magdalene, it’s been a while since I read it, but I think the idea was that every time Mr. Evil Monkey clapped his cymbals, someone in this kid’s life would die. Horribly.
I remember the index finger story too… “The Moving Finger.” Tap, tap… tap tap tap… Good GOD, did I need that image in my head?! Stephen King should pay some of my therapy bills…
Good Christ, you’ve just set off a major brain reaction with that “tap, tap” reminder. AAAHHH! Make it stop!
I have several drains in my house that are just like the ones in the story- gaping holes. King seriously ought to pay some of my bills, too. It would probably help if I stopped re-reading them so damned much.
I read Skeleton Crew so long ago that I can’t remember the monkey story. I’ll have to re-read it in honor of buying my first evil monkey. I love the thought of owning something that will scare the hell out of people on sight.
Awesome.
Zette
If you want to see something surreal, look up Ernie Kovacs’ use of DRUM monkeys as visuals for the 1812 Overture.