Lou Bookman

Lou Bookman

Background

Louis "Lou" J. Bookman is a pitchman in New York. He is 69 years old, born in 1890 in New York City. His father was Jacob Bookman born in Detroit, Michigan and his mother was Flora Bookman, born in Syracuse, New York.

During the events of The Twilight Zone: Season 1 Episode 2 One for the Angels played by Ed Wynn

Lou is showing off his toy robots and other goods to passersby as Mr. Death takes notes. The day ends and Lou walks to his apartment and throws candy to kids on the way. Maggie Polanski walks alongside him and asks him how his day went. He shows her and the other kids the toy robots he was selling and gives one to her and Ricky. He goes into his apartment and sees Mr. Death sitting in one of his chairs. Lou recognizes him from earlier in the day and Mr. Death starts to rattle off facts about Lou from a notepad. Mr. Death tells Lou that his departure time is midnight that night. Maggie knocks on the door and Lou lets her in. He fixes her toy and offers to introduce her to Mr. Death, but she can't see him. After Maggie leaves, Mr. Death tells Lou that only those that are about to accompany him, can see him. Mr. Death explains to Lou that he is about to die and proves it by killing Lou's plant with a touch of his hand. Lou starts arguing with Mr. Death, who tells him there are three possible appeals, one on grounds of hardship, another one for those about to make major accomplishments, and the third, unfinished business of a major nature. Lou tells Mr. Death he does indeed have unfinished business and while at first his attempts fail, he eventually convinces Mr. Death to spare him until Lou makes a pitch for the angels. Mr. Death leaves Lou's apartment and Lou admits that he plans to never make a pitch again. Mr. Death warns him about cheating death and tells him that an alternative person has been chosen to leave at midnight. Tires screech loudly and a woman screams outside the apartment building and Lou runs outside. Truck Driver runs up to Maggie, who is lying in the street and tells Lou that she ran into the middle of the street and he didn't have time to stop his truck from hitting her. Maggie wakes up and asks Lou who Mr. Death is and Lou realizes she is the alternative. The Doctor tells Lou that it is too hard to tell if Maggie will make it. Lou waits outside the apartment building for Mr. Death, who shows up 15 minutes before midnight. Lou tries to trade places with Mr. Death, but Mr. Death won't make a deal. Mr. Death then admits that he must be at Maggie's bedside exactly at midnight, or he can't take her. Lou sets up his sales trunk and makes successful pitch after successful pitch to Mr. Death while paying attention to the time. Midnight comes and Mr. Death misses his appointment. The Doctor walks out of the apartment and tells Lou that Maggie will survive. Mr. Death congratulates Lou on his pitch and Lou leaves with Mr. Death and is told he made it to Heaven.