But Can She Type?
| "But Can She Type?" | |
|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone episode | |
|
Scene from But Can She Type? | |
| Episode no. |
Season 1 Episode 13b |
| Written by | Martin Pasko & Rebecca Parr |
| Original air date | December 20, 1985 |
| Guest actors | |
|
Pam Dawber : Karen Billings | |
"But Can She Type?" is the second segment of the thirteenth episode from the first season (1985–86) of the television series The Twilight Zone.
Plot
Karen Billings, an overworked, very underappreciated secretary, attempts to make copies for her overdemanding boss. She tries using the office Xerox machine, but it malfunctions and Karen finds herself transported to another reality. Unaware she is no longer in her own universe, Karen attends a party where she is supposed to meet up with her current boyfriend; she discovers to her surprise that secretaries are a rare and cherished commodity here. Men at the party hit on her and women talk of how jealous they are--all because Karen is a secretary. Even the hostess feels her party is now an "event" upon finding out a secretary has deemed her party worthy enough to attend. Karen is approached by a wealthy-looking man who offers her a job as his secretary. She does enjoy the attention, but, realizing she has lost her keys, she leaves the party. She goes back to the copy room and accidentally runs the copy machine and returns to her reality.
Still completely unaware of the change, Karen returns home to find a message from her boyfriend about missing her from the party. She remembers the card given to her by the man offering her a job and attempts to call. The number, however, doesn't exist. Karen returns to work only to find that her boss is upset with her for not getting him all the copies, which she remembers making all of them. He goes on to berate her and secretaries in general. While talking with her office friend, Karen begins to realize what has happened to her. She decides to quit and runs down to make a copy so she can return to the parallel reality. She nearly misses the workmen about to take it away. She frantically operates the copier and a flash of light comes out. The workmen are gone and Karen calls the number on the card. The number now works and she ends up with a fantastic job and the happiness she was looking for.
Closing narration
| “ | What do you get the woman who has everything, but respect? Ask Karen Billings, recipient of a very unusual and definitely non-returnable present. Because this year, for Christmas, Karen Billings received...the Twilight Zone. | ” |