Oh, Mr. Zeeno.
I told you,
I don't want you to tutor my son.
I don't want him to have anything more to do with you.
So you've come here to tell them
what you've discovered about me.
Just keep away from my boy.
Just keep away, that's all.
Stay away!
This office will not open till tomorrow morning.
That's too bad.
In your case,
it would have been better never than late.
I don't think they would have
believed you anyway, Mr. Turner.
But what you do know about my plans
makes it necessary for me to alter them,
and that's a great inconvenience.
What... what are you doing?
Let me go. Don't!
Uhh! I don't want to jump!
No! No! No!
Aah...
Oh! My... my family!
Don't... don't make me!
I don't want to!
No!
Aah!
Zeenon 6, Zeenon 6,
due to near exposure,
must abandon this phase of Expectation One
on west coast.
Will move operations to east coast
and attempt to recruit next subject on list.
There is nothing wrong with your television set.
Do not attempt to adjust the picture.
We are controlling transmission.
We will control the horizontal.
We will control the vertical.
We can change the focus to a soft blur
or sharpen it to crystal clarity.
For the next hour, sit quietly
and we will control all that you see and hear.
You are about to participate in a great adventure.
You are about to experience the awe and mystery
which reaches from the inner mind to...
Zeenon 6, Zeenon 6...
Arrived safely.
Ready to penetrate subject 2.
I'll get it, Aggie.
How do you do, Mr. Benjamin?
I'm Mr. Zeeno. I represent the government educational
enrichment program of which your son is a part.
Uh... my credentials.
Won't you come in?
Thank you.
I realize that this is very short notice.
In fact, it's no notice at all.
And I apologize for the intrusion.
This is Mrs. Benjamin. Mr. Zeeno.
How do you do?
Sit down, won't you?
Oh, thank you.
You recall that in the special resources act of 1957
the congress voted to place the best minds of its citizens
in the same preservation and fostering category
as it places wildlife, natural resources,
forests.
Yes.
The bright mind of a young boy or girl
is certainly worth caring for and nurturing.
I mean, the whole future of our country
may well be governed by how these minds mature.
Yes, we realize that.
Well, I'm a private tutor,
and I've been sent to help your son
on a special project.
Oh? Well, that's nice.
I don't know. I appreciate the government's interest,
but Kenny's carrying quite a load now...
His schoolwork, his music lessons,
and, of course, there's little league.
Your son is one of our brightest prospects,
and our records show that his home influence
is good.
That's most important to Kenneth's development.
I can say that at one time,
we were somewhat concerned
about you and Mrs. Benjamin.
Our records show that you and Mr. Benjamin
worked on the Glenridge atomic project
and were, for some time, exposed to minor radiation.
The government checked us once a year
for 10 years,
and we showed absolutely no ill effects.
Correct, and as it turned out,
you produced in Kenneth a mutation plus.
A mutation plus?
Yes. A mutation plus is a product of superior quality
in athletics, scholarship, and so forth.
Well... I would like to talk to him.
Oh, certainly. Excuse me.
Ken! Kenny! We have a visitor.
He's in his room doing his homework.
I had no idea about Kenny being a mutation plus.
Well, I wouldn't worry about it, Mr. Benjamin.
I'd be proud.
Kenny, this is Mr. Zeeno.
He's from the educational enrichment program,
and he's going to tutor you in some special projects.
Kenneth.
Ken, I don't mind you
taking on a lot of extra work,
but as I told Mr. Zeeno,
I wouldn't like you to bite off more than you can chew.
We're certain he can handle it, Mr. Benjamin.
Otherwise, I shouldn't have been sent.
How much extra time would this work entail?
Only a few hours a week for one semester.
Ken, think you can handle it?
I'll try.
I would like to talk to you, Kenneth.
Why don't you take Mr. Zeeno to your room?
Oh, no. It's just a mess up there.
Oh, don't be silly, Aggie.
Oh, we'll need the extra seating, Dee.
This is an important issue, and the PTA...
Home early.
Yes, Dee, I'm listening.
Oh, you are so right. We need a new...
Kenny! Kenny boy!
Roy, please, I'm on the phone.
Kenny?
Yes, Dee. Kenny!
Roy, I'm on the phone.
Uh-huh. OK.
Practice time!
Please!
Hiya, Dad. You're home early.
Hey, Ken. Thought we'd warm up at the park for a while.
Got to keep that
little-league wing souped up.
I'll go get the gloves.
Good.
You know, you are much worse than your son,
yelling when I'm on the phone.
The lady of the house is so right,
but I got to get that boy's nose out of all those books
and projects for a while.
Well, watch your back.
You're no spring chicken, you know.
Oh, I don't know. What are you doing tonight?
Whistle.
What's the matter, Ken?
Sorry, Dad. I have to study.
Mr. Zeeno will be here in a minute.
Ken?
What happened to your ball game?
Oh, Ken just reminded himself that Mr. Zeeno was coming.
Again?
He was here only yesterday.
Sure has been coming around a lot lately.
The way he drops in... Unexpected and unannounced.
I didn't know it was gonna be like that...
Any time of the day, any day.
Why doesn't he tell us beforehand that he's coming?
Well, he's busy. Move, darling.
You're in my way.
You're disappointed 'cause Kenny can't warm up with you.
I don't know who's the bigger kid,
the father or the son.
Well, our son may be bright, but he sure is sloppy.
Why can't he pick his things up?
Because he's a boy.
Oh, hi. Hi, Joe.
You're home early. You get fired?
Just early.
I'm maintaining the good-neighbor policy.
Returning the Brandy you loaned me last week.
Catching up on your homework?
Look at this.
Kenny's compiled all the world's elements.
Huh. Some typing job, huh?
Each page an element with all the information on it.
Specific atomic symbol. Number, weight,
density, specific gravity,
and its melting and boiling points.
Mm-hmm.
And get this, Joe... To find "C,"
degree "F" minus 32 times 5/9.
Imagine that kid of mine
breaking down 125 elements like that.
I thought there were just 102 elements.
Not lately.
Oh, sure, 102.
Crypsiliam 1?
Crypsiliam 2?
Never heard of them.
Who has, outside of the laboratory?
I can't get past nitrogen and oxygen,
and neither can you.
Heh. I may not remember the names,
but I know the number.
Check any encyclopedia.
Your kid's playing Einstein.
No, he's making those things up.
Let me tell you something, Roy.
I don't know how good that cluster program is for your boy.
You don't mind my saying so?
The government's behind it.
Sure, instant science.
You take any 14-year-old... I don't care how bright he is...
And you push him too hard, too fast,
and pretty soon, he's not 14 years old anymore.
And the other kids, they won't play with him. He's a loner.
And the older ones... They won't accept him, anyway.
Kenny's well-balanced.
He can handle it.
I wouldn't let my boy join the group.
I don't like to be snide, Joe,
but, uh, your kid wasn't asked.
Well, my kid wouldn't do things like this...
I mean, doctor up his homework.
And those other 23 elements... That's pure fantasy.
If Ken says there are 125 elements,
there are 125.
Ah... 102, partner.
Wanna bet?
5 will get you 10.
You got it.
Ken.
Kenny?
Ken, sorry to disturb you.
Uh, how many elements are there?
Elements?
102 or 125?
Well, there are 102 known elements.
102 known? Well, what about the other 23?
They're there.
Then there are 125.
Well, not really yet. The balance is in the future.
You wouldn't understand, Dad.
I may not understand most of the things in there,
but I do understand the difference
between 102 and 125. Now, which one is it?
102.
Why'd you put down 125?
Excuse me, Dad. I've got to study.
Mr. Zeeno will be here in a minute.
I'll get it.
Oh, good afternoon.
Mr. Zeeno.
One moment, please.
I'm a very busy man, Mr. Benjamin.
I know. I'm not usually home to see you,
but I got home early today, and I'd like some information.
Kenny's doing very well.
I'm sure of that.
But, uh, what I mean is, what is the schedule for the future?
First you were here once a week,
now it's 2 or 3 times with no prior notice.
I have a great deal of territory
to cover, Mr. Benjamin,
and not very much time for discussion.
This little colloquy has already cost me
2 1/2 minutes.
Was that Mr. Zeeno?
Yeah. Aggie, what do you think of him?
Mr. Zeeno? I don't know. What is there to think?
He's changed a lot since we first met him.
Almost as if he didn't want us around.
Darling, you know what I think?
Oh, you wouldn't like this.
Go on.
Well, you're jealous.
You don't like sharing your son.
That's very good, Kenneth.
Are you ready?
Proceed.
Very good, Kenneth.
And now, sound waves can trigger weather changes.
Therefore...
Element control.
What is it, Dad?
Uh... dinner pretty soon.
Sorry.
In the weeks to come,
I'll reveal to you the role you're to play
as a result of your mastery of these lessons.
Do you think he's ever gonna leave?
The roast isn't ready, anyway.
Did you finish your lesson?
Mr. Zeeno just left.
Dinner's ready in 10 minutes.
I'll go wash up.
I wonder if we shouldn't have asked Mr. Zeeno
to stay for dinner.
Yeah. Maybe he'll talk over dinner.
Mr. Zeeno!
Good. Good. Now the cold combination.
Very good.
Now reverse the sound-wave patterns.
Excellent.
Well, you're even more receptive than I dared hope.
I'm very pleased with your progress, Kenny,
especially since time is literally of the essence for me.
You mean you'll have to go back?
Yes, to... to recharge, in a manner of speaking.
You see, the major gas in my atmosphere, Zeenon,
is an extremely minor one in yours.
0.09 parts per million.
Correct. And I can only exist,
well, a limited time before coming up for air.
My air, Zeenon.
Here, let me show you this.
There.
Just like an amphibian.
That's a very apt analogy.
You see, I can function for the equivalent
of 120 earth days
without the need for recharging.
Well, half that time is already gone.
And I must say, Kenneth,
it's been time extremely well spent
in preparing you for what ultimately will be
a magnificent destiny.
Kenny.
Don't pretend you're asleep.
Now, what's going on?
What do you mean, Dad?
You know what I mean.
Now, I don't want to have to force it out of you.
I want to be told.
Told what?
Kenny, isn't there something you have to tell me?
Something peculiar about Mr. Zeenon?
Peculiar?
I heard a strange noise
coming right from inside this room.
Strange noise?
Stop repeating after me. Tell me.
Noise?
Oh, sure.
I've been working on this climate-control machine.
It goes sort of buzz-buzz.
Is that what you mean?
Mr. Zeeno brought it for me.
It's still in the experimental stage,
but it can change weather by the means of sound-wave patterns.
I mean, to a limited degree, we do it today...
Air conditioning, seeding clouds for rain. Like that.
Listen to me, Ken. I know about Mr. Zeeno.
And so do you.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Cut it out, Ken. I know. I know what you know.
I just saw him leave.
I mean, I just saw him disappear.
Look at me, Ken.
Don't, Dad. Don't tell anybody. Not yet.
What do you mean, not yet? Don't tell what?
What's happening to you?
Tell me, Ken.
Tell me!
Dad, please. You'll spoil everything.
Spoil what? Who is he? What's he doing?
Where does he come from?
Dad, please, don't push. Don't.
Ken, you're gonna tell me, or so help me...
Dad, leave me alone, please!
Ken.
What's going on?
Kenny just had a nightmare.
Is he all right?
He'll be all right.
Go to bed, darling.
Please?
I'm going to read for a while.
Won't you come in?
Please sit down.
Mr. Benjamin, I presume you're making inquiry
as to the progress of your son.
He's doing fine.
Good.
I'd like to ask a question.
Please do.
Do you send out private tutors?
I'm not sure I understand the question.
I mean someone sent out by the government
to instruct pupils privately.
No. We want the program to be as unobtrusive as possible.
We set great store by the normalcy factors
in a growing-up stage.
We want a well-rounded person by the time he matures.
At no time have you ever sent anyone out
to tutor my son?
Absolutely not.
Have you heard of or known a Mr. Zeeno?
I know of no such person.
Then if someone came around, presented himself
as a private tutor from this department,
he'd be lying?
We never go into the home.
We contact each child through the board of education.
That is assiduously maintained throughout the country.
OK. That confirms it.
There is a person who did just that.
He isn't even human.
And right now, he's teaching my son.
Mr. Benjamin...
He comes and goes. I mean, he comes... and goes.
Disappears... materializes.
Have you ever heard of a climate-control machine?
This man comes from...
I don't know where! Outer space!
Mr. Benjamin...
You people know about these things.
Sir...
And I want the government to step in...
If you please... Mr. Benjamin,
one of the problems we've given serious thought to
is the reaction of the parents to these gifted children.
It isn't that the children can't handle the program. They can.
But often, parents with misguided pride,
become carried away.
I know how I must sound to you,
but I've got to try and reach you
the only way I know how.
I've got to make you understand.
I've got to reach someone. He'll destroy my son.
Maybe the government. Maybe the whole world!
Mr. Benjamin, please, you look like a reasonable man.
Thank you for coming.
Zeenon 6, Zeenon 6...
First phase complete.
The boy is responding beyond expectations.
He will make admirable puppet to support invasion.
He has no knowledge of the use he'll be put to.
As a result of his assimilation,
I hope to move soon to the other children selected.
There's one problem, however. An obstacle.
As with first target, the boy's father.
I will find a way to eliminate him.
That's the way it is with the PTA every time, Dee.
If you want anything done, you've got to do it...
Aggie, hang up.
Hang up. Roy...
Never mind all that.
What is it?
Just listen. The educational enrichment program
does not send out private tutors.
I just came from the department.
Mr. Zeeno is no government representative.
You're sure?
I'm sure.
Who is he? What does he want with our son?
Last night, Zeeno was with Kenny again.
Aggie...
He's not one of us.
He's from outer space.
I saw him with my own eyes.
He disintegrated himself into a beam of light
and passed through the hall window without breaking it.
Aggie, believe me.
You've got to.
That strange noise.
He must be with Kenny right now.
You're spying on me!
You're spying.
Kenny. now cut it out, Ken.
We want to know what's happening right now.
Who is this Mr. Zeeno,
and what does he want from you?
I told you. I told you. You'll spoil everything.
Kenny, open the door.
Kenny!
Ken!
Well, what can we do?
Who's going to believe us?
That our boy is lost to us.
Not without a struggle.
Let's call the police.
No. The head of the educational program thought I was a nut.
I wouldn't get any further with the police.
Well, what, Roy? What do we do?
I won't press Ken any further,
but I will have a showdown with Mr. Zeeno.
No, thanks.
Angel, go to bed.
You know, Roy...
Aggie, please.
Please, darling.
Kenneth, you're not paying attention.
Is there something wrong?
No, Mr. Zeeno.
Roy...
Be careful.
I noticed that the door was locked.
I think perhaps you'd better...
Who are you, and what are you doing to my boy?
Dad...
Be quiet, son.
I want to find out everything there is to know.
Look, you,
I don't know who you are or what you want,
but I do know you're not who you say you are.
You're from out there somewhere.
Dad, stop it. You're interfering.
And you've taken over my son.
It's what I want to do.
It is a remarkable and most important position
that has been assigned to me by Zeenon.
I would betray my unique talents
if they were not used to the fullest
by a more advanced and appreciative culture.
I look forward to fulfilling my destiny.
You've turned him into a robot.
But I'll get him back.
I've been expecting to deal with you, Mr. Benjamin.
In a few seconds...
You will have killed yourself.
Stop it.
You can't make me.
No.
No, I won't do it.
Kenneth, what are you...
I'm choking!
I'm withdrawing your Zeenon.
Change the atmosphere!
You're on my side!
I let you think I was.
I had to until I could figure out
how to make this machine work this way.
He was going to kill you, father,
and anyone else who got in his way.
He planned to use kids all over the world as tools.
He figured kids would be easier to influence
than grownups.
Bright kids, especially,
would be the perfect puppets for their sneak invasion.
But you were careless.
You let me see the evil in you.
We'd have made you a God here.
I want to be just what I am.
Please, Ken, please.
Let me go back.
I can't harm you anymore.
You could have been a God.
Everything's going to be all right now, Mom.
I know I was rough on you, Dad,
but I couldn't let you gum things up.
I had to figure out the right atmosphere combination
that would make it impossible for beings like him
to ever set foot on earth again.
And I had to do it my own way.
What happens to the machine now?
Well, we'll have to turn it over to the government.
They'll have to expand the principle
so that they can repel a whole army of them at a time.
Cut off their Zeenon supply.
You look a little tired, Mom.
You'd better get some sleep.
I guess I'm a little tired, too.
Gotta get my beauty sleep, Dad.
Little league starts next week, you know.
The mold of a man
stems from the mind of a child.
Educators and emperors have known this
from time immemorial.
So have tyrants.
We now return control of your television set to you,
until next week at this same time,
when the control voice will take you to...