The Phone Number to the Derry Hotel

[Ralph]

Years ago when I was reading It I realized that instead of a stupid 555 number there was an actual phone number printed in the book when Beverly calls the Derry Hotel when she decides to head back to Derry.

I called the number and it rang but no one answered. Does anyone have a copy of the book where they can post the number?


Does anyone know the story behind this detail?


Also does anyone know if King homaged John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" in this book with the scene at the baseball field where someone is struck by the baseball? Just curious, especially since King has a son named Owen.

[sam peebles]

I dunno about the Derry phone number, but A Prayer for Owen Meany actually came out a few years after It, so maybe Irving was giving an homage to King.

[Moderator]

If you do find it, please don't call it. Steve had a bad habit of using real numbers until it backfired a couple of times including using the real number for the Maine State Police barracks in Orono. They were not pleased. He now uses incomplete numbers or the 555 exchange.

[sknut70]

OMG.. that is too funny imagine the phone call from the staties to the King residence on that one.

[Haunted]

I thought the 555 exchange was used mostly in the media etc., because it is not used by the phone companies.

[Moderator]

I thought the 555 exchange was used mostly in the media etc., because it is not used by the phone companies.

Yes, exactly. That's why he now uses it instead of a number with a real area code, exchange, etc. With the 555, it will not reach a real person.

[staropeace]

OMG I know they didnt feel like hanging him....especially the poor cops....

[Ralph]

So does anyone have a copy of IT to copy out the phone number?

I didn't think Owen Meany came out after IT? That's news and makes it all the more interesting. I'll have to check that out.

[tillyn]

If you do find it, please don't call it. Steve had a bad habit of using real numbers until it backfired a couple of times including using the real number for the Maine State Police barracks in Orono. They were not pleased. He now uses incomplete numbers or the 555 exchange.

To funny, i guess not for the cops!!

[Moderator]

A Prayer for Owen Meany was first published in 1989, 3 years after the publication of IT and 13 years after the birth of Owen King.