Ed Deepneau's Descent into Madness

The transformation of a kind research chemist into a murderous fanatic, driven by Atropos and the Crimson King.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Signs

A Crack in the Facade The Road Rage Incident Ed Deepneau, a gentle research chemist, suddenly explodes in rage after a minor car accident. He screams obscenities at the other driver, accusing him of hauling dead babies. Ralph Roberts intervenes and calms him down, but the incident is a warning sign. The Kamikaze Scarf Ed is wearing a white silk scarf with red Japanese characters. Ralph later learns that the characters spell "kamikaze" – divine wind. The scarf is a gift from Atropos, a symbol of Ed's destiny. A Hidden Darkness Ralph realizes that Ed has been hiding a dark side. He is charming and intelligent, but there is something wrong beneath the surface. The madness is already there, waiting to be unleashed.

The Descent Accelerates

The Breaking Point The Beating of Helen Ed beats his wife Helen because she signed a petition to bring Susan Day to Derry. He is arrested but released on bail. His madness is now public. He becomes involved with the Friends of Life, using them as a platform for his delusions. The Little Bald Doctor Ed tells Ralph that he has been visited by "the little bald doctor" – Atropos – who has revealed the truth about the Crimson King and the Centurions. Ed believes he is a warrior in a cosmic battle. His grip on reality is slipping. The Final Break Ed is fired from Hawking Laboratories. He uses money from Atropos's hoard to post bail for Charlie Pickering and to fund his final plan. He is now fully under the influence of the Random, a suicide pilot on a mission of destruction.

The Kamikaze Run

The Final Act The Flight Ed flies a Cherokee airplane toward Derry, wearing his kamikaze scarf. He has a bomb in the co-pilot's seat. He sings "White Rabbit" as he approaches the Civic Center. He is calm, determined, and utterly insane. The Confrontation Ralph appears in the plane and tears the detonator wires. Ed fights him desperately, but Ralph turns the plane away from the building. Ed's last words are a cry for his wife and daughter – the photo of Helen and Natalie that Ralph crumples. The Crash The plane crashes into the parking lot, killing Ed instantly. His body is consumed by the explosion. He has failed in his mission, but he has also found release from the madness that consumed him. The kamikaze has flown his last mission.

July 1992

Summer and fall 1993

Friday evening, October 8, 1993