Author's Note: This story was requested by another Fan Fiction member, Retro Mania. He gave me the idea and some suggestions as to how it should play out. The story itself is based on the third season episode "Person or Persons Unknown." I have used the words "Negro" and "colored" to reference African American people because those terms were in vogue at the time of the story. They are not meant to denigrate anyone.
Rod Serling's Voice Over: You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. Your next stop...the Twilight Zone.
It was the summer of 1962. Civil unrest, the product of years of black suppression had broken out in major American cities. The sit-ins and other peaceful demonstrations were at the forefront of the attention of the greater American public, whether they were living in a city with a large black population or not. Some were terrified, some were angry and others said, 'It's about time!' Television was bringing the details into the living rooms so everyone knew what was happening.
"Joe? Are you coming to bed soon?" The Alstons, Joseph and Nancy, had come to a hotel in the deep South to participate in something quite foreign to Nancy. She had never been one to join in any sort of rallies. She was from a nice southern family in Virginia who believed any of that quite below them. But Joe was the sort who was able to convince most anyone of his views. Nancy had never really thought about race relations until she met Joe. He fervently believed in the status quo, that Negros should know their place. If not, like lately, something must be done. In the years since they had been married, Joe had gone with his 'friends and acquaintances' in the dark of night to burn crosses, break windows and various other activities of which Nancy didn't even want to know. She only worried about his safety. But now she had to pay attention. The news was everywhere, the Negros were demanding their rights. And Joe and his associates were firmly against that.
"Joe?" Nancy, a young woman of 28 years called her husband again. She put down her newspaper on the bedside table. "Ugh. I don't even want to read about that any more." It seemed the Negros, aided by whites dedicated to the Civil Rights cause, were starting boycotts, protests, sit-ins and other battles against segregation. "Why can't they leave it as is? Causing all that trouble. Pffft," she hissed, as her husband entered the room and sat on the bed to take off his slippers and robe.
Joe was an accountant by day, but by night a completely different side of him came out. Joseph Alston was dedicated to fighting against the civil rights movement. And wife Nancy was now convinced that Joe was right.
"If it's up to me, we will quash all these protests and things will get back to normal. It's gotten out of hand though, you're right."
Joseph Alston was a handsome man a year older than his wife. His black hair and pale blue eyes had caught the eye of the former Nancy McNulty back in high school and they felt they had been made for each other. Nancy and Joe thought alike and agreed on most things.
Joe got into bed and pulled the covers over himself. He turned to Nancy and caressed her shoulder length blonde hair. Her smile was lovely, and her bright blue eyes were amazing. He kissed her goodnight. "I have a big day tomorrow. I think we will make some progress. The group is getting together to finalize the plans to quash the protesters in the city. Imagine, all of those white people turning on their own kind to uphold the Negroes! They deserve to be jailed as well as the Negros! And they will, if I have anything to say about it! Good night, sweetheart," he said as he turned out the lamp on his side of the bed.
"Good night, honey," she replied, smiling and cuddled up to her husband.