Don't Fuck With, Part 5 : The Overlook Hotel in THE SHINING (1980)

NAME : The Overlook Hotel.

ORIGINS : Located 2 and half hours from Denver by Volkswagen. Construction for the hotel began in 1907, and was finished in 1909. Apparently the site was used as an Indian burial ground. This choice of location was not a popular decision. Since then a number of strange and awful events have occurred at the hotel (not that I want to appear melodramatic).

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS : The hotel contains many rooms including the manager Mr Ullman's office, a large reception, a massive room called the Colorado Lounge, a bar and dining room known as the Gold Room, a kitchen with a walk in fridge (lots of meat and ice cream) and storage cupboard, a boiler room, a games room (much liked by children), a red men's room, and a communications room with a radio. The outside includes a garage for the Snow Cat (in case of snowbound emergencies), and a huge maze (a model of which resides in the Colorado Lounge). The hotel also boasts at least 237 guest rooms as well as living quarters for the staff. Beware of exit signs (bad things happen around them), the gallons of blood that may occasionally burst through the lift doors, and stay clear of Room 237 (strictly private). Please do not be alarmed by the twin sisters who may suddenly appear and ask you to play with them (the daughters of an ex employee).

KNOWN EMPLOYEES AND GUESTS : Jack Torrance (caretaker), his wife Wendy Torrance and son Danny Torrance. Others include Stuart Ullman (General Manager), Suzie (his secretary), Bill Watson (his assistant) and Dick Halloran (the cook). Past employees include Delbert Grady (who performed his duties as caretaker in the winter of 1970), and his wife and two daughters. And Lloyd who tends the bar.

OFTEN DESCRIBED AS : " Just like a ghost ship huh? "

MODUS OPERANDI : To drive everyone insane through a series of hallucinations either from an intense form of claustrophobia (what the old timers called cabin fever), or actual supernatural manifestations. To then possess the souls of people through the murderous desperation caused by such experiences.

LIKES : The feelings evoked by the tremendous sense of isolation brought on from five months stuck in a hotel in the middle of nowhere. People who believe it's exactly what they're looking for. Caretakers who 'correct' their wives and children with axes. Room 237. Rolling balls along deserted corridors toward 6 year old boys playing with toy trucks. Strange naked corpse's attempting to strangle small boys in Room 237. Those who would exchange their soul for a glass of beer. Odd bear pig creatures performing fellatio to a man in a dinner jacket. Scaring the shit out of everyone.

DISLIKES : Wives of caretakers. Little girls who try to set the hotel on fire with matches. Boys who attempt to bring in an "outside party into this situation". "Outside party's" also born with the gift of 'shining'. Confusing mazes.

ABLE TO COMPREHEND REASON? : All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy...

BEGGING? : REDRUM! REDRUM! REDRUM! REDRUM! REDRUM!

A NICE CUP OF TEA? : Hair of the dog that bit me Lloyd.

FUCK WITH OR DON'T FUCK WITH? : Maybe try Blackpool next year.