The Shining (Kubrick Version)

PART 1: THE INTERVIEW

Jack Torrance parked his car in The Overlook Hotel's car park. The car park was full of cars and he wasn't surprised. What he had read in newspapers, magazines and tabloids, The Overlook Hotel was rather a beautiful hotel. Two children sat in the grassy area next to the car park, a boy and girl, presumedly siblings, playing with their toys. A family of five, parents, their two teenage girls and their son who was a pre teen, were getting luggage out of their car, just arriving at the hotel. In another section of the car park, an elderly couple, perhaps in their late 70s, early 80s, were unloading suitcases themselves. Jack walked up the path towards the steps. As he walked up the stairs, he felt a sense of nervousness wash through him. The hotel was big, very big. Could he possibly trust his family to keep sane for an entire winter, let alone himself. Then, just as he was about to reach the top step, he saw a large playground with kids playing on it and felt better. Danny was a simple kid, he would have a blast on the playground and to have it all to himself would occupy and excite him. He walked in and smelt the hotel. It smelt just like a hotel. The lobby was packed but calm. To his right, he could see a door with a label over the door. In gold letters, it read THE GOLD BALLROOM! A couple walked in through the door and turned to their right, where The Gold Ballroom presumedly was. Jack looked at the sign standing outside the door. It read simply: FINAL WEEK OF OPERATION FOR THE SEASON!!! GET DISCOUNT DRINKS AND FOOD!!! Jack dismissed this. He walked to the lobby desk, where a young, blonde woman stood. She looked up and smiled at Jack. 

"Can I help you?" she asked. 

"Yes," said Jack. "I've got an appointment with Mr Ullman. My name is Jack Torrance." The woman checked the book in front of her and looked up, smiled. 

"His office is the first door on the left," she said simply. 

"Thank you," smiled Jack. The woman smiled back and continued on with her work. Jack walked to his right down the lobby. A sign up on the left over a door read: GENERAL MANAGER. Jack was astonished by how busy the lobby was. He hadn't expected such a crowd. There was people sitting on the plush sofa chairs, reading books and talking to each other. A woman handed a man sitting down a brochure, whilst at a staircase to the right of the room, a rather young and pretty woman holding a stack of papers walked down them, looking at nothing in particular. Jack looked at her for a few seconds, thinking how pretty she was. Next to the general manager door was a bulletin board. Three people stood in front of it, looking at the advertisements on it. Jack walked into the general manager's office. It was a small room and two doors stood on each side. On the left hand side was a door which read: BILL WATSON: ON SEASON CARETAKER. To the right, the door was open and Jack saw a man sitting at his desk, filling out a form while a woman stood over him. Ah, thought Jack. This must be Mr Ullman. He knocked on the door. 

"Mr Ullman?" said Jack. "I'm Jack Torrance."

"Come on in, Jack," enthused Mr Ullman, standing up. He handed a clipboard to the woman and shook Jack's hand. "Very nice to meet you. This is my secretary Susie."

"Hello," smiled Susie. She held the clipboard to her chest. 

"Have any trouble finding the place?" asked Mr Ullman.

"No problem  at all," said Jack. "I made the trip in 3 and a half hours."

"Good timing," said Mr Ullman. "Sit down, won't you Jack, please make yourself at home. Would you like some coffee?"

"If you're going to have some, I wouldn't mind, thanks," smiled Jack.

"All good," said Mr Ullman. "Susie?"

"Sure thing," said Susie.

"And would you ask Bill Watson to join us?" asked Mr Ullman.

"Yes I will," spoke Susie and she walked off.