Original subtitles

Good evening.

The characters in television programs are becoming more and more unreal.

We have robots, monsters, witches, martians. In some cases, whole families

unreal. In one, for example, the leading lady is a witch and her husband is an

advertising man.

In a series which we are planning, we have taken the next logical step.

We have eliminated the actors and are using actual robots for all the parts.

Other workers have been liberated by the machine age.

Why not the actor?

Let him enjoy the benefits of automation, the relief from heavy labor,

leisure time, the unemployment.

Actually, only a few actors have objected, and they only on the grounds

this is typecasting.

There are many advantages.

For one thing, they never forget their lines, provided they are properly

programmed. For example, here are a few lines from one of Hamlet's soliloquies.

Being method actors, they are inclined to mumble a bit.

Our play this evening will be acted by flesh and blood actors.

and follows in just one long minute.

Thank you.

May I have my bags, please?

Thank you.

That's mine, too.

Mr. Hunter?

That's right.

I'm Martha Peters.

I know.

Can you manage that all right?

Sure. All right. The truck's right over there.

Sam Ogle. Sam. Arthur Peters.

Pleased to meet you, ma 'am. Any friend of Luke's? Friend of mine.

Not a friend. We're getting married tonight.

Is anything wrong?

You're very quiet, aren't you?

Talking's a habit.

Get out of it when you're alone.

I know.

I've been alone too, Mr. Hunter.

Luke.

I beg your pardon?

You can call me Luke if you want to.

That's if you still want to go through with this.

What makes you think I wouldn't?

I thought maybe when you...

Got a good look at me. You might want to back out.

Well, there's nothing wrong with the way you look.

You must need glasses.

Bring your bank book?

Oh, yes.

500, I thought you said 13.

Well, there was, but... Well, there were some things and clothes that I wanted

to buy for my trousseau.

Sure.

Here's mine.

7 ,000 like I wrote.

Of course, I got the house in this truck.

And the carpenter shop uptown, so I guess we come out pretty even in the

Oh, I don't think of marriage as a deal, Mr. Hunter.

I didn't mean it like that.

I know. Getting married this way through a correspondence club isn't easy.

I guess we're both a little nervous.

Why, nothing to be nervous about.

Tomorrow we'll go into town and open up a joint bank account together.

That's okay with you.

Whatever you say, Luke.

You never told me your house was so impressive.

I never said it was my house.

Ministers.

Oh, but... Oh, I'm a mess.

I thought I'd have a chance to freshen up first.

No sense to make an extra trip just to waste the gas.

We'll have plenty of chance to clean up after we're married.

Oh.

I now pronounce you man and wife.

My congratulations to you both.

Oh, thank you.

Well, what's the matter? Aren't you going to kiss the bride?

He's shy.

Don't you worry. He'll get over that, my dear. Just give him a little time.

Uh, it's getting late.

Better get going.

Oh, well, can't you stay and have some coffee? I've got some perking. Oh, some

other time.

Oh, that's a promise, Luke.

Perhaps you'll be coming to services now.

Well, I sure will, Reverend, whenever I get a chance.

You just hold him to that. Here we are practically neighbors. The only time we

ever see Luke is when he comes to deliver a coffin.

Coffin?

Our county hires me to build coffins for Popper's funerals.

I'm surprised he hasn't told you about it.

Well, courtship's hardly the time to discuss funerals, my dear.

Of course.

Besides, I keep forgetting that you come from out of town.

St. Petersburg.

Funny, I never would have thought you were a southerner. Well, I was born in

Michigan, but for the past 12 years I've been a librarian down there.

Oh. Then you and Luke can't have known each other very long.

Long enough.

Bye, Reverend.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Good night.

Thank you very much. Good night.

All right, get this in the bedroom.

Make yourself at home.

Buzzard! You've got to watch it. You could get burned.

Oh, I didn't realize I was standing so close.

I just love fireplaces.

They come in handy.

Oh, another fireplace.

Isn't there a furnace?

It would cost too much to put one in.

Do you want to see the rest of the house?

Bathroom. I installed the plumbing myself.

Same time as I did the kitchen.

Oh, you built all these?

Oh, shebang.

Sink and all.

You get it cold, you leave that stove on.

Puts up good heat.

I, uh... I don't see any washing machine.

It's in the basement.

Not much to look at.

Oh, I think it's nice.

Uh, doesn't it get awfully cold down here?

Oh, hot water here to take the chill off some.

Of course, it'll be winter soon. You'll have to bundle up good then.

Oh, don't even talk about it.

I keep forgetting you're from the real south.

Well, it isn't very warm down here right now.

There's plenty of good heat up in the bedroom. Why don't you run along up

All right.

Aren't you coming?

Hey, you go ahead. I'll be right along All right

Lou?

I'll be right there.

Lou, is there anything wrong?

No.

All finished.

Morning. Good morning, dear.

What are you all dressed up about?

Church.

It's Sunday, in case you've forgotten.

I didn't forget. Don't shave on Sundays.

So I noticed when I kissed you.

I didn't hear you get up this morning.

Oh, I sneaked out.

As long as you wouldn't come with me, I didn't see any sense in disturbing you.

Uh -huh.

I noticed something in the oven.

Dinner. I put a leg of lamb on before I left.

You do like lamb, don't you, dear?

Sure, dear.

Well,

I'd better take a look at it.

You don't mind my going to church, do you, dear?

I'll suit yourself.

It's really the only chance I've had to meet people since I came here.

Four weeks ago, yesterday.

You remember.

Now, why are you keeping track of the dates?

So I don't get married every day.

Peggy Ilfoyle was asking about you.

You know, she's really very nice. She introduced me to the ladies of the

Missionary Society.

They've asked me to join.

Well, well, well. Now, don't you poke fun. The Missionary Society does a lot

fine work among the heathens.

Plenty of heathens right here in this town, if you ask me.

Well, nobody is asking you, Mr. Smarty.

If you want to join, go ahead.

They meet once a month, you know.

There's going to be a quilting bee at the Gilfoyle next Wednesday night.

Okay.

You really don't mind if I go?

No.

Oh, what's that?

Got us a new carbon knife.

Oh, how thoughtful of you. I didn't know you bought it.

Well, I'm full of surprise.

And it was two years ago. I remember because Virginia was here.

Virginia? Luke's first wife.

He's told you about Virginia, hasn't he?

Well, no.

We've never really talked about her.

What was she like?

She was a fine person.

Lived her whole life.

Her father left her the house, you know.

House? The one you live in.

Virginia certainly had us fooled.

We all thought she was a born old maid. And then Luke showed up right out of the

blue and they were married.

Some people said they'd been corresponding.

One of those lonely hearts clubs, you know.

Don't you believe it.

Virginia had too much sense for a thing like that.

How long were they married?

About six months.

That's when she bought Luke the pickup truck.

They went back in to visit his hometown in Texas.

Small Boot.

Now, that's a funny name for you. Small Boot, Texas.

Well, not so funny for Virginia.

Can you imagine? Food poisoning, carrying her off just like that.

You never know, do you?

Those things happen just overnight.

No, you never know.

Luke said he'd bury her in the family plot down there. But he decided to come

back here and stay on. I mean, after all, you inherited the house and

everything.

Yes, of course.

That's odd.

What? I just remembered something.

The last time I saw Virginia alive was here in this house.

That's right. It was a sewing circle meeting, just like this one.

She was sitting there, right where you are.

Isn't it strange?

Yes.

Very strange.

Luke?

me. You scared me.

What are you doing down there at this hour?

I'm just checking.

You're right, it is cold down there.

Well, I'll heat you some coffee.

Thanks.

It's getting chillier every day.

I hate to think of what it's going to be like down there next month in that

basement when the ground starts freezing.

Augusta, wash and heat it up proper.

You're only down there a couple hours on Monday. Anyways, I do what I do wear

sweaters Did Virginia wear sweaters, too?

Virginia Well, that's it

Mean gee Benson Anteaters

Anteaters are the critters with the long noses, ain't they?

Like your friends of that sewing society?

Why didn't you tell me about her yourself?

Nothing to tell. You must have heard it all.

Got married.

She took sick. That was the end of it.

Was it?

Will you stop dibbling me?

What do you want to know?

The truth.

All right.

All right.

We never did get along together.

See, it was a mistake right from the beginning.

She died.

Yes?

Nothing.

I'm just glad it's all over.

Then why did you marry me?

Well, that's different.

Is it?

Well, sure, we get on fine together.

It's fine.

Oh, I always thought so.

Until tonight.

You'll forget about that.

Those old biddies are just trying to make trouble.

Now, come on now.

Never mind what happened. All that counts is just you and me.

You asleep yet?

No. I'm just thinking.

What about?

Christmas holiday's coming up in about a month. We ought to take a vacation.

Maybe we could take a little trip together.

Where would you want to go?

Well, you see, like a warmer, maybe I'll drive you down to my hometown.

A little place called Smallbrook, Texas.

You're home late.

Yeah, I had a hard day.

What was in the big box?

What box?

The big box that was in the back of the truck when you came in.

Have you seen things yet? There was nothing in that truck.

Dinner about ready?

Soon.

Good. I'll go wash up.

Make up your mind yet?

What about?

A trip. You remember we talked about it.

You haven't said anything since.

Well, I am now. What do you think?

I really hadn't planned on it.

I have.

It'll be such a long trip.

Oh, nothing to it. Be over before you know it. Couldn't we just stay here?

I thought you were the one I wanted to get out of the cold.

Well, this is your chance, girl.

Do we have to decide now?

Christmas is just a week away. I'll have to invite my friends and make

arrangements.

It seems like such a lot of trouble.

Oh, you leave everything to me. I got it all worked out.

It's really what you want.

Sure.

Well, don't look so sad about it. It seems to do you good. Oh, Luke.

Huh?

Nothing.

Well, it's all settled then.

I'd better get busy.

Time is getting short.

I know.

Good night.

Good to see you. Good night.

See you next time.

See you next month. Good night.

Goodbye. Goodbye, Helen. Good night.

Oh, will you excuse me? There's the telephone.

Before Christmas.

Oh, too bad you're not going to be here at Christmas time.

Yeah. You know, in a way, I really hate to see you go.

Well, it can't be helped. You heard her.

Luke made up his mind.

Better run along.

Take care of yourselves now. Are you here?

Bye. Bye.

I'll try.

None of my business.

But it's too bad Luke doesn't buy you a car.

Well, we never even talked about it.

Well, I hate to see you riding around in that truck.

Looks like a hearse.

Is something the matter? No.

She was so quiet all evening.

I suppose you had your mind on your trip.

You know when you'll be leaving?

Luke said the day after tomorrow, after work.

Well, then I guess I won't be seeing you again.

Before you leave, that is.

Oh, no, I guess not.

Have a nice trip.

Sylvia. Mm -hmm? I was just thinking.

Tomorrow I'll be packing.

But the next day...

Why don't you come by for lunch? Just to keep me company. You know, until Luke

comes home and we leave.

Just for a visit.

I get so nervous waiting.

You sure you haven't got something on your mind, dear?

Maybe we can talk about it then.

Of course.

I'll see you about 12 .30, day after tomorrow.

Bye.

Bye.

She's a ghost.

What are you doing home so early? It's past noon.

I know. I thought I'd surprise you.

What are you wearing your coat for?

I was so cold.

Fact yet?

No.

That's why I knocked off early. I figured I'd better get started.

Luke? Yeah?

You locked the basement door.

Well, I've got some washing to do.

You'll have to go after the trip.

I can't let the wash go that long.

You said yourself it's too cold down there.

But I... Forget it.

Maybe you better run into town now. Didn't you say you wanted to pick up

last -minute Christmas presents for those hen friends of yours?

It doesn't matter.

Yes, there is something I need in town.

Here, take the key to the pickup.

I may need these others.

Of course.

Take your time, don't hurry.

I'll show you back before dark.

Afternoon. Something I can do for you?

Yes.

I want to buy a gun.

How about this one?

Um, why are your bags in the parlor?

We're not leaving till tomorrow afternoon.

Changed my mind.

We're going tonight.

Tonight? Might as well have an extra day of freedom. I got to thinking about it.

No sense waiting.

Couldn't we stay until the morning?

I always travel nice, less traffic.

Besides, I'm all dressed now. I wouldn't want to go to all that trouble again.

I mean, I can't see Sylvia.

Sylvia?

Yes, I asked her to come over tomorrow around noon.

I'll have to phone her.

There's no sense wasting time. You could call her when we stop for gas.

What do you want to see her for?

Nothing.

Just a visit.

Well, she can wait till you get back.

But now I'll be alone with just the two of us.

You don't know how much I've been looking forward to this.

I'd better pack my things.

I'll take my bags out then.

Say, didn't you get any Christmas presents?

I couldn't find anything I wanted.

This is well. No use wasting your money.

Sing for your old age.

Martha.

I was just going to put my bag in the truck.

Later.

You forgot something.

What?

The lights are all on.

Oh, I'll put them off.

We'll do it together.

I've got something to show you before we leave.

What?

Merry Christmas to my dear wife.

Merry Christmas.