Original subtitles

[ Man Speaking Over P.A., Indistinct ]

- Mr. Hamilton? - Yes?

[ Bell Clanging ]

Scarsdale is next.

Scarsdale is next.

[ Bell Clanging ]

[ Brakes Screeching ]

[ Engine Starts ]

Good day?

Mm-hmm.

- You? - Very productive.

Got the roses out in back all trimmed.

Oh, letter this morning from Sally.

Samʼs finished internship.

Starts practice next week.

Well, he should specialize. Thatʼs the only thing now.

Well, maybe he just wants to get the feel of things.

Our little girlʼs done all right.

[ Children Shouting, Chattering ]

Something wrong?

No.

That phone call last night?

What about it?

I heard you pacing around in the study afterward...

till almost 2:00.

Just a crazy prank.

Look, Emily, it was nothing.

[ Rings ]

[ Man ] Art? Itʼs me again.

Arthur? Arthur!

Look, I donʼt know who you are, but —

- Charlie Evans. - Stop saying that! Charlie Evans is dead.

Now, I want you to stop this, or Iʼll be forced to call the police.

Art, there are two trophies on the fireplace...

near the tennis team picture.

Pick up the phone and walk over to them.

Go ahead. You know the cord will reach.

Are you there?

Yes.

In the picture, you and I are standing with our arms...

around each otherʼs shoulder.

Weʼre both wearing the same kind of wristwatch.

- Remember, we gave them to each other after winning the doubles at Princeton? - Yes.

Okay.

Take the doubles trophy there and turn it over.

One edge of the felt is loose.

Pull it back.

[ Charlie ] ʻʻFidelis eternis.ʼʼ

You scratched it there down in the locker room...

after we won the finals.

Remember?

With your belt buckle.

I —

I had forgotten.

I didnʼt.

It canʼt be you.

Okay, now. Listen very carefully.

- Did you get the address today? - Yes.

Good.

Youʼre to use the name ʻʻWilson.ʼʼ

You — you canʼt be Charlie. You just donʼt come back.

Iʼm alive!

More alive than Iʼve been in the past 25 years.

Youʼve got to come tomorrow.

Arthur, listen.

If you donʼt show up, thatʼs it.

Think, for peteʼs sake!

What have you got now? What?

I donʼt know.

Tomorrow, just past noon.

Remember: Use the name ʻʻWilson.ʼʼ

I... donʼt know.

- I wonʼt call again, buddy. - [ Line Clicks ]

- Charlie? - [ Dial Tone ]

Charlie?

- Was it that call again? - No.

Stop cross-examining me every time the phone rings.

Understand?

Perfectly.

Iʼm, uh, sorry.

[ Gulps ] Excuse me.

Youʼre excused.

Any fever?

No, just old faithful.

Make an appointment to see Dr. Hogan tomorrow, hmm?

I will.

Promise?

Promise. Thank you.

Therefore...

in view of the differential...

between your present equity —

[ Door Buzzer Sounds ]

between your present equity and the amount necessary...

for... capitalization...

we cannot extend the loan you require.

Should your equity —

Where?

- Uh, ʻʻShould your equity —ʼʼ - Oh, yeah.

Should your equity increase, do not hesitate to call on us...

for a personal reappraisal, et cetera, et cetera.

Standard closing.

Yes, sir.

[ Buzzer Sounds ]

[ Steam Hissing ]

My name is, uh, Wilson.

I was told to —

I was told to come here.

Look, is this the place or isnʼt it?

- [ Steam Hissing ] - [ Man ] They arenʼt here anymore.

I got it wrote down.

Thank you.

Move it! Letʼs go, letʼs go! Move it down the line!

Letʼs go, you bunch of idiots!

Get that beef cut down! Letʼs go! Move it up!

Damn you guys! Letʼs get that truck going and get the meat the hell outta here!

Go on! What are you gonna do? Take all day?

[ Man #1 ] Come onʼ move! Donʼt let those hooks fall off.

Come on, letʼs move it! Okay, Toddy.

Give us another truck up here. Tighten up with it, now.

Ah, Mr. Wilson.

- Letʼs go. On the truck with them. - Surely this isnʼt the —

- No, sir. Please come with me. - Letʼs go, Frank!

Move that truck off. Come on, now.

Letʼs hook it off. Hook on.

Move that beef off the line! Letʼs go!

This is costing money, you bunch ofjerks!

Come on! Go! Go!

Come on, cut it down. Cut it! Cut it!

All right, come on! Move out!

Keep hooking that beef up. Cut it down. Letʼs go.

Would you step in, please, sir?

Iʼd much prefer to ride in front, if you donʼt mind.

Iʼm sorry, sir, but customers are asked to ride in the back.

Oh.

Your hat, sir. Itʼs only a short ride.

Thank you.

Weʼre here, sir.

Would you take the elevator to your left, sir?

Ah, Mr. Wilson. Will you come this way, please?

Yes.

Iʼm very sorry. Thereʼll be a short delay.

- Perhaps youʼd like tea and a sandwich. - Thank you.

All right.

Make yourself comfortable.

Here we go.

[ Door Shuts ]

[ No Audio ]

Uh, pardon me...

but could you tell me the way out of this building?

Excuse me.

I was wondering if you could tell —

Excuse me. Iʼm trying to find —

Excuse me. Iʼm trying to find my way out of the building.

I have a gentleman here who wishes to leave the building.

[ Woman ] Yes, that would be Mr. Wilson.

Would you have him return to Mr. Rubyʼs office, please?

Mr. Ruby is waiting for him there.

They want you down at the end of the corridor again.

Yes. All right.

Thank you.

[ Man ] Ah, there you are, Mr. Wilson.

Come in, please.

Would you close the door?

Please, sit down.

My name is Ruby.

Iʼve been assigned to go over the circumstances of your death with you.

- What? - I know this seems rather strange to you.

Thatʼs why Iʼm here. You probably have a lot of questions.

Of course, the subject might appear indelicate, but most of our clients —

Now, get this straight: I am not a client.

- Precisely, Mr. Wilson. You are not a client yet. - [ Door Opens ]

Let me start by explaining...

the cost factor involved.

To begin with...

the procedure is a rather complex one.

This seems to be your supper. Oh, the chicken looks delicious.

No, thank you.

Yes, as I was saying, the cost runs...

in the neighborhood of $30,000.

I know this seems rather high, but in addition...

to the rather extensive...

cosmetic renovation by way of plastic surgery for you...

CPS has to provide a fresh corpse that perfectly matches...

your physical dimensions and medical specifications.

ʻʻCPSʼʼ?

Oh, Cadaver Procurement Section.

You sure you donʼt want this chicken?

Absolutely sure.

Oh, pity.

The next step is...

the carefully planned obliteration...

of identifiable portions of the cadaver...

before it is found.

Features, dental structure, fingerprints.

We canʼt leave anything to chance.

No, I — I guess not.

Uh, would you mind if, uh —

Please.

Thank you.

Now, there is a problem —

that the circumstances of your death must be simple.

Well, a simple accident, strangely enough...

is costly, Mr. Wilson.

The trick lies in obliterating...

just so much and no more, so that...

an identification still can be made, based on...

as I say, general dimensions...

plus a credible sequence of events...

witnesses, et cetera.

Oh, the whole thing must be very carefully staged.

We guarantee a death of this kind.

Mm, excuse me. Delicious!

They have a wonderful way of baking cheese on it...

so that it gets very crispy.

Nowʼ there are any number of ways...

you can be found.

Excuse me. I mean your body can be found.

The victim of some kind of machinery, an explosion...

um, a hunting misadventure.

Oh, but I think these are somewhat too gross for you.

I had thought perhaps a hotel room fire.

Would you like me to outline the circumstances?

- No, thank you. - Oh, good. I was —

- I was hoping you would agree — - No!

I mean, I-I canʼt be sure.

Oh, well, of course, of course, of course.

We canʼt expect you to decide all at once.

Um, think it over.

Thereʼs so much else to be done, Mr. Wilson...

but if I may say so...

the question of death selection may be the most important decision in your life.

[ Door Opens ]

Ah, here are the trust instruments.

Mr. Joliffe, Mr. Brown, Mr. Wilson.

My colleagues.

This is your, uh, revised will...

drawn in accordance with the requirements of the trust...

all predated, of course, to save you the trouble.

Oh, no, no. Itʼs standard procedure.

Uh...

effective at the time of your death...

the trust provides for...

very liberal settlements on your wife and daughter...

and more-than-sufficient funds...

for your financial needs and your new identity...

from sums assigned to us as your trustees.

Insurance policies...

uh, annuities...

uh, real estate.

If youʼll, uh, sign right here.

The staging here is rather authentic, youʼll see.

Of course, the drug made it easier to manipulate you...

into the proper positions and attitudes.

Rest easy, Mr. Wilson.

You did not ravage our girl.

Of course, the photography is not too professional...

but I think itʼs clear enough.

- So now itʼs — - I have a message from Charlie.

Charlie?

He wanted me to tell you that rebirth is painful.

You were going to say...

ʻʻSo now itʼs blackmail,ʼʼ eh, Mr. Wilson?

- What would you call it? - Just a kind of insurance.

Isnʼt it easier to go forward when you know you canʼt go back?

But you knew that, didnʼt you?

The minute you hung up with Charlie after that first call.

Ah, sure you did.

Youʼre saying...

I can never go back?

Fact is, you really donʼt want to go back.

Sakes, boy! You owe yourself this thing.

Rebirth. Life again.

Begin again, all new, all different.

The way you always wanted it.

You got another chance.

Heck, nobodyʼs gonna miss you, are they?

- My wife. - What about her? What are you to her now?

- We get along. - What does that mean?

Thereʼs my daughter.

Mm-hmm.

We donʼt see much of her, actually.

She lives out west with her husband.

She writes now and then, uh...

to let us —

What are you to her now?

Excuse an old fool prying, son...

but what does it all mean?

Hmm?

It canʼt mean anything now, anymore.

Thereʼs nothing anymore, is there?

Anything at all?

I... expect to be president of the bank before too long.

And I have my boat in the summer.

We have friends.

Anything at all?

I guess I...

never thought much about it before.

I leave Emily pretty much alone to do what she, uh —

We get along, as I said.

We hardly ever quarrel.

Not that thatʼs any...

measure of our lives.

Frankly...

during the last few years, we...

hardly ever...

ever —

l — I donʼt know why Iʼm telling you this.

ʼCause you want to. Go on.

Ever...

ever...

showed much affection.

But as I said —

boat.

And, uh —

So this is what happens to the dreams of youth.

Go on, son. Let it out.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

Let it out.

Hmm?

Itʼs time for a change.

Now, look. Theyʼll both be well taken care of.

They donʼt need you, and you donʼt need them.

You just canʼt help each other anymore.

Ah, look, son. You know what Iʼm saying is true.

Thereʼs nothing anymore.

No, no.

What you need now is a good rest.

Now, there a few things to be worked out in the morning...

but my boys will clear those up, and you neednʼt worry none.

- Your boys? - Mm-hmm.

Youʼre the head of it all?

There never was a struggle in the soul of a good man that wasnʼt hard.

My papa told me that...

and itʼs sure enough true.

Believe me, son. I know.

I believe you.

Thatʼs fine.

[ Man ] You know, Mr. Wilson, you represent something of a milestone around here.

When the bandages are removed...

I think youʼll be more than pleased.

In fact, I expect you to be prancing around here like a stud bull.

Now, itʼs gonna take a while, so, uh...

try to be patient until we get you ready for the world again.

- [ Whimpers ] - Now, donʼt do that!

You canʼt talk because weʼve extracted all your teeth...

and given you a complete vocal cord resection.

- [ Gasps ] - Give the tissues time to pull together.

Now, you got a new set of permanent teeth.

In a week you wonʼt know the difference. Thank you.

Thatʼs what hurts most right now.

Everythingʼs different.

When the first healingʼs over, weʼll start conditioning for muscle tone.

- Hmm? - [ Raspy Groan ]

Yes, yes. Those too. Fingerprints.

Mr. Wilson, even your signature.

Little thing we did with the tensor ligaments of the hand.

[ Rasping ]

The orbicularis oris started to sag, so we tightened them with ligatures.

Yeah.

Then we worked on the mandible to square up the bone.

Uh-huh.

Well, I never. [ Chuckles ]

Holy mackerel. I donʼt know how you boys do it.

Doc, itʼs a masterpiece. Good work.

Easy does it.

Youʼll be all right, son.

Your scars and hematomas will disappear in a couple of weeks.

After several months of physical conditioning...

the process will be complete.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Ah.

My name is Davalo. Iʼm your guidance adviser.

This is about your future career.

Iʼm afraid I havenʼt thought very much about that.

Oh, yes, you have, sir. [ Chuckles ]

- Permit me. - [ Arthurʼs Voice ] I want a ball...

- a big, big red one. - Whoops.

Iʼm afraid we picked this up a little too early.

Sit down. We recorded these regressions...

under Pentothal and caffeine sodium benzoate.

At first, thereʼs always a touch of the infantile...

but later on, we progress to a more mature...

expressional infrastructure.

Ah, here we are.

[ Davaloʼs Voice ] What would you like to do most of all?

[ Arthurʼs Voice ] Of anything in the whole world?

[ Davaloʼs Voice ] Mm-hmm.

[ Arthurʼs Voice ] Uh...

Iʼd like to be a tennis pro, I guess.

Yes.

Thatʼs what Iʼd like best of all.

[ Davaloʼs Voice ] Mm-hmm.

And suppose you couldnʼt be?

What else would you choose?

[ Arthurʼs Voice ] Uh...

I guess Iʼd like to paint stuff.

[ Davaloʼs Voice ] Pictures?

[ Arthurʼs Voice ] Pictures and things.

Well...

I think the creative wish pattern is pretty self-evident.

You mean, l — I ought to be a painter?

Exactly!

You see, painting allows you a basic creative outlet...

as well as providing an environment...

in which these sublimations will have free vent.

Now, letʼs take a look at the program weʼve worked out for you.

Certificates of study.

Abroad.

Notices of first six one-man shows.

Your pictures are realistic in treatment...

but deal with poetic imagery in choice of subject.

Not that I pretend to be a critic of painting.

These diplomas...

from reputable universities...

they — they canʼt be forged.

Mr. Wilson, I assure you...

every item is bona fide and valid.

How-How could I even approach such a professional level? I couldnʼt —

Oh, very simple.

You are already established in a position of some dignity.

Oh, nothing conspicuous.

Just a solid, mildly successful sort of thing.

You will be supplied with fresh paintings periodically.

In time, youʼll perfect your own style.

Surrealʼ primitiveʼ impressionistic — whatever.

It will be a transition from this present work.

You see...

you donʼt have to prove anything anymore.

You are accepted.

You will be in your own new dimension.

Youʼre a bachelor.

Birth certificate. The only son...

of deceased parents, and so forth.

In short...

you are alone in the world...

absolved of all responsibility...

except to your own interest.

Isnʼt that marvelous?

[ Manʼs Voice ] Your studio is in Malibu, California.

Quite luxurious. Very private.

Youʼll make your own adjustment in your own way...

in your own time.

Oh, youʼll be self-conscious at first.

Donʼt worry. [ Chuckles ]

It will wear off. And remember —

Youʼve got what almost every middle-aged man...

in America would like to have:

freedom.

Real freedom.

[ Chuckling ]

Ah, itʼs been a pleasure, Mr. Wilson.

[ Woman ] Pillow, Mr. Wilson?

Yes, thank you.

[ Woman Speaking Over P.A., Indistinct ]

[ Man ] Tony! Tony?

Tony Wilson!

Tony Wilson!

Hey there, you old rascal!

Slow down! Whereʼs the fire?

Canʼt wait to get back to them pretty little models, huh?

Uh-oh. I am late.

Now, if I didnʼt have to catch me a plane, Iʼd make you buy me a drink, by God!

See you soon. Gotta run.

[ Man ] Welcome home, Mr. Wilson.

My name is John. Iʼve been assigned to help you.

Itʼs very nice.

I think youʼll be quite comfortable, sir.

Do you like your studio?

- Yes. - Perhaps youʼd like to freshen up and have a drink.

Afterward, Iʼll try to clear up any point on which you may have curiosity.

The bath is through here.

Iʼll unpack these for you later.

Fine.

Um...

how long will you be here, um —

John, sir. For as long as you need me.

The company is fully aware that you may have problems at first...

- and will spare no effort to help you solve them. - Thank you.

Yes, sir.

- John? - Yes, sir?

I, uh —

I had a curious experience at the airport.

What was that?

Well, I was accosted by a man who called me by name.

He seemed to know me, and Iʼm certain Iʼve never met him.

I suppose it was a mistake on his part.

So it would appear, sir.

What kind of people live here?

Professionals. Some in business. Some write.

No, uh, no artists, I hope.

I think you are the only one, sir.

If I may suggest, sir...

perhaps youʼd like to give a small cocktail party for the immediate neighbors.

Oh, well, l, uh —

Iʼd better get myself used to things first.

Later on, maybe.

As you wish, sir.

Thatʼs very good, sir.

Thank you.

Wouldnʼt you enjoy meeting some of the people here, sir?

I told you Iʼm not ready yet, John.

Iʼll do this in my own way and in my own time.

Of course, sir.

Hello.

Hey. Hey, wait.

Iʼm sorry about back there.

How about if we try it again?

Hello.

Iʼm Nora Marcus.

Iʼm... Tony Wilson.

- Walk? - Sure.

[ Nora Laughing ]

Ocean, I love you! Youʼre beautiful!

Beautiful!

[ Laughing ]

All that power, and sheʼs got all the answers.

Hey!

Got a question!

[ Sighs ]

What did you ask?

Oh, a tough one:

ʻʻWho and what is Tony Wilson?ʼʼ

And what did it say?

It told me to mind my own business.

[ Noraʼs Voice ] That was my life. Two boys, ages ten and twelve.

Successful and indulgent husband.

A beautiful houseʼ complete with microwave oven...

intercom, station wagon, et cetera, et cetera.

Ad infinitum.

Ad... absurdum.

And?

I made myself a cup of coffee, dressed, and left.

- That was four years ago. - And you never went back?

Iʼve seen them from time to time, but...

itʼs different now.

Maybe because Iʼm different.

I donʼt expect you to understand.

I think I do.

You?

An artist?

Why should you understand?

You spent your whole life being.

You donʼt know anything about me, really.

Oh, yes, I do.

Itʼs all right there in your face.

What is?

- Now youʼre fishing. - No. Seriously.

This may hurt a little.

I agreed to take my chances.

Okay.

Madam Marcus will read the leaves.

What kind of a man is he?

Thereʼs grace in the line and color, but...

it doesnʼt emerge pure.

It pushes at the edge of something still...

tentative...

unresolved, as if...

somewhere in the man...

there is still a key unturned.

Thatʼs quite an analysis.

Not really.

When you come to think of it, it sort of fits everybody, doesnʼt it?

Itʼs very nice here.

The good things always happen with the rain.

When will I see you again?

Iʼm going to Santa Barbara tomorrow. Thereʼs a kind of gathering.

Can I come?

Itʼs going to be very wild.

Maybe thatʼs part of turning the key.

[ People Shouting, Laughing ]

♪♪ [ ʻʻDrunken Sailorʼʼ ]

To the god Pan. To the gods of this place.

Drink! See ye, ye gods.

March down upon this procession...

and bless us all!

[ People Cheering ]

The queen of the wine!

[ People Cheering, Shouting ]

[ Man Laughing ]

[ Man ] Wine!

Wine!

Wine!

- The queen of the wine! - [ Cheering ]

Itʼs the queen!

Oh, the queen!

The queen of the wine!

[ People Chanting ] Stomp those grapes!

Stomp those grapes!

Stomp those grapes! Stomp those grapes!

[ Chanting Continues ]

[ Whining ]

♪♪ [ People Singing ʻʻDrunken Sailorʼʼ ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

[ Chanting ] Stomp those grapes! Stomp those grapes!

[ Chanting Continues ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

[ Chanting ] Stomp those grapes! Stomp those grapes!

[ Chanting Continues ]

[ Gasping ]

Now the season ends, and the old vines are buried deep.

Now, in dying, Bacchus gives us his blood...

[ Laughs ] so we may be born again...

laughing, laughing.

- Come dance with me. - Nora, I donʼt know any of these people.

- I donʼt think l — - Donʼt ʻʻthinkʼʼ me, Tony. Donʼt.

I came here to feel, to be.

Iʼm dying, and thatʼs the world...

the whole bloody world!

Nora, itʼs not a question of dancing. Iʼm not a part of this!

- Iʼm dying, and thatʼs the world! - I donʼt understand!

- The whole bloody... - Nora, please!

- world! - No! No! Nora! Nora!

Donʼt!

Nora! Nora!

- Hey, Nora! - [ Laughing ]

[ Nora Exclaiming ]

Nora! Nora, come back here!

Get out of there! Hey, wait a minute.

Get your hands off me. Nora, get out of there!

Nora! No, please.

Please — Please donʼt! Please!

[ People Cheering ]

[ Chanting ] Stomp those grapes! Stomp those grapes!

Stomp those grapes!

[ Coughing ] Nora? Nora!

[ Chanting Continues ]

Nora.

Please!

Nora!

- Nora. Nora! - Kiss me!

Nora — [ Sputtering ]

♪♪ [ Singing Resumes ]

Yes. Yes!

Yes! [ Laughing ]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes!

Yes, yes, yes!

♪♪ [ Fades ]

- Thank you, John. - Oh, Mr. Wilson.

- May I present Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd? - How do you do?

This is your host, Mr. Wilson.

- Mr. Filter, Mr. Wilson. - Pleased to meet you.

How do you do, Tony?

- Hello, Mr. Wilson. - You have seen Tonyʼs paintings, havenʼt you?

♪♪ [ Piano Jazz ]

Cheers.

Mr. Wilson, may I present Mr. Mayberry?

- Hi. - Nice to meet you, Mr. Wilson.

Peekaboo.

- Honey, please slow down. - Never!

Never!

Come. Iʼm taking you to ze Casbah.

[ Nora ] Not ze Casbah!

As soon as these people leave, Iʼm going to attack you.

Why, Mr. Wilson, you dirty old man!

Ah!

[ Low Chuckle ]

- I really am. - Hmm.

I want you to know that.

Iʼm counting on it.

Miss Marcus, you shock me.

Tony, please ease up. Hmm-mm.

- Why? - Because... itʼs not like you.

[ Drunkenly ] Oh, I know that.

Iʼm sorry.

[ Exhales ]

Guess I just needed the added strength.

Oh, thatʼs silly.

Theyʼre all wonderful people. Just give them a chance.

- Okay, okay. - Give yourself a chance.

- Hmm? - Okay.

Yes?

I promise. No more.

And I promise to behave myself.

[ Gasps ]

Iʼm sorry. Forgive me.

Iʼve embarrassed you.

No, you havenʼt.

Tony...

I think I love you.

Youʼre beautiful!

Youʼre —

- Youʼre an ocean. - Letʼs go back.

The sooner we get rid of those people...

the sooner we can be together.

- Iʼm going to hold you to your promise. - Oh, God. Youʼre evil!

- Yes! - God, how evil you are!

Tony?

Henry Bushman, my husband.

- Nice to know you, Wilson. - How do you do?

- Nora, youʼre staggering. - Hank, thatʼs a dirty lie.

Watch out for this character. Heʼs a lawyer.

Harvard, I want you to know.

- Really? Hey, thatʼs a coincidence. - Hold it!

- Thank you. - Mm, me too. In fact, me too twice.

Hollow leg again?

Oh, will you listen? At home he makes me look like a piker.

A veritable piker.

Henry, you sneaking two-face, you.

- Private joke? - No. Iʼm sorry.

Come on, Nora. Letʼs ditch these two sots.

- [ Gasps ] Help, Tony! Rape! - Wait a minute. You canʼt do that.

No, thereʼs no way youʼll get away. Youʼre gonna stay right here.

But thatʼs my woman. Hey. Hey!

Hey, thatʼs funny. Thatʼs very funny.

Whatʼs funny?

Is he really a sneaky two-face?

Yes.

Thereʼs such a religious climate out here. Donʼt you agree?

- Oh, I love the climate. - Yes.

I belong to a special kind of group.

Nothing subversive, I hope.

Oh, good heavens, no!

We change sects.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, no, no. Good heavens. You thought I meant —

ʻʻSects.ʼʼ S-E-C-T-S.

- Oh, sects! - Yes.

Well, thank God!

- We change every month. Right now, weʼre in Aztec. - Mm!

Huitzilopochtli, Quetzalcoatl, virgin sacrifice and all.

- I just love your paintings, Mr. Wilson. - ♪♪ [ Up-tempo Rock ]

How do you ever do it?

Well, you see...

it all began with a big red ball...

and, uh —

No, no.

You see...

I paint naked, Mrs. Filter.

- Itʼs the only way to get at the truth. - How interesting.

Of course. You see, in this way, my inner essence is revealed...

and I am presented to the canvas...

in direct relationship with my primeval state...

without its sociological trappings.

- Hey, watch it, will ya? - Oh, look!

- Take it easy, Wilson! - Iʼm sorry.

- Iʼm terribly sorry. - You all right, hon?

John! John?

- Thatʼll never come out. Never! - Iʼm terribly sorry.

- Excuse me. Please forgive me. - Just look at this mess!

Itʼs all right, maʼam. May I?

[ John ] Let me take that.

Iʼm sure it wonʼt stain badly.

Hey! You two heard the one about the —

[ Both ] Yes, we have.

Well, Iʼm — Well, Iʼm sorry.

I — I didnʼt mean to interrupt.

Seems like Iʼm...

doing everything wrong lately.

Now, donʼt pout. Mama will make everything better, okay?

Perfect. Say, Hank...

uh, I was thinking about school just before...

and, uh, your house at Harvard...

wasnʼt, by any chance, Adams, was it?

- No, not exactly. - Is anybody hungry?

Hey, I am.

Say, Hank?

Hank!

Hey, Hank. Here.

Hank, actually —

actually, Iʼm not a Harvard alumnus either.

That is, I used to be, but Iʼm not anymore.

- [ Woman ] What do you mean? Did you resign? - Take it easy.

- Oh, thatʼs priceless! - No!

- I did go to Harvard, you see... - Uh-huh.

and I was an alumnus...

but that was before I became a painter...

and now Iʼm not anymore.

Come on, Hank!

♪ Poor Eliʼs hopes weʼre dashing ♪

♪ Into blue obscurity ♪

♪ Resistless, our team sweeps goalward ♪

♪ With the fury of ze blast Weʼll fight ♪

♪ For the name of Harvard ♪

♪ Till the last white line is ♪

[ Both ] ♪ Passed ♪♪

Thatʼs wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

Truth is, I just stopped being an alumnus.

- Oh. - Simple.

- Wilson! - What?

You and I must play golf sometime.

Golf? Golf? [ Cackling ]

Antiochus Wilson playing golf?

Huh? Now...

Arthur Hamilton —

[ Snorting Laughter ]

Looks as if our host is in orbit.

[ Laughter Continues ]

Hey, wait a minute, you guys.

[ Woman Laughing ]

- Incoming! Good-bye! - Bye!

Oh, isnʼt he wonderful?

[ Tony Laughing ]

- Put him down. - Hey, wait a minute.

- Turn him around. - Hey, Hank, listen.

Hey, Hank, I got a nephew —

I got a nephew right — right in Harvard right now!

- You donʼt have a nephew. - What?

[ Laughs ]

I donʼt have a nephew! [ Scoffs ]

Okay, correct.

I donʼt have a nephew...

but heʼs there, all right.

Heʼs there, all right.

My daughter...

sheʼs married to a doctor...

and maybe by this time, Iʼm a grandfather.

Believe me...

theyʼll never drag it out of me.

Iʼll stand right here...

on my constitutional rights.

Iʼm not a grandfather.

I —

[ Chuckles ] Why are you all staring at me like that?

[ Laughs ] Hey, John?

[ Laughing ]

Hey, John! Why are they —

Hey, John. Hey, John...

why are they staring at me like that?

- They know. - [ Laughing ]

They know what?

Theyʼre like you.

What do you mean?

Reborns.

[ Breathing Accelerates ]

Oh, Lord! [ Wailing ]

Shut up, you! Shut up!

Shut up, damn you! Just who the hell...

do you think you are?

[ Sobbing ] Oh, no!

Oh, my God!

[ Ringing ]

Yes?

[ Charlie ] Itʼs me, buddy. Now, listen to me. Arthur —

Charlie?

- Now, look, Arthur — - Charlie.

- Arthur, listen to me! - Is it really you?

Of course it is.

Do you realize how dangerous it is, what youʼre doing? Do you?

Iʼve got to get out of here. You donʼt know what theyʼre doing to me.

Come on, now, buddy. Calm down. Calm down.

- Iʼve got to see you. - Thatʼs impossible right now.

- Why? - It just is!

Youʼve got to get a hold of yourself, fast. Youʼll be sorry —

- You know what they did? - I canʼt explain, but youʼll be —

Thereʼs this reborn, Nora.

Sheʼs not one of them.

She works for the company.

- What? - Thatʼs right.

An employee.

But l —

Oh, no. She was so —

Why, Charlie? Why?

Your adjustment was bound to be difficult in the first stages.

Donʼt you see? The company simply provided —

An employee.

It means a lot to me personally, Arthur. Now, I canʼt explain...

but weʼre sort of tied together, you and me.

Weʼre so close, Arthur. Donʼt throw it away.

- How? - Trust, please?

Promise to stay put until we can get someone to you.

[ Charlieʼs Voice Continues ] Youʼve got to have some help right now. Please, will you do it?

Will you stay there? Please!

Yes?

- Iʼm Mr. Wilson. - Yes, sir.

Come in, please. Iʼll tell Mrs. Hamilton youʼre here.

[ Emily ] Mr. Wilson?

Iʼm so glad you were able to come.

- Thank you. I didnʼt mean to barge in. - Oh, not at all.

It was very kind of you.

I must have sounded strange over the phone, but...

you see, Arthur never mentioned —

Well, I just met your late husband last year, shortly before —

Yes. Um, please, sit down.

Mrs. Hamilton, Iʼm a painter — an artist, actually.

- I admire your husbandʼs watercolors. - Really?

Not that he was professional...

but he did have something.

He mentioned some paintings in a cupboard out in the garage.

Thatʼs the reason l —

Well, I was wondering if I might...

pick one up as a memento.

Iʼm sorry, but the garage has been cleaned out.

You threw them away?

No.

No, not exactly.

You have a lovely place here.

Oh, thank you.

This was the study, wasnʼt it?

Yes, it was —

How did you know?

Your husband...

talked a lot about this house, about his family.

Iʼm sorry.

I didnʼt mean to stir up painful memories.

No. No, itʼs not that.

Itʼs just that...

I never knew Arthur to do that very much.

How do you mean?

- I donʼt want to bore you. - No, please.

Iʼd like to know.

You see...

I knew him only for a short while.

Iʼd really like to know.

Itʼs not just curiosity.

We, uh —

We shared an interest in art.

The last time I saw him, I —

I did some sketches.

Now Iʼd like to do a painting...

but all I have are lines... a face.

Posthumous portraiture, hmm?

Iʼm not joking, Mrs. Hamilton.

No, of course youʼre not. Iʼm sorry. I —

Youʼve set me quite a task.

He was a quiet man.

I think the thing I most remember him for were his silences.

It was...

as if he were always listening to something inside...

He never talked about it, so I never knew what it was.

Oh, he was a good man...

but he lived as if he were a stranger here.

I mean, he never let anything touch him.

He became absorbed in things — his job, mostly.

He worked hard. He...

became more detached.

Always a look around his eyes as if he were...

trying to say something.

I donʼt know what.

Protest against what heʼd surrendered his life to?

I never knew what he wanted...

and I donʼt think he ever knew.

He fought so hard for what heʼd been taught to want...

and when he got it, he just grew more and more confused.

The silences grew longer.

We never talked about it.

We lived our lives in a polite...

celibate truce.

You see, Arthur had been dead a long, long time...

before they found him in that hotel room.

Well, I... guess I canʼt tell you much more.

Enough?

Yes, it is.

I really should be going.

Well, I... hope Iʼve been some help.

Yes, you have.

Very much.

[ Emilyʼs Voice ] Mr. Wilson?

You said that you wanted a memento.

It wonʼt be a painting, Iʼm afraid, but itʼs all I have.

Iʼm sorry, Mr. Wilson.

It doesnʼt matter.

- I want to go back. - Of course, sir.

No, I donʼt mean to California.

To the company.

Start again, all over.

Antiochus Wilson can die, canʼt he, John?

The company.

Is it possible?

I think so, sir.

[ Exhales ] Begin again.

Quite honestly...

Iʼm not the least bit sorry...

because there were certain mistakes made in my case, and —

Of course, but before we go into all that, let me ask you...

whether you can recommend and sponsor a new client.

What?

Someone in your acquaintance outside...

whom you feel would benefit by the companyʼs services.

You were sponsored yourself, you know.

Oh, yes, of course.

A business associate, perhaps. Someone down the street.

You donʼt have to be intimately acquainted with a man to realize...

heʼd be receptive to the sort of opportunity we offer.

Iʼm sorry. Right now, I just canʼt seem to —

What I mean is, I — Iʼd like to think about it.

Well, thatʼs all we ask.

As you can imagine...

our business is acquired through present clients.

Itʼs a word-of-mouth operation, Wilson.

You donʼt suppose we can advertise in magazines and newspapers.

[ Chuckles ]

No, of course not.

I think youʼll come up with something.

- [ Man ] Hold it. Thank you. - [ Clicks ]

Hold your arm up, please, Mr. Wilson.

- Excuse me. I donʼt understand. - Thatʼs it.

- Is all this really necessary? - 1 3 1 /2. Profile.

- Turn sideways. - Wait a moment. Is this necessary for —

- Hold it. Thatʼs it. - [ Camera Shutter Clicking ]

- Back view. - What is this, preliminary for surgery?

Certainly, Mr. Wilson.

A yearʼs gone by. A lot happens to the human body.

This one is yours, sir.

Hello, Arthur.

- Excuse me. I donʼt believe I know you. - Itʼs me, buddy.

Fidelis eternis.

Charlie?

Youʼre Charlie?

Guess I am, old buddy.

What are you doing here?

Same as yourself: waiting.

Whatʼs the matter?

Uh, nothing. I —

Itʼs just that itʼs...

hard to recognize somebody and...

not recognize them at the same time.

How long have you been here?

Oh, a while.

When you phoned me, you were here?

- Mm-hmm. - Even the first time?

But you sounded...

like the whole thing was something tremendous...

this...

rebirth, everything, even when you hadnʼt made a go of it.

I thought youʼd have a better chance.

Good God! How long does a man have to wait to get into surgery?

Not long, usually.

I had to stay around and telephone you, if necessary...

through your first adjustment, but now —

Thatʼs what you meant about our being... tied together.

Mm.

I couldnʼt help it, Charlie.

I had to find out where I went wrong.

The years Iʼve spent...

trying to get all the things...

I was told were important...

that I was supposed to want!

Things!

Not people...

Just... things.

And California was the same.

They...

made the same decisions for me all over again...

and they were the same things, really.

Itʼs gonna be different from now on.

A new face, a new name.

Iʼll do the rest.

I know itʼs gonna be different.

I suppose you do too.

[ Buzzer Sounds ]

Good morning, gentlemen.

Mr. Carlson, please.

Charlie. You?

- Art, l — - Mr. Carlson, please.

Charlie...

I have the feeling youʼre gonna make it this time.

Sorry to disappoint the rest of you.

Perhaps tomorrow.

You donʼt seem to understand our problem, Mr. Wilson.

- I understand it perfectly. - But youʼre not cooperating.

Iʼve told you over and over again, I cannot think of anyone.

- I canʼt believe that. - Iʼve been shuffled around long enough.

Itʼs about time I had the opportunity to start living...

some kind of meaningful existence.

If I did sponsor someone...

wouldnʼt that delay my trip to surgery...

in the event that I were needed from time to time...

to, say, advise him?

No, thatʼs not likely, not if the selection is a good one.

Iʼm sorry. I donʼt seem to be able to think of a single soul.

- You mean you deliberately wonʼt. - Have it your way.

Very well.

Thatʼll be all, Mr. Wilson. You can go back to the dayroom.

Processing, please.

This is Ruby.

On Wilson, 722...

I think we can go to the next stage now.

Hello, son.

Oh, sir, l —

Ah, you know, I sure hoped youʼd make it, find your dream come true.

- What? - I said, I sure hoped youʼd make it...

find your dream come true.

I guess I —

I guess I never had a dream.

Maybe thatʼs it.

That — That sure might have been it.

If I did have one...

it certainly wasnʼt...

Antiochus Wilson.

This time...

Iʼve got to be allowed, sir, to make my own decision.

You know, son...

when I began this business, I was a young man with an idea.

I wasnʼt aiming to make a lot of money, helping others...

helping them to find a little happiness.

Oh, heck, just not the rich.

I thought eventually —

You see, I got tremendous comfort in the thought that, in my small way...

I was waging a battle against human misery...

and I was too.

Except we do have a high percentage of failures.

I guess thatʼs to be expected...

but it hurts me.

Some reborns make a go of it.

Weʼre always working to find ways to improve the system.

Yeah, we make mistakes.

Fact is, when our clients first started coming back here...

I just wanted to chuck the whole thing, but I couldnʼt.

The organization was pretty big by then.

Uh-huh.

Board of directors, on a profit-sharing basis.

All those people.

Youʼve no idea what a financial responsibility it turned into.

Tsk, tsk. [ Chuckles ]

Heck, we make mistakes, but we admit ʼem...

and go forward.

I wonʼt see it in my lifetime...

but some of the younger execs like Ruby may.

Oh, you can call it wishful thinking, son...

but life is built on wishes.

And youʼve got to just keep plugging away at ʼem.

You canʼt give up...

and you canʼt let the mistakes...

- jeopardize the dream. - [ Door Opens ]

Well, hereʼs your transportation.

- What? - Surgery, sir.

- But Iʼve got to talk to you. - Weʼre on a very tight schedule. Please.

Why, I — I didnʼt expect so soon that —

Itʼs efficiency. Youʼre lucky we got a match so quick.

Hop aboard, son. Up there.

The doctors are waiting.

Thatʼs just so you wonʼt fall off.

But thereʼs things we have to talk about. I mean, my identity —

We will. We will later. Mm-hmm.

Just relax, son. Everythingʼs gonna be fine. Just fine.

The thing about doing it on my own.

You see, itʼs so important: choice.

Youʼve got to change. We have to talk about it.

We will. Iʼll look into it personally.

Just remember, son, we gotta keep plugging away at the dream.

The mistakes teach us how. It wasnʼt wasted. Remember that.

My name is Dr. Morris, sir.

According to our records, you were reared in the Protestant faith.

Did you convert to any other during your adjustment?

No.

Good. Good.

That is, ʻʻgoodʼʼ in the sense that we have a certain definition.

Now, I am not suggesting that being a Protestant...

is any better than being a Catholic or Jew.

As a matter of fact, I am qualified to care for you in either of those faiths as well.

I was ordained in each: rabbi, priest, and minister.

I admit it unusual. Uh, maybe even a bit advanced.

Wait a minute. Whatʼs happening?

Well, my good sir, when we have finished...

- you will go on to the next stage. - I donʼt mean that!

Ultimately, Mr. Wilson, ultimately weʼll be called...

to face the Creator and render up our last account.

It happens to all of us, sir.

Thatʼs no answer! I want to know whatʼs happening to me now!

Donʼt shout! Please!

No! [ Muffled Shouting ]

ʻʻBlessed shalt thou be coming in...

- and blessed shalt thou be in going out. - [ Shouting Continues ]

And he said, ʻThou canst not see my face...

for no man can see me and live.ʼʼʻ

[ Latin ]

[ Screaming ]

[ Latin Continues ]

ʻʻI am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me...

though he were dead, yet shall he live.

And the stranger shalt thou not oppress, seeing ye yourselves were strangers.ʼʼ

[ Latin ]

ʻʻHe that loveth life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life...

in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Fear not thou them which kill the body.ʼʼ

[ Latin ]

ʻʻI am the door.

By me if any man enter in...

shall he be saved.ʼʼ

[ Latin ]

[ Shouting Continues ]

God be with you, sir.

[ Moaning ]

Whatʼs his data?

ʻʻWilson, mesomorph, age 51 ...

no current diseases.

Requisitioned from dayroom stock May 6.

Released for cadaver use last night. CPS number 722.

Disposition: death by automobile accident...

caused by cerebral hemorrhage.ʼʼ

- All right. Acid etch. - Yes, sir.

- Whatʼs the solution strength? - Five percent at ten ccʼs.

Timer.

Five minutes.

[ Faint Moaning ]

You were my best work, Mr. Wilson.

Iʼm sorry it all has to end like this.

All right, set him up.

I think weʼll put the hemorrhage right under the left exoccipital...

in the lingual gyrus.

Put that light over here. Good.

All right.

- [ Exhales ] - Relax, old friend.

Cranial drill.

[ Drill Whirring ]

[ Whirring Continues ]

[ Whirring Fades ]