Plot

In a future totalitarian society, a librarian is declared obsolete and sentenced to death.

In a futuristic totalitarian world, meek and mild-mannered librarian Romney Wordsworth finds himself on trial for being obsolete. This future society has decided on everything people need to know. There is no God and there are no books. Society doesn't need librarians. Romney makes an impassioned plea about his rights and free will but the judge in the case, the Chancellor, will have nothing of it. The jury finds Romney obsolete and orders him to be executed. As he can choose the method of his death, Romney's plans include a little surprise for the Chancellor.—garykmcd

In a totalitarian society, Romney Wordsworth is condemned to death for the crime of being a librarian, and he is subjected to the harangues of the state's Chancellor and his lectures about Wordsworth's obsolescence. Wordsworth, however, makes one final request - that he be allowed to choose his method of execution and that it be televised live to the society. The Chancellor agrees and later visits Wordsworth at his house, where he learns that Wordsworth has had tons of explosives rigged under the house to go off at midnight in full view of national television cameras. But as The Chancellor begins to leave, he finds he has been double-crossed by Wordsworth, and suddenly he must face Romney Wordsworth's terrifying vigil as the clock ticks down to the fateful period of midnight.—Michael Daly

The episode concerns a future where a Totalitarian state is in effect. A trial is being held for Romney Wordsworth, a man who is considered 'obsolete' by The State, as his occupation is that of a Librarian-an occupation that is considered obsolete since books are no longer available in edict of The State. The Chancellor presiding over the trial also declares Wordsworth obsolete in his belief of God, which has been declared to not exist by The State. Wordsworth vehemently states that he is not obsolete, and that The State cannot destroy the printed word and deny the existence of God by simple edicts and their totalitarian state. Even with his words, members of The State again claim him to be 'obsolete,' and ask him what his chosen method of execution shall be.

Wordsworth requests that his death be televised at midnight the next night, in his room. The Chancellor, wearing a satisfied grin, sends Wordsworth away to await his death.

The next night, Wordsworth summons the Chancellor to his room before his death. The Chancellor boasts proudly of how Wordsworth's death will set an example to those who oppose The State. After some time, the Chancellor realizes that the door to Wordsworth's room has been locked! The condemned man then tells the Chancellor that a bomb has been placed in the room, and will detonate at midnight.

Wordsworth then reveals a Bible, an item that he has hidden from view for over 20 years (the possession of one is punishable by death), and settles down to read some passages. The Chancellor yells for someone to open the door, but Wordsworth explains that his cries will go unheeded, as The State places the people it will execute in solitude, so noone can come to their rescue. Wordsworth also figures that The State won't care one way or another if the Chancellor is unable to escape, as his flight from a very tense situation could demoralize The State.

The Chancellor sits down in an attempt to remain calm, as Wordsworth, consigned to his fate, begins to read passages from his Bible.

As time ticks closer and closer to his doom, Wordsworth continue to read, while the Chancellor grows more and more nervous. Finally, with mere minutes left, the Chancellor lets out an anguished plea to be let out "in the name of God," and bolts for the door. As he struggles, Wordsworth comes to him, and produces the key. Wordsworth turns away with a smile on his face as the Chancellor bolts from the room, which seconds later explodes, killing Wordsworth.

The Chancellor is then brought into the same trial room as Wordsworth, only to find that his position has been assumed by another, and that through his showing of cowardice on television, has disgraced The State. Because of this, the Chancellor is declared 'obsolete.'

The (former) Chancellor refutes this claim, begging and pleading that he is not obsolete and wishes to continue to serve The State. Trying to escape the trial room, other members of The State grab him and hold him down, as he continues to plead and yell that he is not obsolete.