What would be your Needful Thing?

[Natjen26]

I'm currently reading Needful Things and as the title explains, what would be yours?
How could Leland Gaunt get you to participate in his trickery?

For me, it wouldn't be so much a thing, as an event. If he could sell me something that made me relive a family occasion that was the the last time my grandfather was enjoying himself before he got sick and eventually died.

I wonder what you'll come up with.
Greetz

[Jax]

2yrs ago I found out that the man that raised me was not my biological father. Love those family secrets.:smile2: Anyway, the man that is bio. dad died in 1991. I have only one picture of him. Plus I was raised an only child, and found out that I may have as many as 4 siblings. Never laid an eye on any of them. I would love to be able to find them and get to know them.

So, I think good ol' Leland would probably use that for me. Maybe he'd sell me a family pic., or an heirloom that would make me feel like I was with them.

Good question. Certainly gets you thinking about how far you would go for your hearts desire.:smile2:

[bopropadop]

Knowing how the novel turns out, I hope I wouldn't buy anything. :smile2:

That said, I'd love to have more of my family around...

[Seneca_V]

I have to agree with Bop. I would hope I could be like Pangborn and already have everything I need. Now if the book had been called Wantful Things that might be bad for me! ;)

[Kim L.]

Knowing how the novel turns out, I hope I wouldn't buy anything. :smile2:

That said, I'd love to have more of my family around...

AWBS (And What Bop Said)

[aussiewonder]

I am repeating above posts pretty much, but I have many, many, wants, but not really any needs~~~~~~~~unless its a big ol barrel full of money!

[arcticsilence]

It’s been so long since I’ve read that book, at 14 I had dreams and hopes, I definately couldn’t relate to the characters needs and wants, that would take them over, that they would - if I recall correctly (its been 16 years) in essense sell their souls for. I didn’t understand that because I was full of hopes and dreams, of the belief that the world would give me what I wanted. And no deal-with the devil would have tempted me otherwise because I believed it would happen. Now however there are SO many things that I might be tempted by, sadly.

My mom, oh what I would give for more time with her. It’s been over almost 12 years since she passed, and yet, oft times I still dream of her alive, still dream of her WITH me. Dream of us, a family of four, back when things were good back when the world felt right. Felt whole, and it never has since then. It’s been a long time since the tears stopped a long time since i was mired fully in grief. I’ve even started to do things like branch out, have a ‘life’ as it were again afew years abo. Started to work out and take care of me and live again. But deep down, I will always miss her, and the temptation to have that rock, that guiding influence in my life, to have the one person that seemed to inspire me to try to be more than I was around... would be hard to resist. Especially if I had no clue what the consequences would be.

That or love, romantically . I would definately be tempted by the idea of being loved, that someone could love me, because I try not to admit that I want that. You know, I’m the strong one. I put up walls, I never admit it. But the illusion of being loved is VERY powerful and breaks down those walls.

Or talent... Yes I crave talent which I use to believe that I had. I thought that I could sing, and music was my thing. Back then when I was naive, when I had my mothers voice in my head instead of truth. I don’t long for the fame that comes along with successful talent. But talent enough to do something you love or enjoy for work. Yeah that could get me too. I guess some some form of fulfillment with my life is what I’m really looking for.

THis is definately one of those “Gets you talking” questions ;)

[Spideyman]

Sharing my thoughts and feelings with Boop.

[Checkman]

Well I wish I could say I have everything I need or want. However I'm Human and flawed. Though I'm not absolutely certain what my needful thing would be (or is) I have no doubt that Gaunt would figure it out and tempt me with it.

The big thing is would I have the strength of character to say "No thanks."

That's the big thing in my humble opinion.

[Agincourt Concierge]

This one is too loaded a question for me....:biggrin2:

[Presque Vu]

Hmm... As Natjen24 said, would be more an event, than a thing... to meet my grandfathers, both of them died before I could speak with them...

[Srbo]

Knowing how the novel turns out, I hope I wouldn't buy anything. :smile2:

That said, I'd love to have more of my family around...

Amen, brother.

[Natjen26]

When you keep thinking about this question, you'll apt to find more needs than you thought.
Approval, just general approval, (always coloured a bit outside the lines) would be nice. Not the polite approval with the sigh that I'll never change, but real gut approval that they want me the way I am and wouldn't change a thing if they could.

Oh, Leland I do most certainly hope you don't come to my town, 'cause you'll be trouble for me. :smile2:

[Laura6]

The chance to back wards in my life and make better choices...I have a lifetime of bad decisions..that never seemed so bad until I hit 40.

[nunu_chis]

At this time of my life I would say "No, thanks" to everything, because I`m young and I would want to try and make my dreams come true by my own and with no unwanted consequenses. If I was older and I was only wishing to go back to my past, I would say "no" either, because I hope that everything I do and will do in my life will be enough for me and I will be confortable with my age and lifestyle in every "stage" of my life, enough happy and confortable to not be tempted by anything he could offer, despite of how much I could wish it.

[Seijiro]

Well...I suppose I already have what I would have considered my Needful Thing (although I wonder if I could have resisted the offer to buy it?)

Now, I'm not really sure what is would be. Maybe a copy of the Bible written in its original languages? So I could study and translate for myself? It really is an interesting question, asking what I would do anything for...

[Checkman]

The chance to back wards in my life and make better choices...I have a lifetime of bad decisions..that never seemed so bad until I hit 40.

so very true. you know the old saying about youth being wasted on the young? didn't agree with that until i got on the other side of 40. :biggrin2:

[Born In Sin]

The chance to back wards in my life and make better choices...I have a lifetime of bad decisions..that never seemed so bad until I hit 40.

I feel the same way :sleepy: I don't like to think of my choices as regrets but I must admit I regret a few choices I have made and my mother got the ever so needed "You were right" talk.

[RandomMan]

The chance to back wards in my life and make better choices...I have a lifetime of bad decisions..that never seemed so bad until I hit 40.

spot on....i think we all would like a redo to make things a little better...re-think some decisions and behaviors. but then...i've seen the "butterfly effect" and that did it for me. It scares me to think that a redo could cost me my wife and kids...so no thank you. Can't change the past...only the future.

[HeartofGlass]

This one is too loaded a question for me....:biggrin2:

Me too. I'm going to have to ponder for a minute.

[Agincourt Concierge]

Well....the things I really need are not for this forum...so we'll just leave it at that....:biggrin:

[HeartofGlass]

Since I'm struggling so much with my spirituality, I think I'd like a crystal ball that shows heaven in motion, kind of like a webcam feed. If there are many dimensions of the afterlife, I'd like to be able to change the channel so that I can check those out too.

[LadyPain]

He couldn't tempt me. Even with the prospect of health and no pain. Doing harm to another is too high a price for me. Bad karma.

[BlackThorn]

Yeah LadyPain... but he'd be offering you something that would combat that. It would seem like a weapon at first, something you could really use.

Hell, he sold a wonderful christian woman who always went to church, a piece of the ark, and after she got it, she took it home, and touched it... and it became a kind of masturbation to her.

And you didn't have to pay, till after you played. He'd often call in the 'favors' after the fact...

Whatever the devil could sell me, would turn into a double edged sword for him. I can almost promise, he'd pretend he wasn't there, when I tried to walk in the door to his shop. Heck, I know how to use a windshield scraper as a sick and powerful defensive weapon. You go and throw a rock through my house, not only will I rip you apart for the damage, but I'll probably enjoy the breeze at the same time, and next take the opportunity to do that remodeling I was about to do anyways. =0)

[abacus]

Beautiful custom tailored suits.

[tempest]

I hope I wouldn't be tempted, and material things would not work. The closest to a possible 'needful thing' would be Former President George Bush signing of the 'Adults with Disability Act Amendment Act and the Mental Health Parity Act --which he did.

Justice goes a long with me. Only favor I would be willing to do is stand down or give a warning which any devil would not need. Like they say doing nothing is doing something to.
:wink2:

[SusanNorton]

I'm not going to dig too deep on this one. :)

For fun, I'd say: Give me just 30 minutes, or maybe an hour or two, alone, with Leonard Whiting, circa 1968.

Hmmm, I would have been 3 years old then, that won't work.

Bring him as he was in 1968, to 1983, when I would have been 17. Yeah, that's what I want. :biggrin2:

[pixiedark]

Knowing what happens in the book, I would hope I could tell Leland Galant to go take a hike. Actually knowing that everything that Leland gave was junk anyway kind of puts me off a little bit. I also hope that I would be smart enough to not trust a creepy man like Leland Galant!

[LadyPain]

Yeah LadyPain... but he'd be offering you something that would combat that. It would seem like a weapon at first, something you could really use.

Hell, he sold a wonderful christian woman who always went to church, a piece of the ark, and after she got it, she took it home, and touched it... and it became a kind of masturbation to her.

And you didn't have to pay, till after you played. He'd often call in the 'favors' after the fact...

Whatever the devil could sell me, would turn into a double edged sword for him. I can almost promise, he'd pretend he wasn't there, when I tried to walk in the door to his shop. Heck, I know how to use a windshield scraper as a sick and powerful defensive weapon. You go and throw a rock through my house, not only will I rip you apart for the damage, but I'll probably enjoy the breeze at the same time, and next take the opportunity to do that remodeling I was about to do anyways. =0)

It wouldn't happen BlackThorn. I don't trust most folks enough to accept freebies, let alone anything with strings attached. My upbringing was sick enough to teach me to watch out for the strings.

About that windshield scraper? I am comfortable enough as long as I carry a pen. I know what to do with one of those.

[HeartofGlass]

Beautiful custom tailored suits.

Love this one!
But, he'd have to throw in some Italian leather strappy stems before I called it a deal.

[KLBurnham]

Definently to get my novel published. :biggrin2:

[catnoel]

The typwriter to delete delete delete my cheating boyfriend!!!!!!!!!!

[Tyler13]

An 'undo' key. You know how in Microsoft programs if you want to undo your last action, you just hit "Ctrl+z". Well I've said stupid things before where I instantly realized it and then in my mind was reaching for the "Ctrl+z". Would be handy to have.

[fenwaygal]

That is a great question!

I loved the two "friends" that fought over Elvis...

Like a lot of others I would want the chance to connect with friends and family that have passed

[tillyn]

I guess i lucky, i don't need much or want much. I grew up poor and when i get anything or nothing at all i'm okay with it. I would say i need my family around me. My husband and i have been together for 28 years and i do need him (kids too.) I can't imagine not having him around. Material things are just icing on the cake.

[marew1]

:smile2: A big winning lottery ticket!

[Metal]

I would want the last episode of LOST! I cannot wait for answers i want them now! :smile2:

[demorgan]

A decent job. After I finish this august after 13 years(give or take...total time in school counting the fudge off years) trying to get a damn phD in physics.

[demorgan]

ORRRRRRRRRRRRR

THE CUBS TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES

opps heard some thunder outside. must have asked for 2 much with this one.

[Samantha_]

I know the thread is in fun ... but honestly, I've always thought the point of "Needful Things" was not to have a needful thing. And too, to be careful of manipulative forces taking something you value (too highly or not) and using what you love against you.

[Tery]

Here, I'll show you...

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/laserspray/Genesis%20LA/tony15.jpg?t=1236659769

See that DX-7...? :biggrin2:

[lil lisey 1127]

i love that everyone is saying they don't need anything and please dont take this the wrong way but i took needful things as its human nature to WANT something, some material thing so bad that if you can be convinced you could get it for a small favor. Also this favor really does seem to be innocent to the person.... its kind of back to a little kid mentality you think you need it when you see it but you actually just want it. human nature at its best thats why this is one of my favs.

that being said my needful thing would be the origional manuscript of Gone With The Wind, signed by the author herself..... it was my great grandma's favorite book and im sad to say i never got around to reading it when she was alive........ could you convince me to pull a prank on my neighbor for it... probablly... im 21 and i hate to say it but i would

[senca the lemon]

I guess certainty in life would be something needfull,something material is not what I need I guess

[LongWalker]

A first edition, leatherbound, autographed copy of The Dark Tower:The Gunslinger! WOW!!!

[psj77]

The gift edition of Insomnia

[arista]

Mine own "Oy"..just kidding..I think that I would have to take a pass considering "price" that was paid for the needful thing.

[danie]

i love that everyone is saying they don't need anything and please dont take this the wrong way but i took needful things as its human nature to WANT something, some material thing so bad that if you can be convinced you could get it for a small favor. Also this favor really does seem to be innocent to the person.... its kind of back to a little kid mentality you think you need it when you see it but you actually just want it. human nature at its best thats why this is one of my favs.

that being said my needful thing would be the origional manuscript of Gone With The Wind, signed by the author herself..... it was my great grandma's favorite book and im sad to say i never got around to reading it when she was alive........ could you convince me to pull a prank on my neighbor for it... probablly... im 21 and i hate to say it but i would

Lil Lisey,
I LOVE Gone with the Wind also. I read it when I was 17, again when I was 27, and again when I was 37!! I'm 45 now, so I guess I'll read it again in two years. I just wish Margaret Mitchell could have written more novels like this one...:sad:

[youngfibre]

He would certainly get me with thoughts of Arsenal (football i support) winning the champions league. and in 5 secs flat. But what would i have to do and what would it cost others not forgetting that i wouldnt even get mine.

I have have to be strong.... strong.

[MadamMack]

Leland's soul.

[tigerlilly2k]

I'm currently reading Needful Things and as the title explains, what would be yours?
How could Leland Gaunt get you to participate in his trickery?

For me, it wouldn't be so much a thing, as an event. If he could sell me something that made me relive a family occasion that was the the last time my grandfather was enjoying himself before he got sick and eventually died.

I wonder what you'll come up with.
Greetz



Good question. I have really poor vision due to a macular problem that glasses cant correct. Id be a sucker for a promise I could get my vision back. Or, the return of dogs, cats and friends and family who died too young.
Of course, I wouldnt mind being young, thin, gorgeous and rich, either....

[pandora]

My Steve Austin, SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN figure where you could look through his right eye from the back of his head and have his awesome vision. I would constantly run around the neighborhood making that sound as I ran. CHAH CHAH CHAH, CHAH CHAH CHAH.

[demorgan]

coca cola

[Roseasharn]

What would you sell your soul for is an interesting question.
For me it would be something that makes me feel free for awhile. I love my family and I'm happy with them, but sometimes I'm overwhelmled and I feel trapped. Having that free feeling would be so nice.

[blunthead]

Maybe a Yamaha Virago, circa '87 or younger, anything bigger than the 535, which was too small for me.

[marew1]

Money to help others.

[Prince of Darkness]

Hi,

The Bends o' the Rainbow. All of them, preferably, or just Black Thirteen if I could only get one.

Minus the negative effects, though. :biggrin2:

Long days and pleasant nights

[finalfantasyVII]

:sad:Finding my first wife again would be my needful thing:biggrin2:

[cuthbertallgood_m249]

i wouldnt think id know until mr gaunt put
it right in front of my face
i cant think of anything that i would REALLY want
bad enough to **** somebody **** up
but if mr gaunt could find it,id prolly do it

[Susanne]

there was a book I got from my great grandmother. If he would be able to get it back for me then...:devil:

[Mr. Rainey]

Power. Pure and simple. For that same thing, I could all too easily see myself organizing Flagg's armies in Vegas...

[thymeoperator]

what a great question - i grew up in a house of domestic violence, so i'd have to say my needful thing would be to erase memories, and magically make everyone get along in the future.

[Mr. Jingles]

He couldn't tempt me. Even with the prospect of health and no pain. Doing harm to another is too high a price for me. Bad karma.

I agree!