Button, Button (Matheson short story)
| "Button, Button" | |
|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone episode | |
Scene from Button, Button
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 20b |
| Directed by | Peter Medak |
| Written by | Richard Matheson (as Logan Swanson) |
| Original air date | March 7, 1986 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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Basil Hoffman: Steward |
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Basil Hoffman: Steward
Brad Davis: Arthur Lewis
Mare Winningham: Norma Lewis
"Button, Button" is the second segment of the twentieth episode from the first season (1985–86) of the television series The Twilight Zone. The episode is based on the short story of the same name by Richard Matheson; the same short story forms the basis of the 2009 film The Box. In a documentary on the making of the movie The Box, Matheson states the inspiration of the story came from his wife, whose college professor had asked a similar question as a way of promoting a class discussion.
Arthur and Norma Lewis are a couple slowly descending into abject poverty, living in a low-rent tenement. One day, they receive a mysterious locked box with a button on it and a note that says Mr. Steward will come visit. Then, just as the note says, a smartly dressed stranger who introduces himself as Mr. Steward comes to their door while Arthur is out. He gives Norma the key to the box and explains that, if they press the button, two things will happen: they will receive $200,000 and someone "whom [they] don't know" will die.
After the stranger leaves, the Lewises wonder whether Steward's proposal is genuine, and they agonize over whether to press the button. Norma rationalizes that they could make good use of the money and that the one who dies might be an old Chinese peasant or a person with cancer. Arthur takes the side that pressing the button may cause the death of an innocent baby. They open the box and discover no mechanism inside; it is simply an empty box with a button on it. Arthur angrily throws the box in the trash, telling Norma to forget the whole scheme and remarks that Mr. Steward can find his 200 grand in the city dump. However, after Arthur goes to bed Norma retrieves the box from the tenement's dumpster. The next day, Arthur leaves for work and sees Norma sitting at the kitchen table, her gaze transfixed on the button. Norma is still mesmerized by the button when Arthur returns home from work. Finally she decides to push the button, much to her husband's disgust.
The next day Mr. Steward returns, takes back the box, and gives the shocked Lewises a briefcase with the $200,000. Norma asks what is to be done with the money, to which Steward obviously remarks they should spend it. Norma also asks what will happen to the box, and Steward ominously replies that the button will be "reprogrammed" and offered to someone else with the same terms and conditions. Steward focuses on Norma stating "I can assure you it will be offered to someone whom you don't know."
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