On June 2nd, 1961 CBS television aired a Twilight Zone episode entitled The Obsolete Man starring Burgess Meredith as Romney Wordsworth, a librarian who is accused of being Obsolete, since books are now obsolete. Being obsolete is a crime in this world, punishable by death. This episode is one of four that Burgess Meredith starred in, the other one that made books the main topic was Time Enough At Last. There seems to be a theme here!
Below is the script of the early part of the episode where Mr. Wordsworth freely admits his crime of being a librarian.
Script courtesy of FreeRepublic.com
Chancellor: You've been under investigation, Mr.Wordsworth for the mandatory period of 1 year and 11 months, you are found to be obsolete. The purpose of this hearing to make a finding in the matter and make a sentence accordingly. Do you understand that?
Wordsworth: I understand that.
Chancellor: Your occupation Mr.Wordsworth?
Wordsworth: A librarian, sir....
(Crowd jeers confusingly)
Chancellor: (Puzzled and angrily).....A what!?
Wordsworth: A librarian, sir...
Chancellor: (To Secretary) Has this man had counsel?
Secretary: Yes sir, he has.
Chancellor: Has he been given orientation?
Secretary:Yes sir.
(As this goes on, Wordsworth steps back into the darkness, as if knowing his fate)
Chancellor: Mr.Wordsworth, I've been told you've been given couns(notices he's out of the light)...STEP BACK INTO THE LIGHT, MR.WORDSWORTH!
(Wordsworth steps back into the light)
Chancellor: I'm told you've been given Counsel, Mr. Wordsworth. but I'm still not sure, in my own mind, you understand the nature of this hearing. The field investigators in your sector have classified you as obsolete, this finding carries with it serious implications. Do you understand that, Mr.Wordsworth?
(Wordsworth nods)
Chancellor:I'd ask you again, your occupation Mr.Wordsworth?
Wordsworth: I AM a librarian, that IS my occupation, that is my PROFESSION. If you people choose to call that obsolete...
Secretary: Request clarification of the term...
Chancellor: Yes...Mr.Wordsworth, the term "You people," you make reference to The State?
Wordsworth: I make reference to The State.
Chancellor: And you persist in declaring your occupation as being that of a librarian. Is that correct?
Wordsworth: Yes sir, that's correct.
Chancellor: A librarian. Having to do...with books.
Wordsworth:(Proudly) Yes sir...books!
Chancellor: Since there are no more books, Mr.Wordsworth, there are no more libraries, and, of course, as it follows, there is very little call for the services of a librarian. Case in point: A minister. A minister would tell us that his function is that of preaching the word of God. And since it follows that since The State has proven that there is no God, that would make the function of a minister quite academic as well....
Wordsworth: There IS a God!!
Below is the script of the early part of the episode where Mr. Wordsworth freely admits his crime of being a librarian.
Script courtesy of FreeRepublic.com
Chancellor: You've been under investigation, Mr.Wordsworth for the mandatory period of 1 year and 11 months, you are found to be obsolete. The purpose of this hearing to make a finding in the matter and make a sentence accordingly. Do you understand that?
Wordsworth: I understand that.
Chancellor: Your occupation Mr.Wordsworth?
Wordsworth: A librarian, sir....
(Crowd jeers confusingly)
Chancellor: (Puzzled and angrily).....A what!?
Wordsworth: A librarian, sir...
Chancellor: (To Secretary) Has this man had counsel?
Secretary: Yes sir, he has.
Chancellor: Has he been given orientation?
Secretary:Yes sir.
(As this goes on, Wordsworth steps back into the darkness, as if knowing his fate)
Chancellor: Mr.Wordsworth, I've been told you've been given couns(notices he's out of the light)...STEP BACK INTO THE LIGHT, MR.WORDSWORTH!
(Wordsworth steps back into the light)
Chancellor: I'm told you've been given Counsel, Mr. Wordsworth. but I'm still not sure, in my own mind, you understand the nature of this hearing. The field investigators in your sector have classified you as obsolete, this finding carries with it serious implications. Do you understand that, Mr.Wordsworth?
(Wordsworth nods)
Chancellor:I'd ask you again, your occupation Mr.Wordsworth?
Wordsworth: I AM a librarian, that IS my occupation, that is my PROFESSION. If you people choose to call that obsolete...
Secretary: Request clarification of the term...
Chancellor: Yes...Mr.Wordsworth, the term "You people," you make reference to The State?
Wordsworth: I make reference to The State.
Chancellor: And you persist in declaring your occupation as being that of a librarian. Is that correct?
Wordsworth: Yes sir, that's correct.
Chancellor: A librarian. Having to do...with books.
Wordsworth:(Proudly) Yes sir...books!
Chancellor: Since there are no more books, Mr.Wordsworth, there are no more libraries, and, of course, as it follows, there is very little call for the services of a librarian. Case in point: A minister. A minister would tell us that his function is that of preaching the word of God. And since it follows that since The State has proven that there is no God, that would make the function of a minister quite academic as well....
Wordsworth: There IS a God!!
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