Description

Stephen King Skeleton Crew - A collection of short stories

Published

1985 Putnam

Dedication

This book is for Arthur and Joyce Green

Story List

• The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
• Beachworld
• Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game
• Cain Rose Up
• For Owen
• Gramma
• Here There be Tygers
• The Jaunt
• The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands
• The Mist
• The Monkey
• Morning Deliveries
• Mrs. Todd's Shortcut
• Nona
• Paranoid
• The Raft
• The Reach
• The Reaper's Image
• Survivor Type
• Uncle Otto's Truck
• The Wedding Gig
• Word Processor of the Gods

---

The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet

Description

Editor Henry Wilson is casually chatting to a small group of friends, and tells the story of when he received a story from author Reg Thorpe. Thorpe was having a hard time selling stories, and during the letters and conversations between them, Thorpe tells of his strange belief in Fornits.

Fornits are magical creatures, one of which Thorpe believes lives in his typewriter. Thorpe did many things to protect his valuable Fornit, and his belief was strengthened when Wilson said he believed in Fornits as well.

The Thorpe's housekeeper brought her son to work, and Thorpe discovered that the boy was trying to kill his Fornit, so in a fit of anger he took his gun and shot the boy before committing suicide.

Published

1984, June - Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
?, Marsha	Wife of the agent that was at Henry Wilson's party and heard the story of 'The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet'
?, Meg	Wife of Paul. She was at Henry Wilson's party and heard the story of 'The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet'
?, Paul	Writer and husband of Meg. He was at Henry Wilson's party and heard the story of 'The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet'
Baker, Howard	Mentioned in passing
Baker, Jared	Assistant fiction editor at Esquire Magazine
Bellis	Henry Wilson's Fornit, and brother of Reg Thorpe's Fornit, Rackne
Bellis, Miss	Maiden name of Henry Wilson's mother
d'Arc, Jeanne	Heard voices from "heaven"
Dennis the Menace	Character mentioned in passing
Dohegan, Jim	Boss of Henry Wilson at Logan's Magazine
Fitzgerald, F Scott	Writer mentioned
Galilei, Galileo	Mentioned in passing
God	Mentioned in passing
Hagen, Tom	Writer who comitted suicide
Hemingway, Ernest	Writer mentioned
Jackson, Shirley	Wrote "The Lottery"
Lindsay, John	On the cover of Logan's magazine in 1969
Lockridge, Ross	A writer who committed suicide
Marx, Groucho	Comedian mentioned in passing
McCarthy, ?	Name shown on a sticker on the back of Henry Wilson's Chevy
Moore, Marianne	Author who coined the phrase "Flexible Bullet"
Morrison, Janey	Jim Dohegan's secretary at Logan's
Plath, Sylvia	Writer who committed suicide
Rackne	The fornit in Reg Thorp's typewriter. Brother of Bellis. Died when Jimmy Rulin shot it with his space blaster pistol
Rivers, Andy	Editor of fiction for American Crossings magazine
Rulin, Gertrude	Black woman hired by Thorpe to help clean the house. Her son Jimmy "shot" the Fornit in Reg Thorp's typewriter
Rulin, Jimmy	6 year old son of Gertrude Rulin. Shot the Fornit in Reg Thorp's typewriter, so Reg then shot and injured him
Rulin, Mr	Husband of Gertrude and father of Jimmy
Sexton, Anne	Writer who committed suicide
Sinatra, Frank	Singer Henry Wilson heard on the radio
Steinbeck, John	Writer mentioned in passing
Strong, Mert	Worked in Logan's publicity office
Thorpe, Jane	Wife of Reg Thorpe. She was worried about his strange behaviour. She was shot by Reg in the elbow and head, but survived. After Reg's death she moved to New Haven
Thorpe, Reg	The writer that was slowly going insane. He wrote "Underworld Figures" and the short story "The ballad of the flexible bullet". He believed there was a small creature, called a Fornit living in his typewriter. He snapped after Jimmy Rulin shot and killed his fornit, Rackne. He then he shot Jimmy Rulin, Gertrude Rulin and his wife, Jane before turning the gun on himself and committed suicide with a shot to the head
Updike, John	Writer whos story in Logan's was cancelled
Vadar, Sam	On the board of directors for Logan's magazine
Vaughan, Sarah	Singer Henry Wilson heard on the radio
Wilson, Henry	Editor of fiction for Logan's magazine. Slowly went insane with Reg Thorpe, and started to believe the stories they told. He almost died in 1969 when he crashed his car while drunk. He told the story of 'The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet' to some friends at a party
Wilson, Mr	Brother of Henry Wilson
Wilson, Mrs	Wife of Henry. She left him because of his excessive drinking
Wilson, Mrs	Mother of Henry. Married name of Miss Bellis
Younger, Kate	Worked in Logan's add department

---

Beachworld

Description

A spaceship crash-lands on a world consisting entirely of sand. Before the rescue ship arrives the crew of 2 discover that there is life after all, but one living below the shifting dunes. Only one of the crew are rescued.

Published

1984, Fall - Weird Tales
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
2 Androids	On the Clan Ship
Android	On the Clan ship. Got sand inside it and it malfunctioned
Beach Boys, The	Band liked by Rand
Chang	Mentioned by the Captain of the Clan Ship (Weird Tales only)
Dud, ?	On the rescue ship that arrived to save Rand and Shapiro. Gave water to Bill Shapiro
God	Mentioned in passing
Goldfish, The	Pets kept by Grimes, but killed in the crash
Gomez, ?	Pilot of the rescue ship that arrived to save Rand and Shapiro
Grimes, ?	Died in the crash of the FedShip ASN/29. His body was in pieces in the storage compartment. Kept goldfish that were also killed in the crash
Holmes, Sherlock	Mentioned in passing
Montoya, Excellent	On the rescue ship that arrived to save Rand and Shapiro. He tried to tranquilise Rand but failed
Rand, ?	Survived the crash of the FedShip ASN/29 but became stranded on the strange sandy planet that was really alive. Lost his mind and died in the sand
Shapiro, Bill	Survived the crash of the FedShip ASN/29 but became stranded on the strange sandy planet that was really alive. Saved by a clan ship. He was the Astrogator
Shapiro, Mrs	Mother of Bill Shapiro
Yorick	Character from a Shakespeare play mentioned in passing

---

Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game

Description

Leo Edwards and Johnny Rockwell approach Bob Driscoll of Bob's Gas and Service to inspect Rocky's 1957 Chrysler so it can be registered. Soon after leaving drunk, Leo and Rocky crash head on into a 1959 Mercury, and are killed in the accident. Bob Driscoll returns home, strangles his wife and burns down his house.

This story was substantially modified from the original New Terrors 2 version.

Published

1982 - New Terrors 2
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
Andress, Ursula	Tinker Johnson posted a picture of her on old lady Freemantle's bulletin board
Blier, Rocky	His picture was on a can of Iron City beer. A Steeler
Drew, Marcy	Maiden name of Marcy Driscoll
Driscoll, Bob	Owner of Bob's Gas and Service. Went to school with Johnny Rockwell. Husband of Marcy.f1~ After an evening drinking with Leo Brooks and Johnny Rockwell he returns home to kill his wife and set fire to their house
Driscoll, Marcy	Wife of Bob Driscoll, and married name of Marcy Drew. Strangled by her husband
Edwards, Leo	Worked at the New Adams Laundry as a washroom helper. He was killed in a car smash.f1~ The car was driven by Johnny Rockwell while drunk
Edwards, Mrs	Mother of Leo Edwards
Freemantle, ?	Tinker Johnson posted a picture of Ursula Andress on old lady Freemantle's bulletin board
Green, Joe	His picture was on a can of Iron City beer.f1~ A Steeler
Harris, Franco	His picture was on a can of Iron City beer. A Steeler
Johnson, Tinker	He posted a picture of Ursula Andress on old lady Freemantle's bulletin board
Milligan, ?	The child of Spike and Rockwell's ex-wife
Milligan, Spike	A milkman, he got Johnny Rockwell's wife pregnant in 1970, and she and her two older children moved in with him.f1~Worked for Cramer's Dairy.~ He saw the accident in which Johnny Rockwell and Leo Edwards were killed. He was then heading to the Driscoll house
Rockwell, ?	Johnny Rockwell had two daughters with his wife before she left him for Spike Milligan
Rockwell, ?	Johnny Rockwell had two daughters with his wife before she left him for Spike Milligan
Rockwell, Johnny (Rocky)	Worked at the New Adams Laundry. His wife left him after getting pregnant to Spike Milligan. He was killed while drunk driving after leaving Bob's Gas and Service with Leo Edwards in the car. Hit head on by a 1959 Mercury.
Rockwell, Mrs	Johnny's wife.f1~ She had an affair with Spike Milligan and fell pregnant in 1970, and then moved in with him, taking her elder 2 daughters with her.
Rucklehouse, Diana	Bob Driscoll said she had large breasts
Shaw, Terry	His picture was on a can of Iron City beer.f1~ A Steeler
Swann, Lynn	His picture was on a can of Iron City beer.f1~ A Steeler wide receiver

---

Cain Rose Up

Description

Curt Garrish finally snaps and goes on a killing spree. He takes his .352 Magnum rifle out of storage and up to his dorm room. He begins randomly shooting at students and their parents. At least four people are brutally murdered.

Published

1968, Spring - Ubris
1985 - Skeleton Crew

There are no characters listed for this story.

---

For Owen

Description

A father and young son walk to school, and the boy tells him that students on Fruit Street are all fruits. The father imagines the tiny blueberries to patrol boy bananas and tardy, fat watermelons.

There are no listed characters in this 2 page story, although it is assumed that the father and son are Stephen and Owen King.

Published

1985 - Skeleton Crew

There are no characters listed for this story.

---

Gramma

Description

11 year old George Bruckner is left in the house, just outside Castle Rock, with his insane Grandmother. George discovers that Gramma has died, but the body grabs him. Even the special words given to him by his Aunt Flo could not stop the attack. His mother, Ruth, returns home, but does not realise that something special had been passed from Gramma to her son, and now he was determined that things would change.

Published

1984, Spring - Weird Book magazine
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Revised)

People

Name	Description
?, Flo	Aunt of George. Daughter of Gramma. Lived in Salt Lake City before she died of a massive brain haemorrhage the same day Gramma died
?, Franklin (Frank)	Uncle of George. Son of Gramma. He died of a burst appendix after he crossed Gramma
?, George	Uncle of George. Son of Gramma. George was named after him
?, Larson	Uncle of George. Eldest son of Gramma
?, Mabel	Henrietta Dodd spoke with her on the phone
Arlinder, Dr	Doctor of Gramma
Bruckner, Buddy	Brother of George and son of Ruth. He broke his leg causing George to be left alone with Gramma
Bruckner, George	11 year old boy who was left along with Gramma. She died, but transferred her powers, or even herself, into George. He then killed Aunt Flo using ancient words
Bruckner, Mr	Father of George and Buddy. Killed by a drunk driver
Bruckner, Ruth	Mother of George and Buddy. Daughter of Gramma. Her house was bought by all the children of Gramma so she could look after her
Burdon, Mr	School Principal
Camber, Joe	Mentioned in passing. He owned the hill where George and Buddy liked to go sledding
Cornwallis, Lord	George read about him
Dodd, Henrietta	Busy body on the same party line as the Bruckners
Gramma	Insane, fat, blind grandmother of George. She lived with her daughter, Ruth. A schoolteacher for 15 years, she was sacked for using Magic Books to help her have children. She died, but her dead body came back to life and attacked George. Her personality may have taken over the boy
Granpa	Husband of Gramma. A carpenter who died of heart attack
Harham, Mrs	Lived up the road from George Bruckner until she died when Gramma had a 'bad spell'
Hastur	The name of Gramma's "Taken Father"
Jesus	Mentioned in passing
MacArdle, Heather	George told Buddy that he liked her, so Buddy told everyone at school the next day
Redenbacher, Mrs	Teacher at school
Simard, Cora	Busybody friend of Henrietta Dodd

---

Here There be Tygers

Description

Charles wanted to go to the bathroom badly, but was too embarrassed to ask his teacher. Once at the bathroom Charles encountered another problem - there was a hungry tiger there. The tiger attacked Kenny Griffen, and later Miss Bird, the teacher.

Published

1968, Spring - Ubris
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
?, Bill	Character in a book "Roads to Everywhere" which was read by Charles after he returned from the bathroom
?, Charles	A student in Miss Bird's 3rd grade class. He knew about the tiger and also the grizzly fate of Kenneth Griffin and Miss Bird
Bird, Miss	Charles' third grade teacher who was eaten by the tiger in the boys toilet when she went to see why Kenneth Griffin and Charles were taking so long
Griffen, Kenneth	Killed by the tiger after Miss Bird sent him to see why Charles was taking do long in the toilet
Kinney, Miss	Third grade teacher. Young and blond
Scott, Cathy	In Miss Birds third grade class with Charles. She never had to visit the bathroom during class
The Tiger	Hungry beast who lived in the school bathroom
Trask, Mrs	Third grade teacher

---

The Jaunt

Description

An interesting idea from a professor leads to the development of teleportation on a mass scale 350 years in our future. There is one drawback though - people must be unconscious in order to teleport, or else they turn insane.

12 year old Ricky Oates holds his breath and stays awake during the Jaunt procedure. On arriving at the other end he is insane and tears his eyes out.

Published

1981, June - Twilight Zone
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
Bell, Alexander Graham	Mentioned in passing
Bester, Alfred	Wrote "The stars My destination" where the term 'Jaunte' was used for a type of teleportation
Buffington, ?	In Charlotte
Carson, ?	In New Jersey
Carune, Victor	Inventor of the Jaunt - a teleportation device that can transport people over vast distances extremely quickly. Once he got the Jaunt equipment working, the government took over the project
Edison, Thomas	Mentioned in passing
Foggia, Rudy	Convicted murderer that teleported while awake, with disastrous consequences. He died shortly after the Jaunt, but just before dying he said that it was an eternity in there
Gordon, Flash	Mentioned in passing
Hart, Mr	President
Heinlein, Robert	Wrote a novel in which identical standins are used by some people in the public arena
Hoffa, Jimmy	Mentioned in passing
Lincoln, Abraham	Mentioned in passing
Michaelson, ?	Daughter of Lester
Michaelson, Lester	Jaunt researcher that killed his wife by sending her on a Jaunt while awake, but he also failed to select a destination so she never materialised. He was convicted of murder and executed
Michaelson, Mrs	Unlucky wife of Lester who was sent on a jaunt while awake. There was no destination selected so she never materialised
Mosconi, Dr	Vet who examined dead mouse that was teleported in order to find out how or why it died
Oates, Marilys	Wife of Mark Oates and mother of Patricia and Ricky
Oates, Mark	Husband of Marilys, and father of Patricia and Ricky. He told the story of the early days of the Jaunt, and the reasons why you must never Jaunt while awake
Oates, Patricia (Patty)	Daughter of Mark and Marilys
Oates, Ricky	Son of Mark and Marilys who, after listening to his father tell the story of the development of the Jaunt, decided to teleport while awake. On exiting he looked old and insane, and tore his eyes out
Patrick	A goldfish that died after teleporting awake
Pecos Bill	Mentioned in passing
Percy	Goldfish of Carune. The first thing that survived being teleported
Sumner, C K	Author of 'The Politics of the Jaunt'
Thurgood, Governor	Florida Governor who signed a release for Rudy Foggia on a successful jaunt
Watson, ?	The first words spoken by Alexander Graham Bell over a telephone was to him
Whitney, Eli	Mentioned in passing

---

The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands

Description

A tale told at 249B East 34th Street , New York involves the death of a young boy in India caused by the car driven by Henry Brower. Henry was cursed in such a way that any living thing he touched with his hands would die.

Jason Davidson grabbed and shook Henry's hand, but died soon after. Henry left and soon committed suicide - by shaking his own hand.

Published

1982 - Shadows 4
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Revised)

People

Name	Description
?, Rosalie	Fiancee of George Gregson
Adley, David	At the club
Andrews, Peter	At the club
Baker, Darrel	Poker playing friend of George Gregson
Brower, Henry	The man who would not shake hands
Davidson, Jason	Poker playing friend of George Gregson. Died after shaking hands with Henry Brower
French, Andrew	Poker playing friend of George Gregson
Greer, Raymond	Friend of Henry Brower. Worked for the City Trade Commission
Gregson, George	Told the tale
Johannsen, ?	At the club
McCarron, Emlyn	At the club
Oxley, George	Poker playing friend of George Gregson. Broke his leg
Stevens	Butler at the club
Wallah	Holy man that cursed Henry Brower after his son was killed in Brower's car
Wilden, Jack	Poker playing friend of George Gregson

---

The Mist

Description

A strange and deadly mist takes over the small town of Bridgton, near Long Lake, on 17th of July. Some survivors take shelter in a Federal market, but discover they are not safe inside, because the mist is not just mist - it's alive and after them!

Published

1980 - Dark Forces
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Substantially revised)

People

Name	Description
?, Norm	Bag-boy in the Federal Store. Eaten by tentacles in the fog
?, Reuben	Uncle of David Drayton
?, Sally	Checkout girl at the Federal Store
?, Victor	Brother of Wanda. His mother was in the Federal Store
?, Wanda	8 Year old sister of Victor. Her mother was in the Federal Store
Bibber, Aggie	Busy body neighbour of the Drayton's
Brown, Bud	Federal Store manager in Bridgton
Carmody, Mrs	Ran the Brigton Antiquary, and a keen history buff
Cornell, Ambrose	In the Federal market. Had a gun in his car
Crockett, Davy	Mentioned in Passing
Drayton, Andrew	Possibly the father of David
Drayton, Billy	5 year old son of David and Stephanie
Drayton, David	Father of Billy, and husband of Steffy. He is the teller of the tale. An Artist
Drayton, Stephanie (Steffy)	Mother of Billy and wife of David
Dumfries, Amanda	Had a gun in her purse in the market. Became a lover of David Drayton
Eagleton, Buddy	Worked in the Federal store
Ellitch, Tommy	Owner of a barn destroyed in the storm
Frovin, John Lee	Mechanic at the Texaco service station. Taken by something in the Fog
Gault, Mr	Writer friend of David Drayton
Giosti, Bill	Owner of Giosti's Mobil in Casco village. 70 tears old. ran the place with his 3 sons
Grondin, Jim	In the Federal Market. Friend of Myron LaFleur
Grondin, Pauline	Sister of Jim
Hartgen, Vincent	Mentioned in Passing
Hatlen, Mike	Selectman in Bridgton and trapped in the Federal store
Jasser, ?	Neighbour of the Drayton's. Their dock was smashed by the water cyclone
LaFleur, Myron	Friend of Jim Grondin. In the Federal Store
Lawless, Janine	Postlady for the Draytons
Martin, ?	Owners of a dock that washed up on the lake
McAllister, Victor	Spoke to Billy Drayton about letting a flag touch the ground
McKeon, ?	Owner of a house in Bridgton
McVey, Mr	Butcher in the Federal Store
Michaelson, Ben	Spoke about the Arrowhead Project
Miller, Dan	Owns a place on Highland Lake and trapped in the Federal Store
Muehler, Dick	Draytons insurance agent
Neary, Mrs	Said that everything is full of atoms to Billy Draton
Norton, Brenton	Next door neighbour to the Draytons. A lawyer from New Jersey. Husband of Carle
Norton, Carla	Wife of Norton. Died of cancer the previous November
O'Brien, Willy	Writer mentioned in passing
Reppler, Hilda	Worked as a 3rd grade school teacher in the Federal Store
Robards, Justine	Spoke about the Arrowhead Project
Simms, Arnie	In the Federal Store. Almost blind
Smalley, Tom	In the Federal Store. Attacked by a creature in the store
Stepanek, Stephanie	Maiden name of Stephanie Drayton
Tattinger, Lou	Alcoholic who ran the Pine Tree car wash
Tochai, Nick	Spoke about the Arrowhead Project
Trumbull, Douglas	Writer mentioned in passing
Turman, Alan	Husband of Hattie
Turman, Hattie	Babysitter of Billy Drayton. In the Federal Store
Vannerman, Hank	In the Federal Store
Weeks, Ollie	Federal Store manager in Bridgton

---

The Monkey

Description

A toy windup monkey has a secret. Every time it hits it cymbals together somebody dies, and Hal Shelburn just can't get rid of it. Thrown out twice, it mysteriously finds its way back, but this time is different. Placed in a bag filled with rocks, the Monkey is dumped into Crystal Lake.

Hal almost becomes the next victim of the monkey as his boat breaks up on the way back to shore. Soon after there are reports of dead fish in Crystal Lake.

Published

1980, Nov - Gallery
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Significantly revised)

People

Name	Description
?, Ida	Wife of Will. Died of a stroke
?, Milly	Friend of Aunt Ida
?, Will	Uncle of Hal Shelburn. Husband of Ida
Culligan, Amos	Owner of a Studebaker that is at the bottom of Crystal Lake
Daisy	Uncle Will's dog
McCabe, Johnny	Friend of Hal Shelburn who broke his neck falling from a treehouse
McCaffery, Beulah	Babysitter of Bill and Hal Shelburn. Shot and killed by Leonard White, her boyfriend
Moriarty, Betsy	Wrote about hundreds of dead fish in Crystal Lake
Shelburn, Bill	Brother of Hal. Husband of Colette
Shelburn, Colette	Wife of Bill
Shelburn, Dennis	12 year old son of Hal
Shelburn, Hal	The man to whom the Monkey keeps appearing. Husband of Terry
Shelburn, Mr	Father of Hal and Bill. Disappeared
Shelburn, Mrs	Mother of Hal and Bill. Worked at Holmes Aircraft, and died of a brain embolism at work
Shelburn, Petey	9 year old son of Hal
Shelburn, Terry	Wife of Hal
Silverman, Charlie	Friend of Bill Shelburn. Hit by a car and killed
Stukey, Mrs	Told Hal and Bill of their mothers death
The Monkey	A toy of Hal Shelburn that keeps coming back when it is thrown away
Tremont, Sally	Shot and killed by Leonard White
White, Leonard	Boyfriend of Beulah McCaffery who shot her and Sally Tremont

---

Morning Deliveries

Description

Spike Milligan, a milkman, decides to make some unusual deliveries. A tarantula in a chocolate milk carton, acid gel in the all-purpose cream, Belladonna in the eggnog , and cyanide gas in a bottle.

Published

1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
Blier, Rocky	Friend of Spike that worked in an industrial laundry (New Adams Laundry)
Collins, ?	Had milk delivered
Jenner, ?	Had milk delivered
Kincaid, ?	Had milk delivered, but empty bottle was filled with cyanide gas
MacKenzie, Nella	Had milk delivered
McCarthy, Mrs	Had chocolate milk delivered, but instead it was an empty bottle with a spider in it
Merton, ?	Canceled milk deliveries, and it looks like they were all killed
Milligan, Spike	Driver for Cramers Dairy - killed some of his customers
Ordway, Miss	Had milk delivered and there was belladonna in the carton of eggnog
Webber, Mr	Had milk delivered. Cream was filled with an acid gel

---

Mrs. Todd's Shortcut

Description

Set in Castle Lake, near Castle Rock and Bangor, a woman is obsessed with shortcuts, and eventually makes the impossible happen - the trip is actually shorter that the straight line distance between the two towns!

Published

1984, May - Redbook magazine
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Revised)

People

Name	Description
Amesbury, Mr	Shot himself
Bascomb, George	Homer Buckland plowed his field
Brugger, Henry	Had Whitetails in his back field
Buckland, Franklin	Brother of Homer
Buckland, Homer	Caretaker of the Todd house on Castle Lake
Buckland, Megan	Wife of Homer. Killed in a tractor accident
Camber, Joe	Killed by his Dog Cujo
Corbridge, Estonia	Dead woman
Cujo	Rabid dog of Joe Camber
Diana	The name Ophelia felt like when she was travelling her shortcuts
Murray, Professor	Maths professor at Maine University
Owens, Dave	Spoke to Homer about Ophelia Todd
Scott, ?	Owners of a local house
Todd, Ophelia	Went missing in 1973 while taking a shortcut between 2 towns. Worked in the library
Todd, Worth	Husband of Ophelia

---

Nona

Description

The author of the notes tells of his murderous rampage along with Nona, his beautiful friend. People who later saw him say that he was alone and the girl never existed. At one stage in his life the author was beaten up by Ace Merrill when he kissed Ace's girlfriend.

Interesting Facts: In the Spanish version of Nona (Which was never published in Skeleton Crew!) there are a number of changes in characters and places. Castle Rock is changed into a town called Blainesville; Ace Merril into Ace Carmody; Betsy Malenfant into Shelley Robertson; Charlie Hogan (Ace's friend in The Body) into Jimmy Donner; Vern Tessio (the boy from The Body, Gordon LaChance's friend) into John Dano; and Emonds (Nona's "uncle") into Barlow. Thanks to Luis from El Universo de Stephen King for pointing this out.

Published

1978 - Shadows
1985 - Skeleton Crew
1997 - Gallery Of Horror

People

Name	Description
?, Curt	State ward looked after by the Hollis family
?, Drake	Brother of the prisoner
?, Nona	Woman who met the prisoner and guided him to kill more people
Blanchette, Norman	Gave Nona and the prisoner a ride
Craig, Cheryl	Name Nona used to Norman Blanchette
Emonds, ?	"Uncle" of Cheryl Craig
Essegian, Officer	Killed by the prisoner
Hogan, Charlie	Friend of Ace Merrill
Hollis, Mr	Took in the prisoner as a ward of the state. Lived near Castle Rock
Hollis, Mrs	Wife of Mr Hollis. Fat
Kennedy, Bill	Worked at Castle Rock Youth League
Malenfant, Betsy	Went to school with the Prisoner. Girlfriend of Ace Merrill
Merrill, John (Ace)	Picked on the prisoner when he thought he was chatting up his girlfriend
Prisoner, The	An unnamed person who is telling the story from his jail cell
Tessio, Vern (Penny)	Friend of Ace Merrill

---

Paranoid

Description

A short chant-type story.

Published

1985 - Skeleton Crew

There are no characters listed for this story.

---

The Raft

Description

Four University students take a trip to Cascade Lake and decided to swim out to a raft. While on the raft, an odd looking oil slick surrounds them. Rachel touches it, and is pulled into the water and eaten by the creature. Deke was pulled between the boards and devoured, and LaVerne was taken while making love to Randy. Randy becomes the final victim soon after.

Published

1969 - Adam (As "The Float". Never published, although King was paid for it)
1982, Nov - Gallery (rewritten)
1985 - Skeleton Crew (revised)

People

Name	Description
?, Deke	Owner of the Camaro that takes the uni students to the lake. Boyfriend of Rachel, and room mate of Randy
?, LaVerne	Girlfriend of Randy. Went to the lake
?, Rachel	Girlfriend of Deke. Went to the lake
?, Randy	Went to the lake. Boyfriend of LaVerne
DeLois, Billy	Friend of Deke
Duncan, Sandy	Girl on White Rock labels

---

The Reach

Description

The Reach is a body of water separating the mainland from Goat Island, where Stella Flanders has lived her whole life. She remembers the past and present, but is more than a little frightened when she starts seeing her long-dead husband more and more often. Her persuades her to walk over the reach when it has frozen over for the winter, and once she reaches the mainland she dies, in the company of her long-dead friends.

Published

1981, Nov - Yankee Magazine (As "Do the Dead Sing")
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
?, Annabelle	Maiden name of Annabelle Frane. Best friend of Stella Flanders when they were at school
Abersham, Carl	Died in the "Dancer" in 1941
Bensohn, John	Recognised the cap on the dead body of Stella Flanders as belonging to her dead husband Bill
Blood, Harley	Friend of Alan Flanders. Lived on Goat Island
Bowie, ?	Daughter of Russell and Missy. She was born 2 months after her father died
Bowie, Missy	Wife of Russell. She was pregnant when he died, and later had a daughter
Bowie, Russell	Died trying to cross the frozen reach. He and Missy had 4 children and Missy was 7 months pregnant with their 5th when he died in 1980
Child, Frank	Owner of a boat. Lived on Goat Island
Curry, Al	Owner of a boat. Lived on Goat Island
Daniels, ?	Killed for molesting 3 little girls, and he was buried on Goat Island
Dinsmore, Freddy	Oldest man on Goat Island until he died of the flu in early 1980. He owned the Goat Island store and later sold it to Larry McKeen
Dinsmore, George	Son of Freddy Dinsmore
Dodge, Mary	Wife of Richard Dodge. Lived on Goat Island, and was a midwife for over 100 births
Dodge, Richard	Went to Stella Flanders birthday party with his wife Mary. Lived on Goat Island and suffered from bad arthritis
Dostie, Mr	Jeweler on the mainland
Flanders, Alden	Son of Bill and Stella. Lived on Goat Island and fished for lobsters
Flanders, Bill	Husband of Stella and father of Stella and Alden. Died of Cancer in 1977
Flanders, Stella	Married name of Stella Godlin. Wife of Bill, she suffered from Cancer. Crossed the frozen Reach when asked to do so by her dead husband. She died during the trip, but was surrounded by her long-dead friends
Frane, Annabelle	Mother of Sarah and wife of Tommy. Lived on Goat Island until her death
Frane, Sarah	Daughter of Annabelle and Tommy. Married to George Havelock
Frane, Tommy	Husband of Annabelle and father of Sarah. Lived on Goat Island until his death
God	Mentioned in passing
Godlin, ?	Child of Louis and Margaret. Died at 1 week of age
Godlin, Louis	Father of Stella and husband of Margaret. He lived on Goat Island, and had previously and had worked as an apprentice for the grandfather of Bull Symes
Godlin, Margaret	Mother of Stella and wife of Louis. Died of cancer
Godlin, Stella	Maiden name of Stella Flanders. Daughter of Margaret and Louis
Havelock, George (Big George)	Died of Axe wound in 1967. Hired Daniels to work on his house on Goat Island
Havelock, Sarah	Married name of Sarah Frane. Wife of George
Henreid, Gerd	Broke a blood vessel in his chest while on Goat Island. The town raised money to send him for an operation
Jesus	Mentioned in passing
Jolley, Norm	Owner of a Ford on the mainland
Maxwell, Bradley	Lived on Goat Island. He helped ferry children across to the mainland
McClelland, Stewie	Friend of Russell Bowie. Tried to cross the Frozen Reach without success, and lost a foot in the process
McCracken, Ewell	Minister on Goat Island
McCracken, Justin	Son of Ewell. He broke his ankle on Godlin pond
McKeen, Larry	Owner of Goat Island store. He recognised the cap on Stella Flanders head as belonging to her dead husband
Perrault, David	Husband of Lois, father of Hal, Lona and Tommy
Perrault, Hal	Son of Lois and David
Perrault, Lois	Wife of David. Married name of Lois Wakefield, and mother of Hal, Lona and Tommy
Perrault, Lona	Daughter of Lois and David
Perrault, Tommy	Son of Lois and David
Phillips, Annie	Spoke to Vera Spruce on the phone. She lived on Goat Island and was the mother of Toby
Phillips, Toby	Son of Annie Phillips
Spruce, Vera	Helped to make Stella's 95th birthday cake. She lived on Goat Island, and was Hattie Stoddard's best friend
Stoddard, Hattie	Helped to make Stella's 95th birthday cake. She lived on Goat Island
Stoddard, Madeline	Mother of Hattie. Died of Pleurisy
Stoddard, Mr	Father of Hattie
Symes, Bull	Mailman. He died of a heart attack while fishing
Symes, Gert	Molested as a child. Maine state teacher of the year in 1978
Symes, Harold	Son of Bull
Wakefield, Jane	Married name of Jane Flanders. Mother of Lois and wife of Richard Wakefield
Wakefield, Lois	Daughter of Jane and Richard. Maiden name of Lois Perrault
Wakefield, Richard	Husband of Jane, father of Lois
Wilson, ?	Baby child of Ettie and Norman. Born a mongoloid and died soon after birth
Wilson, Ettie	Had a mongoloid baby that died. Wife of Norman
Wilson, Norman	Had a mongoloid baby that died. Husband of Ettie

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The Reaper's Image

Description

Jonathan Spangler investigates a mirror with a unique history. The DeIver looking glass is one of just five created by John DeIver, and Spangler is interested in its authenticity, not its historical rumors. Spangler sees a mark in the corner, and soon finds out that it is true what they say.

Those people that see the Reaper in the reflection disappear forever.

Published

1969, Spring - Startling Mystery Stories
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
Bates, ?	Brother of Sandra that seen the Reaper and disappeared
Bates, Sandra	Tried to smash the DeIver Looking Glass
Carlin, Mr	Tour guide
Claggert, Samuel	Private museum owner
DeIver, John	Made the magical mirror
Spangler, Johnson	Came to see the mirror, then seen the Reaper
The Reaper	Evil image that when seen, causes the people to disappear

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Survivor Type

Description

Richard Pine washed up on a deserted island with 2kg of Heroin, but no food. He writes in his journal that he decided to amputate his foot after badly breaking his ankle. Because he was extremely hungry, he eats the amputated foot, and later decided to amputate the other foot and then each leg in turn, eating the flesh as he went.

Published

1982 - Terrors
1985 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
Brazzi, Ricky	Belted up Howie Plotsky for money
Hailley, Father	Priest at Holey Family church
Hammersmith, Will	Friend of Richard Pinzetti
Hanelli, Ronnie	Played football with Richard Pinzetti in College
Li Tsu, Henry	Drug dealer that liked to substitute fake drugs for the real stuff
Li Tsu, Mrs	Wife of Henry - killed
Lowenthal, ?	Caught on tax evasion and dobbed into the IRS by Richard Pinzetti. Killed himself
Mockridge, Professor	Basic anatomy teacher
Ngo, Solom	Tested drugs for purity
Pine, Dr Richard	Teller of the story. Stranded on a desert island
Pinzetti, Mr	Father of Richard. Died of cancer
Pinzetti, Mrs	Mother of Richard
Pinzetti, Richard	The birth name of Richard Pine. He later changed it to Pine. Sold drugs and prescription pads
Plotsky, Howie	Picked on Richard
Steinbrunner, Mr	Grocer down from the Pinzetti's

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Uncle Otto's Truck

Description

Otto Schenck lives in a one room house he built for a school house, but the town did not want it. Outside is a truck that he used to kill his partner, George McCutcheon , and he believes it is going to come and run him down one night.

Otto's nephew, Quentin, found him dead, with his mouth full of motor oil, and a sparkplug jammed in his throat.

Published

1983, Oct - Yankee
1985 - Skeleton Crew (substantially revised)

People

Name	Description
Baker, ?	Bought Creswell's truck tyres for $20
Barger, Chuckie	Painter in town
Dodd, Billy	Owner of a wrecker, and father of crazy Frank Dodd
Dodd, Frank	Crazy Frank Dodd, son of Billy Dodd
Durkin, Carl	Castle Rock Town undertaker
McCutcheon, George	Partner in a land deal with Otto Schenek. He was found crushed under the front of his truck
Schenck, Mr	Father of Otto
Schenck, Mrs	Mother of Otto
Schenck, Otto	Land baron. Partner of George McCutcheon. Found dead, and undamaged - except it did look like the truck killed him!
Schenck, Quentin	Teller of the story. Nephew of Otto

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The Wedding Gig

Description

Small time racketeer Mike Scollay hires a Jazz Band to play at the wedding of his 300 pound sister Maureen, and her 90 pound future husband. Scollay's enemy, The Greek, forces a man to come to the wedding reception and insult Maureen in front of the guests. Shortly after, Mike is shot down in a hail of gunfire from The Greek's men.

Maureen takes over his business until she died of a heart attack years later.

Published

1980, Dec 1 - Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine
1981 - Skeleton Crew

People

Name	Description
?, Charlie	In Jazz band
?, Henry	Worked at setting up the wedding decorations
?, Manny	In Jazz band
Biff	Drummer in Jazz Band
Englander, Tommy	Ran a Jazz joint
Gibson, Miss	In charge of setting up Maureen's wedding
Katzenos, Demetrius	The Greek told him to insult Maureen Scollay about her weight at her wedding
Katzenos, Mrs	Wife of Demetrius. Held captive by the Greek until her husband insults Maureen
Romano, Maureen	Wife of Rico. Married name of Maureen Scollay
Romano, Rico	Husband of Maureen
Scollay, Maureen	Fat sister of Mike Scollay
Scollay, Mike	Small time racketeer and brother of Maureen
The Greek	Enemy of Mike Scollay
Williams, Billy Boy	Piano player in Jazz band

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Word Processor of the Gods

Description

Richard's brother, sister in law and nephew were just killed in a car accident. His wife is fat and lazy, and his son is not much better, but his life changes when he receives a birthday present - a wordprocessor built from scrap parts by his nephew.

But this is no ordinary wordprocessor - type something on the screen and it becomes real!

Published

1982, Jan - Playboy (As "The Wordprocessor")
1985 - Skeleton Crew (Substantially revised)

People

Name	Description
Epstein, Bernie	Friend of Richard Hagstrom
Hagstrom, Adelina Mabel (Lina)	Wife of Richard and mother of Seth. Fat and lazy
Hagstrom, Belinda	Mother of Jonathan and wife of Roger. Killed in car accident
Hagstrom, Jonathan	Son of Roger and Belinda. Built the wordprocessor for his uncle Richard
Hagstrom, Richard	Writer and teacher, brother of Roger
Hagstrom, Roger	Brother of Richard and husband of Belinda. Wife beater and drunk
Hagstrom, Seth	Lazy son of Richard and Lina
Nordhoff, Mr	Helped Richard move in the new wordprocessor from Jonathan
Phillips, Father	Ran the local bingo
Warren, Adelina Mabel	Maiden name of Lina Hagstrom