Original subtitles

[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.

You're about to meet A hypochondriac.

Witness Mr. Walter Bedeker, Age 44,

Afraid of the following,

Death, disease, other people, Germs, draft

And everything else.

He has one interest in life, And that's Walter Bedeker.

One preoccupation,

The life and wellbeing Of Walter Bedeker.

One abiding concern About society,

That if Walter Bedeker Should die,

How will it survive Without him?

Well?

Doctor, I asked You a question.

How bad is it?

Oh, it isn't Bad at all.

It's quite good.

You have No temperature.

Pressure normal, Respiration normal,

Heart action normal, No infection,

Throat clear, Nasal passages Clear, ears clear.

What about the pains In my back and side?

What about four Sleepless nights in a row?

What about that?

That, Mr. Bedeker, Is psychosomatic.

Psycho-- you mean that I'm sick only in my mind?

That is my Considered opinion.

Mr. Bedeker, there's Nothing wrong with you

Except these ailments You manufacture for yourself.

Your pains are imaginary.

Your inability to sleep Is a case of nerves.

Nothing more.

In short, Mr. Bedeker, You're a very healthy man.

You see, That's a doctor.

Four years premed, Four years medical school,

Two years internship, Two years residency,

And what is he?

I ask you, what is he?

A quack!

[door opens]

Doctor, how is he?

Oh, don't ask him.

The man's an idiot.

Walter, don't excite Yourself, please.

Then stop whispering.

There's half my trouble.

This woman goes Around whispering,

Making me Think I'm sick, Even when I'm not.

And I am!

I'm on The threshold Of death,

And who is Ushering me out?

A quack And a whispering woman

I'll call tomorrow.

Don't bother. Just come over with The death certificate.

You can sign it here.

Oh, Walter.

Oh, stop those Crocodile tears.

She'd love To see me gone, I can't tell you.

Well, goodbye, Mr. Bedeker.

Take good care Of yourself.

Oh--

Thank you.

Doctor.

Doctor, how Is he, really?

Mrs. Bedeker, Your husband is one

Of the healthiest Patients I have.

(Ethel) But he's sick Most of the time.

Well, I'll call again, Mrs. Bedeker.

It wouldn't Be a bad idea

If you took a few Vitamins yourself.

You look A little Run down and pale.

(Walter) Ethel, there's a draft In here and I feel A cold coming on!

Yes, dear, I'll, I'll be Right there.

All right, take A few of those.

I'm sure you'll Feel much better.

Thank you.

Don't worry. See you.

Goodbye, doctor.

[sighs]

(Walter) Freezing air blasting Into the room.

You know how many Germs there are

In a cubic foot Of air, Ethel?

(both) 8,900,000.

I know you Want me to die.

That's why you Leave windows open.

But, as a point Of decency,

Couldn't you do It more subtly?

The doctor said It was stuffy. You need fresh air.

What have You got there?

I'm well, But he gives you Prescriptions for me.

He says I'm not sick

But, while I lie Here helpless,

He tells you I've got A life expectancy Of 20 m inutes.

Don't deny it, Ethel. I could smell the collusion.

It was for vitamins, Walter, for me.

Vitamins for you?

Here I lie,

With my life Ebbing away,

And that quack Prescribes vitamins For you.

See? I'm dying, But she gets vitamins.

Stop, Ethel. Get out of here. Let me die in peace.

All right, Walter.

What?

I simply meant That I'd let you alone

So you can take a little nap.

I can't nap.

Why does a man have to die?

I asked you A question.

Why does a man have to die?

The world goes on For millions of years,

And how long Is a man's life?

This much. A drop. A microscopic fragment.

Why can't a man Live 500 years,

Or a thousand? Why does he Have to die

Almost the moment He's born?

I don't know, dear.

Of course You wouldn't.

Go on. Get out Of here, Ethel.

Mm.

[grumbling]

Oh, it's a crime for a man

To live such A short span Of years.

Why can't a man live A decent number of years?

200? 300?

(male) Why not 500? 600?

Yes. Or a thousand?

What a miserable Thing to contemplate.

[eerie music]

A handful of years, Then an eternity

Under the ground In a casket

In the cold, Cold ground.

With worms, yet.

Yes, of course With worms.

I subscribe To your views Wholly, Mr. Bedeker.

I mean wholly.

That's mighty decent of you.

Who are you?

Cadwallader's my name.

At least it's the name I'm using this month.

It has a nice feeling On the tongue.

"Cadwallader."

How'd you Get in here?

I've never been gone.

I've been here For some time.

I'll make it brief, Mr. Bedeker.

You look like a man

With a nose For a bargain,

So I'd like to make You a proposition.

We each have something The other wants.

That seems A relatively solid Basis for a bargain.

Does it?

And what do you have

That could possibly Interest me?

A great many things.

Oh, you'd Be surprised, Mr. Bedeker.

Many things, Varied and delightful.

And what do I have

That could remotely Interest you?

Actually, a minor item.

In fact, Something less than minor,

Insignificant,

Infinitesimal, microscopic, Teensy-weensy.

What did you say Your name was?

What's in a name, Mr. Bedeker, really?

It's a mere question Of semantics.

Just language.

A mere stretch of words.

For example,

What is it you want?

You want an extended Life-span.

A few hundred years To play around with.

Some people would call That immortality.

But why make it Sound so imposing?

Let's call it-- Just the two of us--

Let's call it

"Some additional Free time."

After all, what are A few hundred years

Or a few thousand?

A few thousand?

5,000, 10,000?

What is it in The scheme of things?

The world will go on Ad infinitum.

So what are a few Thousand years

More or less, Give or take,

Add or subtract?

And this little item

That you want In return

What do we Call that?

Well, what could We call that?

We could call it

Uh,

A little piece Of your makeup,

A crumb off the crust Of your structure

A fragment of an atom Of your being, or,

Or what?

A soul?

You're the devil.

At your service.

[mischievous music]

How about it, Mr. Bedeker? Why not? A partnership Of a sort.

You deed to me Your so-called soul

And, in exchange, I give you immortality.

And then Indestructibility

Complete Indestructibility.

Nothing can hurt you.

Nothing can hurt me?

And I live forever?

Certainly. Why Not forever?

Governments and institutions May disintegrate,

People die,

But Walter Bedeker Goes on and on.

[ciaps] "Walter Bedeker Goes on and on."

Mr. Cadwallader, About my soul,

You say I won't miss it?

You'll never know it's gone.

No tricks?

No hidden clauses?

I'll just live As long as I want To live. Is that it?

That is it.

That is precisely it.

What about my appearance?

I'm afraid I can't Do much about that.

What I mean is, you should Look practically the same.

Well, after 500 years

I don't want to look Like a dried-up old prune.

Oh, Mr. Bedeker, You drive a mean bargain.

A most Difficult bargain.

But I'll show you I'm a cooperative chap.

I'll throw this Into the deal.

Whatever aging Takes place On your features

Will be more Or less imperceptible.

Well, Mr. Cadwallader,

I think We're close To making a deal.

You'll never Regret this, not To your dying day.

Which, by rights, Should not be for Several thousand years yet.

However, there Is one thing.

[chuckiing]

Now it comes out.

Good day, Mr. Cadwallader.

Oh, it's for Your benefit, I assure you.

Ah.

Article 93. Yes.

Here it is.

Well, it's In the nature Of an escape clause.

Your escape clause.

"Whereas the party Of the first part,

"Upon due notification Of the party--"

Well, I'll Just give it To you thumbnail.

It's simply that, If you ever get tired

Of living, Mr. Bedeker,

You exercise This escape clause

By calling upon me To furnish your--

Well, there go Those terms again.

To furnish Your, "Demise,"

At which point I shall see to it

That you are Given a rapid And uncomplicated, uh,

Departure.

And let me Assure you,

That I'm not The sort of fellow

To kill The goose that Lays the golden egg.

When you talk Of immortality To me, brother,

I mean immorrality.

[chuckies] You're going To have a long, Long, long wait.

Mr. Bedeker, Nothing could Please me more.

Then, Mr. Cadwallader, Your pen, please.

[magic music]

Whew! You Sure keep it Hot in here.

[magic and Mischievous music]

[maievoient iaughter]

There, everything seems To be in order.

[sizzling]

[chuckies]

Ah!

Walter!

Ethel!

Behold the new Walter Bedeker!

[mischievous music]

[oniookers screaming]

[onlookers murmuring]

(female) He's alive. Somebody Should get an ambulance.

(male) Is he all right?

(another male) It's a miracle.

You all right?

How-how-- How come you--?

Take your hands Off me,

And go get your Claims adjuster.

(maie) He should Be pulverized.

$1,000?

Considering the fact

That you're Not even scratched, Mr. Bedeker,

I think The company's Being very fair.

Shut up and I'll sign it.

I'll get My check Tomorrow, I suppose.

First thing In the morning,

Just sign Right here.

Thank you.

Bye, ma'am.

Hi, steve.

Oh, hello, jack. You, too, huh?

Yeah. Subway accident.

Bus here.

You, out.

You, in.

You've got My check, I suppose.

$1,500, Mr. Bedeker

If you'll Just, uh, Sign right here.

Now, do me The goodness To make a fast exit.

I'll take Your money, But you bore me.

[door shuts]

14 accidents. 14.

Wouldn't you think

There'd be An element of thrill In 14 accidents?

I guess so, Walter.

Well, there isn't. It's dull.

There isn't The remotest element Of excitement in it.

In short, I'm bored with it.

Walter, you should Count your blessings.

Oh, Ethel.

I swear he's cheated me.

Immortality. What's The good of it?

There isn't any kicks, Any excitement.

Walter, do you Feel all right?

At least, When I was concerned About my health,

There was some area Of risk about it.

I mean, there--

Aspirins.

Rubbing alcohol. Ethel!

(Walter) Have we got Any ammonia?

Ammonia?

That's what I said, ammonia.

Walter!

[gasps ioudiy]

Nothing!

I've just Drunk enough To kill 12 men

And it tastes Like lemonade to me.

Weak lemonade.

Walter.

What?

What is this All about?

Would youreally Like to know?

Yes!

I am immortal.

I'm indestructible.

I have made A pact with a man Named Cadwallader.

He has given Me immortality In exchange for my soul.

More simple Than that I Couldn't put it.

I'll call a doctor.

You will not.

If you had any Imagination at all,

You'd find a way For me to get some Excitement out of all this.

I've been In subway crashes, Bus accidents,

Major fires, I've even drunk Poison here.

Nothing!

You know what I think I'll do?

I think I'll go up On the roof and jump Down the light well

Straight, smack, Down the light well,

14 stories, just For the excitement.

Walter, no! Please!

Go drown In the tub Ethel!

Walter, please!

Leave me alone!

Walter!

Walter, please, Come back to The apartment.

I'll make you Potato pancakes.

You used to love Potato pancakes.

Ethel, you are A potato pancake.

You're as tasteless As a potato pancake. Now, leave me alone.

Walter, no!

Ethel, get out Of my way.

Walter, please!

Ah!

[screaming]

I wonder what it felt like.

[mischievous music]

Hello. Operator?

Would you get me The police, please?

Hurry. It's, Uh, an emergency.

Hello. Police station?

My name is Walter Bedeker.

I live at 11 North seventh street.

That's right.

Apartment 1214.

Could you come over here Right away, please?

No, no, no. No trouble.

I just killed my wife.

Hm.

Oh, I'll stay right here.

Goodbye.

[sighs]

Now, let's give The electric chair A little whirl.

Well, Cooper The legal beagle.

How are you?

I'm miserable, Mr. Bedeker.

I've been miserable Ever since I took Your case.

I've had tough Clients before,

But nobody like you.

Really? What disturbs you?

In five days of a trial,

You've acted like a man Desperate to get convicted.

When I exam ine you, You shut up like a clam.

Is that a fact?

That is a fact.

Now, tomorrow, here's What I want us to do.

Cooper, put it away.

How's that?

Put it away.

Bedeker, did you get What I was trying To tell you?

You are about 12 hours away From a "Guilty" verdict

To a charge Of first-degree murder.

And what is the penalty?

The penalty for First-degree murder

In this state is death In the electric chair.

Mr. Cooper, the only thing They'll get for their pain

If they try to burn me

Is a staggering bill For electricity.

Good-bye, Mr. Cooper.

Bedeker.

I don't know. I just don't Understand you.

Mr. Cooper, Please don't bother.

[judge pounding gavel]

Mr. Bedeker, You've been tried

And found guilty of murder In the first degree.

Have you anything to say

Before the court Pronounces sentence upon you?

No, your honor. I have nothing to say.

Then the court sentences you To imprisonment

In the state penitentiary Without hope of parole

For the rest Of your natural life.

I knew We could do it!

Congratulations!

[people murmuring]

Life?

Life imprisonment?

It's your Last meal With us, Bedeker.

They'll be Taking you

To the penitentiary Tomorrow morning.

The penitentiary For life.

That's right. For life.

Look at It philosophically.

What's life? 40 years, 45 years?

You can do That standing On your head.

That's all. 40, 45 years.

Maybe not even That much.

[lock clicks]

40, 45 years.

(cadwaiiader) After all, what's A few hundred years?

Or a few thousand?

Or 5,000? Or 10,000?

What is it In the scheme of things?

[Cadwallader laughing]

[laughing louder and louder]

No, no, no. No! No! No!

[laughter fades]

(Cadwallader) Mr. Bedeker?

About that escape clause, You care to utilize it now?

That's a wise man.

Odd thing. You look Like a man having A heart attack.

Just like a man Having a heart attack.

Bedeker, that you?

You all right?

Hey, Bill, Call the doc.

Bedeker just Dropped dead.

Poor devil.

(male presenter, off) There's a saying,

"Every man is put on earth Condemned to die,

Time and method Of execution unknown."

Perhaps this is As it should be.

Case in point, Walter Bedeker, Lately deceased,

A little man With such a yen to live

Beaten by the devil, By his own boredom,

And by the scheme of things

In this, The twilight zone.

(male presenter, off) Rod serling, The creator Of twilight zone,

Will tell you about Next week's story

After this word From our sponsor.

(male presenter, off) And now, Mr. Serling.

One of next week's stars Is alongside me now

She will appear In a tale called "The Lonely"

The story Takes place in a--

(female) An asteroid And it's a most Intriguing premise.

It sounds it. Next week on The twilight zone

Jack Warden John Dehner And Jean Marsh

Appear in a bizarre tale Of a man and-- a woman?

I don't understand It either.

Thank you and good night.

(male presenter, off) Strength and beauty are found In the lord's sanctuary.

Find the strength For your life,

Worship together this week.