Party Line story

ahp5x33 · 1960-05-29

Helen Parch enjoys abusing the party line. One day she is warned by policeman Mr. Atkins that a man named Heywood Miller escaped prison and may come after her. Years ago, Helen refused to let Heywood use the party line to call the doctor, which led to the death of Miller's wife. That night Heywood breaks into Helen's house, and when she tries to call the sheriff's office, the party line is busy. Directed by: Hilton A. Green. Story by: Henry Slesar, Eli Jerome.

18 total · 7 major · 11 minor

Theme	Level	Motivation
coping with an intransigent person	major	The party line people, especially Miller, were dealing with their judgemental, domineering, and single-minded neighbor Helen.
getting a taste of one's own medicine	major	Helen picked up the party line and heard two other women backtalk her much like she herself had back talked others.
humans in group	major	The story explores how people can get into conflict when sharing a common resource: in this case a party telephone line.
manners	major	Helen haughtily explained to Heywood how to behave on the party line. In general, the story was about how people are supposed to behave on a party telephone line.
poetic justice	major	After causing the death of Miller's wife by refusing to let him use the party line, six years later Helen found herself in a desperate situation and unable to call for help because someone hogged the party line.
the desire for vengeance	major	The plot hinged on the fact that Heywood Miller was after Helen whom he blamed for his late wife's untimely demise.
what if someone dangerous was after me	major	Helen was terrified at the realization that Miller was out to kill her.
burglary	minor	We heard that Miller had taken to his old ways and started committing burglary.
coping with an obnoxious chatterbox	minor	Helen was an incessant chatterbox on the party line.
fear for one's life	minor	Helen was home alone and feared a murderous man was coming for her.