The plot of this episode is on two levels, almost a play within a play. John Newland appears not only as the host but also as a participant in the episode. It seems he was visiting a remote island off the coast of San Salvador when he met a man named Bentley (Murray Matheson), who told a most interesting tale. Bentley enters the café and joins Newland. In this episode Bentley is both the narrator and an actor in the story.
The tale: Philip Wilson (Lee Philips) comes to the island from San Francisco for a vacation. He meets the attractive brunette Mrs. Garan (Maureen Leeds), who is also staying at the resort, but they are distant with each other. One evening Philip meets a beautiful blond young woman, Delia Huston (Barbara Lord), and the two instantly fall in love. She tells Philip that for some time she has dreamed of meeting him, but something terrible always interrupts the dream.
Delia is a jewelry designer from St. Louis and gives Philip an ornament shaped like a prayer bell. Although they enjoy their time together, one evening when Philip moves in too close, Delia moves away and enters a cottage in the resort. Philip knocks, but Mrs. Garan answers the door, insisting she is the only occupant of the room.
WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD! Bentley tells Newland that Delia completely disappeared that night. After searching the island from one end to the other, Philip had to admit that Delia was nowhere to be found. He was understandably distraught and could not be consoled.
Newland asks if that is the end of the story. Bentley explains that the United States consulate investigated thoroughly and found no trace of such a person as Delia Huston. Philip even traveled to St. Louis to search, but no one had heard of her.
The tale continues, narrated by Bentley: Philip returns to the island where he spends the next eight years drinking and prowling the beach, eventually becoming a derelict. In an effort to bring Philip to his senses, Bentley chides him severely. Rather than helping, the harsh words drive Philip away. His drowned body is later discovered by the police, holding the prayer bell. Now Bentley deeply regrets his interference.
Newland presses Bentley for information, and Bentley replies that, ironically, the next evening he saw Delia and talked with her. Amazingly enough, Delia was wearing a prayer bell like the one Philip had received eight years before. In disbelief, Newland explains several theories of hallucination related to guilt, assuring Bentley that he was not responsible for Wilson's death. At this point, Bentley gestures and Delia enters the café. She stays a short time passing a few pleasantries with Newland and Bentley, then leaves.
Bentley tells Newland that when Delia arrived on the island from St. Louis, she said she had been there before in her dreams. Some eight years previously, Delia had had a recurring dream in which she met a man at an island resort and fell in love with him. In one dream she had given the young man a prayer bell, and her description was that of the recently dead Philip Wilson.
As in other episodes, John Newland then steps away to assume the role of host, talks of "teleportation," and ponders with the viewers what to make of this mystery.
The tale: Philip Wilson (Lee Philips) comes to the island from San Francisco for a vacation. He meets the attractive brunette Mrs. Garan (Maureen Leeds), who is also staying at the resort, but they are distant with each other. One evening Philip meets a beautiful blond young woman, Delia Huston (Barbara Lord), and the two instantly fall in love. She tells Philip that for some time she has dreamed of meeting him, but something terrible always interrupts the dream.
Delia is a jewelry designer from St. Louis and gives Philip an ornament shaped like a prayer bell. Although they enjoy their time together, one evening when Philip moves in too close, Delia moves away and enters a cottage in the resort. Philip knocks, but Mrs. Garan answers the door, insisting she is the only occupant of the room.
WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD! Bentley tells Newland that Delia completely disappeared that night. After searching the island from one end to the other, Philip had to admit that Delia was nowhere to be found. He was understandably distraught and could not be consoled.
Newland asks if that is the end of the story. Bentley explains that the United States consulate investigated thoroughly and found no trace of such a person as Delia Huston. Philip even traveled to St. Louis to search, but no one had heard of her.
The tale continues, narrated by Bentley: Philip returns to the island where he spends the next eight years drinking and prowling the beach, eventually becoming a derelict. In an effort to bring Philip to his senses, Bentley chides him severely. Rather than helping, the harsh words drive Philip away. His drowned body is later discovered by the police, holding the prayer bell. Now Bentley deeply regrets his interference.
Newland presses Bentley for information, and Bentley replies that, ironically, the next evening he saw Delia and talked with her. Amazingly enough, Delia was wearing a prayer bell like the one Philip had received eight years before. In disbelief, Newland explains several theories of hallucination related to guilt, assuring Bentley that he was not responsible for Wilson's death. At this point, Bentley gestures and Delia enters the café. She stays a short time passing a few pleasantries with Newland and Bentley, then leaves.
Bentley tells Newland that when Delia arrived on the island from St. Louis, she said she had been there before in her dreams. Some eight years previously, Delia had had a recurring dream in which she met a man at an island resort and fell in love with him. In one dream she had given the young man a prayer bell, and her description was that of the recently dead Philip Wilson.
As in other episodes, John Newland then steps away to assume the role of host, talks of "teleportation," and ponders with the viewers what to make of this mystery.
