and the unspoken word retreated further from the back of her
lips。 Jack sensed its retirement but knew it would never retire pletely。
Things began to get a little easier。 Then George Hatfield。 He had lost his
temper again； this time stone sober。
〃Sir； your party still doesn't — 〃
〃Hello？〃 Al's voice； out of breath。
〃Go ahead；〃 the operator said dourly。
〃Al； this is Jack Torrance。〃
〃Jacky…boy！〃 Genuine pleasure。 〃How are you？〃
〃Good。 I just called to say thanks。 I got the job。 It's perfect。 If I can't
finish that goddam play snowed in all winter； I'll never finish it。〃
〃You'll finish。〃
〃How are things？〃 Jack asked hesitantly。
〃Dry；〃 Al responded。 〃You？〃
〃As a bone。〃
〃Miss it much？〃
〃Every day。〃
Al laughed。 〃I know that scene。 But I don't know how you stayed dry after that
Hatfield thing； Jack。 That was above and beyond。〃
〃I really bitched things up for myself；〃 he said evenly。
〃Oh； hell。 I'll have the Board around by spring。 Effinger's already saying
they might have been too hasty。 And if that play es to something — 〃
〃Yes。 Listen； my boy's out in the car； Al。 He looks like he might be getting
restless — 〃
〃Sure。 Understand。 You have a good winter up there； Jack。 Glad to help。〃
〃Thanks again； Al。〃 He hung up； closed his eyes in the hot booth； and again
saw the crashing bike； the bobbing flashlight。 There had been a squib in the
paper the next day； no more than a space…filler really； but the owner had not
been named。 Why it had been out there in the night would always be a mystery to
them； and perhaps that was as it should be。
He went back out to the car and gave Da