There is an episode of the classic television program of the early 1960s, "The Twilight Zone", in which the two main characters, members of an exclusive upper crust private men's club, place competing wagers over the issue of whether one of them (a young, elegant, patrician, loquacious braggart) can remain absolutely silent for a year's time. The considerably older man is generationally and temperamentally disinclined to like his garrulous fellow club member, but the latter's nattering seems to strike at a very deep chord of loathing and revulsion, especially because of the oldster's passion for peace, quiet and reflection that is the norm at this club's premises, much like a library's or church's much valued silence.
To insure the integrity of the rules of the wager, the young member is placed in a glass enclosure within the confines of the rather large sitting room of the club. Highly sensitive microphones and tape recorders are installed to capture any breaches of the peace, i.e. any sound at all that might escape the lips of the contestant. The bet, $500,000, is mutually vouched for after some suspicious dickering and the period of mounting drama begins with great interest and a dearth of good humor: these men are at war. Suspenseful music is congruent with the growing tension and the days come and go, telescoped of course for the requirements of the teleplay.
A stately clock is seen in the main drawing room on the final day of the marathon test….To Be Continued
No comments:
Post a Comment