Number 240 was the title of Number 6's observer in The Village. The character appears in the eighth episode ("Dance of the Dead") of the the 1967-68 British television series The Prisoner and was portrayed by actress Norma West.
Background[]
During a meeting with Number 2, she suggests that Number 6 ought to get a girlfriend; he tries talking to his Observer, Number 240. He learns that a mysterious Carnival is to be held in the Village.
The Carnival becomes a costumed ball and dance in which everyone has an elaborate identity except Number 6, who is simply given his own dinner jacket. The soiree ends, however, in a kangaroo court with Number 6 on trial for the possession of a radio. After arguments for the prosecution (by Number 240) and defense (by Number Two), Number Six asks for former colleague Roland Walter Dutton to be called as a character witness. When Dutton is produced he is dressed in a jester's costume and is clearly a mindless simpleton. The trial ends with Number Six being sentenced to death.
Number 6 escapes this fate by running from the room. Number 240 and Number 2 eventually find Number 6 in an office. Number 240 is then ordered from the room by Number 2 and told to send the carnival guests away. She appears to immediately forget Number 6, despite implications that she was attracted to him, though she also displayed fondness for another Prisoner she had been assigned to observe. Number 2 relieved Number 240 of her observer duties on Number Six, stating that "observers of life should not get involved."
Although Number 6 never enters into a full romance during his time in the Village, Number 240 is one of a handful of individuals with whom Number 6's interactions seemed to potentially move in that direction.