Hallorann

           Thecookdidn’tconformtoWendy’simageofthetypicalresorthotelkitchenpersonageatall.Tobeginwith,suchapersonagewascalledachef,nothingsomundaneasacook-cookingwaswhatshedidinherapartmentkitchenwhenshethrewalltheleftoversintoagreasedPyrexcasseroledishandaddednoodles.Further,theculinarywizardofsuchaplaceastheOverlook,whichadvertisedintheresortsectionoftheNewYorkSundayTimes,shouldbesmall,rotund,andpasty-faced(ratherlikethePillsburyDough-Boy);heshouldhaveathinpencillinemustachelikeafortiesmusicalcomedystar,darkeyes,aFrenchaccent,andadetestablepersonality.

           Hallorannhadthedarkeyesandthatwasall.Hewasatallblackmanwithamodestafrothatwasbeginningtopowderwhite.Hehadasoftsouthernaccentandhelaughedalot,disclosingteethtoowhiteandtooeventobeanythingbut1950-vintageSearsandRoebuckdentures.Herownfatherhadhadapair,whichhecalledRoebuckers,andfromtimetotimehewouldpushthemoutathercomicallyatthesuppertable…always,Wendyrememberednow,whenhermotherwasoutinthekitchengettingsomethingelseoronthetelephone.

           Dannyhadstaredupatthisblackgiantinblueserge,andthenhadsmiledwhenHallorannpickedhimupeasily,sethiminthecrookofhiselbow,andsaid:"Youain’tgonnastayuphereallwinter."

           "YesIam,"Dannysaidwithashygrin.

           "No,you’regonnacomedowntoSt.