I Know What You Need

Is there more to Stephen King's short stories? If you think long and hard about it, then you'll figure out that there might be something about the first pages, which are mostly mundane issues. As the tale unravels, the suspense builds up. Slowly. Where does it come from? This is where King delivers the goods. It's hard to identify his works, as it overlap supernatural fiction, contemporary horror, and science fiction.

King is a native of Portland, Maine. It's the largest metropolis in that state. If you're looking for a cosmopolitan place, then you don't have to venture further. But Maine is rural, more or less. Fans of the author will be reminded about his works, which reflect his background. The city's motto is "I will rise again", alluding to its recovery from four devastating fires. It might be something else, if you let your mind imagine the possible scenarios.

Pan guaranteed

"Lawnmower Man", first published in May 1975, is ten pages long. But don't let it fool you.

Harold Parkette needed someone to mow his lawn. He hired Pastoral Greenery, only to be perplexed by the sights and sounds. The lawnmower man turned out be a hairy, pot-bellied fellow. The lawnmower was making roaring sounds, which irritated Harold. He was shocked to see a naked lawnmower man eating grass. He was worried, as the scene would displease his Democrat neighbors. (Harold was a Republican voter.) But what puzzled him was the name of Circe being mentioned a number of times. If he only remembered Greek mythology, but the summer heat was unbearable.

You might be thinking too hard if you wonder about America's situation during that time. The country experienced the worst economy since the Great Depression. America's involvement in Vietnam ended, with mixed feelings. (The sentiments were mostly negative.) President Gerald Ford granted a presidential pardon to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Then again, there might be a link to the story. Harold wanted a newly mowed grass and some rest, but he got more than he wished for. It would reflect America's constant complaining. If they only knew that this would displease Pan, who happened to be the Greek god of nature.

He Who Walks Behind the Rows

The "Children of the Corn" series was based from King's short story of the same name. The author wrote the original script of the first film (of the series), but the producers ditched it in favor of a conventional horror picture. It spawned eight sequels, which might justified the producers' decision (not to follow King's original screenplay). But read again.

Burt and Vicky were driving through the heart of America, hoping that a California vacation would save their marriage. But their union was put to a stern test. They ended up in an isolated community in Nebraska, surrounded by wide acres of corn and signs that they were within the Bible belt. Gatlin was a ghost town. Burt was terrified at what he discovered inside the church. Did a drought struck this place? Did it resulted to a violent happening? He had a feeling that the maizes were watching him and his wife.

A pagan society existed in a remote part of America, where the children slaughtered their elders. None of them would reach their 19th year. Did King had a basis for this premise? The only telltale was the Biblical quotes. If you read a lot of books, then you might be reminded of some works. What would seem impossible might be true at all. Many thought that this was King's best work. They were right. Corn, a staple food in America, has side effects.