The Twilight Zone (1959) s01e07 Episode Script
The Lonely
[eerie music.]
(male presenter, off) There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man.
It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.
It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge.
This is the dimension of imagination.
It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.
Witness, if you will, a dungeon made out of mountains, salt flats and sand that stretch to infinity.
The dungeon has an inmate-- [honking horn.]
James A.
Corry-- And this is his residence: metal shack.
An old touring car that squats in the sun and goes nowhere, for there is nowhere to go.
For the record, let it be known that James A.
Corry is a convicted criminal placed in solitary confinement.
Confinement, in this case, stretches as far as the eye can see because this particular dungeon is on an asteroid nine million miles from the earth.
Now witness, if you will a man's mind and body shriveling in the sun-- A man dying of loneliness.
(Corry, off) Entry, 15th day, sixth month, year four.
And all the days and the months and the years are the same.
There'll be a supply ship coming in soon, I think.
They're either due or overdue.
And I hope it's Allenby's ship because he's a decent man and he brings things for me.
Like he brought in the parts for that antique automobile.
I was a year putting that thing together, such as it is.
A whole year putting an old car together.
But thank God for that car, and for the hours I used up, and the days and the weeks.
I can look at it out there, and I know that it's real.
Reality is what I need.
Because what is there left that I can believe in? The desert and the wind? The silence? Or myself? Can I believe in myself anymore? Allenby? Allenby! Allenby! Allenby! How are you, Corry? All right.
You? Quite a place you've got here.
Glad you like it.
I didn't say I liked it.
I think it stinks.
You don't have to live here.
No, but I have to come back here four times a year.
That's eight months away from earth.
Sometimes my kids don't even recognize me.
But you, you've got it made here.
Yeah, this makes for simple living, doesn't it? 6,000 miles from north to south, 4,000 from east to west, and all of it just like this.
(Allenby) All right, Adams, cut it out.
Now, we've only got a 15-minute layover.
No one's checking on your schedule way out here.
We can play a couple of games of cards.
If we delay our time of departure, it just places us in a different orbital position.
We'll never make it back to earth.
We would have to stay here at least 14 days before it's in position again.
Oh, 14 days! I got some beer saved.
We could play some cards.
I wish we could but, like I said, we've only got 15 minutes.
What's a few minutes? Hey, we could play chess.
I built a chess set and everything.
Let's go in.
Allenby, only two minutes are gone.
Two minutes have passed already.
We've only got 13 left.
I don't want to foul up your schedule, but how about one game of cards? We just don't have the time.
We've been here two minutes already, and he hasn't asked about the pardon.
How about it, Allenby? You're out of luck, the sentence reads 50 years.
And they're not even reviewing cases of homicide.
You've been here four years now, so that makes 46 more to go, so make yourself comfortable, huh? Corry, we don't make the rules.
We deliver supplies and pass on information.
There's been pressure back home about this kind of punishment.
A lot people think it's unnecessarily cruel.
They may change their minds and alter the law, and imprison you on earth like the old days.
But-- Who knows what the next couple of years may bring? Years? Every morning, when I get up, I tell myself this is my last day of sanity.
I can't stand this loneliness one more day.
Not one more day! By noon, when I can't keep my fingers still, and the inside of my mouth feels like gun powder and burnt copper, down deep inside my gut I get an ache that's just pulling everything out.
Then I force myself to hold on for one more day.
Just one more day! But I can't do that for another 46 years.
I'll go right out of my mind.
You're breaking my heart.
Adams, you and Carstairs go get the supplies.
Mr.
Corry got a broken leg? You go do what I tell you.
(Allenby) Now.
That big crate? You know, the big one? You treat that one gently.
Brought you some paperback books.
Thanks.
Corry, I brought you something else too.
It'd mean my job if they ever suspect.
It'd be my neck if they found out for sure.
Look, Allenby.
I don't want any gifts.
I don't want tidbits.
Makes me feel like an animal in a cage, with an old lady out there who wants to throw peanuts at me.
A pardon, Allenby.
That's the only gift I want.
I'm not a murderer.
I killed in self-defense.
There's still a lot of people who believe me.
It happens to be the truth! I killed in self-defense! I know.
I know all about it.
And I doubt if this will be any consolation to you, but-- This isn't an easy assignment to handle-- stopping here four times a year and having to look at a man's agony.
You're right, Allenby.
That's very little consolation.
I can't bring you freedom.
All I can do is try to bring you things to help keep your sanity.
Something to-- anything so you can just fight loneliness.
(Adams) Hey, captain! You wanna open up this big crate? No.
Not yet.
Uh, stay out there.
I'll be right out.
We got to go now.
We'll be back in three months.
Look, when you open up that crate there's nothing you need to do.
The item's been vacuum-packed.
You'll need no activator of any kind.
The air will do that.
There will be a booklet inside that will answer any of your questions.
Corry.
They don't know what it is I've brought, so I'd appreciate your waiting until we get out of sight.
Have a good trip back.
Give my regards to Broadway.
Sure, Corry.
I'll see you in three months.
Allenby? I don't much care what's in it, but for the thought-- for the decency-- Thank you.
You're quite welcome, Corry.
Captain.
Captain? Captain, what's in the big crate, huh? I'm not quite sure, really.
Maybe it's just an illusion.
Maybe it's salvation.
I don't know.
[sigh.]
Let's go.
"You are now the proud possessor of a robot built in the form of a woman.
" "To all intent and purpose, this creature is a woman.
" "Physiologically and psychologically, she is a human being with a set of emotions and a memory track, the ability to reason, to think and to speak.
" "She is beyond illness and, under normal circumstances, should have a lifespan similar to that of a normal human being.
" "Her name is Alicia.
" [robot-like.]
My name's Alicia.
What's your name? Get out of here.
Get out of here! I don't need no machine.
Go on! Get out of here! My name's Alicia.
What's your name? [playing big band swing.]
I brought you some water.
Put it over there.
It'll get warm just sitting there.
[scoffs.]
How would you know? I can feel thirst.
Yeah? What else can you feel? I don't understand.
Can you feel heat? Yes.
And cold? Yes.
And hunger? How about pain? Can you feel pain? That, too.
How? You're a machine, aren't you? Yes.
Why would-- Why didn't they build you to look like a machine? Why didn't they build you out of metal, with bolts and wires and electrodes and things like that? Why'd they turn you into a lie-- cover you with something that looks like flesh-- give you a face? A face that if I-- if I look at long enough, makes me think-- makes me believe that-- it's a lie! Corry? Corry.
You mock me, you know that? When you look at me, when you talk to me, I'm being mocked.
I'm sorry.
You hurt me, Corry.
Hurt you? How can I hurt you? This isn't real flesh.
There aren't any nerves under there.
There aren't any muscles or tendons.
You're just like this heap-- A hunk of metal with arms and legs instead of wheels.
But this heap doesn't mock me the way you do.
It doesn't look at me with make-believe eyes, or talk to me with a make-believe voice.
Well, I'm sick of being mocked by the memory of women.
And that's all you are-- A reminder to me that I'm so lonely I'm about to lose my mind.
I can feel loneliness, too.
Oh, Alicia, I'm sorry.
(Corry, off) Alicia's been with me now for 11 months.
It's difficult to write down what has been the sum total of this very strange and bizarre relationship.
Is it man and woman? Or man and machine? I don't really know myself.
But there are times when I do know that Alicia is simply an extension of me.
I hear my words coming from her, my emotions.
The things that she has learned to love are those things that I've loved.
I'm not lonely anymore.
Each day can now be lived with, and I love Alicia.
Nothing else matters.
(Corry) And that's the star Betelgeuse.
That's in the constellation of Orion.
And there's the Great Bear.
See it with it's pointer stars in line with the Northern Star? And there's the constellation Hercules.
God's beauty.
That's right, Alicia.
God's beauty.
That star, Corry.
What's that star? That's not a star, that's a ship.
A ship? But it can't be a ship.
There isn't one due here for three months.
You said after the last time, not for another three months.
It must be Allenby's ship.
He's the only one that ever comes close.
They stop at the other asteroids, then they come here.
That means we'll see them in the morning.
We'd better get back to the house then.
No.
(Allenby) Corry! Corry! (Allenby) Corry! Corry, we've got good news for you.
All the sentences have been reviewed.
You've been given a pardon! We're taking you back home on this ship, but we've got to take off from here in 20 minutes and we can't wait longer.
We've been dodging meteor storms.
We're almost out of fuel.
Any longer than 20 minutes, and we'll have passed the point of departure, and I don't think we'd make it back.
Allenby, what did you say? A pardon! Corry, they've granted you a pardon! But it won't do us any good unless you get ready to move out.
We picked up seven other men off asteroids.
We only have room for 15 pounds of stuff.
Pick up what you need in a hurry, leave the rest behind.
15 pounds? [laughs nervously.]
15 pounds? I don't have 15 pounds of stuff.
All I have is a shirt, a ledger book, a pencil and a pair of shoes.
That car they can keep.
That'll be for the next poor devil.
Aw, there won't be any "next poor devil".
Good.
Good.
I'm glad of that.
Alicia and I will climb into that ship of yours.
And we'll look out the port, and we'll give it all a big kiss goodbye.
Who, Corry? Oh, my dear God, I forgot her.
He's out of his mind.
Who's Alicia? A robot.
She's a woman.
Corry, she's a robot.
She's a woman! She's gentle and kind.
Allenby, she kept me alive.
Why, if it wasn't for her, I'd have been finished.
I'd have given up.
That's the crate you wouldn't let us look at.
We can't let this be a problem.
Problem? There's no more problems.
There's no more problems on heaven and earth.
We'll just climb in that ship of yours and when we hit that big, beautiful green earth-- 15 pounds.
Oh, wait a minute.
You'll have to throw out some equipment.
Alicia-- She weighs more than 15 pounds.
That's exactly the point, now.
Our ship is stripped now.
We only have room for you and that ledger and pencil.
Leave that robot.
She's not a robot! She's a woman! You leave her behind, that's murder! Wait a minute.
I haven't got any choice.
Understand? No, you don't understand! She's not a robot! She's a woman! Alicia! Alicia! Corry! Alicia! Alicia! Alicia? Alicia! Come on, Corry.
(Adams) We just want you to get your gear packed and get out of here.
We've got 15 minutes, captain.
I'm not leaving without her! Corry! (Corry) Alicia! Alicia! Alicia! Alicia, show them! Talk to them! Show them! (Corry) Talk to them, Alicia! Show them! Alicia, show them! I don't have any choice.
I have no choice at all.
(Alicia, softly) Corry? No! No!! (Alicia, robot-like) Corry.
Corry.
[winding down.]
Corry.
Corry.
[lower in pitch.]
Corry Corry [silence.]
(Carstairs) We've got to go now, captain.
(Allenby) We will go now.
Come on, Corry.
Time to go home.
It's all behind you now, Corry.
It's all behind you.
It's like a bad dream-- A nightmare.
When you wake up, you'll be back on earth.
You'll be home.
Home? That's right.
All you're leaving behind is loneliness.
I must remember that.
I must remember to keep that in mind.
(male presenter, off) On a microscopic piece of sand that floats through space is a fragment of a man's life, left to rust as the place he lived in, and the machines he used.
Without use, they will disintegrate from the wind and the sand and the years that act upon them-- All of Mr.
Corry's machines, including the one made in his image, kept alive by love but now obsolete in the Twilight Zone.
(2nd male presenter, off) Rod Serling, the creator of Twilight Zone will tell you about next week's story after this word from our alternate sponsor.
And now, Mr.
Serling.
Next week, a distinguished actor lends us his talents as Mr.
Burgess Meredith stars in "Time Enough at Last".
The story of a man who seeks salvation in the rubble of a ruined world.
We hope you'll share this very strange experience with us.
Thank you and good night.
[eerie music.]
(3rd male presenter, off) Be sure to see the fun-filled family life of one of America's greatest entertainers.
The Danny Thomas Show, monday nights, over most of these stations.
(male presenter, off) There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man.
It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.
It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge.
This is the dimension of imagination.
It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.
Witness, if you will, a dungeon made out of mountains, salt flats and sand that stretch to infinity.
The dungeon has an inmate-- [honking horn.]
James A.
Corry-- And this is his residence: metal shack.
An old touring car that squats in the sun and goes nowhere, for there is nowhere to go.
For the record, let it be known that James A.
Corry is a convicted criminal placed in solitary confinement.
Confinement, in this case, stretches as far as the eye can see because this particular dungeon is on an asteroid nine million miles from the earth.
Now witness, if you will a man's mind and body shriveling in the sun-- A man dying of loneliness.
(Corry, off) Entry, 15th day, sixth month, year four.
And all the days and the months and the years are the same.
There'll be a supply ship coming in soon, I think.
They're either due or overdue.
And I hope it's Allenby's ship because he's a decent man and he brings things for me.
Like he brought in the parts for that antique automobile.
I was a year putting that thing together, such as it is.
A whole year putting an old car together.
But thank God for that car, and for the hours I used up, and the days and the weeks.
I can look at it out there, and I know that it's real.
Reality is what I need.
Because what is there left that I can believe in? The desert and the wind? The silence? Or myself? Can I believe in myself anymore? Allenby? Allenby! Allenby! Allenby! How are you, Corry? All right.
You? Quite a place you've got here.
Glad you like it.
I didn't say I liked it.
I think it stinks.
You don't have to live here.
No, but I have to come back here four times a year.
That's eight months away from earth.
Sometimes my kids don't even recognize me.
But you, you've got it made here.
Yeah, this makes for simple living, doesn't it? 6,000 miles from north to south, 4,000 from east to west, and all of it just like this.
(Allenby) All right, Adams, cut it out.
Now, we've only got a 15-minute layover.
No one's checking on your schedule way out here.
We can play a couple of games of cards.
If we delay our time of departure, it just places us in a different orbital position.
We'll never make it back to earth.
We would have to stay here at least 14 days before it's in position again.
Oh, 14 days! I got some beer saved.
We could play some cards.
I wish we could but, like I said, we've only got 15 minutes.
What's a few minutes? Hey, we could play chess.
I built a chess set and everything.
Let's go in.
Allenby, only two minutes are gone.
Two minutes have passed already.
We've only got 13 left.
I don't want to foul up your schedule, but how about one game of cards? We just don't have the time.
We've been here two minutes already, and he hasn't asked about the pardon.
How about it, Allenby? You're out of luck, the sentence reads 50 years.
And they're not even reviewing cases of homicide.
You've been here four years now, so that makes 46 more to go, so make yourself comfortable, huh? Corry, we don't make the rules.
We deliver supplies and pass on information.
There's been pressure back home about this kind of punishment.
A lot people think it's unnecessarily cruel.
They may change their minds and alter the law, and imprison you on earth like the old days.
But-- Who knows what the next couple of years may bring? Years? Every morning, when I get up, I tell myself this is my last day of sanity.
I can't stand this loneliness one more day.
Not one more day! By noon, when I can't keep my fingers still, and the inside of my mouth feels like gun powder and burnt copper, down deep inside my gut I get an ache that's just pulling everything out.
Then I force myself to hold on for one more day.
Just one more day! But I can't do that for another 46 years.
I'll go right out of my mind.
You're breaking my heart.
Adams, you and Carstairs go get the supplies.
Mr.
Corry got a broken leg? You go do what I tell you.
(Allenby) Now.
That big crate? You know, the big one? You treat that one gently.
Brought you some paperback books.
Thanks.
Corry, I brought you something else too.
It'd mean my job if they ever suspect.
It'd be my neck if they found out for sure.
Look, Allenby.
I don't want any gifts.
I don't want tidbits.
Makes me feel like an animal in a cage, with an old lady out there who wants to throw peanuts at me.
A pardon, Allenby.
That's the only gift I want.
I'm not a murderer.
I killed in self-defense.
There's still a lot of people who believe me.
It happens to be the truth! I killed in self-defense! I know.
I know all about it.
And I doubt if this will be any consolation to you, but-- This isn't an easy assignment to handle-- stopping here four times a year and having to look at a man's agony.
You're right, Allenby.
That's very little consolation.
I can't bring you freedom.
All I can do is try to bring you things to help keep your sanity.
Something to-- anything so you can just fight loneliness.
(Adams) Hey, captain! You wanna open up this big crate? No.
Not yet.
Uh, stay out there.
I'll be right out.
We got to go now.
We'll be back in three months.
Look, when you open up that crate there's nothing you need to do.
The item's been vacuum-packed.
You'll need no activator of any kind.
The air will do that.
There will be a booklet inside that will answer any of your questions.
Corry.
They don't know what it is I've brought, so I'd appreciate your waiting until we get out of sight.
Have a good trip back.
Give my regards to Broadway.
Sure, Corry.
I'll see you in three months.
Allenby? I don't much care what's in it, but for the thought-- for the decency-- Thank you.
You're quite welcome, Corry.
Captain.
Captain? Captain, what's in the big crate, huh? I'm not quite sure, really.
Maybe it's just an illusion.
Maybe it's salvation.
I don't know.
[sigh.]
Let's go.
"You are now the proud possessor of a robot built in the form of a woman.
" "To all intent and purpose, this creature is a woman.
" "Physiologically and psychologically, she is a human being with a set of emotions and a memory track, the ability to reason, to think and to speak.
" "She is beyond illness and, under normal circumstances, should have a lifespan similar to that of a normal human being.
" "Her name is Alicia.
" [robot-like.]
My name's Alicia.
What's your name? Get out of here.
Get out of here! I don't need no machine.
Go on! Get out of here! My name's Alicia.
What's your name? [playing big band swing.]
I brought you some water.
Put it over there.
It'll get warm just sitting there.
[scoffs.]
How would you know? I can feel thirst.
Yeah? What else can you feel? I don't understand.
Can you feel heat? Yes.
And cold? Yes.
And hunger? How about pain? Can you feel pain? That, too.
How? You're a machine, aren't you? Yes.
Why would-- Why didn't they build you to look like a machine? Why didn't they build you out of metal, with bolts and wires and electrodes and things like that? Why'd they turn you into a lie-- cover you with something that looks like flesh-- give you a face? A face that if I-- if I look at long enough, makes me think-- makes me believe that-- it's a lie! Corry? Corry.
You mock me, you know that? When you look at me, when you talk to me, I'm being mocked.
I'm sorry.
You hurt me, Corry.
Hurt you? How can I hurt you? This isn't real flesh.
There aren't any nerves under there.
There aren't any muscles or tendons.
You're just like this heap-- A hunk of metal with arms and legs instead of wheels.
But this heap doesn't mock me the way you do.
It doesn't look at me with make-believe eyes, or talk to me with a make-believe voice.
Well, I'm sick of being mocked by the memory of women.
And that's all you are-- A reminder to me that I'm so lonely I'm about to lose my mind.
I can feel loneliness, too.
Oh, Alicia, I'm sorry.
(Corry, off) Alicia's been with me now for 11 months.
It's difficult to write down what has been the sum total of this very strange and bizarre relationship.
Is it man and woman? Or man and machine? I don't really know myself.
But there are times when I do know that Alicia is simply an extension of me.
I hear my words coming from her, my emotions.
The things that she has learned to love are those things that I've loved.
I'm not lonely anymore.
Each day can now be lived with, and I love Alicia.
Nothing else matters.
(Corry) And that's the star Betelgeuse.
That's in the constellation of Orion.
And there's the Great Bear.
See it with it's pointer stars in line with the Northern Star? And there's the constellation Hercules.
God's beauty.
That's right, Alicia.
God's beauty.
That star, Corry.
What's that star? That's not a star, that's a ship.
A ship? But it can't be a ship.
There isn't one due here for three months.
You said after the last time, not for another three months.
It must be Allenby's ship.
He's the only one that ever comes close.
They stop at the other asteroids, then they come here.
That means we'll see them in the morning.
We'd better get back to the house then.
No.
(Allenby) Corry! Corry! (Allenby) Corry! Corry, we've got good news for you.
All the sentences have been reviewed.
You've been given a pardon! We're taking you back home on this ship, but we've got to take off from here in 20 minutes and we can't wait longer.
We've been dodging meteor storms.
We're almost out of fuel.
Any longer than 20 minutes, and we'll have passed the point of departure, and I don't think we'd make it back.
Allenby, what did you say? A pardon! Corry, they've granted you a pardon! But it won't do us any good unless you get ready to move out.
We picked up seven other men off asteroids.
We only have room for 15 pounds of stuff.
Pick up what you need in a hurry, leave the rest behind.
15 pounds? [laughs nervously.]
15 pounds? I don't have 15 pounds of stuff.
All I have is a shirt, a ledger book, a pencil and a pair of shoes.
That car they can keep.
That'll be for the next poor devil.
Aw, there won't be any "next poor devil".
Good.
Good.
I'm glad of that.
Alicia and I will climb into that ship of yours.
And we'll look out the port, and we'll give it all a big kiss goodbye.
Who, Corry? Oh, my dear God, I forgot her.
He's out of his mind.
Who's Alicia? A robot.
She's a woman.
Corry, she's a robot.
She's a woman! She's gentle and kind.
Allenby, she kept me alive.
Why, if it wasn't for her, I'd have been finished.
I'd have given up.
That's the crate you wouldn't let us look at.
We can't let this be a problem.
Problem? There's no more problems.
There's no more problems on heaven and earth.
We'll just climb in that ship of yours and when we hit that big, beautiful green earth-- 15 pounds.
Oh, wait a minute.
You'll have to throw out some equipment.
Alicia-- She weighs more than 15 pounds.
That's exactly the point, now.
Our ship is stripped now.
We only have room for you and that ledger and pencil.
Leave that robot.
She's not a robot! She's a woman! You leave her behind, that's murder! Wait a minute.
I haven't got any choice.
Understand? No, you don't understand! She's not a robot! She's a woman! Alicia! Alicia! Corry! Alicia! Alicia! Alicia? Alicia! Come on, Corry.
(Adams) We just want you to get your gear packed and get out of here.
We've got 15 minutes, captain.
I'm not leaving without her! Corry! (Corry) Alicia! Alicia! Alicia! Alicia, show them! Talk to them! Show them! (Corry) Talk to them, Alicia! Show them! Alicia, show them! I don't have any choice.
I have no choice at all.
(Alicia, softly) Corry? No! No!! (Alicia, robot-like) Corry.
Corry.
[winding down.]
Corry.
Corry.
[lower in pitch.]
Corry Corry [silence.]
(Carstairs) We've got to go now, captain.
(Allenby) We will go now.
Come on, Corry.
Time to go home.
It's all behind you now, Corry.
It's all behind you.
It's like a bad dream-- A nightmare.
When you wake up, you'll be back on earth.
You'll be home.
Home? That's right.
All you're leaving behind is loneliness.
I must remember that.
I must remember to keep that in mind.
(male presenter, off) On a microscopic piece of sand that floats through space is a fragment of a man's life, left to rust as the place he lived in, and the machines he used.
Without use, they will disintegrate from the wind and the sand and the years that act upon them-- All of Mr.
Corry's machines, including the one made in his image, kept alive by love but now obsolete in the Twilight Zone.
(2nd male presenter, off) Rod Serling, the creator of Twilight Zone will tell you about next week's story after this word from our alternate sponsor.
And now, Mr.
Serling.
Next week, a distinguished actor lends us his talents as Mr.
Burgess Meredith stars in "Time Enough at Last".
The story of a man who seeks salvation in the rubble of a ruined world.
We hope you'll share this very strange experience with us.
Thank you and good night.
[eerie music.]
(3rd male presenter, off) Be sure to see the fun-filled family life of one of America's greatest entertainers.
The Danny Thomas Show, monday nights, over most of these stations.