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Idea: Twilightzone episode
Apr. 12th, 2024 06:50 pmEpisode opens on the set of a home-maker show and we meet the host, who is an awful human being. The staff and crew hate the host but can't get out of their contracts. We might even see the host threaten people on crew, then switch to all smiles and happy voice when the cameras are rolling.
As means of demonstration, we see the before and after shots of the house they've just completed. The before shots are of a cozy home with photos of loved ones and the after shots are sterile and bland. The homeowner (a grandma?) asks where the pictures are and never gets an answer. The host later complains about sentimental clutter and is pleased with themselves for destroying the photos. "The past is the past."
Somehow, a reclusive author wins a home make-over. Much like the earlier owner, the house is filled with personal items, mostly books. While shooting the "before" video, the author talks about the library and how it's grown over the years, the autographed books from dead friends, and out-of-print books. What should be obvious is how much they love their books (and how much the host hates them).
As these shows go, the author is hustled out of the house and put up in a hotel while the host and crew start the make-over. The books are boxed and carted away, despite the concerns and protestations of the crew. The host is unrepentant and talks about how "needless clutter" creates anxiety and how much happier the author will be once those "painful reminders of the past" are gone.
When the author returns for the big reveal, the first thing they ask is where the books have gone. The host dismisses the question and talks about the open and airy layout (walls have been removed) and how "clean and calm" the house is now. The author continues to press the question and the host finally (and flippantly) announces they have been sold. "We found a nice place that could give us five dollars a pound."
The crew watch while the author slowly and dispassionately strangles the host to death. "You are evil and I cannot allow your evil to spread. This is for the good of all human-kind, that soulless creatures like you are eliminated. And while you cannot understand--not that you are incapable, but because you choose not to--this tiny act may alleviate some of my grief. This is for the murder of my oldest and best friend."
While the whole thing has been caught on video, the cameraman makes a point of deleting the evidence. The rest of the crew look around and one mentions how they haven't even started on the back yard.
"I think the plan was for a patio. We could get that poured tonight."
This is actually based on a nightmare I had.
As means of demonstration, we see the before and after shots of the house they've just completed. The before shots are of a cozy home with photos of loved ones and the after shots are sterile and bland. The homeowner (a grandma?) asks where the pictures are and never gets an answer. The host later complains about sentimental clutter and is pleased with themselves for destroying the photos. "The past is the past."
Somehow, a reclusive author wins a home make-over. Much like the earlier owner, the house is filled with personal items, mostly books. While shooting the "before" video, the author talks about the library and how it's grown over the years, the autographed books from dead friends, and out-of-print books. What should be obvious is how much they love their books (and how much the host hates them).
As these shows go, the author is hustled out of the house and put up in a hotel while the host and crew start the make-over. The books are boxed and carted away, despite the concerns and protestations of the crew. The host is unrepentant and talks about how "needless clutter" creates anxiety and how much happier the author will be once those "painful reminders of the past" are gone.
When the author returns for the big reveal, the first thing they ask is where the books have gone. The host dismisses the question and talks about the open and airy layout (walls have been removed) and how "clean and calm" the house is now. The author continues to press the question and the host finally (and flippantly) announces they have been sold. "We found a nice place that could give us five dollars a pound."
The crew watch while the author slowly and dispassionately strangles the host to death. "You are evil and I cannot allow your evil to spread. This is for the good of all human-kind, that soulless creatures like you are eliminated. And while you cannot understand--not that you are incapable, but because you choose not to--this tiny act may alleviate some of my grief. This is for the murder of my oldest and best friend."
While the whole thing has been caught on video, the cameraman makes a point of deleting the evidence. The rest of the crew look around and one mentions how they haven't even started on the back yard.
"I think the plan was for a patio. We could get that poured tonight."
This is actually based on a nightmare I had.
