The Twilight Zone (1959) s02e13 Episode Script
Back There
You're traveling through another dimension- a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind.
A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination.
That's the signpost up ahead.
Your next stop, the twilight zone.
Thank you, william.
Yes, sir.
Cut.
What's your point? That, if it were possible for a person to go back in time, there'd be nothing in the world to prevent them from altering the course of history? Is that it? That's right.
Let's say, corrigan, that you go back in time.
It's october, 1929, the day before the stock market crashed.
Now, you know that, on the following morning, securities are going to tumble into an abyss.
Now, using this prior knowledge, there's a hundred things you could do to protect yourself.
But i'd be an anachronism.
I really don't belong back there.
You could sell out the day before the crash.
But what if i did, and started the crash earlier? Now, history tells us that on october 24, 1929, the bottom fell out of the stock market.
That's a fixed date.
It exists as an event in the history of our times.
It can't be altered.
And i say it can.
Now, what's to prevent me, say, from going to a broker on the morning of october 23 or 22? Witness a theoretical argument, washington, d.
c.
, the present.
Four intelligent men talking about an improbable thing like going back in time.
A friendly debate revolving around a simple issue: Could a human being change what has happened before? Interesting and theoretical because who ever heard of a man going back in time? Before tonight, that is.
Because this is the twilight zone.
Gentlemen, i'm afraid i'm going to have to leave time travel to h.
g.
Wells.
I'm much too tired to go into any more metaphysics this evening.
And, since no one has ever gone back into time, i find the whole blame subject much too theoretical anyway.
Phil, i'll probably see you over the weekend.
Don't get lost back in time, now, corrigan.
I certainly shall not.
Good night, gentlemen.
Good night, pete.
So long, corrigan.
Well, where do we get a fourth? Good evening.
I'm desperately sorry, mr.
Corrigan.
That was very clumsy of me.
I think i shall survive, william.
I really do.
Did you did you have a coat, sir? No.
I'm rushing the season a little tonight, william.
I felt spring in the air, so i came out like this.
Well, april isspring, sir.
What is the date, william? Uh april 14, sir.
April 14, 1961, right? I beg your pardon, sir? Oh, yes, 1961.
Well, good night, william.
Take care of yourself.
Yes, sir.
Home.
Home.
That's it.
I'll go home all right, all right.
Have a bit of patience.
I'm coming.
Yes? Oh, i'm sorry.
Isn't this number 19 That's right.
Whom do you wish to see? I used to live here.
This this used to be the oldest building in this part of town.
What's that? Well, that is, as i remember it, it used to be.
Now, look here, young man.
I can't stand around all evening talking about silly things like which is the oldest building in the section.
Now, if there's nothing else do you have a room? Yes, i have rooms for acceptable boarders.
Do you come from around here? Yes, i do.
Army veteran? Yes yes, as a matter of fact, i am.
May i inquire as to what business you're in? I'm an engineer.
Oh, really? A professional man.
Well, right upstairs and to the right.
Good evening, mrs.
Landers.
Good evening.
Off to the play? Yes.
Dinner, and then off to the play.
Well, enjoy yourselves.
Applaud the president for me.
We'll certainly do that.
Good night.
Have a good time.
What did you say? Well what did i say? To the officer.
You said something to him.
She just said something to you about the president.
She told me to applaud him.
Where might your sympathies lie? Yes, young man, which army were you in? Well, i was in the army of the republic, of course.
Well, then why make such a thing of applauding president lincoln? It's his due, we figure.
That and everything else, god bless him.
You're going to a play tonight? We may or may not, depending on when my husband makes up his mind to call a carriage to get us to the theater and to dinner.
What theater? What play? Well, ford's theater, of course.
Ford's theater are you all right? Are you feeling all right? What's the name of the play? I beg your pardon? The play- the one you're going to tonight at ford's theater- what's it called? It's calledour american cousin.
Our american cousin and lincoln's going to be there.
And it's april 14, 1865, isn't it? Really, sir, i'd call these actions most strange.
Itisapril 14, 1865.
Let me in! Let me in! The president's going to be shot tonight! Let me in! Now, what has this one done? While you idiots are sitting here, you're going to lose a president.
That's what he's been yelling all the way over to the station.
And that's why the doorman at ford's theater popped him on the head.
He tried to pound his way right through the stage door, yelling some sort of nonsense about "president lincoln's going to be shot.
" President lincoln will be shot, tonight, at the theater.
A man named booth.
And how would you be knowing this? Are you some kind of a clairvoyant or something? I only know what i know.
If i told you how i knew, you wouldn't believe me.
Look keep me here if you like- lock me up- but hear me out.
Let him sleep it off.
Somebody better get to the president's box at the theater.
Keep him out of there! Put a cordon of men around him! A man named john wilkes booth is going to assassinate him tonight! Wellington, sergeant.
Jonathan wellington.
Well and what can we do for you, mr.
Wellington? That man you just had incarcerated- mr.
Corrigan, i believe you said his name was? Drunk, sir.
That's probably what he is.
Drunk or or perhaps ill.
I wonder if he might be remanded in my custody? He might well be a war veteran.
I would hate to see him placed in jail.
You say you want us to remand him in your custody? Precisely.
I'll be fully responsible for him.
I think perhaps i might be able to help him.
All right, sir, if that's the way you'd like it.
Have corrigan brought back in here.
This gentleman is going to look out for him.
That's real decent of you, sir.
Real decent of you.
I'll be outside.
Have him brought out to me, if you would? I will indeed, sir.
Yes.
Uh about that corrigan, sir.
What about him? Well, wouldn't it be wise, sir, if? If what? He seemed so positive, sir.
So sure.
About the president, i mean.
And what should we do- send all available police to ford's theater? And on what authority? On the word of some demented fool who probably left his mind in gettysburg? If i were you, mister, i'd be considerably more thoughtful in sizing up a situation or you'll not advance in the next Now, be good enough to step aside so i can get on with my work.
Sergeant, it wouldn't hurt if it wouldn't hurt if what? Well, i only meant to suggest, sir, that if perhaps we placed an extra guard in the box with the president the president has enough guards! The whole federal army is at his disposal.
And, if they're satisfied with the arrangements for his protection, so am i! So should you.
Here.
Try this.
It'll make you feel better.
Better? Who are you anyway? At the moment, i'm your benefactor.
Apparently, your only friend.
I'm in the government service.
But, as a young man in college, i dabbled in medicine of a sort.
Medicine? Medicine of the mind.
Psychiatrist.
Don't know the term.
What about the symptoms? They do interest me.
This story you were telling about the president being assassinated what time is it? This time? Half past 7:00.
Play doesn't begin for another three-quarters of an hour.
What gave you the idea that the president would be assassinated? I just happen to know, that's all.
You have a premonition? I've got a devil of a lot more than a premonition.
Lincolnwill be assassinated unless somebody tries to prevent it.
I shall try to prevent it if you can convince me that you're neither drunk nor insane.
If i told you what i was, you'd be convinced i was insane, so all i'm going to tell you is this: I happen to know for a fact that a man named john wilkes booth will assassinate president lincoln in his box at ford's theater.
I don't know what time it'll happen.
That's something i forgot.
Something you forgot? Yes, listen, i here.
That hasn't been treated properly.
You'd best cover it.
That's odd.
What is? Suddenly, i feel faint.
I feel weak, as if i were as if you were what? As if i were suddenly drunk or i've never felt this way before.
I've never i've ne you! You you devil.
You drugged me, didn't you? You drugged me! Had to, my young friend.
You're a very sick man, and a sick man doesn't belong in jail.
He belongs in a comfortable accommodation where he can sleep and rest and regain his composure- hisreason.
Rest mr.
Corrigan.
I'll be back soon.
Please please, you've got to believe me.
Lincoln will be shot tonight.
And that's odd because i'm beginning to believe you.
Good night, mr.
Corrigan.
Rest well.
Somebody please let me out! I know! I know our president's going to be assassinated.
No need to break the door down, officer.
I've got an extra key.
Now, step aside, if you don't mind.
Are you all right? What's happened? What time is it? You've got to tell me what time it is.
It's 10:00.
Come on, corrigan.
You've got to tell me what you know about this.
You may be a madman or a drunk or i don't know what, but you've got me convinced.
I've been everywhere from the mayor's office to the police commissioner's house trying to get a special guard for the president.
Then go yourself.
Find out where he's sitting, and get right up alongside of him.
He'll be shot from behind.
Let me help you up.
He was shot from behind.
That's how it happened.
Then the assassin jumped from the box to the stage and ran out of the wings.
You're telling me this as if it has already happened.
Ithashappened- it happened a hundred years ago- and i'm here to see that itdoesn'thappen.
Where's the man who brought me here? Where's wellington? Wellington? There's no one here by that name.
Don't tell me there's no one here by that name.
He brought me here.
He lives in this room.
There's no one here by that name.
I tell you, the man who brought me here's na "j.
w.
b.
" Of course.
Mr.
John wilkes booth, who lives in this room.
And that's who brought you here.
He told me his name was wellington.
And that's why he drugged me.
He gave me wine, and he drugged me.
He didn't want me to stop it.
He's the one who's going to do it.
You've got to get to that theater.
You've got to stop him.
John wilkes booth- he's going to kill lincoln.
Please, you've got to stop him! The president's been shot! An actor shot lincoln.
Oh you were right.
You did know.
Oh, my dear god.
I tried to tell you.
I tried to warn you! Why didn't you listen? Why didn't you listen?! Why didn't you listen to me?! Good evening, mr.
Corrigan.
Did you forget something? What? Forget something? You left here just a moment ago and i thought you forgot something.
A moment ago? Where's william? William, sir? There's no william on duty.
There's no one here named william, sir.
Oh, pete.
Back so soon, eh? Want to join us? We're talking about the best ways of amassing a fortune.
What are your tried and true methods? You were talking about time travel- about going back in time.
Oh, well, we're on a new tack now: Money, and the best ways to acquire it.
Listen i've got something to tell you.
Why, of course, old man.
You all right? Why, yes.
Yes, i'm all right.
Well, then, draw up a chair and come over here and listen to a lot of palaver of self-made swindlers.
William, here, has the best method.
William?! Oh, yes, my method for achieving security is by far the best.
You simply inherit it.
Comes to you in a beribboned box.
I was just telling the boys here, corrigan, my great-grandfather was on the police force here in washington the night of lincoln's assassination.
He went all over town trying to warn people that something might happen.
How he figured it out, nobody seems to know.
It's certainly not recorded anyplace.
But there was so much publicity about it that people never forgot him.
He became chief of police, then a councilman, did some wheeling and dealing in land, and became a millionaire.
Well, gentlemen, shall we get back to our bridge? What was it you wanted to say, corrigan? William william, didn't you use to work here as an attendant? Didn't you spill coffee on me? Now, listen here, old chum.
I was a member of this club while you were still going to prep school.
I'm certainly not a snob, but, well, sir, an attendant? I really must protest.
In the matter of time travel, gentlemen, some things can be changed.
Others can't.
Just as you say, pete.
Let's see, i dock.
I bid one spade.
Well, i'll pass that one.
Here's two spades.
Looks peaked, doesn't he? Acting so strangely.
What's the matter with him? Mr.
Peter corrigan, lately returned from a place "back there"- a journey into time with highly questionable results.
Proving, on one hand, that the threads of history are woven tightly, and the skein of events cannot be undone.
But, on the other hand, there are small fragments of tapestry that can be altered.
Tonight's thesis, to be taken as you will, in the twilight zone.
Rod serling, creator ofthe twilight zone, will tell you about next week's story after this word from our alternate sponsor.
And now, mr.
Serling.
This, in the parlance of the 20th century, is a used car lot- a graveyard of active ghosts who, by virtue of some exceptional salesmanship and an indian rubber stretching of the truth, remain as commodities in a world that, by rights, they should have left generations ago.
Mr.
Jack carson plays the role of a larceny-loaded con man suddenly prevented from telling a falsehood.
Next week onthe twilight zone, a most bizarre tale that we call "the whole truth.
" Captioned by media access group at wgbh access.
Wgbh.
Org be sure and see the colgate-palmolive company's new comedy show my sister eileen wednesday night on many of these same stations.
A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination.
That's the signpost up ahead.
Your next stop, the twilight zone.
Thank you, william.
Yes, sir.
Cut.
What's your point? That, if it were possible for a person to go back in time, there'd be nothing in the world to prevent them from altering the course of history? Is that it? That's right.
Let's say, corrigan, that you go back in time.
It's october, 1929, the day before the stock market crashed.
Now, you know that, on the following morning, securities are going to tumble into an abyss.
Now, using this prior knowledge, there's a hundred things you could do to protect yourself.
But i'd be an anachronism.
I really don't belong back there.
You could sell out the day before the crash.
But what if i did, and started the crash earlier? Now, history tells us that on october 24, 1929, the bottom fell out of the stock market.
That's a fixed date.
It exists as an event in the history of our times.
It can't be altered.
And i say it can.
Now, what's to prevent me, say, from going to a broker on the morning of october 23 or 22? Witness a theoretical argument, washington, d.
c.
, the present.
Four intelligent men talking about an improbable thing like going back in time.
A friendly debate revolving around a simple issue: Could a human being change what has happened before? Interesting and theoretical because who ever heard of a man going back in time? Before tonight, that is.
Because this is the twilight zone.
Gentlemen, i'm afraid i'm going to have to leave time travel to h.
g.
Wells.
I'm much too tired to go into any more metaphysics this evening.
And, since no one has ever gone back into time, i find the whole blame subject much too theoretical anyway.
Phil, i'll probably see you over the weekend.
Don't get lost back in time, now, corrigan.
I certainly shall not.
Good night, gentlemen.
Good night, pete.
So long, corrigan.
Well, where do we get a fourth? Good evening.
I'm desperately sorry, mr.
Corrigan.
That was very clumsy of me.
I think i shall survive, william.
I really do.
Did you did you have a coat, sir? No.
I'm rushing the season a little tonight, william.
I felt spring in the air, so i came out like this.
Well, april isspring, sir.
What is the date, william? Uh april 14, sir.
April 14, 1961, right? I beg your pardon, sir? Oh, yes, 1961.
Well, good night, william.
Take care of yourself.
Yes, sir.
Home.
Home.
That's it.
I'll go home all right, all right.
Have a bit of patience.
I'm coming.
Yes? Oh, i'm sorry.
Isn't this number 19 That's right.
Whom do you wish to see? I used to live here.
This this used to be the oldest building in this part of town.
What's that? Well, that is, as i remember it, it used to be.
Now, look here, young man.
I can't stand around all evening talking about silly things like which is the oldest building in the section.
Now, if there's nothing else do you have a room? Yes, i have rooms for acceptable boarders.
Do you come from around here? Yes, i do.
Army veteran? Yes yes, as a matter of fact, i am.
May i inquire as to what business you're in? I'm an engineer.
Oh, really? A professional man.
Well, right upstairs and to the right.
Good evening, mrs.
Landers.
Good evening.
Off to the play? Yes.
Dinner, and then off to the play.
Well, enjoy yourselves.
Applaud the president for me.
We'll certainly do that.
Good night.
Have a good time.
What did you say? Well what did i say? To the officer.
You said something to him.
She just said something to you about the president.
She told me to applaud him.
Where might your sympathies lie? Yes, young man, which army were you in? Well, i was in the army of the republic, of course.
Well, then why make such a thing of applauding president lincoln? It's his due, we figure.
That and everything else, god bless him.
You're going to a play tonight? We may or may not, depending on when my husband makes up his mind to call a carriage to get us to the theater and to dinner.
What theater? What play? Well, ford's theater, of course.
Ford's theater are you all right? Are you feeling all right? What's the name of the play? I beg your pardon? The play- the one you're going to tonight at ford's theater- what's it called? It's calledour american cousin.
Our american cousin and lincoln's going to be there.
And it's april 14, 1865, isn't it? Really, sir, i'd call these actions most strange.
Itisapril 14, 1865.
Let me in! Let me in! The president's going to be shot tonight! Let me in! Now, what has this one done? While you idiots are sitting here, you're going to lose a president.
That's what he's been yelling all the way over to the station.
And that's why the doorman at ford's theater popped him on the head.
He tried to pound his way right through the stage door, yelling some sort of nonsense about "president lincoln's going to be shot.
" President lincoln will be shot, tonight, at the theater.
A man named booth.
And how would you be knowing this? Are you some kind of a clairvoyant or something? I only know what i know.
If i told you how i knew, you wouldn't believe me.
Look keep me here if you like- lock me up- but hear me out.
Let him sleep it off.
Somebody better get to the president's box at the theater.
Keep him out of there! Put a cordon of men around him! A man named john wilkes booth is going to assassinate him tonight! Wellington, sergeant.
Jonathan wellington.
Well and what can we do for you, mr.
Wellington? That man you just had incarcerated- mr.
Corrigan, i believe you said his name was? Drunk, sir.
That's probably what he is.
Drunk or or perhaps ill.
I wonder if he might be remanded in my custody? He might well be a war veteran.
I would hate to see him placed in jail.
You say you want us to remand him in your custody? Precisely.
I'll be fully responsible for him.
I think perhaps i might be able to help him.
All right, sir, if that's the way you'd like it.
Have corrigan brought back in here.
This gentleman is going to look out for him.
That's real decent of you, sir.
Real decent of you.
I'll be outside.
Have him brought out to me, if you would? I will indeed, sir.
Yes.
Uh about that corrigan, sir.
What about him? Well, wouldn't it be wise, sir, if? If what? He seemed so positive, sir.
So sure.
About the president, i mean.
And what should we do- send all available police to ford's theater? And on what authority? On the word of some demented fool who probably left his mind in gettysburg? If i were you, mister, i'd be considerably more thoughtful in sizing up a situation or you'll not advance in the next Now, be good enough to step aside so i can get on with my work.
Sergeant, it wouldn't hurt if it wouldn't hurt if what? Well, i only meant to suggest, sir, that if perhaps we placed an extra guard in the box with the president the president has enough guards! The whole federal army is at his disposal.
And, if they're satisfied with the arrangements for his protection, so am i! So should you.
Here.
Try this.
It'll make you feel better.
Better? Who are you anyway? At the moment, i'm your benefactor.
Apparently, your only friend.
I'm in the government service.
But, as a young man in college, i dabbled in medicine of a sort.
Medicine? Medicine of the mind.
Psychiatrist.
Don't know the term.
What about the symptoms? They do interest me.
This story you were telling about the president being assassinated what time is it? This time? Half past 7:00.
Play doesn't begin for another three-quarters of an hour.
What gave you the idea that the president would be assassinated? I just happen to know, that's all.
You have a premonition? I've got a devil of a lot more than a premonition.
Lincolnwill be assassinated unless somebody tries to prevent it.
I shall try to prevent it if you can convince me that you're neither drunk nor insane.
If i told you what i was, you'd be convinced i was insane, so all i'm going to tell you is this: I happen to know for a fact that a man named john wilkes booth will assassinate president lincoln in his box at ford's theater.
I don't know what time it'll happen.
That's something i forgot.
Something you forgot? Yes, listen, i here.
That hasn't been treated properly.
You'd best cover it.
That's odd.
What is? Suddenly, i feel faint.
I feel weak, as if i were as if you were what? As if i were suddenly drunk or i've never felt this way before.
I've never i've ne you! You you devil.
You drugged me, didn't you? You drugged me! Had to, my young friend.
You're a very sick man, and a sick man doesn't belong in jail.
He belongs in a comfortable accommodation where he can sleep and rest and regain his composure- hisreason.
Rest mr.
Corrigan.
I'll be back soon.
Please please, you've got to believe me.
Lincoln will be shot tonight.
And that's odd because i'm beginning to believe you.
Good night, mr.
Corrigan.
Rest well.
Somebody please let me out! I know! I know our president's going to be assassinated.
No need to break the door down, officer.
I've got an extra key.
Now, step aside, if you don't mind.
Are you all right? What's happened? What time is it? You've got to tell me what time it is.
It's 10:00.
Come on, corrigan.
You've got to tell me what you know about this.
You may be a madman or a drunk or i don't know what, but you've got me convinced.
I've been everywhere from the mayor's office to the police commissioner's house trying to get a special guard for the president.
Then go yourself.
Find out where he's sitting, and get right up alongside of him.
He'll be shot from behind.
Let me help you up.
He was shot from behind.
That's how it happened.
Then the assassin jumped from the box to the stage and ran out of the wings.
You're telling me this as if it has already happened.
Ithashappened- it happened a hundred years ago- and i'm here to see that itdoesn'thappen.
Where's the man who brought me here? Where's wellington? Wellington? There's no one here by that name.
Don't tell me there's no one here by that name.
He brought me here.
He lives in this room.
There's no one here by that name.
I tell you, the man who brought me here's na "j.
w.
b.
" Of course.
Mr.
John wilkes booth, who lives in this room.
And that's who brought you here.
He told me his name was wellington.
And that's why he drugged me.
He gave me wine, and he drugged me.
He didn't want me to stop it.
He's the one who's going to do it.
You've got to get to that theater.
You've got to stop him.
John wilkes booth- he's going to kill lincoln.
Please, you've got to stop him! The president's been shot! An actor shot lincoln.
Oh you were right.
You did know.
Oh, my dear god.
I tried to tell you.
I tried to warn you! Why didn't you listen? Why didn't you listen?! Why didn't you listen to me?! Good evening, mr.
Corrigan.
Did you forget something? What? Forget something? You left here just a moment ago and i thought you forgot something.
A moment ago? Where's william? William, sir? There's no william on duty.
There's no one here named william, sir.
Oh, pete.
Back so soon, eh? Want to join us? We're talking about the best ways of amassing a fortune.
What are your tried and true methods? You were talking about time travel- about going back in time.
Oh, well, we're on a new tack now: Money, and the best ways to acquire it.
Listen i've got something to tell you.
Why, of course, old man.
You all right? Why, yes.
Yes, i'm all right.
Well, then, draw up a chair and come over here and listen to a lot of palaver of self-made swindlers.
William, here, has the best method.
William?! Oh, yes, my method for achieving security is by far the best.
You simply inherit it.
Comes to you in a beribboned box.
I was just telling the boys here, corrigan, my great-grandfather was on the police force here in washington the night of lincoln's assassination.
He went all over town trying to warn people that something might happen.
How he figured it out, nobody seems to know.
It's certainly not recorded anyplace.
But there was so much publicity about it that people never forgot him.
He became chief of police, then a councilman, did some wheeling and dealing in land, and became a millionaire.
Well, gentlemen, shall we get back to our bridge? What was it you wanted to say, corrigan? William william, didn't you use to work here as an attendant? Didn't you spill coffee on me? Now, listen here, old chum.
I was a member of this club while you were still going to prep school.
I'm certainly not a snob, but, well, sir, an attendant? I really must protest.
In the matter of time travel, gentlemen, some things can be changed.
Others can't.
Just as you say, pete.
Let's see, i dock.
I bid one spade.
Well, i'll pass that one.
Here's two spades.
Looks peaked, doesn't he? Acting so strangely.
What's the matter with him? Mr.
Peter corrigan, lately returned from a place "back there"- a journey into time with highly questionable results.
Proving, on one hand, that the threads of history are woven tightly, and the skein of events cannot be undone.
But, on the other hand, there are small fragments of tapestry that can be altered.
Tonight's thesis, to be taken as you will, in the twilight zone.
Rod serling, creator ofthe twilight zone, will tell you about next week's story after this word from our alternate sponsor.
And now, mr.
Serling.
This, in the parlance of the 20th century, is a used car lot- a graveyard of active ghosts who, by virtue of some exceptional salesmanship and an indian rubber stretching of the truth, remain as commodities in a world that, by rights, they should have left generations ago.
Mr.
Jack carson plays the role of a larceny-loaded con man suddenly prevented from telling a falsehood.
Next week onthe twilight zone, a most bizarre tale that we call "the whole truth.
" Captioned by media access group at wgbh access.
Wgbh.
Org be sure and see the colgate-palmolive company's new comedy show my sister eileen wednesday night on many of these same stations.