"The word that Mrs. Bronson is unable to put into the hot, still, sodden air is 'doomed,' because the people you've just seen have been handed a death sentence. One month ago, the Earth suddenly changed its elliptical orbit and in doing so began to follow a path which gradually, moment by moment, day by day, took it closer to the sun. And all of man's little devices to stir up the air are now no longer luxuries - they happen to be pitiful and panicky keys to survival. The time is five minutes to twelve, midnight. There is no more darkness. the place is New York City and this is the eve of the end, because even at midnight it's high noon, the hottest day in history, and you're about to spend it in the Twilight Zone."Norma and Mrs. Bronson remain in their apartments, even after most people have left town. A man breaks into Norma's apartment and drinks the last of her water. He then apologizes and leaves. Later, as the temperature increases, Mrs. Bronson dies. The paintings melt and a thermometer bursts. Norma screams and collapses. When she awakens it's dark and snowing. She was just dreaming - The Earth is actually heading away from the sun.
"The poles of fear, the extremes of how the Earth might conceivably be doomed. Minor exercise in the care and feeding of a nightmare, respectfully submitted by all thermometer-watchers in the Twilight Zone."