That made him feel sick。
A moment later and things began to run backward。 The boy whirled back over the
axis bar。 He flipped the girl into an upright position。 They seemed to nod
knowingly at each other as their hands arched back over their heads。 They
retreated the way they had e； disappearing just as 〃The Blue Danube〃
finished。 The clock began to strike a count of silver chimes。
（Midnight！ Stroke of midnight！）
（Hooray for masks！）
Danny whirled on the chair； almost falling down。 The ballroom was empty。
Beyond the double cathedral window he could see fresh snow beginning to sift
down。 The huge ballroom rug （rolled up for dancing； of course）； a rich tangle of
red and gold embroidery； lay undisturbed on the floor。 Spaced around it were
small； intimate tables for two； the spidery chairs that went with each upended
with legs pointing at the ceiling。
The whole place was empty。
But it wasn't really empty。 Because here in the Overlook things just went on
and on。 Here in the Overlook all times were one。 There was an endless night in
August of 1945； with laughter and drinks and a chosen shining few going up and
ing down in the elevator； drinking champagne and popping party favors in each
other's faces。 It was a not…yet…light morning in June some twenty years later
and the organization hitters endlessly pumped shotgun shells into the torn and
bleeding bodies of three men who went through their agony endlessly。 In a room
on the second floor a woman lolled in her tub and waited for visitors。
In the Overlook all things had a sort of life。 It was as if the whole place
had been wound up with a silver key。 The clock was