How It All Goes Down
Checking it Out
- When they get to the Overlook, Ullman meets them. He's not very nice to Jack or Wendy, but seems charmed by Danny.
- There's lots of hustle and bustle in the hotel. People checking out, and staff members taking care of final duties. Ullman explains that the last day of the season is always a bit chaotic.
- Mrs. Brandt, a hotel regular, is making a ruckus because the Overlook no longer takes American Express. Ullman steps in to take care of the problem.
- Danny tells Jack and Wendy that Ullman dislikes the woman, but is "pretending to like her" (9.23). In playful moods, Jack and Wendy agree with him, laughing.
- Danny is trying to convince himself that "the things Tony showed him didn't always come true" (9.34).
- He'll be very cautious, and keep an eye out for whatever Redrum is. Unless it's absolutely necessary, he won't bother his parents about it.
- Jack points out the roque court and explains that the game is played with a mallet. Danny looks a little strange, and remembers the scary drunken voice Tony showed him.
- Now Jack shows Danny the topiary, the hedges trimmed in animal shapes. Danny sees "a rabbit, a dog, a horse, a cow and […] a trio of frolicking lions" (8.48).
- Jack tells Danny and Wendy that his knowledge of topiaries helped get him the job. He says, "I used to trim a lady's topiary […] at least once a week" (8.50).
- Past the topiary is a playground. Danny pretends to like it, but thinks it looks lonely and cold.
- Back at the hotel, Mrs. Brandt is coming out with the luggage. Danny hears her thinking "(I'd like to get into his pants)" (8.67) about the bellboy.
- He doesn't understand, but thinks it best not to ask Wendy and Jack.
- Sometimes those kinds of questions caused problems.
- He watches Jack and Wendy "loving each other" and is happy, but still worried.