The Dead Zone

Sonny Elliman, the grizzled biker who does Greg Stillson’s dirty work, threatens people who discuss Stillson’s corrupt real estate deals. Sonny works to ensure that Stillson wins the upcoming election for the House of Representatives. Everyone is too scared of Stillson to risk speaking out against him. 

Johnny relaxes at home, thinking about his greying hair, his father’s romantic prospects, and the upcoming Presidential election. When shaking Jimmy Carter’s hand at a campaign event, Johnny had a “sudden, electrifying snap of knowledge” (299), indicating that Carter will become President. Chuck’s father Roger visits Johnny and congratulates him on Chuck’s progress. Johnny has a frank conversation about the best route forward for Chuck, partially informed by his supernatural insights into Chuck’s mind. Roger is pleased with Chuck’s progress, so he gives Johnny a large bonus. He also reveals that he knows about all Johnny’s history. A news broadcast reports Greg Stillson’s independent candidacy for a seat in Congress. Stillson’s eccentric campaigning style has made him the favorite to win. While Roger is amused, Johnny is horrified. 

While Chuck is away on vacation, Johnny thinks about Greg Stillson. The politician reminds him of Frank Dodd. He wonders whether he should try and shake Stillson’s hand to gain a clearer picture of the man. As he debates with himself, he drives down to the town where Stillson is holding a rally. Johnny realizes that he has been deliberately shaking hands with politicians as he searches for “for the political equivalent of Frank Dodd” (316). He arrives early at Stillson’s rally and watches the workmen set the stage with a “practiced, professional quality” (317) which contrast with Stillson’s wild, carefree public image. The set-up seems more suited to a concert than a rally, especially when Stillson’s biker-gang security detail arrives. Stillson takes the stage and stokes the party-like atmosphere. At the front of the crowd amid the “mass confusion”, Johnny’s outstretched hand is grasped by Stillson and he has a vision. Johnny sees an older Stillson sworn in as President of the United States and a desolate, burning wasteland. Johnny blacks out. 

The local police and the FBI interview Johnny after he wakes up in an unlocked cell, trying to lead Johnny to admit that Stillson “disturbs” him. Johnny asks why the FBI were at Stillson’s rally and about the bikers who provided security. Johnny is warned to stay away from Stillson rallies in the future, as Stillson will likely win the election unless anyone can “get something on him” (329). Johnny worries about his vision. He returns to his apartment and the bruise on his face deepens. The Chatsworths’ Vietnamese gardener, Ngo, tells Johnny about how the people in his village caught a man-eating tiger. Ngo compares the tiger to Stillson, and he believes that “a trap should be made for him” (331). Johnny wonders whether he could kill Stillson if necessary.

Jimmy Carter and Greg Stillson win their respective elections in November 1976. Johnny’s work with Chuck is proceeding well and Herb plans to remarry. In his occasional correspondence with Sarah, Johnny learns that she is expecting her second child and Walt’s political career is progressing as expected. Johnny focuses on Stillson instead of dating, staying up late to research and speculate about Stillson’s history. Johnny believes that Stillson will unleash nuclear apocalypse on the world. He has assembled a scattered biography of Stillson: After growing up poor, Stillson worked as a gas attendant, a Christian preacher, a house painter, and a Bible salesman before beginning his political career. His checkered history hints at violence, crime, corruption, and confidence scams. Johnny cannot understand how a drifter and scam artist like Stillson has won an election and why the press seem to have left him alone. Johnny keeps returning to the question: “if you could jump into a time machine and go back to 1932, would you kill Hitler?” (346). Johnny wonders how he will deal with Stillson.