Fair Extension...Could YOU do it?

[fjade]

After reading this story, I sat and thought, is there someone I could do that to? Is there possibly someone in my life that I hate enough to take all their happiness and make it mine?? And I was disturbed when I thought, yeah there is. So what I want to know is, is there someone in your life you could do that to?

[fushingfeef]

I don't think I have anyone like that in my life. I'm not really jealous of anyone either. So maybe that means I'm the guy everyone hates!

[Lucius Mandibular]

Not jealous of anyone, but there are people I hate- maybe two. They never harmed me except indirectly by hurting someone I loved- a lot. I don't know who one of them is as he got away with it as far as I know. I am not consumed so I would have had to think about it when asked if there were anyone I hate.

And yes, I would take the deal at their expense and call it Karma.

[Srbo]

No.

[Berber83]

When I first read this book I was thinking the same thing after I read Fair Extension. After reading about the horrible outcome, I don't think I could. But, at first I would probably say yes and and end up feeling bad afterwards as soon as that person's unhappiness unravelled. It is one of those things that the notion of getting rid of your own misfortune and giving it to someone else sounds pretty tempting. But the reality of it would be ugly. I think that Stephen King has a wonderful way of bringing to life things that people only dream of. (not acting out)

[Berber83]

I would agree. It is one of those things that you would think about but would never do. That is what makes Stephen King such a wonderful author. He brings to life things that a person would only dream about.

[~Ally~]

I could sit by and watch as suffering was inflicted on two very deserving people--and take pleasure in it--yet if that also included hurting those around them I would have to say no. Unfortunately.
If just these two people were affected though I would say "yes please."
(I must be twisted, as just thinking about that has made me smile.) :smile2:

[Srbo]

It`s " Morality " all over again...extended and much more horrible this time.

And again, NO on both counts.

[GNTLGNT]

I would cheerfully "do it" to a child molester...

[JohnDalglish]

No.

Hi,

Yeah.

No.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Srbo]

I would cheerfully "do it" to a child molester...

Do you happen to know one?
Cause the point of the story is to do it to someone you really know, not someone who is not close to you...

[~Ally~]

Do you happen to know one?
Cause the point of the story is to do it to someone you really know, not someone who is not close to you...

I bet working in a prison he has met a few, and probably knows them better than he would like to.

[Srbo]

But, see, there is this point too:

Many, many times I read about child-molesters and other monsters amongst us, and I live in fear that something like that could, God forbid, happen to my kid, or wife.
And I thought to myself a million times what horrible things I would do to someone who would hurt my family.
But, would I hurt the others in his life?
Why is his/her brother/sister/mother/daughter/son to be punished for something he/she did?
How did they deserve it?

Like in the other story, " A Good Marriage " the BTK killer " came up, and how the real life`s BTK killers wife Paula never knew anything about the monster that Dennis Rader was and is.
Why is she to suffer for something he did?

Do you punish the innocent ones for something somebody else has done, just to make him/her feel bad?
What about them? What evil have they done?

Dear Uncle Stevie, thanks you once again..it`s always food for thought with you, Sai.

[Srbo]

I bet working in a prison he has met a few, and probably knows them better than he would like to.

Oh, I don`t doubt that, of course he does.
But - are they friends?

I have met killers, seen them face to face, but I don`t know them...nor do I want to.

[Bryan James]

Yeah. I know a guy. Brought me down. A Low Man with a beaming voice and a perfectly fake smile. I got away, but that distasteful anchor is still tugging on me, dauging me down. I don't read the local paper much these days, but I always read the bottom of the front page, hoping to see his name in the Obit Notice. If I outlive him, I will attend his funeral and place a single red rose on his grave. In that scenario, I hope that I can contain my happy tears until I walk away from the few other folks in attendance.

I liked the "Fair Extension" story. It was a fair extension of the "Thinner" pie.

[~Ally~]

Oh, I don`t doubt that, of course he does.
But - are they friends?

I have met killers, seen them face to face, but I don`t know them...nor do I want to.

The question didn't specify it had to be a friend though, just someone in your life. They can be in your life because they have done something bad/hurtful to you or those you care about, not necessarily because you are friends. I most certainly would never dream of doing anything remotely bad to my friends, or I would not be friends with them in the first place. I am very picky about who I allow myself to be close to, so NO I would never consider doing anything harmful to a friend.

I also stated there's two people I would like to see suffering caused to--and for very good reason--but I would never entertain the idea if it meant hurting those around them, as that is unfair. Yet if I was assured they would be the ONLY ones hurt then I would sign on the dotted line without a flicker of hesitation. Then I'd pull up a chair, get some pop corn, and sit back to watch/enjoy the show.

[JohnDalglish]

I also stated there's two people I would like to see suffering caused to--and for very good reason--but I would never entertain the idea if it meant hurting those around them, as that is unfair. Yet if I was assured they would be the ONLY ones hurt then I would sign on the dotted line without a flicker of hesitation. Then I'd pull up a chair, get some pop corn, and sit back to watch/enjoy the show.

Hi,

Change the names an smudge the details and and write the story.

That's the best revenge IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Srbo]

The question didn't specify it had to be a friend though, just someone in your life.


" But it can`t be just anyone. The old anonymous sacrifice has been tried, and it doesn`t work. It has to be someone you hate. Is there someone you hate, Mr Streeter? "

.....

" If you mean in my personal life....."
" I suppose I hate Tom Goodhugh..."
" Who is he in your life ? "
Streeter sighed. " My best friend since grammar school...

***manical laughter****

" This is excellent, Mr Streeter" he said. " We can do buisness"

( SK - FDNS, " Fair extension )


Maybe then I didn`t understand this part...

[GNTLGNT]

Srbo, I understand what you're asking AND saying...yes, I DO know quite a few-both at work and in the community...I would-without remorse, hurt THEM as long and hard as I possibly could...and by "extension" family that had caused or enabled their behavior, but not the innocent...I don't fancy myself Judge, Jury or Executioner-but when it comes to those that hurt, maim and destroy little ones-I would pull the trigger, flip the switch, drop the trapdoor etc, without compunction and I make no apology for it...

[Srbo]

Srbo, I understand what you're asking AND saying...yes, I DO know quite a few-both at work and in the community...I would-without remorse, hurt THEM as long and hard as I possibly could...and by "extension" family that had caused or enabled their behavior, but not the innocent...I don't fancy myself Judge, Jury or Executioner-but when it comes to those that hurt, maim and destroy little ones-I would pull the trigger, flip the switch, drop the trapdoor etc, without compunction and I make no apology for it...

Point taken, thank you, my friend.

[~Ally~]

Maybe then I didn`t understand this part...

Or maybe you are choosing to misunderstand what I wrote. The fact they are in your life doesn't mean they have to be friends. After all, do you "hate" your friends? I know I don't. Streeter chose his best friend, but that was not part of Elvids specification, as you quoted he said "It has to be someone you hate." People can be involved in your personal life for many reasons, and friendship isn't the only one.

[Srbo]

Or maybe you are choosing to misunderstand what I wrote. The fact they are in your life doesn't mean they have to be friends. After all, do you "hate" your friends? I know I don't. Streeter chose his best friend, but that was not part of Elvids specification, as you quoted he said "It has to be someone you hate." People can be involved in your personal life for many reasons, and friendship isn't the only one.

No, God no.
May I please ask why you take everything so personal lately?
I`m just discussing the story here, trying to understand what Steve meant, and it`s a rather interesting discussion.
Not for one moment I thought about discrediting your thoughts and stands which are highly valued.
Please don`t make this personal, cause it isn`t.:smile2:

[~Ally~]

No, God no.
May I please ask why you take everything so personal lately?
I`m just discussing the story here, trying to understand what Steve meant, and it`s a rather interesting discussion.
Not for one moment I thought about discrediting your thoughts and stands which are highly valued.
Please don`t make this personal, cause it isn`t.:smile2:

When you quote me in your response then I take that personally...the same way if I quote someone I am responding to them personally. Like now.

[Moderator]

Time to let it drop, please, or take it to a private discussion.

[mojomofo]

No, I don't have anyone that I hate enough to do that too, and I don't think I could live with myself if I did. But then again, I ain't over yet.

[fjade]

I know it sounds awful, and I really had to think about it. I know it is theoretical, and who knows what would really happen if someone REALLY asked us, right? All I am saying, in that situation, there is someone that I could transfer all my pain and suffering to, and I WOULD sit back and call it karma, too. I am not saying it's right, but wasn't that the point of the whole book? It takes us to our darker side, that other side we don't like to face. Through reading these stories, I faced that I think I could do it. And I know who I would do it to. I don't blame this person for ALL the bad in my life, but they were a part of some of it, and yeah, I am woman enough to say I could do with some revenge.

I do, however, wish I were a nicer person, and could say, naaahhh

[RandomMan]

Hmmmmmm....let me get this straight....my pecker gets bigger....some dude that I hate, his pecker shrinks...hmmmmm...YEP! Hahaha....seriously, yes I would do it.

(and no, I'm not insecure about my size, I just want the guy I hate to be. That's how I roll!)

[random_wench]

I typically think of myself as a "good" person (whatever that means), but as I read this story, I thought "Why is this such a bad thing?". I'm a big believer in "bad" people getting theirs in the end, a la Karma or whatever you call it. Some people wait for God to dole out punishments. However, it's interesting to think of being able to see instand results. And you know, I could do this. In a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I know some people that I would gladly sit by & watch as their lives turned into a living nightmare. It wouldn't even bother me to see their friends & relatives hurt as well. Guess I'm not as good as I thought as was, and maybe someone wants to do this to me. Heh

[Tery]

I can't think of anyone deserving in my life. But I'd point out to the deal-maker that Dick Cheney has affected my personal life. I think I could make quite a good case of it, too. So... maybe.

[Pucker]

If the question is simply as stated -- could you make that decision? -- then I think Giant's point is fair. But in the context of the story, Streeter was not allowed to choose a specific monster upon whom to visit Elvid's particular gift. He tried it, only partially in jest, but it was deemed a cop out in the same way that I feel Giant's answer is kind of a cop out. Sure, we'd have no compunction about bringing the hammer down upon strangers we perceive as evil (or levi . . . I guess . . . if we want to encourage the cutesy name thing . . . which I hope we don't), and probably not feel the least remorse. But that's really a different question. The complete indifference to extended and arbitrary suffering that you, yourself, author for no valid reason simply cannot be equated with the reasoned execution of well-recognized monstrosity.

It's apples and oranges.

[JellybeanJay]

Yeah I could do it and I have the perfect person to do it to. Meet my friend Karma, she's a real bitch.

[Srbo]

Yeah I could do it and I have the perfect person to do it to. Meet my friend Karma, she's a real bitch.

You think Jason Lee from " My name is Earl " would agree on this one or what?
:laugh:

[bohemianroxie]

You know..I don't really think of myself as that good of a person..or at least not nearly as good as I had once hoped..
but..nah..I couldn't do it.
Any benefit would be robbed by what I had done to someone else. The thrill of my good fortune would be sucked right out of me.
But now..if i could chose some horrible psychopath to dabble with..then we could talk..but only then and not like in the story.
The story was kinda like revenge on someone just because they had everything that someone else coveted..
I could never enjoy myself at the expense of someone else just because they had what I wanted. Taking their smiles would steal mine too.

[RandomMan]

If the question is simply as stated -- could you make that decision? -- then I think Giant's point is fair. But in the context of the story, Streeter was not allowed to choose a specific monster upon whom to visit Elvid's particular gift. He tried it, only partially in jest, but it was deemed a cop out in the same way that I feel Giant's answer is kind of a cop out. Sure, we'd have no compunction about bringing the hammer down upon strangers we perceive as evil (or levi . . . I guess . . . if we want to encourage the cutesy name thing . . . which I hope we don't), and probably not feel the least remorse. But that's really a different question. The complete indifference to extended and arbitrary suffering that you, yourself, author for no valid reason simply cannot be equated with the reasoned execution of well-recognized monstrosity.

It's apples and oranges.

huh? :umm:

[JohnDalglish]

(or levi . . . I guess . . . if we want to encourage the cutesy name thing . . . which I hope we don't)

Hi,

No indeed, perish the thought, Dik.

Long days and pleasant nights

[JellybeanJay]

Srbo, I understand what you're asking AND saying...yes, I DO know quite a few-both at work and in the community...I would-without remorse, hurt THEM as long and hard as I possibly could...and by "extension" family that had caused or enabled their behavior, but not the innocent...I don't fancy myself Judge, Jury or Executioner-but when it comes to those that hurt, maim and destroy little ones-I would pull the trigger, flip the switch, drop the trapdoor etc, without compunction and I make no apology for it...

Well said GNT! I could not have said it better!

[JellybeanJay]

You think Jason Lee from " My name is Earl " would agree on this one or what?
:laugh:

:laugh:. Just saw this post. I love that show!

[Cowboy]

Nope.

[Becks19]

No, I couldn't pass on my misfortune to someone else.

[staropeace]

I would gladly pass on cancer. Maybe to that dad who killed his two little boys here in Edmonton a few days before christmas.

[doowopgirl]

I would have to go with the general concensus. My sister has done some really scurvy things to me, but her kids haven't. So I guess, no.

[Wanderer From Ys]

I could never intentionally hurt someone with no remorse like streeter did. That's the one thing that bothered me, that he didn't care. However if I would dying of Cancer, I probably would do it, but I would carry the guilt around.

[Maoster]

I took the theme of this story as being how Streeter himself became far more evil than the original acts carried out by Tom that he saw as deserving retribution. That is, the punishment meted out to Tom's family was completely disproportionate to the fairly petty jealousy that caused Streeter to choose Tom as the victim. As Streeter took more and more pleasure from the suffering his "spell" caused I found myself disliking him more and more - probably one of SK's more odious characters IMO. So by causing suffering in others to avoid suffering himself, he became evil himself - just as bad as Elvid. On that basis I could never do what he did, I would choose to die of cancer.

Mark

[staropeace]

Have you ever had cancer and chemo????????

[Massimo Betelli]

No, there isn't a persone I hate in this way.
Not today, but in case... I could.
(I liked this story too much)

[if-so-Grrl]

Yeah, there is someone I could do that to. And as I know all of the people intimately involved, and none of them is innocent (no kids, I could not do that), so I would not even feel bad about it. The person I'd choose has done so much lasting harm, not only to me personally but to virtually everyone whom his life has touched, that I would not hesitate.

[Anna Rose]

i could have... and i also have the perfect person :glare:

[flwrchld]

There is someone in my life who I would swear has actually done that to me. The effects on me seemed to have lasted about 10 years but fortunately it all backfired and that person has been an ill-tempered, foul person ever since (and I don't think will ever fully recover). Karma is a b---h!

[LindainLondon]

I could sit by and watch as suffering was inflicted on two very deserving people--and take pleasure in it--yet if that also included hurting those around them I would have to say no. Unfortunately.
If just these two people were affected though I would say "yes please."
(I must be twisted, as just thinking about that has made me smile.) :smile2:

I'm surprised to discover that I didn't consider if I would do that until I read this thread, but Ally, I'm with you on being all right about it if it was just the culprits I have problems with, but their loved ones? Nope.

[CaseyM]

I also thought about this when I finished. But not seriously. I just skimmed my mind to see if there were anyone and didn't come up with anyone. However, if I were put in that situation I may be able to come up with someone. The will to survive, at any cost, is great. I think I would probably do it too if it were me, just would have to find the person to inflict the bad luck with.

What I wonder though, is what happens when the extension is over...as Maoster said, Tom's situation was much worse than what happened to Streeter, and maybe what goes around comes around.

[Percys Wet Trousers]

If i had cancer probably, especially if the person i was giving the hard luck to had only just annoyed me recently. There has been times when you have wanted to really hurt someone but that feeling doesn't last long, give it a few months and you can forgive them and no longer wish to hurt them so pff who knows?

[king family fan]

Iam thinking a couple of people I could do it two,if given the oppertunity. Something you can forgive but never forget and something you never forget or forgive,

[tower-obsession]

There is one person in this world whom I hate that much. I would do it to that person in a heartbeat, if he hadn't already done worse things to himself than he did to me.

[randallFlaggfan1]

I could never do what Stretter did. I think that in order to do that, one would have to be vindictive, bitter, angry with the world, and very resentful. And I'm none of those things.

[Perdissa]

Hi I just popped in to add my bit.

I think people posting here have the hindsight of knowing exactly what happens to the person you hate. If, like Streeter, you are given a lifeline under desperate circumstances (however unlikely), and you had no idea what is going to happen to this person... Would you do it?

I wouldn't be so quick to say no. I'm probably scaring myself a bit, but my answer is probably.. "I don't know".

One of the themes of this collection is that you can never know another person completely. I think this includes yourself.

How sure are you that you won't do this?

On a side note, I managed to feel happy for Streeter, despite what happened to his old pal. This is probably not a good sign.

[CoolhandLocke]

I would do it hands down if like another poster said it wouldn't hurt other people in that persons life. If I could have it that way I would definitely take that deal and give a few people what they've had coming for a loooong while...

[diem_seven]

No, I couldn't, even if it only meant the minor repercussion of a slimmer wallet to see misfortune slide into the life of a person who irks me something awful.

This story made me recall an Amazing Stories episode where a person was given a box with a button on it, and if they pressed the button they would become very rich and someone who they didn't know would die. Well, of course they pressed the button, and someone they didn't know croaked. When the keeper of the button box came to collect the artifact, he told the button-presser that they were rich and that someone they didn't know would now be given the button box.

In Fair Extension, I kept waiting for the scales to balance out. Somehow the guy who did the deal would get his just desserts, or maybe his friend would strike a pact with Elvid. No dice. Nearing the end of the story, I had that smug feeling I get when I am pretty dang sure I know where an author is headed. And then it ended with the guy lying to his wife and wishing for more. To me, the story shows the transformation of an everyday man into a slick-skinned proselyte of Hell. *shivers*

[Perdissa]

No, I couldn't, even if it only meant the minor repercussion of a slimmer wallet to see misfortune slide into the life of a person who irks me something awful.

This story made me recall an Amazing Stories episode where a person was given a box with a button on it, and if they pressed the button they would become very rich and someone who they didn't know would die. Well, of course they pressed the button, and someone they didn't know croaked. When the keeper of the button box came to collect the artifact, he told the button-presser that they were rich and that someone they didn't know would now be given the button box.

In Fair Extension, I kept waiting for the scales to balance out. Somehow the guy who did the deal would get his just desserts, or maybe his friend would strike a pact with Elvid. No dice. Nearing the end of the story, I had that smug feeling I get when I am pretty dang sure I know where an author is headed. And then it ended with the guy lying to his wife and wishing for more. To me, the story shows the transformation of an everyday man into a slick-skinned proselyte of Hell. *shivers*

Yeah, I had that feeling that the scales were going to balance out and Streeter would be finding himself with the short end of the stick at the end. It's because he didn't that this is the most memorable story in the collection (to me).

[ChickenStu]

After reading this story, I sat and thought, is there someone I could do that to? Is there possibly someone in my life that I hate enough to take all their happiness and make it mine?? And I was disturbed when I thought, yeah there is. So what I want to know is, is there someone in your life you could do that to?

Certainly not. I like to think of myself as a good, decent Christian man. There are people in the world I don't like, but I'd just be satisfied to have nothing to do with them again. I believe we play the cards we're dealt in life, and should never try to unfairly shuffle the deck.

This was an entertaining story - but I had absolutely no sympathy for the lead character.

[vickita]

What would making that choice do to Ka?

[cj114]

Nope, I couldn't do it. Not even to my evil ex Husband. lol

[Genuine Realist]

Everyone who has posted has missed the rather grim point of this excellent story.

Streeter doesn't 'do' anything to his friend/enemy. As the rather secular devil makes clear, all this heaviness is coming towards someone. The scales have to be kept in balance. If Streeter does NOT make the deal, the full quantum of misery - obviously not in exactly the same form, but equal in devastating effect - will descend on HIS family, HIS wife, and HIS children.

So what would you do? Let your loved ones suffer or shift it to someone else? Most of us would probably protect our own.

And that's the point.

[Rubi]

I thought about this long and hard. Yes, it does appear as if Streeter and his family will not be finding themselves at the short end of the stick.

I started to image a scenario of what Tom, and his family's life would have looked life if Streeter had never been a part of it.

Streeter very much helped make the life Tom, and the effects on his family member's lives, possible.

First. Streeter was the individual who was responsible for Tom's educational success (by doing the work necessary for Tom to graduate).

Second. Even though much sympathy is shown for Tom and his family, (and they deserve it) lets face it, he was supposed to be Streeter's best friend and he stole his girlfriend, a girlfriend Streeter had genuine feelings for, and probably was imagining a future life with. It appears that Tom rationalized this by the old, "It just happened. We fell in love."

Third. Streeter did intervene and push for Tom to get the necessary funding that eventually led to Tom's extremely successful business.

I don't remember reading how Tom ever reciprocated to Streeter for everything he had done for him.

Tom would brag to people about how his best friend Streeter was responsible for a large part of the happy life he was living, but did Tom ever try to reciprocate in any way? I could not find any reciprocity at all. It also appeared that Tom shoved that expensive beer in Streeter's face whenever the occasion called for it.

Maybe what is happening to Tom is his life is playing out now what it would have been like if there was never a Streeter in the first place. Or, it is possible that Tom's life would have played out in a very similar fashion, before he was cursed, if he: First, did not steal Streeter's girlfriend, thus being a real best friend and eventually finding another woman; second, if he reciprocated to Streeter in some fashion for making it possible for Tom to graduate and move forward; and third, if he somehow rewarded Sreeter for making it possible to obtain the necessary financing that allowed him to be so successful and wealthy.

I don't condone what happened to Tom and his family, but to be honest, I can understand why Streeter despised him. Tom appeared as very arrogant and very unappreciative of everything Streeter did for him. In my opinion, both of these men are bad. That said, could I do the same thing to someone who I feel wronged me as severely as Tom did? In all honesty, I would have to say yes. Maybe the life Streeter is living is the life he should have lived if Tom had been more of a so-called best friend way back when.

I kind of look at everything that transpired as Karmic payback that Tom is primarily responsible for. Unfortunately, Streeter lost his humanity, which will come back to bite him one day also.

[~Ally~]

Everyone who has posted has missed the rather grim point of this excellent story.

Streeter doesn't 'do' anything to his friend/enemy. As the rather secular devil makes clear, all this heaviness is coming towards someone. The scales have to be kept in balance. If Streeter does NOT make the deal, the full quantum of misery - obviously not in exactly the same form, but equal in devastating effect - will descend on HIS family, HIS wife, and HIS children.

So what would you do? Let your loved ones suffer or shift it to someone else? Most of us would probably protect our own.

And that's the point.

Guess that's one way of shirking responsibility for your own actions.

Streeter did cause what happened to his friend, he made the choice to place all that suffering on his friends family. The fact he seemed to take pleasure from his friends downfall made his decision even worse. Had he demonstrated regret once he realised the consequences of his "choice" then I could have empathised with him, but instead he enjoyed watching the pain and suffering caused, making him a despicable/loathsome character.

I didn't miss the point of this story at all--as I'm sure "everyone who has posted" didn't--so don't presume to know what others think. We are all capable of/entitled to form our own theories/conclusions from what we read.

[diem_seven]

Everyone who has posted has missed the rather grim point of this excellent story.

Streeter doesn't 'do' anything to his friend/enemy. As the rather secular devil makes clear, all this heaviness is coming towards someone. The scales have to be kept in balance. If Streeter does NOT make the deal, the full quantum of misery - obviously not in exactly the same form, but equal in devastating effect - will descend on HIS family, HIS wife, and HIS children.

So what would you do? Let your loved ones suffer or shift it to someone else? Most of us would probably protect our own.

And that's the point.

Streeter did plenty. He snuck into his friend's medicine and snuck a pill. He then delivered that pill to the Devil. In almost every evil spell I have ever read about in a story, the person who wants the spell cast has to produce some item that belongs to the victim: a pill, a comb, an article of clothing, a lock of hair, or a fingernail. Streeter gave the witch doctor the ingredients: hate and something to stir in that cauldron.

How can the assumption be made that Streeter's family would suffer what Tom's did? Only Streeter was dying, and out of his selfishness came more misery than would have followed his own death. He secretly relished it, too. By the end of the story, he had justified the economy of his prosperous life killing the happiness of another. And he wanted more.

[omm poppa mow mow]

We see it all the time, though, don't we? Maybe not to the extreme in the story, but isn't "The Me-Generation" a part of the lexicon? We are stardust, we are golden, and we got to get ourselves, back to the garden. I can't sing worth a darn. Good thing we don't have audio here. I dunno why this thought popped into my head, but I'll go with it--say like the parent who arranges w/the teachers, the school board, maybe even the coaches and the janitor, to place obstacles in the path of that student who isn't college bound, so as their kid's path to valedictorian is paved and free of pot holes.

Obstacles is a scary thought. Knew this guy who told me, "well, we can pray to place obstacles..." and here he began to trail off his words, maybe because my jaw dropped...and then he continued, "...in someone's path...hedges." I got the drift.

Remember that line, "Better him than me." Full-Metal Jacket, was it? If stories are metaphors for the way we think, act, do, then haven't we all, god bless us, everyone, made the same decision Streeter made, albeit, with a bit of coaxing from that happy Santa with the sharp teeth?

Tom never had a clue, did he? But then, too, how'd he get to be in the position where he becomes the object of Streeter's long-anticipated glee? Ha! Harry Crews has this story, The Knockout Artist, a metaphor I know (he told us) for the world, the sensation a person has at the misfortunes of another, usually the kind of glee one ought to be ashamed about--laughing at that guy who just took a dive into the cold icy water pooled up between the quads. This guy loses another fight, his trainer--someone who'd been like a father to him--comes into the locker-room and tells him he can't even knock himself out. So what happens? He cold-cocks himself, knocks himself out, and a star is born.

[aintshesweet]

I have to admit, yes, I would do it. However, it seemed to me that Stephen made the victim of the fair extension unlikeable (maybe to keep him (Stephen) or Dave Streeter from feeling totally guilty). I felt myself secretly cheering whenever something negative happened to the victim of this deal. In a number of Stephen King's interviews, he has said that he often writes about unpleasant things because he believes that way, they won't happen to him or his family. Also, in the epilogue of Full Dark, No Stars, I believe he said that he writes about terrible and unforgivable things that people think about and/or would possibly do, but they just won't admit to it. I totally believe this and it took me aback to read that he actually wrote it in the book to his Constant Readers.

[Evil Queen]

No, there is no one that I hate that much & I don't seek revenge on people. Those that have hurt me have paid their dues, but through no ill wishing or praying on my part.

[staropeace]

Gawd knows I wished it on folks often enough. I think this story was very funny. Uncle Steve left no stone unturned.....he really put a pox on all their houses. I bet he had a hilarious time writing this story

[Homer403]

This one kinda reminded me of Thinner......just sayin'

[ghost19]

Yep, if the law and circumstances allowed, I would walk up to the guy who terrorized me in school for several years and blow him away, no regrets, no remorse. He changed my whole mentality. Before high school, being overweight was embarassing enough, after that jerk off spotted me in the hallway? Three years later, after fighting, telling my principal, begging my idiotic parents to do something about it, my whole mentality switched over to cynical, agitated and overall just melacholy. This led to me abandoning my desire to be a biochemist and pretty much blew me out of the water for having any self-esteem at all. The only thing better fate I can think of for him would be to get the salesman from Fair Extension and Taduz Lemke to team up and come up with something truly diabolical I could do to him.

[AchtungBaby]

Oh yeah sure, there's one guy I could easily do it to. He's not in my personal life NOW, but he was.

[not_nadine]

Yep for me too. Just one person. I guess I will just have to wait for Karma.

[The Sitting Dude]

Yep.

[Gazou]

Right now I don't need an extension. I hope no one want's to take an extension on me...


I don't remember reading how Tom ever reciprocated to Streeter for everything he had done for him.

He really seemed gratefull for the good Streeter had done him in the past. If Streeter did not want to do Tom's homework he could just have told him to get lost. Because the story is told from the point of view of Streeter, it is highly biased against Tom. Tom may have done many good things for Streeter we are not told about. Even good things Streeter did were for evil reasons, like when he gave Tom the loan in the hope that he would fail.

Because the story starts off with Streeter having cancer, we feel sorry for him from the start, but as the story unfolds we realize he's realy an evil man. I don't think Elvid chooses its client at random.

But the tale is not finished. Streeter's extension was fueled by all the bad things that happened to Tom. Pretty soon Tom will run out of energy and Streeter will be right back where he started.

[Boni]

I have a question... a friend of mine pointed some similarities between Leland Gaunt and George Elvid. Anyone knows if they are the same being, or related at some level?

[Lina]

I have a question... a friend of mine pointed some similarities between Leland Gaunt and George Elvid. Anyone knows if they are the same being, or related at some level?

While reading I also was thinking that there was a lot in common between Mr. Elvid and Mr. Gaunt :smile2: But still, I thought it was just another appearance of the devil (even his name says it), I also think the phrase The souls of humans have become poor and transparent things proves that.

What about the main question that was put in this thread... Would I be able to do what Streeter did? I do not think so. First of all, I don't think I have ever hated anyone... Well, I may dislike a particular person, I may get irritated, annoyed, disgusted... But hatred - no, I doubt it. Though, the idea that sometimes most of all we hate the closest ones seems to be very interesting. Like thay say: Love And Hate Are Just One Step Apart.
Anyway, I was expecting that Streeter would get his remorse in the end, seeing what he's done to innocent people (come on, what Tom's family has to do with it, why his children had to suffer? It is just unfair).

Well, to make a conclusion, I really loved the story... Actually, so far, I like all the stories in FDNS. This story in particular gives us something to think about. Just great. I would like to thank Sai King for writing this book, it is trully one of the greatest books I have ever read.