"Button, Button", Richard Matheson
A package arrives at Norma and Arthur Steward's house with a gadget inside with a button on it. Shortly after a man arrives and announces to the couple that if they push the button they will kill someone in the world, and receive $50, 000 in exchange. Norma is intrigued by this, insisting that they are part of an experiment, and nothing will happen if they push the button. Except maybe they would get paid and could do the many things she was longing for. Arthur is repulsed by the idea and by his wife. This is a very well -written story although you will probably guess the ending. This was, of course, on the Twilight Zone. You can watch it on you tube. It was also the plot of the 2009 movie THE BOX.
8 comments:
I didn't have anything new today so I dipped into the archive to run this one from Aubrey for reasons explained in the post.
Short Story Wednesday Review: The C Word: For Some Lockdown Has Been Murder --- Reviewed by Aubrey
https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/07/short-story-wednesday-review-c-word-for.html
I've been a fan of Matheson's since the Twilight Zone and SHRINKING MAN days. I read his collected short stories some years ago.
I read Bill Pronzini's entertaining collection, THE HANGING MAN and Other Western Stories. Currently reading Andrea Barrett's first collection of stories, SHIP FEVER. And, of course, I have several other collections on hand.
Like Jeff, I've read a lot of Richard Matheson's stories and novels. He's an amazing writer. A number of Matheson stories showed up on the TWILIGHT ZONE.
I've heard of this one, Patti, but I must admit I've never read it. It really is an interesting premise, especially for those who like to explore deeper questions in stories.
Yes, they use in classes.
This story sounds familiar, maybe I even saw the Twilight Zone episode. I found a copy to read online, I will do that.
This story sounds familiar, maybe I even saw the Twilight Zone episode. I found a copy to read online, I will do that.
Sorry for the repeated comment.
I did go read the story and enjoyed it. I must have read it before. I also read a story from a sample of The Best of Richard Matheson, titled "Born of Man and Woman." It was a horror story but short and well written. Left a lot of questions unanswered, but that's OK. So I will look for more of his short stories.
Post a Comment