Just After Sunset
Stephen King might have seen too many Western films.
Fans of Westerns can distinguish the good cowboy from the bad cowboy by the color of the hat. And there's a basis behind it. The first pages of the Book of Genesis describe the separation of the light from darkness. Tartarus is devoid of light. (Those who doubt it must read Rick Riordan's "The Heroes of Olympus" series.) In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang can be literally interpreted as bright and dark. One can't exist without the other, which can be a frightening thought.
"Night Shift" is a collection of short stories by King, most of which first appeared in the pages of Cavalier and Ubris. The author grew up in Portland, a seaside metropolis up New England. He may have spent many evenings staring at the sea, waiting for the fog to appear. It would move to the seashore, slowly.
Many of the short stories are set after sunset. Imagine the period before the rise of the ancient civilizations. Humans live in caves, wary of the sounds of the nocturnal creatures. This hollow place is more than a shelter. This is how the modern man sees the dark, and all the bright lights (after dusk) didn't change this view. King's short stories let his readers think about the possible scenarios.
Here are some hair-raising tales to ponder:
Strawberry Spring, published in the Fall 1968 issue of Ubris. Strawberry spring happens during the final weeks of March, when northerners would think the cold days of winter are over. The thick fog tells otherwise. In this disturbing tale, a serial killer terrorizes New Sharon College during this time of the year. Readers will figure out the killer right away, which King would want it. The fog, the pressure to meet deadlines in school, and the lack of social life can have an effect on anyone. Readers may be pressed to wonder if there is something about this (atmospheric) phenomenon.
Graveyard Shift, published in the October 1970 issue of Cavalier. A beat-up textile mill needs a massive clean up. The basement reveals a colony of rats. Hall, one of the young employees, is startled to see how these rodents breed into different kinds. It's easy to conclude that this reflects man's abusive relationship with nature. If this is a wake-up call, then King must be a visionary. But scientists have been studying Mother Nature. They don't have all the answers. Yet. Curiosity overcomes fear, but there are some things that are better left undiscovered.
I Am the Doorway, published in the March 1971 issue of Cavalier. Some readers might suggest that "20 Million Miles to Earth" inspired King to write this short story. It may be, it may be not. But it's safe to assume that the premise comes from the idea that outer space is dark and cold. An astronaut was on a mission, instructed to find some blue men to study. He found some, who loathed the panorama of Florida's coastlines. It's a well-crafted science fiction story, but it's not hard to see the light-and-darkness duality. This can prompt some readers to wonder about the exploration of the Solar System. Is it a wise thing to do?
