Pointless Observation

**Nero** · September 3rd, 2009

This isn't some epic analysis of the Stand, but I just wanted to comment on a little detail that's hung with me ever since reading it for the first, second, third, times lol.

When we are first introduced to Norm Bruett, he finds a note from his wife Lila.

The note explained that she was out babysitting (spelling intentional, words may be a little off) "for a dolar... be back for luntch... there's sassage ready if you like... I love you honey"

For some reason that little detail SK put in with the mispellings like broke my heart for this lady. And the thought that times were so hard that she was babysitting for one dollar, but still had the love and consideration for Norm (even though he seemed kind of like a douche) to leave a note which reveals all the little details she paid attention to (even though she's clearly not the most educated person in the world) and doesn't sign it with "luv", "love ya", etc, but actually takes the time to write out "I love you honey"...

That left me really melancholy for some reason and stuck with me ever since I read it. I was actually sad not to see more of Lila Bruett. It was a fantastic little touch by SK, and he is all the more genius for those little touches.

**mstay** · September 3rd, 2009

Thanks Nero. I agree that it's often the little (but so real) details SK puts in his stories that make them so fantastic. Characters are everything, even the small ones.

**aeroplane** · September 7th, 2009

That is an interesting observation to make. I have a tendency to get attached to the earliest characters introduced in many books. So even though we don't spend very much time with them, I've always had a great fascination with Stu's friends from Arnette.

Lila's note is a great example.

We actually learn a lot about Norm himself in the short time he is in the book. He wants better for his children than the other kids in Arnette. And he used to make pretty good money, with the reference to the overtime he used to work.

As we all know, Stu has a few friends who are out of work as the book begins. Just my opinion, but some of his cronies from the gas station may have eventually found a solid niche in the Free Zone. Vic Palfrey, for example.

Your observation is a good one.

Though for me, it is pretty hard to top Hap's line about printing obscene amounts of thousand dollar bills so we can "hump them right the Christ into circulation."