS IN DAVID.

THAT'S RIGHT.

10:00 TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

LAURA, DO YOU THINK

I BOUGHT ENOUGH POTATO CHIPS?

OH, MM-HMM.

WHAT SHALL I DO WITH THIS

SO HORACE WON'T SEE IT?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE PUT IT IN YOUR
BEDROOM SOMEWHERE.

WHERE IS HE?

WHAT TIME IS IT?

TEN OF 8:00.

I'M GETTING WORRIED ABOUT HIM.

HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN
HOME AN HOUR AGO.

HE PROBABLY GOT
STUCK AT THE OFFICE.

I'M GOING TO CALL HIM THERE.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

THE WAY THEY BAKE
CAKES THESE DAYS,

I HOPE IT TASTES AS
GOOD AS IT LOOKS.

WELL, HELLO.

HOW COME YOU'RE SO LATE?

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.

WHY, IT'S TEN OF 8:00.

HELLO, DEAR.

I'M FIRED.

YOU'RE WHAT?

I'M FIRED.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

MOTHER.

I WENT AND HAD A
HAMBURGER AT THE DRUGSTORE.

THAT'S WHY I'M LATE.

YOU'RE FIRED FROM YOUR JOB?

WILL YOU, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES?

HORACE, I WANT TO KNOW.

YOU'RE TRYING TO BE FUNNY.

NO.

WHY WERE YOU FIRED?

I WAS INADEQUATE IN MY WORK.

WELL, THAT'S NOT SO.

I WAS INADEQUATE IN MY WORK.

WHO SAID THAT?

IT DOESN'T MATTER, HORACE.

WHAT DOESN'T MATTER?

A MAN LOSES A JOB
HE'S HAD FOR 15 YEARS,

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER?

WHAT DO THEY MEAN, INADEQUATE?

A MAN LIKE YOU?

A TOP DESIGNER OF TOYS?

DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'VE GOT?

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
THEY'VE GOT: PURE GOLD.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE
GOT: PURE GOLD.

MOTHER.

LISTEN, MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW,

BUT I KNOW WHAT YOU
DID FOR THEM IN 15 YEARS.

THEY'VE GOT TO BE TOLD.

YOUR LIFE'S BLOOD
IS IN THAT PLACE.

LOOK...

I WANT YOU TO GET WHOEVER IT IS
DOWN THERE AT THAT FIRM THERE...

THAT MR. JOHNSON OR
WHATEVER HIS NAME IS...

GET HIM ON THE WIRE
AND TELL HIM WHAT'S WHAT.

I'M NOT CALLING ANYBODY.

BUT YOU'RE FIRED.

$140 A WEEK.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN FIND
$140 A WEEK ON THE STREET?

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO US?

I DON'T KNOW.

BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN,

MY WHOLE LIFE IS
GOING BEFORE ME.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT IS...

BUT IT'S BEEN UPS AND
DOWNS, UPS AND DOWNS.

I'M 61 YEARS OLD, 61.

IT'S TIME I SHOULDN'T
BE AFRAID ANYMORE.

WHY DON'T YOU LOOK AT ME

WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU?!

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?!

SHUT UP!

I AM GOING TO TALK
TO HORACE ALONE.

WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

EVER, IN MY WHOLE LIFE?

IF SOMEBODY COULD TELL ME...

I COULDN'T HELP IT.

IT'S ONLY A JOB, DARLING.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER JOBS.

YOU WERE STAGNATING
THERE, HORACE.

I NEVER HAD ANOTHER JOB.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

WHY DID SHE HAVE TO CRY?

SHE'S AN OLD WOMAN, HORACE.

I MEAN, IT'S UNFAIR
FOR HER TO CRY.

WELL, THAT'S ALWAYS HER FIRST
REACTION TO TROUBLE... CRYING.

SHE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

DID YOU GET ANY SEVERANCE PAY?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I GOT.

I JUST WALKED OUT.

WELL, WE'LL FORGET
ABOUT IT FOR NOW.

WE'LL THINK ABOUT
IT THIS WEEKEND.

MONDAY, YOU CAN START LOOKING.

WE'LL MAKE A LIST OF PLACES.

SHE'S SCARED STIFF.

SHE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

I HAVE TO SUPPORT HER...

AND YOU...

HORACE, I HAVE TO
TELL YOU SOMETHING.

AND ME... THAT
MAKES THREE PEOPLE.

WELL, YOU THINK THAT'S EASY?

YOU KNOW WHAT MR. COREY
SAYS TO ME TODAY?

HE SAYS HE THINKS THAT HE'S...

MR. COREY WAS
YOUR TEACHER IN 5-B.

WELL, MR. JUDSON.

YOU KNOW WHAT
MR. JUDSON SAYS TO ME?

HE SAYS HE-HE THINKS I'M
HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.

HE'S OUT OF HIS MIND.

LISTEN, LAURA, I'M TELLING YOU,

I SAW THOSE KIDS.

I KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

HORACE... THEY WERE RUNNING

UP AND DOWN THE STREET,

AND-AND-AND SWIPING APPLES,

AND YELLING, AND HAVING FUN.

THAT'S ALL THEY WERE
DOING... HAVING FUN.

THEY YELL, "FINS."

LISTEN... DID YOU
EVER YELL "FINS"?

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS WHAT WE WERE
TALKING ABOUT...

ME HAVING TO MAKE A
LIVING FOR THREE PEOPLE

WHILE THEY'RE
JUST SWIPING APPLES

AND RUNNING UP AND
DOWN THE STREET.

WELL, YOU'RE A GROWN-UP MAN!

WHAT DO YOU THINK
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO?

THEY WERE SORE 'CAUSE SOME KID

HADN'T INVITED THEM
TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

THAT WAS THEIR BIGGEST
PROBLEM IN THEIR WHOLE LIFE!

HORACE, NOW, YOU'VE GOT TO STOP!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOUT.

HORACE?

HORACE, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

YOU CAN'T GO OUT NOW!

YOU CAN'T! HORACE!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIM?

TELL ME, LAURA.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL?

LAURA, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES,

I'VE GOT TO KNOW
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO CALL?

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S THE WHOLE THING.

I DON'T KNOW WHO
I'M GOING TO CALL.

WHAT'S THE NAME OF A DOCTOR?

TELL ME THE NAME OF A DOCTOR.

HORACE?

SURPRISE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

FRANK ON A ROLL?

THREE CENTS EACH.

BREAD AND BUTTER.
BREAD AND BUTTER.

DAVY!

YOU COME HOME, OR YOU'RE
GOING TO GET SMACKED!

Man: ICE CREAM!

GET YOUR CHOCOLATE, VANILLA,

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM!

WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

Boy: RING-A-LEVIO,
CAUGHT, CAUGHT, CAUGHT.

RING-A-LEVIO.

Boy: HEY, HERMY.

HERMY BRANDT, COME ON.

COME ON.

LET'S SWIPE SOME APPLES.
YOU EACH GRAB ONE.

HEY, MICKY, LARRY.

HEY... WAIT.

HEY, CAN YOU IMAGINE
NOT BEING INVITED

TO THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY?

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

YEAH, AND I'M SUPPOSED
TO BE HIS BEST FRIEND.

HE STINKS!

WE OUGHT TO MOB-ILIZE
HIM, RIGHT, HERMY?

OH, AND HOW.

WHY DON'T WE BUST
IN ON THE PARTY?

FELLAS.

OH, WHAT FOR?

LISTEN, FELLAS,

THERE'S SOMETHING
I GOT TO TELL YOU.

NAW, HE'D PROBABLY
BAWL OR SOMETHING.

NOW, YOU GOT TO LISTEN TO ME.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU THIS.

STEP ON A LINE, YOU
BREAK YOUR FATHER'S SPINE.

WILL YOU CUT IT OUT?

HEY, HEY, FELLAS... LOOK AT ME.

I'M STANDING RIGHT HERE.

HERMY, HERMY, ARE YOU MY BUDDY?

WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO ME?

AW, YOU-YOU GUYS...

YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW WHEN I
OWE YOU GUYS SOME APOLOGIES?

GEORGIE?

HEY, CY?

AW, COME ON, WHAT ARE YOU
GIVING ME THE TREATMENT FOR?

WILL YOU LISTEN? WILL
YOU PLEASE LISTEN TO ME?

I COULDN'T HELP IT.

I'M TELLING YOU, FELLAS,

YOU GOT TO GIVE ME A CHANCE.

HERMY, I'M YOUR BEST FRIEND.

WILL YOU LISTEN TO
ME JUST FOR A MINUTE?

WELL, IF IT AIN'T
HORACE MAXWELL FORD.

HORACE MAXWELL FORD.

THE BIRTHDAY BOY.

WHY DIDN'T YOU INVITE
US TO YOUR PARTY,

HORACE MAXWELL FORD?

YOU DOPEY NUT.

WE'RE GOING TO MOB-ILIZE YOU.

NO, COME ON. NO, DON'T!

DON'T! PLEASE, NO!

OW!

OH, MATCHES.

All: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HE DROPPED THIS.

OH!

HORACE.

I'M HERE.

IT'S ALL RIGHT,
HORACE, I'M HERE.

LAURA?

YES. IT'S ALL RIGHT.

LAURA?

DON'T ASK ME ANYTHING.

I WON'T.

BECAUSE I COULD NEVER...

JUST DON'T.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT NOW?

YES.

BUT YOU'RE ALL CUT
AND EVERYTHING.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

LET'S GO HOME.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED TO ME, LAURA.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

BUT... FOR ONE MINUTE...
OR ONE SECOND...

OR MAYBE ONE
HOUR... I DON'T KNOW...

I SAW SOMETHING THAT...

MADE EVERY MEMORY
I EVER HAD A LIE.

BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A KID,

IT WAS AN UGLY, SAD,
UNBEARABLE NIGHTMARE.

AND I SAW IT.

I KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

I REMEMBER IT NOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
TO YOU, EITHER, HORACE,

BUT I THINK WE'RE ALL LIKE THAT.

WE REMEMBER WHAT WAS GOOD,
AND WE BLACK OUT WHAT WAS BAD,

MAYBE BECAUSE WE
COULDN'T LIVE IF WE DIDN'T.

LET'S GO HOME.

THERE'S A PARTY WAITING.

EXIT MR. AND MRS. HORACE FORD,

WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH
A BIZARRE MOMENT

NOT TO BE CALIBRATED ON
NORMAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES.

TIME HAS PASSED, TO BE SURE,

BUT IT'S THE SPECIAL
TIME IN THE SPECIAL PLACE

KNOWN AS... THE TWILIGHT ZONE.