ss before
winter closed down to kill all but their hibernating queen； he would go further。
He was still an alcoholic； always would be； perhaps had been since Sophomore
Class Night in high school when he had taken his first drink。 It had nothing to
do with willpower； or the morality of drinking； or the weakness or strength of
his own character。 There was a broken switch somewhere inside； or a circuit
breaker that didn't work； and he had been propelled down the chute willynilly；
slowly at first； then accelerating as Stovington applied its pressures on him。 A
big grease& slide and at the bottom had been a shattered； ownerless bicycle and
a son with a broken arm。 Jack Torrance in the passive mode。 And his temper； same
thing。 All his life he had been trying unsuccessfully to control it。 He could
remember himself at seven； spanked by a neighbor lady for playing with matches。
He had gone out and hurled a rock at a passing car。 His father had seen that；
and he had descended on little Jacky； roaring。 He had reddened Jack's behind 。。。 and then blacked his
eye。 And when his father had gone into the house；
muttering； to see what was on television； Jack had e upon a stray dog and had
kicked it into the gutter。 There had been two dozen fights in grammar school；
even more of them in high school； warranting two suspensions and uncounted
detentions in spite of his good grades。 Football had provided a partial safety
valve； although he remembered perfectly well that he had spent almost every
minute of every game in a state of high piss…off； taking every opposing block
and tackle personally。 He had been a fine player； making All…Conference in hi