This is one of the 14 short stories found in Everything’s Eventual. The author’s introduction for it was nice and real – every horror writer, he says, should at least write a story about the Ghostly Room in a Hotel / Inn just once. That’s not verbatim, but it’s quite accurate. And like I said, true. Isn’t it? I was planning to watch the movie first, but since I wasn’t able to catch it in theaters, I just moved on to reading it.

1408 – try adding up the numbers – is a room in the 14th (but it’s really the 13th floor, isn’t it?) floor that Mr. Olin, the hotel manager (played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie) does his best to keep vacant. In fact, the last paying guest of the room was back in 1978. And now, Mr. Olin has more than his hands full trying to discourage Mike Enslin (played by John Cusack) from occupying 1408.

The story’s enough to make you keep the lights on if you’re reading it at night and even chill you a bit at daytime. Expect the usual attack of ghastly images that King is known for – with his typical touch of sexuality. Expect plain talk – again, typical of King. Everything happens in one room – no change of locations necessary – but you’ll still be scared.