The use of mannequins taps into "the uncanny valley"—the discomfort humans feel when faced with objects that look almost, but not quite, human.
Marsha White, a demanding shopper, visits a large department store to find a specific gift—a gold thimble. After being directed to the "vacant" ninth floor by a mysterious elevator operator, she encounters a strange saleswoman who sells her a scratched thimble. Marsha soon realizes she is locked in the store after closing and discovers a terrifying secret about herself and the "people" she encountered. [S1E24] The Twilight Zone
A skeptical official who insists the ninth floor doesn't exist and that no such saleswoman is employed there. Themes & Analysis The use of mannequins taps into "the uncanny