Needful Things

In a small town, the opening of a new store is a big deal. Eleven-year-old Brian Rusk isn’t very concerned about it, but his mother, Cora, and her friend Myra Evans are obsessed with speculating about the new store, Needful Things. The new sign claims that it is “a new kind of store: you won’t believe your eyes” (15). Brian’s mother Cora likes to eat chocolate while watching soap operas. He wonders why adults are so interested in this store. Brian also reflects on his love for Ms. Ratcliffe, who teaches speech therapy.

As Brian rides his bike, he fantasizes about Ms. Ratcliffe and almost crashes into Hugh Priest’s pickup truck. He is afraid of Hugh, who has an alcohol addiction and a bad temper. Brian has seen Ms. Ratcliffe and her fiancé, Lester, hanging up the anti–Casino Night signs. He hopes that Lester will die.

As Brian passes Needful Things, he finds himself drawn to the store. It’s the day before the store is set to open, but the door opens easily, and the shop is quite bare. A tall, old man appears, and Brian feels fearful until the man speaks. Brian does not notice that the door opens and closes of its own accord, or that the man’s eyes change color. The man introduces himself as Leland Gaunt and offers Brian a discount. Brian is pleased to be the first to experience the new store but is disappointed that there are so few items.

Brian feels inexplicably giddy as he peruses a pipe, a picture of Elvis, a Polaroid camera, a rock, and a splinter of wood. Mr. Gaunt hands the splinter to Brian, who feels as if he is on a boat and can hear nearby animals. Mr. Gaunt tells him that the splinter is from Noah’s Ark. Brian asks him how much the splinter costs, and Mr. Gaunt explains that in Needful Things, the items are priced based on what the buyer is willing to pay. Mr. Gaunt asks Brian what he wants most, and Brian tells him that he desires a 1956 Sandy Koufax card.

Mr. Gaunt shows Brian a substantial collection of rare cards and pulls the very card that Brian wants; it is even addressed to Brian. He seems to be transported to a baseball field, where he meets Sandy Koufax. Mr. Gaunt tells him that half of the payment can be in cash and half in a deed. He asks Brian if he knows Wilma Jerzyck. Brian goes into a trance. The next thing that he remembers is Mr. Gaunt showing him out of the store. He feels as if he has just woken up from a nap. Brian realizes that he was only in the store for 20 minutes, but it felt as though he was there for hours. Ecstatic about new card, he pedals home.

The narrator describes the rules-heavy process of small-town people experiencing a new store. Investigating the shop is a very important activity, but Polly Chalmers is one of the few women in Castle Rock who does not participate in this complicated choreography. She left Castle Rock in 1970 when she became pregnant at age 17. Since returning without a child in 1987, she has been the subject of much speculation. Her neighbors know that she spent those years in San Francisco, but they wonder about her life.

Inside Needful Things, Polly experiences the same strange instant camaraderie with Mr. Gaunt that Brian did. She brings him a cake, and they discuss the complications of her arthritis. She finds it odd that the store is open by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Like Brian, she notices that there are no price tags. Polly predicts that women will flock to the store.

Cyndie Rose’s encounter with Mr. Gaunt leads her to purchase a vase. Some of the women are entranced by Mr. Gaunt. He asks Nettie Cobb, who murdered her husband and is a close friend of Polly, if she would like carnival glass. When Cora and Myra visit, they are both entranced by the picture of Elvis.

Sheriff Alan Pangborn considers Main Street’s new shop. He also ponders his ongoing depression and reflects on the deaths of his wife and son. He imagines that his son Todd, who loved magic tricks, would enjoy exploring Needful Things. Alan has recently begun a romantic relationship with Polly.

Back at the station, Alan asks deputy Norris to give Dan Keeton a ticket for parking in the handicapped space. Alan calls Polly, and they discuss her arthritis and Needful Things. Wilma and Nettie are now feuding because Nettie’s dog barks. 

The narrative shifts to Hugh Priest, who has been on a bender. As he walks home, he is entranced by the window of Needful Things. He sees a fox-tail that reminds him of a similar one that he had in his youth. Suddenly, the sign reads “Open.” Hugh experiences a sort of hypnosis as he haggles with Mr. Gaunt, who asks him to play a prank on Nettie as payment.

Meanwhile, Brian dreams of his teacher, and when he awakes, he checks on his Sandy Koufax card. He remembers that Mr. Gaunt asked him to pull a prank.

At the sewing shop, Polly, Nettie, and Rosalie fantasize about Mr. Gaunt. Nettie visits the shop, where she is again entranced by carnival glass. Mr. Gaunt asks her to pull a prank on Dan Keeton (“Buster”). 

At the sheriff’s station, Norris is confronted by Buster, who is furious about the parking ticket. Buster threatens Norris, but Alan stops him. Alan wonders why Buster is acting so oddly.

Myra goes to Needful Things to buy the Elvis picture before Cora can do the same. As she fantasizes about dancing onstage with Elvis, she has an intense orgasm. Meanwhile, Brian heads to Wilma’s house. Conscious that he is not fully in control of his actions, he sprays mud all over her sheets, which are hanging out to dry.

Polly and Alan discuss the strange effect that Needful Things and Mr. Gaunt are having on the town. She wonders if Buster Keeton is having a breakdown similar to those of his uncle, who had schizophrenia. Meanwhile, Hugh obsesses over his new fox-tail, and Wilma terrorizes her husband, Pete, then grows furious when she discovers her mud-covered sheets. She is certain that Nettie is responsible for this, so she calls Nettie to threaten her. Nettie cannot believe Wilma’s accusation.

Norris walks by Needful Things and spots a fishing rod that reminds him of his father. He is unsettled by Mr. Gaunt but is eager to make a deal for the rod.