canon is "The Shining" book version

[managerialtimber]

This must be the dumbest idea that you've ever had. I should know. According to certain people [he raises his hands to draw quotation marks] I'm the king of bad ideas.

You can't at least make me a little more recognizable? No?

[His eyes widen slightly] Then find me my son.

[It's probably hard to tell if that's simple parental concern or something much darker, more sinister, more...evil.]

I don't care where Wendy is unless she's got him stashed somewhere.

Comments

[just_be_quiet]

At least your mun hasn't decided to send you to the Box.

[managerialtimber]

[His mouth opens and closes before he sets his hands to the side. This is just ...bad.]

What's the box doc?

[just_be_quiet]

Doc?

[ Andrew looks... perplexed. ]

The Box is the name of a game. It's not a nice one.

[managerialtimber]

[There's very real unease] Habit son. You remind me of my little boy.

[He swallows] When you say game what do you mean?

[just_be_quiet]

Oh.

[ He smiles slightly. ] He must be really lucky.

[ Oh Andrew.... ]

The people who.... pull us out of where we come from? They put us in new places sometimes. They call them games. It's sort of a big lie. It's not fun for us. We get chased by bad things sometimes.

Or. Or weird stuff happens. I'm sort of lucky that I get to have my dog Bernie with me still.

[managerialtimber]

[Quietly] He sure is.

[there's an edge to jack's voice that vanishes. Not the boy they want. Strong but different.

Curious.]

...So basically all of this is just one big casino huh? Y'know? All kinds of games you can't really win. Bad stuff ends up happening. sometimes weird stuff.

What kinda dog's bernie?

[He's not imaginary is he.]

[just_be_quiet]

[ He stares silently at Jack. That.... didn't feel okay. ]

I suppose so. They play the games. We act out what they want all within.... their need to see us act like ourselves in different places. Like.... Like if you and your son played Imagination together.

Play acted a story together.

[ He almost grins. ]

German Shepard. He's a really good dog. I've had him since I was four.

I'm sorry but I couldn't resist.

[torrance]

What - having some trouble finding the little son of a bitch?

[ Have a dark chuckle and a knowing smirk, Mr. Torrance. ]

Somewhere steven king is vomiting rainbows because thanks to DT IT COULD HAPPEN.

[managerialtimber]

[There's a subtle shift in the other man's features. A knowing smirk? A confused look? A shiver that runs through his fingers (roque! redrum! We'll have a party as soon as the boy comes out to play!)

His hands shake.]

...worthless puppy. He and his bitch mother...

Damn bitch has him stashed somewhere most likely.

[torrance]

[ There's something familiar about him. He can't quite put his fingers on it, but there's something here that Jack is quite comfortable with. ]

It's always those fucking whores. Thinking they can just interfere with a man's business.

[managerialtimber]

[What a quality mask sir. Jack runs his fingers through his hair before crossing his arms in front of him and smiling. Comfortable oh yes.

A man's business indeed. The smile curdles like dry paper, like autumn leaves before winter comes]

A man has responsibilities. A father has responsibilities! Playing hide and seek like this.

[quietly] Christ I could use a drink.

[artistwithasickness]

Isn't he half hers?

[Have fun with this one.]

[managerialtimber]

[He's thrown for a moment, dazed. Then.]

She has her place, and I have mine. A man's king of the fucking castle!

[artistwithasickness]

[She scoffed.]

You sound pretty alone in that Castle, King, how's that working out for ya?

[managerialtimber]

I don't have to explain it to you. You'll understand once you marry, once you have children.

[His eyes narrow] Or maybe you won't. It...

[He looks dazed for a moment before closing his eyes]

....I just want my son back.

[It sounds real, it sounds human.]

[artistwithasickness]

Then I won't understand. Marriage isn't my thing.

Why'd she stash him away?

[managerialtimber]

Because she's a lying rotten skank. [He rubs his lips for a moment before glaring at her.]

...I don't remember.

I wish I did.

I miss him.

[artistwithasickness]

[her eyebrows rose.]

I got ten bucks says it was a good reason.....

But I'm sure he thinks about you, you're his dad after all

Be gentle with me, I bruise easy.

[dr_sleep]

[No. There's no way. He left that man on the Roof of the World, on that Empty lot. He waved.

Dan's throat tightened and his hand flexed and god, he was thirsty. Thirsty just like dear old Dad. Dan's voice comes out rough and quiet.]

Dad?

[/aggressively hugs]

[managerialtimber]

[Jack is rubbing at his head.

(Like father like son right? Son and sun. Maybe he shined too. No. Well maybe a little more then his wife. That's the act of creation. It gives off a warm glow to all who do it. A sensitive soft light that is the light of god.)

He fixes a steely gaze on the man before squinting. Frowning. When he last left Danny he was a chubby little boy. A sad creature but his little buddy all the same. This...this is a grown man.

Something twists in his chest and he can't think.]

....Do I know you?

[dr_sleep]

[Danny's fist open and closed again.

You'll remember what your father forgot.

Jack looked just like Dan remembered. Like time had skipped him, stolen him from a memory. He looked like the father that the little boy wanted to remember.

You'll remember what your father forgot.

Dan's eye worked over every detail trying to find that one thing that marked this for being just a sight. He shut his eyes tightly and counted. It used to work.

Not this time. Which meant the man in front of him was either A) Not Jack Torrence or B) Danny had finally lost it. He might even be sitting in a psych room, shitting on himself after daily meds.

Danny swallowed.]

You used to.

[managerialtimber]

[Closing his eyes and counting to ten. His throat hurts as he watches them.]

.......Danny?

[He exhales, moving a tentative step closer.]

...No. No you...

It's stupid.


I'm sorry.

[dr_sleep]

[Dan plants his feet. He won't run away, not from Jack, but there's a wariness in his eye, eased by the tentative step.]

Yeah. Yeah, Dad. It's me.

[He's not a little boy anymore and Jack seems... shorter.. smaller. It stands to reason, considering the height that the younger Torrance gained over his many years.]

You.. you look good.

[managerialtimber]

[Oh -

He knows then. Even if he didn't have the damn hotel whispering in his ear, his own insides corrupted, black and twisting. He knows. He remembers the last time he saw him. Small and scared.

Oh Doc Run. Remember how much I love you.

He's so tall! He looks like he's led a hard life though and Jack can't wait any longer. He practically leaps forward to wrap his arms around him before looking up at him.]

...You look good Doc. You look... [tired] Tall. God you got tall. Where'd you get the height from?

[dr_sleep]

[He remembered. Dan stumbles a half step but wraps his arms back around and hugs. It was almost like he was five again, waiting for Jack to come home from the office. Before the Bad Time.

After a few seconds, he lets go and rubs the back of his head kind of sheepishly.]

I don't know. You, I guess. I didn't really stop growing until I was 20 something.

Wh-What are you doing here?