The Twilight Zone (1959) s04e15 Episode Script
The Incredible World of Horace Ford
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 See you friday.
So long, honey.
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.
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 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream! Get your ice cream here! Watch where you're going.
Give me that back! Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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.
L-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.
L-i saw hermy brandt and george lambert and cy wright.
Well, maybe they justlooked 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.
L-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? L-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? 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 whenyouwere 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 arestillkids! 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream here! Ice cream! Watch where you're going.
Give me that back! Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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'thave to go to work.
Stay home from the office.
He dropped this.
Twilight zonewill 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.
L-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.
L-l-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? L-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.
L-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.
apartment "d.
" "D" as in david.
That's right.
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.
Iwasinadequate 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? 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.
Itiswhat 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream! Watch where you're going.
Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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.
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.
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 See you friday.
So long, honey.
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.
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 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream! Get your ice cream here! Watch where you're going.
Give me that back! Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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.
L-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.
L-i saw hermy brandt and george lambert and cy wright.
Well, maybe they justlooked 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.
L-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? L-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? 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 whenyouwere 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 arestillkids! 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream here! Ice cream! Watch where you're going.
Give me that back! Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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'thave to go to work.
Stay home from the office.
He dropped this.
Twilight zonewill 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.
L-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.
L-l-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? L-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.
L-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.
apartment "d.
" "D" as in david.
That's right.
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.
Iwasinadequate 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? 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.
Itiswhat 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! Ice cream! Get your chocolate, vanilla, strawberry ice cream! Watch where you're going.
Ring-a-levio, caught, caught, caught.
Ring-a-levio.
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.
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.