The Twilight Zone (1985) s03e07 Episode Script
The Hellgramite Method
KEEP THEM.
"HELLGRAMITE METHOD.
" "CURE FOR THE PROBLEM DRINKER.
" HEY, CAN I BUY YOU A DRINK? WEIRD.
GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE, JAMIE.
YOUR PIZZA'S GETTING COLD.
LOOK, WE'LL JUST MAKE IT ONE FOR THE ROAD.
I'M OUT OF HERE.
PUT IT ON MY TAB.
I'VE HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE.
MILEY JUDSON AN EVERYMAN WHO HAS STRAYED FROM THE PATH, SLIPPED AND FALLEN MANY TIMES.
A MAN WHO SEEKS SOLACE FROM HIS PROBLEMS AT THE BOTTOM OF A GLASS.
A GOOD MAN AT WAR WITH HIMSELF SLOWLY DROWNING IN ALCOHOL, SWALLOW BY SWALLOW.
PULLED DOWN BY THE INSIDIOUS UNDERTOW OF AN ENDLESS OCEAN OF BOOZE.
HELPLESS TO STOP DOING THE ONE THING HE DOES BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE DRINK.
Jamie: HEY, RISE AND SHINE.
JAMIE JUST ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID FIVE HOURS AGO.
WE'RE CLOSED, MILEY.
GO HOME.
GOD HOME.
I GOT TO GO HOME.
Miley: FRANNIE, I'M HOME AND IT'S PIZZA TIME! HI.
I'M SORRY, HONEY.
I KNOW.
YOU'RE HUNGRY.
SO WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE THIS OLD, COLD PIZZA AND PUT IT IN A NICE HOT OVEN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS? ARE YOU SICK AGAIN, DADDY? COME HERE.
HIT THE TRAIL, KIDDO.
YOU GOT SCHOOL TOMORROW.
I'VE HAD IT.
I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE.
(laughing) (slurred): DR.
GENIE MURRR MURRICH.
(laughing): I KNOW I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT THE MATCHBOX SAYS COME.
COME IN, MR.
, UH? MILEY JUDSON.
JUDSON.
COME IN, MR.
JUDSON.
I'M USED TO MY PATIENTS DROPPING IN AT ODD HOURS.
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT MENTIONS A CURE.
YES.
THE HELLGRAMITE METHOD.
GO AHEAD.
HELP YOURSELF.
UH, DO YOU WANT ONE? NO, THANK YOU.
NOW, I'LL NEED SOME INFORMATION.
INFORMATION? WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION? JUST TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT ALL THE FRIENDS I'VE LOST.
I'M TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT ALL THE BLACKOUTS.
I'M TIRED OF THE HANGOVERS.
LOOK, I KNOW I GOT A PROBLEM.
I'M AN ALCOHOLIC.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUIT? A THOUSAND TIMES.
I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING.
SHRINKS.
AVERSION THERAPY.
AAH NOTHING LASTS MORE THAN TWO OR THREE MONTHS.
BECAUSE I LOVE THIS STUFF.
I HATE THIS STUFF.
I UNDERSTAND.
AND I CAN HELP.
I'VE YET TO ENCOUNTER A CASE BEYOND MY HELP.
THE HELLGRAMITE METHOD IS UNIQUE.
WELL, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? IT'S THE FIRST STEP IN YOUR TREATMENT.
OH, PRETTY.
OH, WELL.
WHAT THE HELL HAVE I GOT TO LOSE? YOU'RE SURE YOU WANT TO QUIT DRINKING? I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WITH THIS METHOD THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
THINGS COULDN'T GET MUCH WORSE.
THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT FOR NOW.
CALL ME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
OH, THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT? NO LECTURE? NEXT VISIT.
YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR SPEECHES TONIGHT.
GO HOME.
GET SOME SLEEP.
WHAT DO I OWE YOU? THE INITIAL CONSULTATION IS FREE.
WE'LL DISCUSS PAYMENT LATER, IF YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE.
OH, HELL, I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.
I'M CERTAIN YOU WILL, MR.
JUDSON.
HOW ABOUT ONE FOR THE ROAD? NO, JUST KIDDING.
MORNING.
I REALLY TIED ONE ON LAST NIGHT.
I'M SORRY.
IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO? FRANNIE, WE NEED TO TALK.
TALK? MILEY, I'M FED UP.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? HI.
HI, THERE, CHADDER.
HERE, TAKE YOUR BREAKFAST AND GO IN THE OTHER ROOM.
I SAID I WAS SORRY, FRANNIE.
WE'LL TALK TONIGHT.
THINGS WILL CHANGE.
I PROMISE.
YOU'LL SEE.
MAN, YOU'RE REALLY PUTTING THEM AWAY.
YOU WATERING THIS STUFF DOWN, JAMIE? THIS STUFF'S GOT NO KICK AT ALL.
GIVE ME A WHISKEY.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE.
I NEVER SAW ANYBODY DRINK THAT MUCH AND STAY CONSCIOUS.
I DON'T FEEL A THING.
THIS IS NUTS.
WAIT A MINUTE WAIT A MINUTE.
MURRICH.
Murrich: I SEE YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING.
JUST TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.
WELL, AS YOU RECALL, LAST NIGHT YOU AGREED TO START THE HELLGRAMITE TREATMENT.
SO? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE HELLGRAMITE WORM? WHAT? NO.
THE CAPSULE YOU SWALLOWED LAST NIGHT CONTAINED A RARE SORT OF TAPEWORM.
THE HELLGRAMITE LARVA.
BY NOW THE WORM IS ATTACHED TO YOUR STOMACH.
YOUR DRINKING HAS STIMULATED ITS GROWTH.
A WORM? YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING.
FROM NOW ON, THE HELLGRAMITE WILL ABSORB ALL THE LIQUOR YOU CAN CONSUME.
YOU WON'T FEEL ANY EFFECT FROM DRINKING.
YOU DON'T THINK I BELIEVE THIS DO YOU? SEEING IS BELIEVING.
OF COURSE, THIS ONE IS NOT YET FULLY GROWN.
YOU PUT THAT THING IN ME? THE PLEASURE OF ALCOHOL IS OVER FOR YOU.
NO MOREBUZZ, MR.
JUDSON.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU DRINK THE WORM WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED.
AND IF EVER YOU STOP DRINKING THE PAIN WILL BE EXCRUCIATING.
HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? YOU DID IT TO YOURSELF.
I'VE GOT TO GET RID OF IT.
YOU CAN'T.
THE WORM IS PART OF YOU.
THERE MUST BE SOMETHING.
THERE IS.
WHAT? STARVE IT INTO DORMANCY.
HOW? STOP DRINKING.
STOP DRINKING STOP DRINKING.
SO, I STOP DRINKING I CAN STOP IT? IT'S DANGEROUS.
YOU MIGHT NOT LIVE THROUGH IT.
EVEN IF YOU SUCCEED THE WORM WILL ALWAYS BE WAITING FOR YOU TO DRINK AGAIN.
EVERY TIME THE HELLGRAMITE IS WAKENED FROM ITS DORMANT STATE IT COMES BACK STRONGER.
EVENTUALLY, STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL YOU.
I THINK THE HELLGRAMITE IS GETTING THIRSTY.
WOULD YOU CARE FOR A DRINK TO EASE THE PAIN? OR HAVE YOU GOT THE GUTS TO STOP? Frannie: YOU LOOK TERRIBLE.
I WANT YOU TO TAKE CHAD AND GO STAY WITH YOUR MOM AND YOUR DAD FOR A WEEK, MAYBE TWO.
WHY? BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LICK THIS THING ONCE AND FOR ALL, COLD TURKEY.
SAME OLD BROKEN RECORD.
I KNOW YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME BUT THIS TIME ISDIFFERENT.
GIVE ME ONE LAST CHANCE.
MILEY! PLEASE! I CAN DO IT.
WHY WILL THIS TIME BE ANY DIFFERENT? IT HAS TO BE.
IS THAT IT? YEAH, THAT'S IT.
I LOVE YOU, DADDY.
I LOVE YOU, TOO, CHAD.
(phone ringing) Frannie: Hello.
Hello? Miley? Miley, is that you? (disconnects) (telephone rings) WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT? ARIGHT? WHAT GAVE ME THE RIGHT?! THE PAIN YOU'RE FEELING IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT I WENT THROUGH WHEN I LOST MY FAMILY.
A MAN HAD BEEN DRINKING.
MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE CROSSING THE STREET WITH THE LIGHT.
HE DIDN'T EVEN BRAKE UNTIL AFTER HE HAD HIT THEM.
I CAME TO YOU FOR HELP.
I CAME TO YOU FOR A SECOND CHANCE.
AND I'M GIVING YOU A CHANCE.
A CHANCE FOR A NEW LIFE.
YOU'VE BEGUN THE PROCESS.
NOW YOU EITHER QUIT DRINKING OR DIE.
(chewing sound) OH, GOD.
Chad: ARE YOU SICK AGAIN, DADDY? Frannie: I'VE HAD IT.
I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE.
Murrich: IT'S DANGEROUS.
YOU MIGHT NOT LIVE.
EVEN IF YOU SUCCEED THE WORM WILL ALWAYS BE WAITING FOR YOU TO DRINK AGAIN.
WHEN THE HELLGRAMITE IS WAKENED FROM ITS DORMANT STATE IT COMES BACK STRONGER.
EVENTUALLY, STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL YOU.
GOD! (screaming) OH, GOD.
OH, MY GOD.
GOD.
GOD.
OH, GOD.
(heavy breathing) (chewing sound) (screams) THANKS.
KEEP THEM.
YOU MIGHT NEED THEM.
MILEY, WHERE YOU BEEN KEEPING YOURSELF? ON THE WAGON AGAIN? THIS OUGHT TO SQUARE MY TAB.
THANKS.
HOW ABOUT A DRINK? IT'S ON THE HOUSE.
GOT TO RUN.
SEE YOU AROUND.
(narrator) MILEY JUDSON HAPPENED UPON THE SIMPLE DISCOVERY THAT THERE IS NO SURE-FIRE CURE, NO QUICK FIX, NO SHORTCUT TO EITHER SOBRIETY OR PEACE OF MIND.
SOME ACHIEVE IT THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL ACT OF WILL.
OTHERS FIND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.
WHAT MILEY JUDSON NEEDED WAS A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA.
SOMETHING THAT COULD ONLY BE FOUND IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE.
"HELLGRAMITE METHOD.
" "CURE FOR THE PROBLEM DRINKER.
" HEY, CAN I BUY YOU A DRINK? WEIRD.
GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE, JAMIE.
YOUR PIZZA'S GETTING COLD.
LOOK, WE'LL JUST MAKE IT ONE FOR THE ROAD.
I'M OUT OF HERE.
PUT IT ON MY TAB.
I'VE HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE.
MILEY JUDSON AN EVERYMAN WHO HAS STRAYED FROM THE PATH, SLIPPED AND FALLEN MANY TIMES.
A MAN WHO SEEKS SOLACE FROM HIS PROBLEMS AT THE BOTTOM OF A GLASS.
A GOOD MAN AT WAR WITH HIMSELF SLOWLY DROWNING IN ALCOHOL, SWALLOW BY SWALLOW.
PULLED DOWN BY THE INSIDIOUS UNDERTOW OF AN ENDLESS OCEAN OF BOOZE.
HELPLESS TO STOP DOING THE ONE THING HE DOES BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE DRINK.
Jamie: HEY, RISE AND SHINE.
JAMIE JUST ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID FIVE HOURS AGO.
WE'RE CLOSED, MILEY.
GO HOME.
GOD HOME.
I GOT TO GO HOME.
Miley: FRANNIE, I'M HOME AND IT'S PIZZA TIME! HI.
I'M SORRY, HONEY.
I KNOW.
YOU'RE HUNGRY.
SO WHAT DO YOU SAY WE TAKE THIS OLD, COLD PIZZA AND PUT IT IN A NICE HOT OVEN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS? ARE YOU SICK AGAIN, DADDY? COME HERE.
HIT THE TRAIL, KIDDO.
YOU GOT SCHOOL TOMORROW.
I'VE HAD IT.
I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE.
(laughing) (slurred): DR.
GENIE MURRR MURRICH.
(laughing): I KNOW I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT THE MATCHBOX SAYS COME.
COME IN, MR.
, UH? MILEY JUDSON.
JUDSON.
COME IN, MR.
JUDSON.
I'M USED TO MY PATIENTS DROPPING IN AT ODD HOURS.
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT MENTIONS A CURE.
YES.
THE HELLGRAMITE METHOD.
GO AHEAD.
HELP YOURSELF.
UH, DO YOU WANT ONE? NO, THANK YOU.
NOW, I'LL NEED SOME INFORMATION.
INFORMATION? WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION? JUST TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT ALL THE FRIENDS I'VE LOST.
I'M TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT ALL THE BLACKOUTS.
I'M TIRED OF THE HANGOVERS.
LOOK, I KNOW I GOT A PROBLEM.
I'M AN ALCOHOLIC.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUIT? A THOUSAND TIMES.
I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING.
SHRINKS.
AVERSION THERAPY.
AAH NOTHING LASTS MORE THAN TWO OR THREE MONTHS.
BECAUSE I LOVE THIS STUFF.
I HATE THIS STUFF.
I UNDERSTAND.
AND I CAN HELP.
I'VE YET TO ENCOUNTER A CASE BEYOND MY HELP.
THE HELLGRAMITE METHOD IS UNIQUE.
WELL, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? IT'S THE FIRST STEP IN YOUR TREATMENT.
OH, PRETTY.
OH, WELL.
WHAT THE HELL HAVE I GOT TO LOSE? YOU'RE SURE YOU WANT TO QUIT DRINKING? I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WITH THIS METHOD THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
THINGS COULDN'T GET MUCH WORSE.
THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT FOR NOW.
CALL ME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
OH, THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT? NO LECTURE? NEXT VISIT.
YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR SPEECHES TONIGHT.
GO HOME.
GET SOME SLEEP.
WHAT DO I OWE YOU? THE INITIAL CONSULTATION IS FREE.
WE'LL DISCUSS PAYMENT LATER, IF YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE.
OH, HELL, I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.
I'M CERTAIN YOU WILL, MR.
JUDSON.
HOW ABOUT ONE FOR THE ROAD? NO, JUST KIDDING.
MORNING.
I REALLY TIED ONE ON LAST NIGHT.
I'M SORRY.
IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO? FRANNIE, WE NEED TO TALK.
TALK? MILEY, I'M FED UP.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? HI.
HI, THERE, CHADDER.
HERE, TAKE YOUR BREAKFAST AND GO IN THE OTHER ROOM.
I SAID I WAS SORRY, FRANNIE.
WE'LL TALK TONIGHT.
THINGS WILL CHANGE.
I PROMISE.
YOU'LL SEE.
MAN, YOU'RE REALLY PUTTING THEM AWAY.
YOU WATERING THIS STUFF DOWN, JAMIE? THIS STUFF'S GOT NO KICK AT ALL.
GIVE ME A WHISKEY.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE.
I NEVER SAW ANYBODY DRINK THAT MUCH AND STAY CONSCIOUS.
I DON'T FEEL A THING.
THIS IS NUTS.
WAIT A MINUTE WAIT A MINUTE.
MURRICH.
Murrich: I SEE YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING.
JUST TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.
WELL, AS YOU RECALL, LAST NIGHT YOU AGREED TO START THE HELLGRAMITE TREATMENT.
SO? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE HELLGRAMITE WORM? WHAT? NO.
THE CAPSULE YOU SWALLOWED LAST NIGHT CONTAINED A RARE SORT OF TAPEWORM.
THE HELLGRAMITE LARVA.
BY NOW THE WORM IS ATTACHED TO YOUR STOMACH.
YOUR DRINKING HAS STIMULATED ITS GROWTH.
A WORM? YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING.
FROM NOW ON, THE HELLGRAMITE WILL ABSORB ALL THE LIQUOR YOU CAN CONSUME.
YOU WON'T FEEL ANY EFFECT FROM DRINKING.
YOU DON'T THINK I BELIEVE THIS DO YOU? SEEING IS BELIEVING.
OF COURSE, THIS ONE IS NOT YET FULLY GROWN.
YOU PUT THAT THING IN ME? THE PLEASURE OF ALCOHOL IS OVER FOR YOU.
NO MOREBUZZ, MR.
JUDSON.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU DRINK THE WORM WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED.
AND IF EVER YOU STOP DRINKING THE PAIN WILL BE EXCRUCIATING.
HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? YOU DID IT TO YOURSELF.
I'VE GOT TO GET RID OF IT.
YOU CAN'T.
THE WORM IS PART OF YOU.
THERE MUST BE SOMETHING.
THERE IS.
WHAT? STARVE IT INTO DORMANCY.
HOW? STOP DRINKING.
STOP DRINKING STOP DRINKING.
SO, I STOP DRINKING I CAN STOP IT? IT'S DANGEROUS.
YOU MIGHT NOT LIVE THROUGH IT.
EVEN IF YOU SUCCEED THE WORM WILL ALWAYS BE WAITING FOR YOU TO DRINK AGAIN.
EVERY TIME THE HELLGRAMITE IS WAKENED FROM ITS DORMANT STATE IT COMES BACK STRONGER.
EVENTUALLY, STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL YOU.
I THINK THE HELLGRAMITE IS GETTING THIRSTY.
WOULD YOU CARE FOR A DRINK TO EASE THE PAIN? OR HAVE YOU GOT THE GUTS TO STOP? Frannie: YOU LOOK TERRIBLE.
I WANT YOU TO TAKE CHAD AND GO STAY WITH YOUR MOM AND YOUR DAD FOR A WEEK, MAYBE TWO.
WHY? BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LICK THIS THING ONCE AND FOR ALL, COLD TURKEY.
SAME OLD BROKEN RECORD.
I KNOW YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME BUT THIS TIME ISDIFFERENT.
GIVE ME ONE LAST CHANCE.
MILEY! PLEASE! I CAN DO IT.
WHY WILL THIS TIME BE ANY DIFFERENT? IT HAS TO BE.
IS THAT IT? YEAH, THAT'S IT.
I LOVE YOU, DADDY.
I LOVE YOU, TOO, CHAD.
(phone ringing) Frannie: Hello.
Hello? Miley? Miley, is that you? (disconnects) (telephone rings) WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT? ARIGHT? WHAT GAVE ME THE RIGHT?! THE PAIN YOU'RE FEELING IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT I WENT THROUGH WHEN I LOST MY FAMILY.
A MAN HAD BEEN DRINKING.
MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE CROSSING THE STREET WITH THE LIGHT.
HE DIDN'T EVEN BRAKE UNTIL AFTER HE HAD HIT THEM.
I CAME TO YOU FOR HELP.
I CAME TO YOU FOR A SECOND CHANCE.
AND I'M GIVING YOU A CHANCE.
A CHANCE FOR A NEW LIFE.
YOU'VE BEGUN THE PROCESS.
NOW YOU EITHER QUIT DRINKING OR DIE.
(chewing sound) OH, GOD.
Chad: ARE YOU SICK AGAIN, DADDY? Frannie: I'VE HAD IT.
I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE.
Murrich: IT'S DANGEROUS.
YOU MIGHT NOT LIVE.
EVEN IF YOU SUCCEED THE WORM WILL ALWAYS BE WAITING FOR YOU TO DRINK AGAIN.
WHEN THE HELLGRAMITE IS WAKENED FROM ITS DORMANT STATE IT COMES BACK STRONGER.
EVENTUALLY, STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL YOU.
GOD! (screaming) OH, GOD.
OH, MY GOD.
GOD.
GOD.
OH, GOD.
(heavy breathing) (chewing sound) (screams) THANKS.
KEEP THEM.
YOU MIGHT NEED THEM.
MILEY, WHERE YOU BEEN KEEPING YOURSELF? ON THE WAGON AGAIN? THIS OUGHT TO SQUARE MY TAB.
THANKS.
HOW ABOUT A DRINK? IT'S ON THE HOUSE.
GOT TO RUN.
SEE YOU AROUND.
(narrator) MILEY JUDSON HAPPENED UPON THE SIMPLE DISCOVERY THAT THERE IS NO SURE-FIRE CURE, NO QUICK FIX, NO SHORTCUT TO EITHER SOBRIETY OR PEACE OF MIND.
SOME ACHIEVE IT THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL ACT OF WILL.
OTHERS FIND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.
WHAT MILEY JUDSON NEEDED WAS A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA.
SOMETHING THAT COULD ONLY BE FOUND IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE.