Night Thoughts

           Itwasteno’clock.Theirquarterswerefilledwithcounterfeitsleep.

           Jacklayonhissidefacingthewall,eyesopen,listeningtoWendy’sslowandregularbreathing.Thetasteofdissolvedaspirinwasstillonhistongue,makingitfeelroughandslightlynumb.AlShockleyhadcalledatquarterofsix,quarterofeightbackEast.WendyhadbeendownstairswithDanny,sittinginfrontofthelobbyfireplaceandreading.

           "Persontoperson,"theoperatorsaid,"forMr.JackTorrance."

           "Speaking."Hehadswitchedthephonetohisrighthand,haddughishandkerchiefoutofhisbackpocketwithhisleft,andhadwipedhistenderlipswithit.Thenhelitacigarette.

           Al’svoicethen,stronginhisear:"Jacky-boy,whatinthenameofGodareyouupto?"

           "Hi,Al."HesnuffedthecigaretteandgropedfortheExcedrinbottle.

           "What’sgoingon,Jack?IgotthisweirdphonecallfromStuartUllmanthisafternoon.AndwhenStuUllmancallslong-distanceoutofhisownpocket,youknowtheshithashitthefan."

           "Ullmanhasnothingtoworryabout,Al.Neitherdoyou."

           "Whatexactlyisthenothingwedon’thavetoworryabout?StumadeitsoundlikeacrossbetweenblackmailandaNationalEnquirerfeatureontheOverlook.Talktome,boy."

           "Iwantedtopokehimalittle,"Jacksaid."WhenIcameupheretobeinterviewed,hehadtodragoutallmydirtylaundry.