The Talisman: A Novel
Chapter 38: nterlude: Sloat in This World (IV)
by King, StephenThe chapter opens with Morgan Sloat visiting Lily Sawyer, who is terminally ill and confined to a bed in the nearly deserted Alhambra hotel. Despite the cold and uncomfortable setting, Sloat takes pleasure in Lily’s deteriorating condition, observing her gaunt appearance with satisfaction. He manipulates the situation by ensuring the hotel staff neglects her, while he monitors her closely from a suite across the hall. Their conversation is tense, with Lily openly despising Sloat, who feigns concern and pressures her to sign unspecified papers, hinting at his ulterior motives involving her son, Jack.
Sloat’s sinister nature becomes more apparent as he retreats to the bathroom to snort cocaine, indulging in a private ritual that fuels his grandiose fantasies. The drug amplifies his confidence, allowing him to revel in visions of his ambitious plans, particularly the importation of modern technology into the Territories via a train. He imagines Jack’s perilous journey to Point Venuti, a dangerous town, and the possibility of Jack obtaining the Talisman—a prize Sloat covets. The cocaine-induced euphoria leads him to envision a future where he dominates multiple worlds, with the Talisman as his ultimate tool for power.
Returning to Lily’s room, Sloat’s mood remains buoyant despite her hostility. He taunts her with his cocaine use, offering her some in a mocking gesture, which provokes her to spit in his face. Enraged, he retaliates with cruel predictions about her lonely death and Jack’s inevitable demise. His threats escalate as he compares her to a former client who suffered a tragic fate, emphasizing his belief in her and Jack’s hopeless situation. Lily, however, remains defiant, insisting that Jack will save her, though her words are cut short.
The chapter underscores Sloat’s malevolence and narcissism, contrasting sharply with Lily’s resilience. His drug use and manipulative behavior reveal a man consumed by greed and power, while Lily’s unwavering faith in her son highlights her strength in the face of death. The tension between them sets the stage for Jack’s impending challenges, with Sloat’s schemes and Lily’s hope creating a pivotal conflict in the narrative.
FAQs
1. How does Morgan Sloat’s behavior toward Lily Sawyer reveal his true character and motivations in this chapter?
Answer:
Morgan Sloat’s behavior demonstrates his manipulative, cruel, and self-serving nature. Despite Lily’s deteriorating health, he feigns concern by claiming to be her “best friend” while pressuring her to sign unspecified papers. His enjoyment of her suffering is evident when he lies about her improving health and hopes to see her weep. Sloat’s cocaine use in her bathroom and his taunting remarks about Jack’s potential death further reveal his callousness. His vision of controlling multiple worlds through the Talisman shows his grand ambitions, making Lily merely a pawn in his larger schemes. The chapter paints Sloat as a villain who derives pleasure from others’ misery while pursuing power.2. What significance does the setting of the Alhambra hotel hold in this chapter, and how does it reflect Lily’s situation?
Answer:
The Alhambra hotel symbolizes neglect and isolation, mirroring Lily’s vulnerable state. As the only guest in the nearly abandoned hotel, Lily is left without proper heat or care, emphasizing her abandonment. Sloat’s control over the staff—paying them to ignore her while keeping her under surveillance—highlights his dominance over her circumstances. The cold, empty environment parallels Lily’s physical decline and emotional loneliness, as she faces death without her son Jack. The setting reinforces themes of decay and manipulation, showing how Sloat has orchestrated her isolation to serve his own ends.3. Analyze the role of cocaine in this chapter and what it reveals about Morgan Sloat’s psychology.
Answer:
Cocaine serves as both a coping mechanism and a symbol of Sloat’s reckless ambition. His secretive use of the drug (“sneaking into the toilet”) suggests shame or awareness of its destructiveness, yet he dismisses it as socially acceptable. The cocaine fuels his grandiose visions of controlling the Territories and the Talisman, making him overconfident in his plans for Jack. The drug also lowers his inhibitions, leading to cruel taunts about Lily’s death. This dependency reveals Sloat’s instability—he needs chemical reinforcement to maintain his ruthless persona, and his addiction parallels his moral decay.4. How does Lily Sawyer’s defiance in the face of Sloat’s threats contribute to her characterization?
Answer:
Lily’s defiance showcases her resilience and maternal protectiveness. Despite her physical weakness, she insults Sloat (“Uncle Bloat,” “piss up a stick”) and spits in his face, rejecting his false sympathy and manipulation. Her refusal to weep or sign his papers demonstrates her integrity, while her belief that Jack will save her underscores her faith in her son. The comparison to a “frontier woman with Scripture” suggests an almost mythic strength, framing her as a moral counterpoint to Sloat’s corruption. Even near death, she remains unbroken, emphasizing her role as a protective figure in Jack’s journey.5. What foreshadowing exists in this chapter regarding Jack Sawyer’s journey and the dangers he faces?
Answer:
Sloat’s remarks about Jack hint at grave perils ahead. He mentions the “Blasted Lands” and “dangerous, warped little Point Venuti,” suggesting treacherous landscapes Jack must cross. The reference to the “black hotel” as “alive” implies supernatural threats, while Sloat’s hope that Jack retrieves the Talisman only to be “broken in half” foreshadows a climactic confrontation. Lily’s insistence that Jack will save her also sets up his quest’s stakes. These details build tension, indicating that Jack’s path will test his limits and force him to confront Sloat’s schemes directly.
Quotes
1. “You’re looking better, Lily. I really think I see signs of improvement.”
This sarcastic remark by Morgan Sloat to the dying Lily Sawyer highlights his cruel manipulation and false concern, setting the tone for their antagonistic relationship and revealing his sadistic enjoyment of her suffering.
2. “I’m the best friend you have.”
Sloat’s blatant lie to Lily underscores his narcissism and predatory nature, as he attempts to gaslight her while simultaneously pressuring her to sign over her assets—a key moment showing his villainous character.
3. “That lovely train, he allowed himself to think, that lovely lovely train, I bet I’m prouder of it than I am of my own son.”
This internal monologue reveals Sloat’s twisted priorities and obsession with power, contrasting his cold indifference toward his son with his pride in a symbol of his inter-world domination plans.
4. “And both Jack Sawyer and the Talisman would be broken in half.”
A chilling revelation of Sloat’s ultimate goal, showing his willingness to destroy both his nephew and the magical artifact to achieve his ambitions—a critical insight into the novel’s central conflict.
5. “My son is going to save my life. Jack is going to…”
Lily’s defiant final words (cut off mid-sentence) demonstrate her unwavering faith in Jack despite Sloat’s threats, serving as both a thematic counterpoint to Sloat’s villainy and a narrative cliffhanger.