A wasp stings Jack as he works on the roof. Danny and Wendy are in Sidewinder. They have been at the Overlook for three weeks, and Jack and Wendy feel good. His writing is going well, and positive encouragement from his agent has lifted his spirits.

When he finds a large wasps’ nest, Jack begins thinking of himself as the victim with regard to what happened at Stovington. He recounts various memories of incidents caused by his temper and decides that the wasps’ nest could be the perfect metaphor for his life.

Jack remembers George Hatfield. George was a handsome student who coasted through his courses. He stuttered, which was part of why Jack cut him from the debate team. During a debate round, George accused Jack of altering the timer so that he did not get his full five minutes, which flustered him and made him stutter worse. Jack denied altering the clock. George kept saying, “You hate me because you know” (112), but he did not finish, and Jack did not know what he was about to say.

A week later, Jack caught George slashing his tires. George held up the knife in a menacing way, and Jack beat him badly.