This is somewhat a spoiler to the episode. An essay that interprets the ideas and symbolism of the story.
This episode didn’t capture me that much. It was basic. But it was also quite sad by the end.
We follow the story of Mr. Bookman. A salesman who stands everyday, rainy or sunny, in front of the street to make his pitch on the numerous toys and gizmos he has to offer. Not much of luck for this guy. Nobody ever bothers to browse his stuff, let alone pay attention. Except for the unusual fellow wearing a dark suit standing near him, writing something down, as if cataloging every breath Mr. Bookman makes.
The story starts when Mr. Bookman ends his daily session. He packs up his suitcase, and walks along a busy street filled with children who we see not only recognize the old man, but are brought to complete joy upon seeing him. He greets the children, more so, with a particular young little girl, who asks him how his business is doing.
The old man, humble as he is, notions that business is doing well, a lie told for the betterment of the conversation. He shows and gives a few toys to the girl and another boy sitting near him. And bids farewell for now.
As he enters his humble abode. He is greeted by the man a few scenes earlier. Not by a knock on the door, but by sitting completely at home on a wooden chair in the middle of Mr. Bookman’s unit. He recognizes the man, and the man brings up that he knows Mr. Bookman too, as well as his mother and father, date of birth, almost everything, which seemingly is all written down on the pieces of paper he has in his hands.
The man also mentions Mr. Bookman’s time of departure, that being at 12 o’ clock midnight. Mr. Bookman is confused by this. He does not understand what this man is saying. Let alone, why he is there, who he is, and how he got there.
The conversation of the two men are interrupted by a knock on the door. Upon opening the door, we are greeted by the little girl from before. She enters the room, and asks to fix the toy Mr. Bookman has given her. He happily does, and asks for the girl to greet his unwelcomed visitor. But to her reply, she does not see anyone except for Mr. Bookman. The man in the dark suit explains that only those who have business with him, is to know of his presence. The little girl says goodbye to Mr. Bookman. And Mr. Bookman insisted that she as well, said goodbye to the man in the dark suit. To which, she happily plays along with Mr. Bookman’s game.
The two gentlemen get back to their conversation from before. Mr. Bookman has grown tired of the man, and asks who he is. And the man demonstrates this, by merely touching a plant, that immediately dies. It doesn’t take Mr. Bookman long to piece everything together. He is Death, and he has come to pick Mr. Bookman up, up for departure.
Mr. Bookman, in full understanding of the situation, denies that his time has come. He believes he is still in his prime. Not a cough, or an injury to say that he qualifies to leave just yet. So, the man explains that there are three conditions that would cause for a delay in departure. The third being of something Mr. Bookman might not have accomplished in his time.
And to this, Mr. Bookman is brought to joy, understanding that he has found his ticket out, saying that he has never made the best pitch he ever dreamed of yet. And to that, the Man in the dark suit accepts this deal. Once Mr. Bookman has made his pitch, that is the time for him to depart.
But the man was skeptical as to how long it would take for Mr. Bookman to accomplish such a task. To which, he replies that he might not be able to do it within the year, or even the next. That wont do it for the man. That wont do at all.
So, the man takes a replacement for Mr. Bookman. And a noise comes from the street. Someone has been hit!
Mr. Bookman arrives at the scene. To which, we see the little girl. Laying on the ground. She was the one who got hit by the car. An accident to the neighborhood, but not to Mr. Bookman.
The girl wakes, and asks Mr. Bookman who was the man in the dark suit standing and watching. To which, Mr. Bookman approaches the man in the dark suit. Pleading that he take his life now, and not the little girl, for she is young, she has a lot of years left to her. To that, the man does not approve. For he has found a new suitable host.
Later at night, the girl is visited and observed by the local doctor, telling Mr. Bookman, that she might not make it up until midnight, his original departure. He sits by the pavement, and the man in the dark suit appears. He sits down beside Mr. Bookman, for he still has time to waste before the girl’s departure.
Seeing the opportunity, Mr. Bookman opens up his briefcase. The man is confused, seeing that it is near closing time for all, and that there are none walking the streets this late at night. Who would be Mr. Bookman’s customer? Well, nobody else was there, except for the man.
Mr. Bookman, determined not to let Death arrive at the little girl’s doorstep, makes his pitch. To the man in the dark suit, who has now been entranced with Mr. Bookman’s skillful monologuing. He is swayed by Mr. Bookman’s salesmanship, not being able to resist not buying what Mr. Bookman has to offer.
And at the last, Mr. Bookman offers his most prized possession, himself. The man in the dark suit is taken aback by this, seeing that Mr. Bookman is well off his knockers to sell himself. But it being that the man’s attention is with Mr. Bookman, who’s to say that it’s not working.
A clock rings. And it is shown that midnight has passed. Death had not come for the little girl. All is too late, and the girl is fine once again.
Relieved, Mr. Bookman has accomplished making his pitch. His amazing pitch. And with their deal still active, it was now time for Mr. Bookman’s departure.
Funny, it being only a minute passed midnight.
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