Lunch at the Gotham Cafe
Encyclopedia
Lunch at the Gotham Cafe is a short story by Stephen King
. It originally appeared in the 1995 anthology Dark Love (edited by Nancy A. Collins
, Edward E. Kramer
and Martin H. Greenberg
). In 1997, it was published in the limited-edition collection Six Stories
. In 2002, it was collected in King's collection Everything's Eventual
.
withdrawal. Diane's lawyer, William Humboldt, calls Steve with plans to meet with the two of them for lunch. He decides on the Gotham Cafe and sets a date. Steve's lawyer is unable to attend due to a family crisis. Despite his lawyer's warnings, however, Steve is determined to keep the date and see Diane again.
Before entering the Cafe, Steve impulsively buys an umbrella. Upon entering, he finds that the maître d', eventually revealed to be named Guy, is talking senselessly about a dog. When Steve attempts to seek reconciliation with Diane, things begin to fall apart. Much to Steve's consternation, she regards him with a mixture of apprehension and contempt, and spurns his requests for explanation. The maître d' then makes a surprise reappearance, homicidally insane, chanting "Eeeee!" and ranting in word salad, and stabs Humboldt through the head with a knife. Steve briefly fends off the lunatic with his new umbrella, then drags the helplessly terrified Diane into the kitchen. Guy gives chase, and after giving the cafe's cook a grisly injury, proceeds onward. Desperately struggling to hold off the lunatic, Steve implores Diane to unbolt the rear entrance door so they can escape, but she remains in a state of shock. He is able to incapacitate Guy by dousing him with scalding water and whacking him with a metal frying pan
.
After finally escaping both the Cafe and Guy, Steve attempts to make sure Diane is all right. Diane recoils from his touch and rants at him venomously. Devoid of any shred of gratitude for his protection, she has instead construed the events of the last few minutes to reaffirm her perception of Steve as a despicable, bullying, control freak, and decides it is time to stand up to him. When he tries to point out that he just saved her life, she flatly denies that he did. Overwhelmed with incredulous fury, Steve loses interest in reconciliation; Diane's self-empowering harangue is interrupted by a much-deserved slap across the face. This only serves to further reinforce her embittered vilification of her husband, and after attempting to wound him with spurious claims of extramarital lovers, she leaves him for good. As Steve sits on the curb and watches ambulances haul away both the victims and the heavily-restrained Guy, he is left wondering about Guy's private life, and the nature of insanity. And under his breath he starts to go "Eeeee."
appearing in a small role as Steve's attorney.
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
. It originally appeared in the 1995 anthology Dark Love (edited by Nancy A. Collins
Nancy A. Collins
Nancy A. Collins is a United States horror fiction writer best known for her series of vampire novels featuring her character Sonja Blue. Collins has alsowritten for comic books, including the Swamp Thing series, Jason Vs...
, Edward E. Kramer
Edward E. Kramer
Edward E. Kramer is an American editor of numerous science fiction, fantasy, and horror works, and co-founder of the Dragon Con commercial media convention in Atlanta, Georgia. He lives in Duluth, Georgia, and works as a clinical and educational consultant. He is the former program director of the...
and Martin H. Greenberg
Martin H. Greenberg
Martin Harry Greenberg was an American speculative fiction anthologist and writer.-Biography:Dr. Martin H. Greenberg was born March 1, 1941, to Max and Mae Greenberg in South Miami Beach, Florida...
). In 1997, it was published in the limited-edition collection Six Stories
Six Stories
Six Stories is a short story collection by Stephen King, published in 1997 by Philtrum Press. It is limited to 1100 copies, which are signed and numbered. Six Stories contains:...
. In 2002, it was collected in King's collection Everything's Eventual
Everything's Eventual
"Everything's Eventual" is a novella by Stephen King. It was originally published in the October/November 1997 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. In 2000, it was included in the game Stephen King's F13...
.
Plot summary
A man named Steve Davis comes home one day to find a letter from his wife, Diane, coldly stating she has left him and intends to get a divorce. He finds himself baffled as to what led her to do this, and over time he becomes increasingly depressed. Diane's departure prompts him to give up cigarettes, and he begins to suffer nicotineNicotine
Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants that constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of the dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots and accumulation occurring in the leaves...
withdrawal. Diane's lawyer, William Humboldt, calls Steve with plans to meet with the two of them for lunch. He decides on the Gotham Cafe and sets a date. Steve's lawyer is unable to attend due to a family crisis. Despite his lawyer's warnings, however, Steve is determined to keep the date and see Diane again.
Before entering the Cafe, Steve impulsively buys an umbrella. Upon entering, he finds that the maître d', eventually revealed to be named Guy, is talking senselessly about a dog. When Steve attempts to seek reconciliation with Diane, things begin to fall apart. Much to Steve's consternation, she regards him with a mixture of apprehension and contempt, and spurns his requests for explanation. The maître d' then makes a surprise reappearance, homicidally insane, chanting "Eeeee!" and ranting in word salad, and stabs Humboldt through the head with a knife. Steve briefly fends off the lunatic with his new umbrella, then drags the helplessly terrified Diane into the kitchen. Guy gives chase, and after giving the cafe's cook a grisly injury, proceeds onward. Desperately struggling to hold off the lunatic, Steve implores Diane to unbolt the rear entrance door so they can escape, but she remains in a state of shock. He is able to incapacitate Guy by dousing him with scalding water and whacking him with a metal frying pan
Frying pan
A frying pan, frypan, or skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. It is typically in diameter with relatively low sides that flare outwards, a long handle, and no lid. Larger pans may have a small grab handle opposite the main handle...
.
After finally escaping both the Cafe and Guy, Steve attempts to make sure Diane is all right. Diane recoils from his touch and rants at him venomously. Devoid of any shred of gratitude for his protection, she has instead construed the events of the last few minutes to reaffirm her perception of Steve as a despicable, bullying, control freak, and decides it is time to stand up to him. When he tries to point out that he just saved her life, she flatly denies that he did. Overwhelmed with incredulous fury, Steve loses interest in reconciliation; Diane's self-empowering harangue is interrupted by a much-deserved slap across the face. This only serves to further reinforce her embittered vilification of her husband, and after attempting to wound him with spurious claims of extramarital lovers, she leaves him for good. As Steve sits on the curb and watches ambulances haul away both the victims and the heavily-restrained Guy, he is left wondering about Guy's private life, and the nature of insanity. And under his breath he starts to go "Eeeee."
Adaptation
This story was adapted for a short film in 2005 with Stephen KingStephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
appearing in a small role as Steve's attorney.
External links
- Stephen King's Gotham Cafe Gotham Cafe Trailer and Official Website