Salem's Lot

They found us again.

Another one has found us.

We have to go further.

Not yet.

- Mr. Crockett?

- Yes.

My name is Mears. Ben Mears.

I'm looking for a place to rent.

For how long?

Six months maybe.

Family?

No.

- Furnished?

- Yes.

I can't think of any.

- How about that house on the hill?

- Which house?

The one as you come into town.

The Marsten house?

Is that for sale or rent?

It's sold.

I can't think of anything, not offhand.

You might try Eva Miller's boarding house.

It's real nice.

It's on Railroad Street.

Yeah, I remember.

- You remember?

- Thank you very much.

Funny, about the Marsten house.

Vacant over 20 years.

Cully is going to Portland tomorrow.

Good afternoon, Mr. Crockett.

You sure fixed it up.

You think so?

You like it?

Fine job.

Sure is different from that doctor's office

I sold you.

I'd have to agree with you.

Very tasteful.

Yes?

Thank you.

Mr. Barlow...?

Will arrive.

Soon.

A lot of people have been waiting.

For Mr. Barlow.

You know how it is with a small town.

People don't have that much to do.

Yes. I can assure you...

...that people will find Mr. Barlow

well worth the wait.

Especially you, Mr. Crockett.

I've told him how helpful you've been...

...getting us the house...

...and the store.

Yes.

Are you a writer?

Yes.

What do you write?

Books.

Have I read any?

Have you read any books?

Your books.

I don't know.

How do I get breakfast?

The kitchen's open to one and all.

Keep your things stored separate.

Do you work at night?

Sometimes.

You can't work too late...

I won't.

- Well, I hope you like it.

- I'm sure I will.

How come you came here?

The real-estate man sent me.

No, I meant to Salem's Lot.

Strangers don't usually come here

this time of year. Not yet.

I'm not a stranger.

That's no way to leave a book.

A book by Benjamin.

You might rip the binding.

It is you, isn't it?

It is you.

People ought to respect a book.

Even if it isn't especially well-written.

It's well-written.

Do you mind if I sit down?

No, not at all.

Why did you call it Air Dancer?

Did you read the book?

No, not all of it.

In fact, I was just getting into it.

In fact...

You got bored.

No, not in fact.

I wanted to finish this first.

I'm going to read it.

You don't have to.

What's your name?

Susan.

Norton.

I teach art at Holly Elementary.

My father's a doctor in town.

You know, the reason that I...

...actually took your book out of the library

is because I read your other one.

Title?

I don't remember.

Do you want to have some dinner?

You got a boyfriend.

Well, not exactly.

It says here you're married, no children.

Still married? Still no children?

She died. I've got no children.

Got some memories.

Some good and some not so good.

You didn't answer my question.

Which one?

Dinner.

I'd love to.

Good evening.

Good night.

See you tomorrow. And tomorrow night.

You're sure?

You're absolutely sure?

He's got to make a delivery and a pickup.

Besides, he always calls.

You know that.

Good night, honey.

What are you doing out here, Weasel?

Sitting.

Spying more like, huh?

Oh, no, Parkins.

Cully set you to it?

No.

Better not.

That writer who moved into Eva's...

Right down the hall.

I heard.

Can you keep an eye on him?

What's he done?

Keep your eye on him

and your mouth shut.

Got that?

What's he done?

Murdered 18 people.

Eighteen people!

Every one of them an old man

who kept asking:

"What's he done?"

Keep an eye on him for me.

Hi, honey.

What are you watching?

Nothing.

You want to stay home tonight?

Sure, why not?

Well, don't get drunk.

I want some fun in tonight.

You know what happens

when you drink too much.

I'm gonna get something out of the freezer.

Twenty minutes?

Bring me a beer.

Thank you.

So, you're staying at Eva Miller's.

I'll tell you, she was quite a dish.

We kids used to watch her

sashaying down the street.

Well, we did.

Men.

Men.

- Would you like some coffee, Mr. Mears?

- Yes, please.

- How do you take it?

- Black.

Dad?

You know what I think.

You still drink coffee.

Mornings only, and I don't recommend it.

Yeah, Eva married this fellow called

Weasel Phillips.

He came up to about here on her.

Thin as a heron's leg.

Never made a decent living.

Nobody could figure out why.

They got divorced,

but he's still living over there.

Life in a small town.

What's his book about?

Well, his latest one is about...

...two men.

Not one of those!

- What are you doing in here?

- Nothing.

What's that?

It's just a piece of paper.

There's nothing on it.

He got a lot of scribbling here, too.

Something...

...about a boy...

A boy and a house.

"The house was a monument to evil...

"...sitting there all these years...

"...holding the essence of evil

in its smoldering bones."

Monument? Who's monument?

The Marsten house?

I don't know. He stopped

in the middle of the sentence.

"Sitting there all these years...

"...holding the essence of evil."

Writes real good.

Thank you for the dinner.

Good to meet you, Mr. Mears.

I'll get you a copy of that book.

Sorry about the peas. She's done better.

'Bye, Dad.

They liked you.

Well, your father maybe.

My mother doesn't like anyone

except Ned Tebbets.

Who's he?

Someone I've been seeing.

Have been or had been?

A little of both.

What is he really doing in Salem's Lot?

Writing a book, he says.

Did he say about what?

No, he didn't say, and I didn't ask him.

Tell me about Ned Tibet.

Tebbets.

After college?

New York.

I worked in an ad agency.

I was a junior.

I did layouts mostly and things like that.

You liked it?

I loved it.

But then...

...something happened.

The agency lost a big account...

...and had to cut back and there I was

on the street looking for a job.

It's a cruel city.

Anyway...

You had to come home.

Retreat.

Sanctuary.

I was all beat up.

Glad to have a little loving care.

How long since...

...your wife died?

Two years.

Are you writing about that?

No.

I'm writing about a house.

A house?

The Marsten house.

The Marsten house?

I see.

No, I don't see.

Where are we going?

Well, there is...

...the Del.

The movies in Bangor.

And then there is the lake.

And where do you want to go?

Let's go to the lake.

Are you uncomfortable with me?

Why, should I be?

No, I just have...

...a habit of asking questions.

Well, I have a habit of evading them.

Perfect match.

I like you, Ben.

Modern, aggressive female,

partially liberated, states her feelings.

Well.

Does that make you uncomfortable?

No, it makes me feel good.

How long will you be staying?

We'll see how the book comes.

Are you a slow writer?

I'm medium.

I hope it's a long book.

Crockett Realty.

Yes, sir.

Yes.

Yes, sir. Right away.

I will be right back.

Okay, honey.

Please don't say that.

Someday you will forget.

All right, honey.

I forgot.

Getting warmer!

It's good of you to come over,

Mr. Crockett.

I need your help again.

Always glad to be of assistance.

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