Black House
Chapter 23
by Straub, Stephen King and PeterHenry Leyden, a blind radio personality, finds himself in a tense negotiation with Penniman, an ESPN representative, at the Oak Tree Inn bar. Penniman, an overweight and pushy man, insists on another drink to “seal the deal” for Henry’s show to go national under ESPN. Henry, however, is hesitant, sensing the offer might compromise his integrity. The encounter is laced with Henry’s disdain for Penniman’s arrogance and his own internal conflict about commercializing his work.
Amid the negotiation, Henry is struck by the sudden scent of “My Sin,” his late wife’s perfume, and even feels her touch on his neck. This sensory hallucination unsettles him, as his heightened sense of smell has never deceived him before. The bartender, Nick Avery, confirms no one else is present, deepening Henry’s confusion. The moment serves as a poignant reminder of his past and his unresolved grief, contrasting sharply with the crass commercialism of Penniman’s pitch.
Penniman grows increasingly drunk and belligerent, attempting to strong-arm Henry into accepting the deal by implying his career hinges on ESPN’s approval. Henry, however, remains composed and arranges for a taxi to escape the situation. His refusal to be manipulated highlights his self-respect and disdain for Penniman’s lack of authenticity. The bartender’s subtle support underscores Henry’s dignity in contrast to Penniman’s boorishness.
In the end, Henry decisively rejects Penniman’s offer with a biting insult, choosing integrity over financial gain. The chapter closes with Henry walking away, reaffirming his independence and moral compass. The encounter, punctuated by the ghostly presence of his wife, reinforces his commitment to staying true to himself, even at the cost of professional advancement.
FAQs
1. How does Henry Leyden’s sensory perception shape his interactions and decisions in this chapter?
Answer:
Henry’s heightened sensory awareness, particularly his acute sense of smell and hearing, profoundly influences his experience. He detects Penniman’s “lardy, slightly oily aroma” and recognizes his insincerity through vocal nuances, which informs his distrust. The phantom scent of his late wife’s perfume (“My Sin”) and the cold touch on his neck—though dismissed as hallucinations—trigger emotional memories of “Lark,” his nickname for her. These sensory details contrast with Penniman’s crassness, reinforcing Henry’s rejection of the ESPN deal. His blindness also sharpens his intuition, as seen when he accurately visualizes Penniman’s frown and senses the bartender’s respect despite not seeing it.2. Analyze the power dynamics between Henry and Penniman. What strategies does each use to assert control?
Answer:
Penniman employs manipulative tactics: framing drinks as obligatory (“to seal the deal”), name-dropping celebrities, and veiled threats (“you ain’t there yet”). His slurred speech and physical intrusions (e.g., the hand on Henry’s shoulder) reflect entitlement. Henry, however, subverts Penniman’s dominance through wit (mocking his “Coulee Country hospitality” remark) and quiet authority. By arranging a taxi secretly and refusing to engage, he reclaims autonomy. The bartender’s intervention (“Suggest you get your hand off him”) underscores Henry’s moral high ground, revealing how dignity and subtlety outmaneuver brute coercion.3. What symbolic significance does the perfume “My Sin” hold in this chapter?
Answer:
“My Sin” symbolizes Henry’s unresolved grief and moral crossroads. The scent evokes his late wife, representing love, intimacy, and loss—a stark contrast to Penniman’s transactional worldview. Its fleeting presence (“there and then gone”) mirrors Henry’s momentary temptation by fame (the “possible future” he glimpses earlier) before choosing integrity. The perfume’s name also ironically comments on Penniman’s offer: accepting it might be a “sin” against Henry’s authentic self, akin to betraying his wife’s memory. Its intangibility—unconfirmed by the bartender—suggests Henry’s inner conflict is as haunting as a ghost.4. How does the chapter use humor to critique the world of commercialized sports media?
Answer:
Dark humor exposes the industry’s absurdity. Henry internally mocks Penniman’s weight and faux-hipster persona (“Just like Little Richard!”), highlighting the disconnect between media executives and genuine artistry. The ESPN offer’s vapidity is ridiculed through Penniman’s drunken clichés (“stars in the firmament of sports radio”) and Henry’s sarcastic retort about sticking drinks “up your fat and bepimpled ass.” Even the bartender’s kick-ass afternoon—profiting from both men’s tips—satirizes how commerce underpins every interaction. The chapter frames sports media as a realm where authenticity (like Henry’s Wisconsin Rat persona) is commodified into clichés.5. Evaluate Henry’s final decision to reject Penniman’s offer. What does it reveal about his character?
Answer:
Henry’s refusal showcases his integrity and self-awareness. Despite Penniman’s allure of wealth (“your very own private ATM”), Henry prioritizes artistic autonomy and personal values. His recall of Morris Rosen—a figure representing artistic purity—contrasts with Penniman’s cynicism, reinforcing his choice. The decision also reflects grief: embracing the deal might mean abandoning the emotional “Lark” persona tied to his wife. By walking away, Henry asserts that dignity outweighs profit, a theme underscored by the bartender’s implicit respect. His actions affirm that true power lies in resisting exploitation, even when disadvantaged (e.g., blindness).
Quotes
1. “Sports is perhaps his compensation, with the power to still memories of clothes bought in the Husky section at Sears and all those childhood rhymes like ‘Fatty-fatty, two-by-four, had to do it on the floor, couldn’t get through the bathroom door.’”
This quote reveals Henry’s sharp perception of Penniman’s character, showing how he intuitively understands people’s insecurities and motivations. It highlights the theme of compensation and the psychological weight of childhood experiences.
2. “People laughed at Howard Stern, too, and Howard Stern was a dork.”
This internal reflection captures Henry’s ambivalence about his potential future in radio fame. It shows his self-awareness and skepticism about success that requires compromising one’s integrity or dignity.
3. “I’d poke a ferret up my ass before I’d get into a car with you at the wheel.”
This colorful rejection demonstrates Henry’s growing resistance to Penniman’s pressure and his dark sense of humor. It marks a turning point where Henry begins asserting his independence in the conversation.
4. “The upshot is that if I say we ought to have one more drink, then—”
Penniman’s unfinished threat represents the power dynamic at play, showing his attempt to control Henry through implied professional consequences. The interruption of his speech by Henry’s actions makes this a pivotal moment in their interaction.
5. “You take my drink, add it to your drink, and then stick them both up your fat and bepimpled ass.”
Henry’s final, scathing rejection of Penniman’s offer serves as the chapter’s climax. This quote perfectly captures Henry’s decision to prioritize his integrity over professional opportunity, delivered with memorable vividness.