Free Twilight Zone The Movie by Robert Bloch Page A

one by one, emerging from their various hiding places to kick the can.
    When Bloom looked toward the center of the lawn again, he was greeted with giggles and laughter.
    “Fooled you this time!” Mrs. Dempsey cried.
    “So you did.” Bloom nodded. “Looks like I’m it again.”
    He tossed the can. The old folks ran. Bloom counted, and above him the full moon turned the night to silver.
    In the dormitory, Mr. Conroy tossed and turned restlessly. Through his slumber the voices of the old people on the lawn filtered faintly. But as their play continued, the sound of their shouts and laughters began to change. Now the shrill tones echoed like the voices of children. “Alley-alley-oxen-free!” someone shouted.
    “Darn kids—” Mumbling in his sleep, Mr. Conroy buried his head beneath the pillow.
    On the lawn under the full moon, a small red-haired boy pranced joyfully, flapping the sleeves and trouser bottoms of Mr. Mute’s suit.
    “Kids!” he cried.
    And kids they were—each and every one of them. Laughing children, clad in the outsized outfits of Harry and Sadie Weinstein, Mr. Agee, and Mrs. Dempsey. Mrs. Dempsey was still holding her cat, but it was a kitten now.
    Mr. Weinstein glanced at the cute little girl beside him. “Sadie?”
    She nodded in delight. “Is that you, Harry?” Reaching out, she gave his cheek a pinch. “Such a little maeskite!”
    Young Mr. Mute clapped his hands exuberantly. “Kids!” he shouted again. “Look at us—it’s really happened!”
    Rolling up his trouser bottoms, a boyish Mr. Agee glanced toward Bloom, who had seated himself on a bench near the back door.
    “Mr. Bloom—are you all right?”
    Bloom nodded. “Certainly.”
    Little Mrs. Dempsey turned and stared. “But you’re still old!”
    “Am I? I never thought of it that way.” He gestured. “Don’t worry about me—just enjoy yourselves.”
    Mr. Weinstein glanced down and shook his head. “Oy gevalt, look how short I am!”
    “Never mind,” Bloom told him. “You want to play, you have to keep playing.”
    And play they did, fulfilling the fantasies of youth under the full moon.
    Mrs. Weinstein and Mrs. Dempsey danced together, two doll-like figures twirling in the moonlight.
    Mr. Agee began a fencing match with an imaginary opponent. Forcing his invincible foe back, he leaped onto the bench on which Bloom was sitting, giving him just enough time to rise before the bench tipped over. Landing on his feet with Fairbanksian grace, he continued his sword fight until he reached the dancing girls. Halting his duel, he winked at Mrs. Dempsey. “Dance with me!” he cried.
    Mrs. Dempsey moved into his arms immediately. He grabbed her close and tried to kiss her.
    She struggled free shaking her head. “Oh, no, Mr. Agee—stay away from me!”
    “Okay.” Mr. Agee grinned, then turned and reached out to embrace Mrs. Weinstein.
    “No!” She shook her head. “Dirty old man!”
    “Not anymore!” Mr. Agee lunged for her again. Still resisting, she turned and called over her shoulder. “Harry! Where are you?”
    Mr. Weinstein swung into view from the overhanging limb of a tall tree, dangling by one arm. He shouted, “Agee, get away from my wife!”
    As Agee released her, Mrs. Weinstein turned and glanced anxiously at her husband. “Harry—your heart—”
    Mr. Weinstein laughed. “My heart? Are you kidding?” Swinging from the limb, he let out a Tarzan yell.
    Clothes flying, little Mr. Mute somersaulted across the lawn and came to a stop at Bloom’s feet. At the same moment Mr. Agee leaped to a halt beside him.
    “Look,” he said.“I don’t wish to appear ungrateful, but why don’t you join us?”
    Bloom shrugged. “I find I prefer to be my true age and try to keep my mind young.” His nod included the others as they approached. “But your wish has come true. You’re children again. You have your whole lives before you.”
    A most unboyish frown creased Mr. Mute’s forehead. “My life was so