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[Stone Barrington 03] • Dead in the Water
Chapter 60
by Stuart, Woods,The chapter opens with Stone meeting Leslie Hewitt outside the jail, both anxious for updates on Allison Manning’s impending execution. Hewitt reveals the prime minister’s office has gone silent, refusing to communicate despite their efforts. With the execution deadline set for sundown at 7:59 PM, tension mounts as they realize time is running out. Inside the jail, they join Hilary Kramer and Jim Forrester, who are equally tense, though Forrester admits his reluctance to face Allison, hinting at his emotional turmoil over the situation.
Stone and Hewitt visit Allison in her cell, where she appears calm despite the grim circumstances. She mentions being stripped of personal belongings and tries to distract herself by reading *David Copperfield*. The group sits in prolonged silence, interrupted only by a jailer who denies her request for water, signaling the execution’s imminent approach. Small talk about future plans feels hollow, and the arrival of Reverend John Wills underscores the gravity of the moment. The priest’s presence forces Stone and Hewitt to leave, granting Allison a private moment for spiritual solace.
Outside, Stone and the others wait anxiously as Hewitt attempts again to contact the prime minister, only to find the phone unanswered. Forrester’s distress grows, voicing disbelief that Allison could actually be hanged, while Kramer remains steadfast. The priest eventually emerges, noting Allison’s resigned demeanor, and invites Kramer and Forrester to see her briefly. Forrester, however, cannot bring himself to enter, leaving Kramer to deliver Allison’s gratitude for her supportive reporting.
As the clock ticks toward 7:35 PM, Allison makes practical arrangements, naming Stone as her next of kin and entrusting Hewitt with posthumous instructions. Despite Stone’s reassurances, Allison’s calm acceptance of her fate contrasts sharply with the group’s lingering hope for a last-minute reprieve. The chapter closes with an unspoken dread, as the characters brace for the final moments, their silence echoing the uncertainty of whether the prime minister will intervene.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the time “seven fifty-nine” mentioned multiple times in the chapter?
Answer:
Seven fifty-nine is the time of sundown, which holds critical importance because it is implied to be the scheduled time for Allison Manning’s execution. The chapter repeatedly emphasizes this deadline to build tension, showing how the characters are acutely aware of the dwindling time. Hewitt mentions that executions are always done “on the minute,” heightening the suspense as the group waits for a last-minute reprieve from the prime minister. The precise time reference underscores the inevitability and punctuality of the execution system, adding to the psychological tension experienced by both the characters and readers.2. How does the chapter portray the psychological states of the main characters as the execution deadline approaches?
Answer:
The chapter reveals varying psychological responses to the impending execution. Allison displays a calm resignation, reading David Copperfield and later a Bible, suggesting she has accepted her fate. Stone and Hewitt, however, show mounting anxiety—Hewitt admits his worry, while Stone struggles to maintain hope. Hilary Kramer and Jim Forrester exhibit distress, with Forrester even refusing to see Allison, calling himself “not much of a reporter.” The priest’s observation that Allison seems “resigned” contrasts with Stone’s internal defiance (“He wasn’t resigned”), highlighting the disparity between acceptance and desperate hope among those involved.3. Analyze the symbolic role of the priest’s visit and Allison’s request to see the reporters.
Answer:
The priest’s visit serves as both a practical and symbolic preparation for death, offering spiritual solace and emphasizing the gravity of the situation. His presence forces the others to confront the reality of execution, as seen when Hewitt and Stone leave Allison alone with him. Allison’s request to see Kramer and Forrester, meanwhile, reflects her desire for closure and acknowledgment. She thanks Kramer for her fair reporting, showing gratitude for how her story was told. These interactions underscore themes of dignity, reconciliation, and the human need for connection in the face of mortality.4. Why does the prime minister’s silence create such tension, and what might it suggest about the political context?
Answer:
The prime minister’s refusal to communicate—ignoring calls and leaving the characters in the dark—amplifies tension by denying closure or clarity. This silence could imply political maneuvering: the government may be delaying a decision to avoid public backlash or testing the resolve of Allison’s supporters. Alternatively, it might signal bureaucratic indifference, highlighting how systems dehumanize individuals. Hewitt’s frustration (“Nobody is answering the phone”) underscores the powerlessness of even well-connected individuals against opaque authority, making the silence a metaphor for unchecked institutional power.5. How does the chapter use mundane details (e.g., the confiscation of Allison’s belongings, the offer of magazines) to deepen the narrative’s emotional impact?
Answer:
Small details like the jailer confiscating Allison’s underwear or offering magazines while denying water humanize her ordeal, emphasizing the humiliation and triviality of prison protocols. The denial of food/water signals the execution’s imminence, while the jailer’s hollow gesture (“thought you might like some magazines”) underscores the absurdity of normalcy in such a context. Allison’s casual remark about David Copperfield (“The most exciting thing they had to offer”) contrasts with her dire circumstances, using irony to highlight her resilience and the bleakness of her environment. These details ground the tension in tangible realities, making the stakes feel visceral.
Quotes
1. “I’ve never been through anything like this,” Stone said. “Neither has Allison,” Hewitt replied.
This exchange captures the unprecedented tension and gravity of the situation as the characters face an execution deadline. It highlights their shared vulnerability and the extraordinary nature of their circumstances.
2. “I find it difficult to think about the future right now.”
Allison’s poignant admission reveals her psychological state as she awaits possible execution. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central tension between hope and resignation, showing how the immediacy of mortality overshadows all other concerns.
3. “Resigned, Stone thought. He wasn’t resigned. Why the hell didn’t the prime minister’s office call and at least put them out of their misery?”
This internal monologue powerfully contrasts Allison’s acceptance with Stone’s persistent hope and frustration. It represents the chapter’s emotional climax and the psychological toll of waiting for a life-or-death decision.
4. “I’ve also left some instructions with Leslie,” she said. “To be opened…” She let the sentence trail off.
Allison’s unfinished statement about her final arrangements creates one of the chapter’s most chilling moments. The ellipsis speaks volumes about the unspoken reality they’re all avoiding - the possibility of her impending execution.
5. “Both you and Stone have been perfectly wonderful. I coul…”
The truncated final line (mirroring the chapter’s abrupt ending) leaves Allison’s gratitude hanging, creating dramatic tension. This incomplete thought serves as a powerful literary device, leaving readers suspended in the same uncertainty as the characters.