The Christmas Zone

I thought there was no way I hadn't seen every original gem contained within Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone, at least those of the half-hour variety. I'm consistently convinced of this supposed reality, and yet, every several years, I find another pearl.  This year's discovery, which turns out to have a Christmas theme, is The Changing of the Guard, with the great Donald Pleasence.

It shows how incredibly times have changed in the world of employment and employment law, and therefore finds its way into this post.  The set-up is that the venerable Prof. Fowler is being terminated.  Here's what he's told:

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You've been on the faculty for more than 50 years.  You reached the normal retirement age several years ago.  We decided at our winter meeting that, perhaps a younger man. . . .  If you could have been at that meaning, sir, you would have been very proud of the things said about you and your work.  A teacher of incalculable value to all of us.  But, but, youth must be served - changing of the guard, that sort of thing.

. . . .

Discharged?  Oh, no, Professor, please don't call it that.  It's retirement.  And at half salary for the rest of your life.
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Wow - times sure have changed!

The show, as is the case with virtually all of them, is great.  It's by no means at the level of Art Carney's devastatingly incredible Christmastime Zone entry, The Night of the Meek, but it's certainly a worthy entry in Mr. Serling's formidable archives.

Happy Holidays, all!