1 00:00:09,210 --> 00:00:11,678 You're traveling through another dimension 2 00:00:12,295 --> 00:00:14,798 a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind 3 00:00:15,432 --> 00:00:16,683 a journey into a wondrous land 4 00:00:17,300 --> 00:00:19,185 whose boundaries are that of imagination. 5 00:00:19,220 --> 00:00:21,054 That's the signpost up ahead. 6 00:00:21,089 --> 00:00:23,556 Your next stop, the twilight zone. 7 00:00:34,818 --> 00:00:39,205 A brief if frenetic introduction to mr. Archibald beechcroft 8 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:41,074 a child of the 20th century 9 00:00:41,109 --> 00:00:43,576 a product of the population explosion 10 00:00:43,611 --> 00:00:47,330 and one of the inheritors of the legacy of progress. 11 00:00:53,219 --> 00:00:54,471 Mr. Beechcroft again. 12 00:00:55,088 --> 00:00:58,224 This time act ii of his daily battle for survival. 13 00:00:58,259 --> 00:00:59,476 And in just a moment 14 00:00:59,511 --> 00:01:02,595 our hero will begin his personal one-man rebellion 15 00:01:02,630 --> 00:01:05,098 against the mechanics of his age 16 00:01:05,133 --> 00:01:07,600 and to do so he will enlist certain aids 17 00:01:07,635 --> 00:01:10,103 available only in the twilight zone. 18 00:01:28,588 --> 00:01:31,091 Why, you clumsy clod! 19 00:01:31,126 --> 00:01:32,959 Oh, i'm sorry, mr. Beechcroft. 20 00:01:32,994 --> 00:01:35,462 I didn't notice where i was going. 21 00:01:35,497 --> 00:01:37,964 That's precisely your problem. 22 00:02:13,633 --> 00:02:16,136 Feeling ill, beechcroft? 23 00:02:18,638 --> 00:02:21,141 If you'll forgive a personal observation 24 00:02:21,758 --> 00:02:23,009 you're not looking too well. 25 00:02:23,643 --> 00:02:24,894 I'm all right, mr. Rogers. 26 00:02:24,929 --> 00:02:26,146 Keeping yourself fit 27 00:02:26,181 --> 00:02:28,648 is not only a personal obligation. 28 00:02:28,683 --> 00:02:29,899 Oh, no, in a larger sense 29 00:02:29,934 --> 00:02:31,768 it's part of your responsibility 30 00:02:31,803 --> 00:02:33,019 to your job 31 00:02:33,054 --> 00:02:34,904 and to the firm that employs you. 32 00:02:34,939 --> 00:02:37,407 I'm not unaware of that, mr. Rogers. 33 00:02:37,442 --> 00:02:38,658 Well, then why don't you 34 00:02:38,693 --> 00:02:39,909 pull yourself together, man? 35 00:02:39,944 --> 00:02:41,778 Get some sleep at night. 36 00:02:41,813 --> 00:02:44,914 Eat regular meals, lots of milk and fresh vegetables. 37 00:02:44,949 --> 00:02:47,417 Greens! Oh, you can't beat those greens for vitamins. 38 00:02:47,452 --> 00:02:49,919 I'm a spinach and lettuce man myself. 39 00:02:49,954 --> 00:02:51,788 I even have them for breakfast. 40 00:02:51,823 --> 00:02:54,924 Well, if people wouldn't look at me a little tilt. 41 00:02:54,959 --> 00:02:58,044 But the power's in the greens, beechcroft. 42 00:02:58,079 --> 00:03:00,547 The power's definitely in the greens. 43 00:03:02,432 --> 00:03:04,934 You're not drinking, are you, beechcroft? 44 00:03:04,969 --> 00:03:07,437 I don't drink, mr. Rogers. 45 00:03:07,472 --> 00:03:09,305 Well, then, you don't drink 46 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:11,808 and you don't stay out late at night... 47 00:03:11,843 --> 00:03:13,693 are you watching your diet? 48 00:03:14,310 --> 00:03:17,447 If you'd really like to know, mr. Rogers 49 00:03:17,482 --> 00:03:19,949 if you'd really like to know precisely 50 00:03:19,984 --> 00:03:21,818 why i am so dead tired 51 00:03:21,853 --> 00:03:24,954 you ought to try coming to work on the subway 52 00:03:25,572 --> 00:03:26,823 at 7:30 every morning 53 00:03:26,858 --> 00:03:29,325 then jamming into an elevator 54 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:31,211 like part of a herd of cattle 55 00:03:31,246 --> 00:03:33,079 then working in that... 56 00:03:33,114 --> 00:03:37,467 in that cacophonous din that you call an office. 57 00:03:37,502 --> 00:03:41,221 Always get jostled, always get shoved 58 00:03:41,256 --> 00:03:43,723 always get pushed around. 59 00:03:43,758 --> 00:03:45,592 Take hold of yourself, beechcroft. 60 00:03:45,627 --> 00:03:48,094 For goodness sakes, man, take hold. 61 00:03:48,129 --> 00:03:49,345 I'll take hold, mr. Rogers. 62 00:03:49,380 --> 00:03:50,597 I'll take hold 63 00:03:50,632 --> 00:03:53,099 when i can achieve that millennium 64 00:03:53,134 --> 00:03:56,236 that absolute perfection that comes with solitude. 65 00:03:56,271 --> 00:03:57,487 You read me, mr. Rogers? 66 00:03:57,522 --> 00:03:58,738 People. 67 00:03:58,773 --> 00:03:59,989 People, people! 68 00:04:00,024 --> 00:04:01,858 If i had my way 69 00:04:01,893 --> 00:04:04,360 here's how i'd fix the universe. 70 00:04:04,395 --> 00:04:06,246 I'd eliminate the people. 71 00:04:06,281 --> 00:04:08,114 I mean, cross them off 72 00:04:08,149 --> 00:04:11,868 get rid of them, destroy them, decimate them 73 00:04:11,903 --> 00:04:14,370 and there'd only be one man left- 74 00:04:14,405 --> 00:04:17,507 me, archibald beechcroft, esquire. 75 00:04:17,542 --> 00:04:20,627 Why, you are quite mad, beechcroft. 76 00:04:20,662 --> 00:04:21,878 Do you know that? 77 00:04:21,913 --> 00:04:24,130 People! 78 00:04:31,271 --> 00:04:32,522 Mr. Beechcroft. 79 00:04:32,557 --> 00:04:33,773 Mr. Beechcroft! 80 00:04:33,808 --> 00:04:36,276 Here's a place for you, sir. 81 00:04:45,652 --> 00:04:46,903 I've been saving it. 82 00:04:46,938 --> 00:04:48,154 I am obliged, henry. 83 00:04:48,189 --> 00:04:49,405 Oh, think nothing of it. 84 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:50,657 I was... 85 00:04:50,692 --> 00:04:52,542 well, i was just trying to make up 86 00:04:52,577 --> 00:04:53,793 for this morning. 87 00:04:53,828 --> 00:04:55,044 This morning? 88 00:04:55,079 --> 00:04:56,913 When i spilled coffee on your coat. 89 00:04:56,948 --> 00:04:58,798 I'm really very sorry 90 00:04:58,833 --> 00:05:00,049 about that, mr. Beechcroft. 91 00:05:00,084 --> 00:05:01,301 Oh, it's all right. 92 00:05:01,336 --> 00:05:03,803 A friend of mine works in a bookstore 93 00:05:03,838 --> 00:05:05,054 around the corner. 94 00:05:05,089 --> 00:05:05,672 I went there 95 00:05:06,306 --> 00:05:08,174 first part of the lunch break. 96 00:05:09,425 --> 00:05:10,927 I got you this. 97 00:05:16,566 --> 00:05:18,434 The mind and the matter: 98 00:05:18,469 --> 00:05:20,320 How you can achieve 99 00:05:20,355 --> 00:05:22,822 the ultimate power of concentration. 100 00:05:22,857 --> 00:05:25,325 A little on the occult side 101 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:26,576 isn't that, henry? 102 00:05:26,611 --> 00:05:28,444 Maybe so, mr. Beechcroft 103 00:05:28,479 --> 00:05:30,330 but this friend of mine is... 104 00:05:30,365 --> 00:05:32,832 well, you might say he's a student of the mind. 105 00:05:32,867 --> 00:05:34,083 Mm-hmm. 106 00:05:34,118 --> 00:05:35,952 Oh, he swears by that book. 107 00:05:35,987 --> 00:05:38,454 He says, to the best of his knowledge 108 00:05:38,489 --> 00:05:40,340 it's the only one in existence. 109 00:05:40,375 --> 00:05:42,842 Would you believe it, mr. Beechcroft 110 00:05:42,877 --> 00:05:45,962 i've seen my friend cause a woman 111 00:05:45,997 --> 00:05:49,716 to purchase a chartreuse and orange scarf. 112 00:05:49,751 --> 00:05:50,967 How's that? 113 00:05:51,002 --> 00:05:52,218 That's right. 114 00:05:52,253 --> 00:05:54,103 We were in a department store 115 00:05:54,138 --> 00:05:55,972 and he saw some woman picking over 116 00:05:56,007 --> 00:05:59,108 a table full of scarves that were on sale. 117 00:05:59,143 --> 00:06:01,477 And he concentrated real hard 118 00:06:01,512 --> 00:06:03,980 on the chartreuse and orange one... 119 00:06:04,015 --> 00:06:05,865 and as sure as i'm sitting here 120 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:09,619 in the cafeteria of the park central insurance company 121 00:06:09,654 --> 00:06:10,870 that woman picked up 122 00:06:10,905 --> 00:06:12,739 the chartreuse and orange scarf. 123 00:06:12,774 --> 00:06:15,124 Why it's the absolute, unvarnished truth. 124 00:06:16,411 --> 00:06:20,129 Oh, mr. Beechcroft, i'm so sorry. 125 00:06:20,164 --> 00:06:21,381 Oh, i... 126 00:06:23,249 --> 00:06:28,254 i thank you so much for the book, henry. 127 00:06:28,289 --> 00:06:30,139 I... i am indebted. 128 00:06:30,174 --> 00:06:32,642 Well... there. 129 00:06:35,144 --> 00:06:37,647 Uh, mr. Beechcroft, chapter three- 130 00:06:37,682 --> 00:06:40,767 that's the one on initial phenomena 131 00:06:40,802 --> 00:06:42,652 of intense concentration. 132 00:06:42,687 --> 00:06:43,903 Chapter three. 133 00:06:43,938 --> 00:06:47,023 Chapter three, right, chapter three. 134 00:07:36,456 --> 00:07:37,707 They're right. 135 00:07:39,575 --> 00:07:42,712 They're absolutely, unequivocally right. 136 00:07:42,747 --> 00:07:47,717 Concentration is the most underrated, unknown power 137 00:07:47,752 --> 00:07:48,968 in the universe. 138 00:07:49,003 --> 00:07:52,088 Why, a person could... 139 00:07:52,123 --> 00:07:55,842 a person could move mountains. 140 00:07:58,344 --> 00:07:59,595 There's really no limit 141 00:07:59,630 --> 00:08:03,349 to what a man could do using the power properly. 142 00:08:03,384 --> 00:08:04,600 No limit at all. 143 00:08:12,859 --> 00:08:14,110 People. 144 00:08:19,749 --> 00:08:24,754 If i could just concentrate hard enough to get rid of them. 145 00:08:31,627 --> 00:08:36,632 Concentration, that's what it takes. 146 00:08:37,884 --> 00:08:44,140 Concentrate on getting rid of the people. 147 00:08:45,775 --> 00:08:47,643 Mr. Beechcroft! 148 00:08:47,678 --> 00:08:50,780 Your rent is due, mr. Beechcroft. 149 00:08:52,066 --> 00:08:53,282 Mr. Beechcroft! 150 00:08:53,317 --> 00:08:55,034 Rent's due. 151 00:08:55,069 --> 00:08:57,537 Mr. Beechcroft! 152 00:08:57,572 --> 00:09:00,790 Go away, disappear be extinct! 153 00:09:00,825 --> 00:09:02,041 Mr. Beechcroft! 154 00:09:02,076 --> 00:09:05,161 Go away, be extinct, disappear. 155 00:09:56,712 --> 00:09:58,598 Concentration. 156 00:09:59,849 --> 00:10:01,717 Mind over matter. 157 00:10:02,969 --> 00:10:09,225 Today the landlady, tomorrow the world. 158 00:11:33,859 --> 00:11:35,728 All right, let's get going. 159 00:13:02,983 --> 00:13:05,317 That'll be just about enough of that. 160 00:13:32,344 --> 00:13:33,596 ? for love...? 161 00:13:42,354 --> 00:13:43,606 ? for love...? 162 00:14:03,008 --> 00:14:04,877 All well and good. 163 00:14:04,912 --> 00:14:08,013 All well and good, to be sure. 164 00:14:10,516 --> 00:14:12,384 But what's to do. 165 00:14:12,419 --> 00:14:16,138 How does one occupy his time? 166 00:14:16,173 --> 00:14:18,641 Too much of a good thing? 167 00:14:23,896 --> 00:14:27,650 Well, i wouldn't, uh, i wouldn't say that. 168 00:14:28,284 --> 00:14:30,152 But you're thinking it. 169 00:14:41,914 --> 00:14:44,416 Bored to death, aren't you? 170 00:14:46,302 --> 00:14:50,055 Well, uh, let's just say that, um... 171 00:14:50,090 --> 00:14:53,175 let's just say that i am temporarily 172 00:14:53,210 --> 00:14:56,929 somewhat accessible to suggestions as to, uh... 173 00:14:57,563 --> 00:14:59,431 how to occupy my time. 174 00:14:59,466 --> 00:15:00,683 So? 175 00:15:00,718 --> 00:15:01,934 Let's face it. 176 00:15:01,969 --> 00:15:03,819 You are bored to tears. 177 00:15:03,854 --> 00:15:07,573 Solitude is one thing but loneliness... 178 00:15:07,608 --> 00:15:09,441 loneliness is quite another. 179 00:15:09,476 --> 00:15:11,327 Loneliness nothing. 180 00:15:11,362 --> 00:15:12,578 I despise people. 181 00:15:12,613 --> 00:15:13,829 I loathe them. 182 00:15:13,864 --> 00:15:18,200 And i, archibald beechcroft, have done away with them 183 00:15:18,235 --> 00:15:20,703 for good and all, mind you? 184 00:15:20,738 --> 00:15:23,455 For good and all. 185 00:15:32,464 --> 00:15:34,967 Thought about any alternatives? 186 00:15:36,218 --> 00:15:38,103 Alternatives to what? 187 00:15:38,138 --> 00:15:39,972 Alternatives to this. 188 00:15:40,007 --> 00:15:41,223 You're bored. 189 00:15:41,258 --> 00:15:43,108 You don't have idea one 190 00:15:43,143 --> 00:15:44,977 how to occupy your time. 191 00:15:45,611 --> 00:15:47,479 People are bad enough 192 00:15:47,514 --> 00:15:49,982 but inactivity is even worse. 193 00:15:58,123 --> 00:15:59,375 How about it? 194 00:16:00,242 --> 00:16:03,996 Oh, don't talk nonsense, please. 195 00:16:04,031 --> 00:16:06,498 I'm content. 196 00:16:06,533 --> 00:16:10,886 I am honestly and truly content for the first time in my life. 197 00:16:10,921 --> 00:16:14,006 I've rid myself of the worst scourge there is: 198 00:16:14,041 --> 00:16:15,758 The populace. 199 00:16:15,793 --> 00:16:16,392 Well... 200 00:16:16,427 --> 00:16:17,643 what about the thing 201 00:16:17,678 --> 00:16:19,511 that's going to happen to you 202 00:16:19,546 --> 00:16:20,763 in the after... 203 00:16:20,798 --> 00:16:22,014 shut up. 204 00:16:35,911 --> 00:16:38,414 Although, if the truth be known... 205 00:16:40,916 --> 00:16:44,670 i would like a little diversion of some kind 206 00:16:44,705 --> 00:16:46,538 any sort of diversion... 207 00:16:46,573 --> 00:16:47,790 like, um... 208 00:16:49,675 --> 00:16:54,046 like, um, an earthquake. 209 00:16:59,685 --> 00:17:04,690 Uh, for goodness sakes, no, no, no, not that! 210 00:17:12,815 --> 00:17:16,568 How about a nice little electrical storm? 211 00:17:25,210 --> 00:17:26,712 Forget it! 212 00:17:31,752 --> 00:17:34,837 I believe i've had it for the day. 213 00:18:58,554 --> 00:19:01,056 It's preying on you now, isn't it? 214 00:19:01,091 --> 00:19:03,559 I mean, the quiet, the emptiness. 215 00:19:03,594 --> 00:19:06,061 Well, the thing of it is... 216 00:19:06,096 --> 00:19:07,312 it's just that 217 00:19:07,347 --> 00:19:10,432 while i don't care much for people 218 00:19:10,467 --> 00:19:13,569 it's difficult not having anyone. 219 00:19:13,604 --> 00:19:15,437 Why not get someone? 220 00:19:15,472 --> 00:19:18,574 That's the point, someone is everyone. 221 00:19:18,609 --> 00:19:20,442 And i can't stand everyone 222 00:19:20,477 --> 00:19:22,945 or anyone for that matter. 223 00:19:22,980 --> 00:19:24,830 There frankly isn't a breed 224 00:19:24,865 --> 00:19:26,698 or a specie of human being 225 00:19:26,733 --> 00:19:28,584 that i can stomach. 226 00:19:31,086 --> 00:19:34,206 Ever thought of a cocker spaniel? 227 00:19:34,241 --> 00:19:35,457 Well... 228 00:19:35,492 --> 00:19:37,960 i never cared much for animals either. 229 00:19:39,845 --> 00:19:41,713 Of course, of course! 230 00:19:41,748 --> 00:19:44,850 Why didn't i think of it before? 231 00:19:46,718 --> 00:19:47,970 Think of what? 232 00:19:48,005 --> 00:19:49,221 People! 233 00:19:49,256 --> 00:19:51,723 People who i can stand. 234 00:19:51,758 --> 00:19:52,975 People like... 235 00:19:53,010 --> 00:19:54,860 people like myself. 236 00:19:54,895 --> 00:19:56,728 That's what i'll do. 237 00:19:56,763 --> 00:20:00,482 I'll create people, but they'll be like me. 238 00:20:01,733 --> 00:20:04,236 A world full of archibald beechcrofts. 239 00:20:04,271 --> 00:20:06,121 Now, that's a thought. 240 00:20:06,156 --> 00:20:08,624 You bet your life it's a thought. 241 00:20:08,659 --> 00:20:10,492 You bet your sweet life. 242 00:20:10,527 --> 00:20:11,743 That's what i'll do. 243 00:20:11,778 --> 00:20:12,995 I'll will it. 244 00:20:13,030 --> 00:20:15,497 I'll concentrate and i'll will 245 00:20:15,532 --> 00:20:16,748 that from now on 246 00:20:16,783 --> 00:20:18,634 everyone i see will be like me. 247 00:20:18,669 --> 00:20:20,502 It's really quite simple. 248 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:46,411 People. 249 00:20:46,446 --> 00:20:48,280 It's not enough they're just a mob. 250 00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:50,165 They're a dishonest mob. 251 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,785 Kindly deposit ten cents please or shall i call the police. 252 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,182 Will you please get off my foot 253 00:21:07,217 --> 00:21:08,433 you ugly little man. 254 00:21:11,687 --> 00:21:14,189 12th floor, everybody out, please. 255 00:21:16,058 --> 00:21:17,309 Sardines! 256 00:21:30,572 --> 00:21:33,709 The noise, the miserable noise. 257 00:21:33,744 --> 00:21:35,577 I'll go out of my mind. 258 00:21:35,612 --> 00:21:39,331 I'll go out of my ever-loving mind. 259 00:21:41,833 --> 00:21:44,336 A sty, that's what it is. 260 00:21:44,371 --> 00:21:45,837 Nothing but people 261 00:21:45,872 --> 00:21:47,723 and people are pigs. 262 00:21:50,592 --> 00:21:54,346 People, people, people, people. 263 00:21:54,381 --> 00:21:56,231 Is there no respite? 264 00:21:56,266 --> 00:21:58,100 Is there no relief? 265 00:22:04,356 --> 00:22:08,744 Herds, droves, hosts and bevies of people. 266 00:22:09,995 --> 00:22:12,497 Will you people stop muttering back there? 267 00:22:12,532 --> 00:22:14,366 I'm trying to work. 268 00:22:27,763 --> 00:22:29,631 Had it? 269 00:22:29,666 --> 00:22:30,882 Undeniably. 270 00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:34,019 Coming through to you, huh? 271 00:22:34,054 --> 00:22:35,887 Without a doubt. 272 00:22:38,390 --> 00:22:40,892 A lot of me is just as bad 273 00:22:40,927 --> 00:22:42,144 as a lot of them. 274 00:22:42,179 --> 00:22:45,897 So... what's to do now? 275 00:22:45,932 --> 00:22:47,783 I'll just put it back 276 00:22:47,818 --> 00:22:49,651 the way it was. 277 00:22:49,686 --> 00:22:51,536 Just the way it was. 278 00:23:07,954 --> 00:23:08,553 Oh! 279 00:23:09,171 --> 00:23:11,673 Oh, mr. Beechcroft, sir, forgive me... 280 00:23:11,708 --> 00:23:15,427 uh, nothing serious, henry. 281 00:23:15,462 --> 00:23:18,563 Just, uh, forget it. 282 00:23:28,573 --> 00:23:29,825 Yes? 283 00:23:29,860 --> 00:23:31,693 I was wondering... 284 00:23:31,728 --> 00:23:33,578 that book i gave you. 285 00:23:33,613 --> 00:23:36,081 Did you get anything out of it? 286 00:23:36,116 --> 00:23:38,583 Well, uh... 287 00:23:38,618 --> 00:23:41,703 not really, henry, i, uh... 288 00:23:41,738 --> 00:23:45,457 frankly, i thought it was a lot of pap. 289 00:23:45,492 --> 00:23:49,211 It was interesting, but totally unbelievable. 290 00:23:50,462 --> 00:23:53,598 Mr. Archibald beechcroft, a child of the 20th century 291 00:23:53,633 --> 00:23:56,718 who has found out through trial and error- 292 00:23:56,753 --> 00:23:57,969 and mostly error- 293 00:23:58,004 --> 00:24:00,472 that with all its faults it may well be 294 00:24:00,507 --> 00:24:03,608 that this is the best of all possible worlds. 295 00:24:03,643 --> 00:24:06,111 People notwithstanding, it has much to offer. 296 00:24:06,728 --> 00:24:09,865 Tonight's case in point in the twilight zone. 297 00:24:12,651 --> 00:24:15,737 Rod serling, creator ofthe twilight zone 298 00:24:15,772 --> 00:24:17,622 will tell you about next week's story 299 00:24:17,657 --> 00:24:20,859 after this word from our alternate sponsor. 300 00:24:20,894 --> 00:24:22,911 And now, mr. Serling. 301 00:24:22,946 --> 00:24:25,413 It's been said that singularly, the most difficult feat 302 00:24:25,448 --> 00:24:27,916 of all mankind is to find a needle in a haystack. 303 00:24:27,951 --> 00:24:29,801 Onthe twilight zonenext time, we do it one better. 304 00:24:29,836 --> 00:24:32,921 We pose a problem of finding a martian in a snow bank. 305 00:24:32,956 --> 00:24:35,423 It all adds up to a kind of extraterrestrial who's who 306 00:24:35,458 --> 00:24:38,560 with a couple of laughs, and more than a couple of tensions. 307 00:24:38,595 --> 00:24:39,811 We recommend this to the space buffs 308 00:24:39,846 --> 00:24:41,680 and the jigsaw puzzle addicts. 309 00:24:41,715 --> 00:24:44,182 Next time onthe twilight zone, our story is called 310 00:24:44,217 --> 00:24:46,067 "will the real martian please stand up." 311 00:24:51,273 --> 00:24:55,660 Captioned by media access group at wgbh access. Wgbh. Org 312 00:25:29,461 --> 00:25:31,813 hi, this is ed sullivan 313 00:25:31,848 --> 00:25:34,316 reminding you that the colgate- palmolive company 314 00:25:34,351 --> 00:25:37,452 also brings you star-studded entertainment on our show 315 00:25:37,487 --> 00:25:39,854 on most of these same stations.