Well that's a drag. I'm not surprised, but I am a little disappointed. Anyway, here's my submission!
Joe Humphrey
Based on the novel The Shining by STEPHEN KING
FROM THE DIARY OF GLORIA GRADY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1970
I’m sitting at a desk in the lobby of our new home, The Overlook Hotel. We drove up from Boulder this afternoon. Well, Dell drove, and I wrangled Jess and Trudy, distributing snacks and encouragement. My role as cheerleader to Del’s ambitions is finally coming from a place of gratitude rather than strained optimism. Del really saved us with this job. I mean, can you believe it? We get to not only live in this incredible place, for FREE, but they’re going to PAY us to live here. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of being cooped up all winter, but this place is MASSIVE. I can’t see how we’d ever get bored living here. The kitchen is bigger than the entire house I grew up in.
Speaking of the kitchen, I got a chance to meet Mr. Halloran this afternoon. He’s a lovely man and an apparently quite impressive chef, and he seemed to hit it off well with the girls. The ice cream probably played a hand in that, though.
Lordy, there is so much food! I thought we were going to need to make runs to Sidewinder to load up on groceries for the winter, but there’s no way we’ll ever be able to eat our way through all that food. That’s a relief, to be truthful, because I was worried about having enough for when the snow comes and we’re stuck on the mountain for the winter. Consider me relieved, because there’s more than we’ll ever need. Plus, I didn’t want to spend the money.
We’ll have the CB radio, and there are snowmachines that we can drive down the mountain if need be. It’s not ideal, but Del isn’t worried, and so I shouldn’t be either.
Most of all, I’m excited to have this time with the girls. They’ve been so temperamental lately, and I know it’s because they’re picking up on my and Del’s energy. How could they not? The last year has been a nightmare, and they seem to lean on each other more than us. Honestly, that’s hard not to take personally. That’s why I’m so excited about this time in the hotel. It’s an adventure, and it’s a time to reconnect as a family. This job fixes so many of the stressors in our lives. It’ll be like a vacation to live in a gorgeous, fancy hotel and get to know my girls a little better.
Del is spending the day tomorrow finalizing some things with Mr. Ulman and Mr. Watson, and I’m taking the girls down to Sidewinder to do some shopping. I don’t expect them to be happy about it, but hopefully it’ll be a nice time.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1970
I woke up this morning rested and excited for our drive down to Sidewinder. It’s not much of a town, but it’s cute, and it has a few little shops and a grocery store, and that was enough to keep us occupied for an hour or so while Del did his work setting up. I probably shouldn’t write this down, but Del was especially randy last night. I was surprised, as that has been lacking as of late, but he was like a wild animal. I loved it. I hope this newfound enthusiasm isn’t a temporary thing, because I could use more of it.
On a completely different subject, Trudy and I had a talk about living in the hotel, and how being taken out of school is impacting her emotionally. She was pretty frank with me, and I appreciate that so much. She told me she already misses her friends and that, while she loves Jess, it’s not the same as being with them. I told her that as soon as the snow melts, we would take a trip to Boulder to see her friends and her Uncle Thomas and Aunt Rebecca, too. I wish I had something more immediate to do for her, but she’s going to have to get real about the next few months. They’re going to be long, but it can be a fun adventure as well! And as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, I know that she and Jess have a good time together. I’ll have to work extra hard to find ways to keep them occupied. Del has his models, and I have my books, but the girls will need more than that. Which is one of the reasons we went down to the Sidewinder today. We stopped in the little book shop and loaded up on board games, coloring books, novels, and puzzles. Between you and me, I spent over fifty dollars there, which is something Del doesn’t ever need to know about. It’ll be our secret.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1970
It’s Tuesday night, and I can’t sleep. I’ve been up and down all night. I didn’t want to wake Del or the girls up, so I’m wandering the hotel. It’s weird being in this big hotel alone. We saw it full of life that first day, and gradually, I’m starting to forget what the place sounds like with people in it. All I hear right now is the crackling of the fire and the wind blowing outside. No traffic, no dogs barking, no neighbor's music coming through the apartment wall. It’s just me, my hot cocoa, and my book at two in the morning. And you, of course. I always have you.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1970
I woke up on a couch next to the fireplace in the lobby this morning, and Del was standing over me. He was holding a cup of coffee and a piece of burned buttered toast. I was starving, so I ate it, and the coffee was delicious. He told me that it looked expensive, but that Mr. Halloran had said we had free run of the pantry. Either way, the coffee was exquisite.
Once I was up and dressed for the day, I found Trudy and Jess looking at the topiary animals. They really are incredible, and I’m glad the girls like them. I have to admit that there’s something a little unsettling about those things. When you’re right up next to them, it’s clear they’re shrubberies, but when you step back and look at them at full height, there’s such movement in their shapes and lines that makes me nervous seeing the girls next to them. It’s stupid, I know, but they’re just so big and the girls are so small…
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1970
Del surprised me again. I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he’s become so aggressive with me lately. Not that I don’t appreciate the attention, but I wouldn’t mind if he’d slow down just a little. It’s becoming less about feeling sexy and more about relieving this frustration that seems to have perpetually fallen over him. It’s like, unless we’re making love, Del treats me as though I’m in his way. Luckily, I haven’t seen him speak to the girls the way he talked to me this afternoon. He’d have a serious problem if he did or talked to me with that attitude again. When I confronted him about it this evening, he apologized and said that it wouldn’t happen anymore. That’s when we had sex. He just seems to have so much energy. He’s never been like this before. He’s always been so easy-going. It’s not that he seems angry, just short. Everything has to be now now now. I hope he relaxes, because we’re going to have to keep this up until March.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1970
It’s snowing. We’ve been here a week and a half, and it’s already snowing. That’s fine. We have another four or five days before the roads become impassable. We’ll make at least two more trips down to Sidewinder before we hunker down for the winter.
The phones are thankfully still working, and I managed to get a hold of Rebecca, and we spoke for almost an hour, which was nice. She expressed concern about our long winter stay, but otherwise, it was a nice talk.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1970
Happy Halloween! We were going to take the girls down to Sidewinder for Trick-or-Treating before the snow closed the road, but we didn’t make it. We’re officially on the mountain for the next four and a half months. Trudy and Jess are disappointed, but the pantry is loaded with more treats than they could ever eat.
A fun thing is that Del went into the activities shed and found a bunch of pairs of snowshoes. We’re going to teach the girls how to use them once the snow calms down.
I’m still not sleeping well. The other night, I heard Del talking to someone in the hall outside of our suite. I got up and found him standing there in his robe and boxer shorts. When I asked him who he was talking to, he said it was “management,” and when I asked him who that was, he just smiled and walked back to the bedroom.
What a weirdo.
I got an unexpected call from someone named Lorraine from the head office. She said she was checking in on us, which I appreciated. She asked about the girls, and I told her they’re adjusting to the change in pace but are doing well overall.
I wish that were true. Jessica woke up sobbing at 2am this morning. She said she dreamed that a little boy was standing in the playground, calling her name. She asked how much longer we have to stay at The Overlook, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we had only just started our stay. So I got her some milk and a couple of Oreos, and she went back to sleep.
That was the first time I really wondered about the wisdom of this idea. Del is drinking more than usual and will barely talk to me. The girls are withdrawn, and honestly, I’m not feeling much like engaging with anyone either.
TUESDAY, November 3, 1970
I found Del passed out in The Gold Room this morning. Luckily, I was able to clean him up and get him to bed before the girls saw him. I am so fucking pissed at him right now. It’s one in the afternoon and he’s still asleep. Why did we come here?
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1970
Del slapped me tonight. He’s never raised his hand to me before, and he’ll certainly never do it again. It didn’t even particularly hurt, but it startled the hell out of me. I told him that this was the one and only time he’ll ever put his hands on me or the girls. Usually, he apologizes as soon as I stand up to him, but tonight, he only sat there looking at me like I was speaking gibberish.
I want to leave this place. I told Del that and I thought he was going to hit me again. He stared at me with such hatred. I don’t think we’re going to be able to leave. He right. It’s not practical. I’m so scared.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1970
Trudy and Jess disappeared on us today. We spent almost an hour looking for them. I was a hysterical mess and Del was useless as ever. I swear that idiot lunkhead couldn’t find his ass with a map and a flashlight. Luckily, the girls were sleeping in the pantry. I have no idea why they were in there, and they won’t talk to me.
I got another call from Lorraine today. I broke down on the phone, and she was there for me. It felt weird to be supported. I don’t know why the phone won’t dial out, but at least Lorraine seems to care about us. My sister hasn’t called. My parents haven’t called. Just this sweet old woman who asks about the girls and how Del’s handling the pressure. And me. She asked how I’m doing, and I had to tell her, not very well. I keep having these dreams. Awful dreams. I can’t even describe what happens in them. It’s too upsetting.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1970
Del is out of control. I’m sorry, but there’s no other way to describe it. The rum I bought is long gone, and I don’t know where the booze is coming from. They emptied the bar before the hotel closed, but Del must have a stash somewhere in the hotel, because he reeks of Gin when he comes to bed.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1970
I hear people at night. Del told me I was being hysterical like my mother. I screamed at him, and I regret that. I can’t stand it when he does that. Fucking prick. I hit him, but he deserved it. You’re not going to compare me to Mom without a response.
But I hear people. I hear laughing and singing and cheering. The girls have told me they hear it too. I’m not crazy. I’M NOT CRAZY.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1970
Lorraine called me tonight and tried to insinuate that Del is being inappropriate with the girls. I hung up on her, and she called back immediately. I unplugged the phone, and it kept ringing. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is this happening? Why did she say that, and why am I starting to believe her?
I confronted Del about hurting Trudy and Jess. He lied and said he would never do anything like that. I hate to admit this, but part of me was jealous. Jealous of my girls. Jealous of the attention he was giving them behind my back.
I’ll need to talk to them about respecting my marriage. They need to be corrected. Like Lorraine said, they need to be reminded who is the parent and who is the child.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1970
Del and I talked with the girls. Trudy set fire to some curtains to try and burn the hotel down. They were punished, and they won’t do that again. Del did his fatherly duty and corrected them. Now he’s going to correct me. I love you, honey.
FROM THE LOG OF DICK HALLORAN
WEDNESDAY, July 12, 1972
Saw the Grady woman today. I almost pissed myself. I was in the pantry and I heard someone speaking, which isn’t unusual. It’s a busy place. But she was talking to her kids. I couldn’t see the girls, thank god. I’ve seen them out by the topiary sometimes, but rarely inside. They’re harmless but still give me the goddamned creeps. The girls and the topiary both.
They seem to like to hang out outside. Mrs. Grady, I don’t typically see. Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice me.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1975
Got a call from Gloria Grady today. It was the damndest thing. I was at my desk reviewing invoices, and the phone rang, but it didn’t ring, if you know what I mean? I knew what it was immediately, but it took me a moment to answer. Normally, I’d ignore that sort of thing, but using the phone was a new trick, and I was caught off guard.
Gloria called to talk to ME specifically, and that was new too. I don’t mind saying that curiosity got the best of me, and I answered. I could hear her voice. Literally hear it. She asked me to come to the caretaker's suite, and I reluctantly agreed. It has been empty since April when the Baker family moved out.
I took the stairs to the second floor and stood outside the suite, not sure what to do. The door opened on its own, which I expected it might. I went in, and it was cold. It’s April, and I could see my breath fogging up in front of my face. The room felt like going into the walk-in freezer.
I called out to her, and she didn’t answer, so I knew this was probably another waste of time. I still walked through the suite, though, because I’m a man who can’t resist a mystery.
The diary was sitting on the coffee table like it had been there the entire time. I knew otherwise. I didn’t want to pick it up, but I didn’t want to leave it for someone else to find either. I dropped it into the incinerator before anyone else could see it. There’s nothing anyone needs to read in there, me included.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1975
Gloria called me again. This is the third time she’s called me in the office asking me to come to the suite. I haven’t been back. I don’t take orders from this motherfucking hotel, and I’m not able to start now.
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
I went back to the suite. I happened to be walking past it, and the door popped open, like it’s want to do, and I went in. It was cold, again, and the fucking diary was sitting on the coffee table. Again. I picked it up and took it to the incinerator again, but I couldn’t make myself drop it in. What’s the point? It’s going to put it back. It’s going to keep pestering me to look at this thing until I do.
I took it to my office and read it. The whole damned thing. It was horrible. I thought it would stop when she died, but it didn’t. It kept going. It kept going after Delbert chopped her to pieces with an axe and offed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun from the activities shed.
I know more about the late Grady family now than I ever wanted to.
FROM THE DIARY OF GLORIA GRADY
NO DATE SPECIFIED
I woke up this morning cold.
Cold. Cold. Cold. The girls are lost, and the hotel is dark and cold. I watch my show, but the storylines are the same, every day it’s the same. I get up, make breakfast for the girls and Del, and wander the hotel. Sometimes guests come and go, and I stay out of sight. My place is to be out of the way. I don’t want to cause a fuss.
Del hit me again. I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but it must have been something. We were sitting at the table, eating dinner, and he stood and walked around the table and just hauled off and smacked me. The worst part was that he did it in front of Trudy and Jess, and they barely reacted. It was like they expected it. I wish I hadn’t done whatever I did that made him hit me.
I woke up this morning to the sound of gunshots from inside the hotel. I wanted to investigate, but I was afraid. Later, I asked Del about it, and he said that he was shooting rats in the basement with the skeet shotgun. He was lying, and I don’t know how to ask him to tell me the truth without upsetting him. He’s so often upset these days. He goes from infuriated to sexually insatiable to sleeping. There’s no middle ground. It’s hitting and fucking and sleeping. Every day. Such is my lot in life.
I woke up this morning freezing again. This winter never ends. Every day is the same thing.
I woke up last night to Del screaming downstairs. I followed the sounds to the Gold Room, where Del was standing on the stage, clearly shitfaced and in his underwear. He’d pissed himself and was screaming into the microphone. I wish I could erase that image from my mind.
I woke up this morning to an empty bed. Del was off doing whatever he does. I went to look for the girls but couldn’t find them. I can rarely find them when I need them. They don’t seem to require much from me these days, and that’s just fine. It’s time they grew up. It’s time they moved on from childish things. It’s time they learned how to respect their parents.
I woke up this morning to Del on top of me. It hurt, and he put his hands around my neck. I thought he was going to kill me, and honestly, part of me wanted him to. Part of me wanted that very badly.
Lorraine called me and asked me to come to her room. I said I didn’t understand. I thought she was from Head Office. She said that I was a silly woman and that I should use the brain god gave me. I told her not to call me again. She called again immediately and pretended nothing had happened. Maybe it didn’t. It’s hard to say these days. I dream constantly and deeply, and when I’m awake, I’m in a fog.
I woke up this morning and went to Lorraine’s room, 217, and went inside. I was curious because the hotel is empty, but I hear people every night. I hear them talking, laughing, singing, and cheering. I hear them fucking and fighting and screaming and crying. I heard everything that happens in this hotel at once. I hear Del in the bar, I hear the girls in their room, coloring. And I hear music. Big band music, but the songs are all wrong. It’s like they’re playing just out of sync with each other.
217 was unlocked, and I went in. It was empty, of course, but the lights were on. I found myself comforted by the steam from the shower filling the bathroom. Someone had been in there recently. It was either Del or the girls. It had to have been. There’s no one else here. I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy. I’m going crazy. She called me and the phones have been down for months. The phones have been down for months. I’m going crazy and the phones have been down for months.
I woke up this morning and picked up the phone. It was dead, as I expected. No dial tone. No voice. Just nothing. Everything is nothing.
FROM THE LOG OF DICK HALLORAN
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1975
That last line. Everything is nothing. That’s this place. This hotel. It’s nothing. It’s nothing at all. That’s how I treat it. It thinks that because I Shine, I will bow to its demands, but I don’t play the hotel’s game. If I ignore these horrors, they will remain nothing. I might have peeked under the lid of this Pandora’s box, but I’m not opening it. I’m stronger than that.
When I put the diary down, the phone rang. I knew it was her. It was the long, continuous ring that meant it wasn’t a living person on the line. It was Gloria. Tentatively, I picked up the receiver and listened.
“Dick. I hear you breathing, Dick. Meet me in 217. Come now. Come now for me, Dick.”
That’s what she kept saying. Come now. Come now for me. I took the diary to the incinerator and watched it burn. I know it will be back, but that can’t be my problem anymore. I won’t answer her calls. I won’t listen to her lies. I won’t go back to 217 or the caretaker suite. I won’t let myself be pulled into their game. I’m smarter than that.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1975
I met the family coming up for the winter. It’s been four years since the Grady tragedy without a major incident, and I’m hopeful for this little family. I’m worried about the boy, though. He shines. He shines harder than anyone I’ve ever met. I hope he’s okay. I think they will be. I hope they will be. Please god, protect that boy.