Description

Another short story book

Published

2008 Scribner

Dedication

For Heidi Pitlor

Story List

• A Very Tight Place
• Ayana
• The Cat From Hell
• The Gingerbread Girl
• Graduation Afternoon
• Harvey's Dream
• Mute
• N.
• The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
• Rest Stop
• Stationary Bike
• The Things They Left Behind
• Willa

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A Very Tight Place

Description

Curtis Johnson and his neighbour Tim Grunwald dont get along at all. Curtis's dog Betsy was killed by an electric fence put up by Grunwald, and they were both in court over property on Turtle Island.

Now Grunwald wants to make amends for all the misgivings between them and invites Curtis out to his failed property development. Curtis is trapped in an extremely unpleasant situation, but can he escape?

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Jimmy	Note on the back of a swivel chair at Durkin Grove Village said "Save for Jimmy"
?, Sammy	Massseur used by Curtis Johnson once a week
Alice	From Alice in Wonderland
Betsy	French Lion-Dog of Curtis. She died at 17 years old when she touched an electric fence erected by Grunwald between his and Curtis's property
Grunwald, Ginny	Wife of Tim. She divorced him
Grunwald, Tim	Lived on the second last lot on Turtle Island. Curtis Johnson did not like him at all. Phone number: 383-0910. He had agreed to pay $6.5 million for land from Ricky Vinton, but this had already been "Sold" to Curtis Johnson a month earlier. Had an operation that left him 30 pounds lighter - Lung cancer. He asked Curtis Johnson to meet him out at Durkin Grove Village, his abandoned construction site, but it was a ruse to trap him. He left Curtis for dead, but he was shocked when Curtis arrived at his house the following day and threatened to tell everything if he talked. He apparently comitted suicide by gunshot a few days later
Hercules, Mr	Curtis Johnson said that he was no Mr Hercules
Jesus	Mentioned in passing
Johnson, Curtis	Rode his bike 5 miles every morning, but after Betsy died he stopped wearing his bike helmet. Had issues with Tim Grunwald because of the deal with Ricky Vinton, as well as the death of Betsy. He was trapped in a Port-O-San at Durkin Grove Village by Tim. He escaped by using Betsy's Dog Tag to unscrew the base from inside the toilet tank and escape through the seam, and then return home, but not before threatening Grunwald
Mary	As in the Virgin Mary. Mentioned by Tim Grunwald
Peebles, Mr	Resident of Turtle Island
Peebles, Mrs	Resident of Turtle Island
Vinton, Ricky	Sold the undeveloped lot at the end of Turtle Island for 1.5 million dollars. He took a personal check for $150,000 and wrote a bill of sale on the back of an advertising circular. Owned Vinton Wire and Cable. A month later he also sold the same land to Tim Grunwald for 6.5 Million, and was given $500,000 as a deposit.
Waugh, Evelyn	Mentioned in passing
Wilson, Mrs	House keeper for Curtis Johnson. She heard the noise that sounded like a gunshot from the direction of Tim Grunwald's house

---

Ayana

Description

Don Gentry is dying, until the day a little black girl named Ayana enters his house and kisses him on the cheek before leaving. Within weeks his cancer is gone.

The mysterious girl also touches the narrator, Dons son, and he is gifted with a special power to help others.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Ayana	A little girl who gave Don Gentry a kiss on the cheek while he was very close to death. She had milky eyes, was extremely thin.
?, Chloe	Nurse looking after Don Gentry the night after Ayana kissed him. She rung the family because Don was getting better, not worse
Christ	Mentioned in passing
Gentry, ?	Narrator of the story. He was touched by Ayana and went on to help cure at least 3 other people
Gentry, Bernadette	Wife of Don Gentry.
Gentry, Don (Doc)	Husband of Bernadette. He was extremely sick, almost dead when visited by Ayana. She kissed him on the cheek and soon after he started getting better. He died choking on a piece of steak in 1986, over 4 years after he was originally expected to die
Gentry, Ralph	Superintendent of the New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 43. Brother of the narrator and husband of Trudy. Son of Bernadette and Don
Gentry, Ruth	Wife of the narrator. Died of a heart attack on a plane while flying to Colorado to help with her first grandchild
Gentry, Trudy	Wife of Ralph Gentry. She has lost her mind in the time since she saw Ayana cure Don
Presley, Elvis	Don Gentry wore his hair like Elvis when he was younger
Retif, ?	Oncologist of Dan Gentry at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Sloan, Stan	Doctor of Dan Gentry. Sent Dan to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Stargell, Willie	Seen hit a home run on TV
Turner, Ike	Singer danced to by Bernadette and Don Gentry
Yosemite Sam	Cartoon character on a bandaid worn by Ayana
Zamachowski, ?	Oncologist of Dan Gentry at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

---

The Cat From Hell

Description

John Halston is a hit man who is hired to kill a tiny little cat - with a big attitude! For this easy job he is paid the sum of $12,000, so he readily accepts, even tho he knows that the cat is suspected of playing a part in the deaths of 3 other people. Alas the cat has different ideas, and attacks John when he lays paralised after a car accident.

The initial story was a 500 word start of a story printed in the March 1977 edition of Cavalier. Readers were invited to complete the story, and the winning entry, as well as Kings complete story appeared in the June 1977 edition.

The character list below is from Kings 1977 completed story, which is the same as that printed in Just After Sunset.

Published

1977, Mar - Cavalier (First 500 words)
1977, Jun - Cavalier (Entire Story by King) (June)
1978 - Tales of Unknown Horror (Revised) (Note: the Hardcover of this book was also known as "Second Book of Unknown Tales of Horror")
1978 - Year's Finest Fantasy (Hardcover)
1979 - Year's Finest Fantasy (Paperback)
1984 - Magicats!
1996 - Twists of the Tale: An Anthology of Cat Horror
2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Alice	Alice in Wonderland
Broadmoor, Carolyn	Lifelong friend of Amanda Drogan. 70 years old, she suffered from emphysema. She was told by a Hartford medium that Sam the cat contained Amanda Drogans soul after Amanda died. She died one June night and Drogan suspected the cat had suffocated her
Coroner	Found Amanda Drogan's death was accidental
Drogan, Amanda	Mr Drogan's sister, died in mid May at the age of 74. Apparently she tripped over her cat, Sam, and fell down the stairs. Her death was found to be 'death by accident' by the Coroner
Drogan, Mr	Hired John Halston to kill Sam the cat. He was in the pharmaceutical business, and experimented on cats to perfect a new painkiller for humans, and killed about 15,000 cats in the process
Gage, Dick	Hired man of the Drogan family from the 1950s until his death some 20 years later. He was past sixty when he died in a car crash on July 3 going to the vet in Milford to get Sam the cat put down. He had cat scratches on his face
God	Mentioned in passing
Guest, Edgar	Poet thought of by Drogan
Halston, John	Independent Hitter (Hitman) who had previously killed 18 men, and 6 women, and was hired to kill Sam the cat for $12,000, half paid before and half after. Drove a 1973 Plymouth which he had extensively modified. He was killed by the cat after a car accident
Loggia, Saul	Spoke to Mr Drogan, and told him to contact John Halston
Reuss, Will	Farmer that found the body of John Halston in his car. He saw Sam claw his way out of Halston's stomach
Sam (The Cat From Hell)	The cat owned by Amanda Drogan. Mr Drogan hired John Halston to kill the cat, but Sam killed Drogan before he had a chance
Unser, Bobby	John Halston drove a 1973 Plymouth with Bobby Unser Wide Ovals

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The Gingerbread Girl

Description

Emily Owensby begins running after the death of her baby daughter Amy. Her husband Henry confronts her and she decides to leave, moving into her fathers house on Vermillion Key. There she befrends Deke Hollis, the old man who runs the drawbridge between the Island and mainland.

Soon after, the mysterious Jim Pickering arrives with one of his ever-changing "Nieces", but Emily discovers that Pickering has killed the niece and she may be next.

Taped to a chair, she must use all her willpower and strength to escape before Pickering returns to kill her.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Becka	Childhood friend of Emily Jackson. She almost fell from a tree, and Rusty Jackson then taught them how to fall from a height and land safely
?, Daphne	Character from Scooby-Doo cartoons
?, Mariette	Rusty Jackson said he would get her to clean the house in Vermillion Key so his daughter Emily Owensby could stay there
?, Melody	Friend of Rusty Jackson.
?, Mort	Invested the money for Amy's college fund for Emily and Henry Owensby
?, Nicole	The "Niece" of Jim Pickering. She pulled a knife on him so he killed her
?, Velma	Character from Scooby-Doo cartoons
Anderson, Jodi	Saw Emily Owensby run until she fell down & told Henry Owensby about it
Barbie	Childrens Doll, as in Barbie and Ken
Chandler, Raymond	Author read by Emily Owensby while on Vermillion Key
Eastwood, Clint	Actor mentioned
Hollis, Deke	Ran the drawbridge between the mainland and Vermillion Key between 7am and 7pm weekdays. Tall and weathered, he was somewhere between fifty and seventy. Jim Pickering went and probably killed him while Emily Owensby was trapped in Jims house
Jackson, Debra	Wife of Rusty and mother of Emily Jackson. She had died of Ovarian Cancer
Jackson, Emily	Maiden name of Emily Owensby
Jackson, Rusty	Father of Emily Jackson. Started as a mechanic in the motorpool and now is an important part of the Tallahassee campus. Emily rung him when she left Henry, and he organised for her to stay in his house on Vermillion Key
Ken	Childrens Doll, as in Barbie and Ken
MacDonald, John D	Author read by Emily Owensby while on Vermillion Key. Her father had the entire set of his books in the house
McBain, Ed	Author read by Emily Owensby while on Vermillion Key
McDuck, Scrooge	Jim Pickering was described as being as rich as Scrooge McDuck
Mendez, Dr	General Practitioner who prescribed Zomig for Emily Owensby's headaches
Olsen, Ashley	One of the Olsen twins thought of by Emily Owensby. Only mentioned by the surname
Olsen, Mary-Kate	One of the Olsen twins thought of by Emily Owensby. Only mentioned by the surname
Owensby, Amy	Daughter of Henry and Emily Owensby. She died, and that was the reason Emily began running
Owensby, Emily	After the death of her daughter Amy, she took up running, and it almost became an obsession. Wife of Henry, but after the death of Amy, and 6 years of marriage, she left Henry. Married name of Emily Jackson. While on Vermillion Key she saw bloody hair in the back of a car and when she investigated she was captured by Jim Pickering
Owensby, Henry	Husband of Emily Owensby
Pickering, Jim	Arrived on Vermillion Key while Emily was staying there. Lived in 366. Brought one of his "Nieces" with him, and usually brieng a different one each time, and then takes them back on his yacht. He stabbed and killed Nicole, and then tied up Emily Owensby when she found the body. He went off to kill Deke Hollis and when he returned Emily had almost escaped. He chased after her and Emily realised he could not swim, so she dragged him into the water where he drifted away and eventually disappeared from view
Road Runner	Cartoon character mentioned
Rock, The	Actor mentioned
Rockettes	Band thought of by Emily Owensby
Rockwell, Norman	Painter thought of by Emily Owensby
Schwarzenegger, Arnold	Emily Jackson liked watching his movies as a young girl
Scooby-Doo	Character from Scooby-Doo cartoons
Segal, Steven	Actor mentioned
Steiner, Susan	Doctor of Emily Owensby. She told Henry she had spoken to her about running, but she had not even seen her since Amy's funeral
Trickett, Bobby	Emily Owensby shopped at Bobby Trickett's Used Books on Vermillion Key
Wyeth, N C	Emily Owensby was likened to an N C Wyeth indian woman shortly before she jumped through a broken window to escape Jim Pickering

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Graduation Afternoon

Description

Janice Gandolewski is attending a Graduation Party at her boyfriend Bruce Hope's house overlooking New York City. As she is looking at the city, a huge nuclear explosion wipes out much of the city and changes things forever.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Marcy	Friend of Janice Gandolewski. She does not understand what Janice sees in Bruce Hope
Beyonce	Thought of by Janice Gandolewski
Cline, Patsy	Country singer thought of by Janice Gandolewski
Davis, Skeeter	Country singer thought of by Janice Gandolewski
Fray, The	Thought of by Janice Gandolewski
Frederick, Jimmy	His father is hosting a graduation party at "Holy Now!" out on Route 219
Frederick, Mr	Father of Jimmy
Gandolewski, Janice	Attending a graduation party at "Harbourlights" with her boyfriend Bruce (Buddy) Hope when an atomic explosion erupts over New York. She attends Fairhaven High
God	Mentioned in passing
Gran	Gran of Bruce Hope. Pretty nasty towards Janice Gandolewski
Hope, Bruce (Buddy)	Boyfriend of Janice Gandolewski.
Hope, Mrs	Mother of Bruce and wife of Tom Hope
Hope, Tom	Father of Bruce Hope. He still plays Polo, but this may be his last year owing to his weight
Jay-Z	Thought of by Janice Gandolewski

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Harvey's Dream

Description

Harvey had a bad dream where he received a call from his daughter Trisha. He believed she was calling to tell him that one of her sisters had died. He woke himself up screaming before the dream concluded, but realised that the dream may still come true when the phone rings again!

Published

2003, Jun 30 - The New Yorker
2004, Oct - The Best American Mystery Stories 2004
2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Alfalfa	Character from the Little Rascals
?, Hannah	Friend of Janet Stevens. They discussed Alzeheimer's and Frank Friedman's drunk driving
?, Timmy	Character in the TV show Lassie
Alice	From Alice in Wonderland
Blackstone, Harry	Trisha Stevens idolised Houdini and Blackstone before discovering boys
Bush, Barbara	One of the Bush twins, mentioned in passing
Bush, Jenna	One of the Bush twins, mentioned in passing
Cheshire Cat	From Alice in Wonderland
Clinton, William Jefferson	Past president of the USA in Harvey's dream
Friedman, Frank	Neighbour of the Stevens. Husband of Lucy. On the morning Harvey's dream his Volvo was dented, as in the dream
Friedman, Lucy	Neighbour of the Stevens. Wife of Frank
Houdini, Harry	Trisha Stevens idolised Houdini and Blackstone before discovering boys
Jethro Tull	Band mentioned in passing
Lassie	Character in the TV show Lassie
Stevens, Harvey	Husband of Janet for almost 30 years, and father of Trisha, Jenna and Stephanie. He had a dream in which his elder daughter was calling him to tell of a terrible tragedy and he feared was the death of one of his daughters. He told the dream to his wife the next morning and she thought it might come true
Stevens, Janet (Jax)	Wife of Harvey and mother of Trisha, Jenna and Stephanie. Harvey told her of his dream and she thought it may come true
Stevens, Jenna	Daughter of Harvey and Janet, sister of Stephanie and Trisha. Described as a "Gay Divorcee" by Janet, she lives just down the road from Harvey and Janet, and works at the Video Stop in the village. Harvey feared she or Stephanie had been killed in his dream
Stevens, Stephanie	Youngest daughter of Harvey and Janet, sister of Jenna and Trisha. Harvey feared she or Jenna had been killed in his dream
Stevens, Trisha	Eldest daughter of Harvey and Janet, sister of Jenna and Stephanie. In his dream, she called Harvey with bad news
Stevens, Wallace	Poet mentioned in passing
Tim	The Stevens cocker spaniel dog when the children were young

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Mute

Description

Monette picks up a hitchhiker who is carrying a sign that says he is both deaf and mute. During the trip Monette tells the un-hearing passenger about his wife and her boyfriend, as well as the financial difficulty caused by her stealing funds from her employer.

But now Monette has reason to believe his passenger is not what he seems.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Barbara (Barb)	Wife of Monette. 54 years old who had embezzled over $120,000 in funds from the Maine School Administrative District 19. She was the Executive Secretary for the MSAD 19 District Superintendent. Found beaten to death in the Grove motel
?, Kelsie Ann	Daughter of Monette. She wanted a new Laptop for her birthday, but Monette was going to give her a CD
?, Monette	55 year old book salesman for Wolfe & Sons. Picked up a Deaf Mute hitchhiker who disappeared while he was in a rest stop. Went to Confession and told the priest about how he thought the man was deaf, but may have been listening to him vent about his estranged wife.
?, Vic	MSAD 19 District Superintendent
AC/DC	Thought of by Monette
Debussy	Thought of by Monette
Doucette, Stanley	Possibly the man who Monette picked up and gave a ride. He had a sign which said he was a deaf mute, and it may have been him who killed Barbara and her boyfriend in the Grove Motel
Dylan, Bob	Thought of by Monette
God	Mentioned in passing
Limbaugh, Rush	Thought of by Monette
Potter, Harry	From the Harry Potter series of books
Ritter, Josh	Monette played his CD in the car after picking up the deaf mute hitchhiker
Yandowski, Robert (Cowboy Bob)	60 year old boyfriend of Barbara. Found beaten to death in the Grove motel

---

N.

Description

John Bonsaint saw a patient with OCD, but then began to act strangely. Visiting the same place as the mysterious N, he sees things that are not real, and starts on the same downward path that leads to his suicide.

Now his sister has read his notes and may be affected by the strange circle of stones in Ackerman's field

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Chrissy	Secretary of Charlie Keen
?, Hayden	Mentioned by Charlie Keen to his secretary Chrissy in an email
?, Sandy	Receptionist for John Bonsaint
Ackerman, ?	N. mentions the stones in Ackerman's field to John Bonsaint, and later Dr Bonsaint visits the field and sees them himself
Beatles	Listened to by Sheila and John Bonsaint
Bonsaint, John (Johnny)	Brother of Sheila Bonsaint and good friend of Charlie Keen. A psychiatrist. His sister Sheila thought his death was not accidental, as ruled by the coroner, but actually Suicide caused by one patient, N. The story is told by records of interviews, transcripts and letters from John Bonsaint and his sister Sheila. He committed suicide by jumping from the Bale River Bridge
Bonsaint, Sheila	Maiden name of Sheila LeClaire and sister of John Bonsaint
C.	Daughter of N. Goes to school in Maine. She spoke to John Bonsaint about the death of her father
Chapman, Richard	County coroner who investigated the death of Sheila LeClaire
Cthun	The "Evil" in Ackermans Field. N. wont say the name, but did write it for John Bonsaint
Doors, The	On the radio when N left Ackerman's field
God	Mentioned in passing
Gupta, Sanjay	Charlie Keen was described as the "poor man's Sanjay Gupta"
J, Dr	Mentor-psyciatrist of John Bonsaint, and now lives in Augusta and is Chief of Staff at Serenity Hill
Keen, Charlie	A letter from Sheila LeClaire to Charlie explains some of the reasons behind the death of her brother John Bonsaint. She had a crush on Charlie as a teenage girl
LeClaire, Donald (Don)	Husband of Sheila LeClaire and father of Seth. Spoke to the Chester Hill's "Democrat" regarding the suicide of his wife
LeClaire, Seth	Seven year old son of Don and Sheila LeClaire
LeClaire, Sheila	Married name of Sheila Bonsaint. She wrote a letter to Charlie Keen, and later, after a second letter, committed suicide by jumping from the Bale River Bridge, the same place her brother jumped from only a month before
Loy, Morna	Actress thought of by N.
Machin, Arthur	Author of "The Great God Pan" mentioned my N.
Mercury, Freddy	Singer thought of by N
N.	A patient of Johnny Bonsaint. Sheila LeClare sent case notes from this patient to Charlie Keen. 48 year old partner in a Portland Accounting firm, he is the father of two daughters, and divorced from his wife. Suffers from OCD
Pepys, Sammy	Used to say "And so to bed"
Pitt, Brad	On the cover of a People magazine in John Bonsaint's office. He threw the magazine away
Powell, William	Actor thought of by N.
Queen	Band thought of by N
Rolling Stones	Listened to by Sheila and John Bonsaint
Sacks, Oliver	Author mentioned
Shumway, Julia	Wrote an article in the Chester Hill's "Democrat" about the suicide of Sheila LeClaire
Skywalker, Luke	Character from Star Wars
Who, The	On the radio when N left Ackerman's field
Wolfe, Thomas	Author thought of by John Bonsaint

---

The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates

Description

Annie receives a telephone call from her husband James, two days after he died in a plane crash. They talk for a few minutes, and he tells her of two upcoming accidents before his phone goes flat, and the connection is broken forever.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Annie	Wife of james. Together for 30 years before he died in a plane crash
?, Craig	New husband of Annie. They married five years after the death of James and moved to Boca Raton
?, James	Husband of Anne. He was thought to have been killed in a plane crash, but spoke to Annie on the phone after the crash. He warned her not to go to Zoltan's Bakery on a sunday as something was going to happen there, but he did not know what.
?, Nell	Sister of Annie who called her to tell her that her plane was delayed
Bernicke, Annie	Maiden name of Annie
Bernicke, Sarah	Sister of Annie. Never married
Corey, Mrs	One of the people on the plane that crashed. She said time was funny here
Fisher, Gert	Town librarian in Tilton, Vermont. An email from her told Annie that Jason McCormack had fallen from a roof and broke his neck.
McCormack, Hughie	Father of Jason McCormack. Suffered a stroke a couple of years before his son died falling from a roof
McCormack, Jason	Local kid who used to clean gutters for Annie and James. When James called after the plane crash, he said he did not want Annie to get to clean the gutters. Months later Annie read that he had fallen from a roof and broken his neck on Labor Day
Perkins, Carl	Singer thought of by Anne
Village People	Band mentioned

---

Rest Stop

Description

Teacher John Dykstra and author Rick Hardin are the same person, but with totally different personalities. While returning from a Rick Hardin meeting, John Dykstra pulls into a rest stop to use the Bathroom.

As he nears the toilets he hears the sound of a woman being abused by a man, so he has to decide what to do - call the police or take matters into his own hands. John is not a fighter, but Rick might be able to help this situation...

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Lee	John Dykstra heard him smacking Ellen in the rest stop toilets. He hit Lee and told Ellen to leave before leaving himself
Aerosmith	Band thought of by John Dykstra
Bloggert, Archibald	Real name of Cary Grant (His real name was actually Archibald Alexander Leach, not Bloggert)
Constantine, K C	Author mentioned. Nobody knows his real name
Dykstra, John Andrew	Real name of Rick Hardin, and the one he lived the majority of his life as. An English professor who specialised in twentieth-century American poets and novelists. He heard Lee smack Ellen Whitlow in the toilet of the Rest Stop, so he "became" Rick Hardin and taught Lee a lesson
Golden, Jack	Agent of John Dykstra
Grant, Cary	Actor mentioned
Hardin, Rick	Alter Ego of John Dykstra
Hunter, Evan	Wrote as Ed McBain. He was born Salvatore Albert Lombino
Jesus	Mentioned in passing
Kent, Clark	Mentioned
Ladd, Alan	Actor thought of by John Dykstra
McBain, Ed	Pen name for Evan Hunter
Stark, Richard	Donald E Westlake wrote novels as Richard Stark
Traven, B	Author of "Treasure of the Sierra Madre".
Tyler, Steven	In the band Aerosmith
Wasserman, Eddie	Department head at Mangrove University
Westlake, Donald E	Author who used the pen name Richard Stark for some of his work
Whitlow, Ellen	Smacked by Lee in the rest stop. John Dykstra told her to leave or he would hurt Lee. From Nokomis
Williams, Lucinda	John Dykstra listened to her CD after he left the Rest Stop

---

Stationary Bike

Description

A strange tale in which Richard Sifkitz, an overweight freelance artist, is told by his doctor to lose weight. He paints a mural in his basement and begins to ride his exercise bike infront of it for 2 hours every day. As he begins, he dreams of a workcrew in his painting, but soon realises these are more than figures in a mural - they are workers that are looking after his body.

When one of them commits suicide, Richard knows that the other three are coming after him, and are catching up fast!

Published

2003 - Borderlands 5
2004 - From the Borderlands
2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Freddy	One of the 'work-crew' in Richard Sifkitz's painting. He owned the truck they arrived to work in
Albemarle, Freddy	Childhood friend of Richard Sifkitz. Played trumpet in the school band
Berkowitz, David	Killer known as the Son of Sam
Berkowitz, Jimmy	One of the work-crew in Richard Sifkitz's painting. He was the foreman
Berkowitz, Mrs	Wife of Jimmy Berkowitz
Brady, Dr	Richard Sifkitz's doctor who told Richard it would be a good idea to exercise and work on his diet
Casselman, Barry	Agent of Richard Sifkitz
Dali, Salvador	Artist mentioned in passing
Delgado, Carlos	A baseball player mentioned
Kateem	The Lipid company workers listed to them on the radio
Martinez, ?	Carlos Martinez had 3 daughters
Martinez, Carlos	One of the 'work-crew' in Richard Sifkitz's painting. He had a bad back and was seeing a chiropractor about it. Richard had a dream in whichf1~ he committed suicide with a shotgun
Martinez, Mrs	Wife of Carlos Martinez
Pepe	Dog of Carlos Martinez. Richard Sifkitz saw it in a dream
Picasso, Pablo	Artist mentioned in passing
Popeil, Ron	Mentioned in passing
Rockwell, Norman	Mentioned in passing
Saturn, Joe	A hypnotist Richard Sifkitz saw on TV
Sifkitz, Richard	A 38 year old freelance artist and husband of Trudy. Began exercising and dieting when his doctor suggested it. As he rode his "Stationary Bike" in the basement for 2 hours a day he began to dream of the 'work crew' who looked after his body, and realised that his exercising as actually putting them out of work
Sifkitz, Trudy	Wife of Richard Sifkitz who died of "Blood Cancer"
Slobberbone	Richard Sifkitz did a cover for their CD
Sullivan, John L	Boxer mentioned in passing
Van Gogh, Vincent	Artist mentioned in passing
Whelan, ?	One of the 'work-crew' in Richard Sifkitz's painting
Whelan, Michael or Mitchell	An artist met by Richard Sifkitz
Winfrey, Oprah	Mentioned in passing

---

The Things They Left Behind

Description

Scott Staley thought he was one of the lucky ones. His "inner voice" convinced him to stay home on September 11 and he was spared death, unlike almost all of the employees of Light and Bell, Insurers, who were trapped and died on the 110th floor.

But things are not as they seem. Scott begins to find items, that were personal favourites of his work colleagues, scattered through his apartment. His attempts at throwing them out fail, and with the help of a neighbour, Paula Robeson, he decides that the items should be returned to the families of their former owners.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Pedro	Doorman at the apartments where Scott Staley lived. Often spoke to Rafe the FedEx deliveryman
?, Rafe	FedEx deliveryman. Often spoke to Pedro the doorman
Abelson, Mrs	Wife of Roland Abelson. Seen in the news during fall of 2001 by Scott Staley
Abelson, Roland	Employee, in the Liability section of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. He owned the coin in the lucite cube
Alice	From Alice in Wonderland. Maureen Hannon had a ceramic Alice figurine
Anderson, Warren	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who was spared his life on September 11th. He and Scott Staley are the only survivors from the Light and Bell home office. Told Scott Staley that he had seen a photograph that clearly showed Sonja D'Amico jumping from the 110th floor
Atta, Mohammed	Thought of by Scott Staley
Bega, Lou	Singer thought of by Scott Staley
Berman, Len	Scott Staley saw him on TV
Borges, ?	South American novelist thought of by Scott Staley
Broderick, Matthew	Mentioned in passing
Brokaw, Tom	Seen on TV
Brown, James	Singer mentioned by Scott Staley
Bryzinski, Misha	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. Owner of the boom box used at the Light and Bell Picnic at Jones Beach
D'Amico, Sonja	Accountant at Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. Warren Anderson told Scott Staley that he had seen a photograph that clearly showed her jumping from the 110th floor. Her sunglasses were found by Scott in his apartment, and had been given to her as a joke by her husband during the divorce settlement
Diamond, Neil	Singer mentioned by Scott Staley
Dickey, James	Poet mentioned
Dixie Chicks	Band thought of by Scott Staley
Eagleton, ? (Jeremy or Justin or Jason)	Son of Jimmy Eagleton. Has a stutter and learning disability
Eagleton, Jimmy	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. His "Howie's Laff-Riot Farting Cushion" was found in Scott Staley's apartment
Eagleton, Mrs	Wife of Jimmy Eagleton
Farrell, Cleve	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. His baseball bat he called the "Claims Adjustor" was found by Scott Staly in his apartment
Grant, U S	Mentioned
Gregson, Tonya	Roland Abelson was paying her child support. Lived in Rahway
Hannon, Maureen	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. Her ceramic Alice in Wonderland statue was found by Scott Staley in his apartment. It was a gift from her granddaughter. She lad long white hair
Helen of Troy	Mentioned by Janice Mason
Hoffman, Dustin	Actor thought of by Scott Staley
Irons, Jeremy	Actor in the movie "Lolita" mentioned by Rafe, the FexEx deliveryman
Jauss, Dr	Psychiatrist rung by Scot Staley. Could not see Scott until the next January
Jesus	Mentioned
Killian, ?	Maiden name of Mrs Staley
Mason, Bruce	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, who died on September 11th. He tried playing Bruce Mason's Conch Shell, but was unable to get more than a "weak honking sound" from it
Mason, Janice	Wife of Bruce Mason. Scott Staley returned the conch shell of Bruice's to her. Lived in Dobbs Ferry
Ming, Rosie	Worked at the Fun Choy takeaway. Served Scott Staley
Oliver, Laurence	Actor thought of by Scott Staley
Remarquez, ?	South American novelist thought of by Scott Staley
Robbins, Tom	Thought of by Scott Staley
Robeson, Edward	Husband of Paula Robeson. Worked in the Import/Export business
Robeson, Paula	Scott Staley helper her get her airconditioner going. Later, over coffee, he tells her about his escape from the death of September 11. She takes the Lucite Cube, but returns it a few days later, after she saw the horrible death of Roland Abelson, its former owner. Childrens book Illustrator and wife of Edward Robeson
Scarborough, John	Seen on TV
Staley, Mr	Father of Peg and Scott Staley. Left when Scott was 2 and Peg was 4
Staley, Mrs	Mother of Peg and Scott Staley. Raised the 2 children when her husband left when Scott, the youngest, was just 2 years old. Ran a successful mail-order business. Died at 48 of lung cancer
Staley, Peg	Older sister of Scott Staley. Returned home with her mother when she was 18 years old and almost caught Scott masturbating into a pair of her underwear
Staley, Scott	Employee of Light and Bell, Insurers, that were on the 110th floor of the WTC. He did not go to work on September 11 after his "inner voice" convinced him to have the day off, and was spared the death that met all but one of the other employees. Strange items from his deceased work colleagues begin to appear in his house, but when he throws them away, they simply reappear. With help from Paula Robeson, he decides to return the items to the families of the deceased
Thoreau, Henry David	Mentioned by Scott Staley
Winfrey, Oprah	Paula Robeson occasionally watched her TV show

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Willa

Description

Willa and David are engaged to be married, but their train was derailled just outside Crowheart Springs. Willa decides to walk into town, and is soon followed by David.

There they meet at a bar on Route 26 aptly named "26". It is here that David comes to the realisation that their train derailment is the least of their worries - they are really dead.

Returning to the train station they try to tell the others, but they want no part of it, so Willa and David return to "26" and dance in the empty, closed bar.

Published

2008 - Just After Sunset

People

Name	Description
?, Willa	On the train. She is the first person to realise all the people with her are actually dead. She walks into town and sees the band at "26", and her fiancee David soon catches up and has to agree with her.
Andreeson, Georgia	Mother of Pammy Andreeson, and on the train. She slapped Pammy when Pammy said the train had fallen down and exploded
Andreeson, Pammy	Daughter of Georgia Andreeson, and on the train. A very lively five year old who wore a red travelling dress on the train.
Biggers	Salesman with a limp. One of the people on the train
Clark, Roy	Mentioned by Willa. From the tv show "Hee Haw"
Davis, Ursula	Disliked Willa. She thought he name would have been more suited if the 'a' was left off the end of it. A tall handsome woman about 40
Dawson, Chester	Trucker who was sleeping in the parking lot of "26" and thought he heard music. It was Willa and David inside dancing in the closed bar
Deraillers, The	Played for one night only in "26"
Dudley	One of the people on the train. David Sanderson did not know if Dudley was his first or last name, but he was an executive with Staples office supplies
Fender, Freddy	David and Willa danced to the Freddy Fender version of "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" in "26"
Gretel	From the childrens story Hansel & Gretel
Hansel	From the childrens story Hansel & Gretel
Lander, Henry	On the train. Liked Willa a little. Married
Lander, Ruth	Wife of Henry Lander. One of the people on the train that had crashed at Crowheart Springs, leaving the souls of those on board trapped there
Nighthawks, The	Due to play at "26" the following weekend
O'Casey, ?	A fat young man in a Seattle Mariners cap. One of the people on the train
Owens, Buck	Willa thought the lead singer of The Derailers sounded like Buck Owens, from the tv show "Hee Haw"
Palmer, Helen	On the train. A fairly vocal woman who had alzheimers and cancer. On her way to Portland with her husband Phil
Palmer, Phil	On the train. Retired insurance man on his way to Portland with his wife
Rattner, ?	Conductor on the doomed Amtrak train
Rinehart, ? (Sally?)	On the train.
Sanderson, David	On the train. Fiancee of Will, and an investment banker
Steel, Danielle	A Danielle Steel novel was seen in the ticket booth of "26"
Villanueva, Tony	Lead singer of The Derailers