Mrs. Foster (Julie Harris) is about to travel to the airport to visit her family in America. Her husband decides to exploit her fear of lateness by delaying everything he does as much as possible. When they arrive at the airport, she finds out that the plane has been cancelled due to fog. Mr. Foster insists that she return home rather than staying overnight at the airport.
The next morning, Mr. Foster attempts the same tricks, but Mrs. Foster simply leaves him behind. The lift becomes stuck as he goes upstairs, trapping him, but she ignores it.
Examples:
- Adaptational Backstory Change: Mrs. Foster, whose obsessive fear of being late is unexplained in the original story, tells a bartender in the airport lounge that it comes from being raised by a strict military father. Doubles as a Freudian Excuse.
- Adaptational Location Change: In the original story the Fosters live in New York City with Mrs. Foster going to Paris. In this adaptation they live in London, and Mrs. Foster is going to New York City.
- Adaptational Nationality: Mr. Foster becomes a Brit.
- Karmic Twist Ending: Mr. Foster finally receives his comeuppance for emotionally tormenting his wife.
- Murder by Inaction: Mrs. Foster leaves to spend six weeks in New York, knowing her husband is trapped in the elevator.
- Named by the Adaptation: Mrs. Foster receives a first name, Alice.
