Ace Merrill’s Return and Revenge

Needful Things

This flow follows Ace Merrill’s desperate return to Castle Rock, his recruitment by Gaunt, failed hunt for buried money, and final violent confrontation.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Man in a Debt Trap A Man in a Debt Trap from "Needful Things". A Man in a Debt Trap Criminal debts Ace owes the Flying Corson Brothers a large sum after a cocaine deal goes bad.

A Man in a Debt Trap from "Needful Things". A Man in a Debt Trap Criminal debts Ace owes the Flying Corson Brothers a large sum after a cocaine deal goes bad.

A Man in a Debt Trap Criminal debts Ace owes the Flying Corson Brothers a large sum after a cocaine deal goes bad. He fears death if he cannot repay them by November 1. Home as a possibility Unable to make a new deal, Ace returns to Castle Rock, where his reputation once gave him power. He hopes the town can offer an escape from his current predicament.

Gaunt’s Job Offer Gaunt’s Job Offer from "Needful Things". Gaunt’s Job Offer A map appears Gaunt shows Ace a book that seems to contain a map to Pop Merrill’s buried treasure.

Gaunt’s Job Offer from "Needful Things". Gaunt’s Job Offer A map appears Gaunt shows Ace a book that seems to contain a map to Pop Merrill’s buried treasure.

Gaunt’s Job Offer A map appears Gaunt shows Ace a book that seems to contain a map to Pop Merrill’s buried treasure. He also offers a job and access to powerful cocaine. Compliance purchased Ace accepts the offer in exchange for a small sum and an errand to Boston. Gaunt’s mixture of hope, drugs, and menace secures Ace’s temporary obedience.

The Tucker and the Crates The Tucker and the Crates from "Needful Things". The Tucker and the Crates A strange delivery Ace drives the apparently supernatural Tucker Talisman from Boston and transports crates of weapons and blasting…

The Tucker and the Crates from "Needful Things". The Tucker and the Crates A strange delivery Ace drives the apparently supernatural Tucker Talisman from Boston and transports crates of weapons and blasting…

The Tucker and the Crates A strange delivery Ace drives the apparently supernatural Tucker Talisman from Boston and transports crates of weapons and blasting caps to Gaunt’s shop. A controlled employee Gaunt’s threats stop Ace from stealing the weapons or refusing the job. Ace becomes a practical instrument in a plan whose full purpose he does not know.

Treasure Turns to Betrayal Treasure Turns to Betrayal from "Needful Things". Treasure Turns to Betrayal A false reward Ace finds cans at several sites marked on Pop Merrill’s map, but they contain trading stamps, pennies, or junk rather…

Treasure Turns to Betrayal from "Needful Things". Treasure Turns to Betrayal A false reward Ace finds cans at several sites marked on Pop Merrill’s map, but they contain trading stamps, pennies, or junk rather…

Treasure Turns to Betrayal A false reward Ace finds cans at several sites marked on Pop Merrill’s map, but they contain trading stamps, pennies, or junk rather than a fortune. The Sheriff is blamed At the Camber place he discovers Alan’s mocking note and a single dollar. Ace’s old grievance against Alan turns into a renewed determination to kill him.

The Final Street Encounter The Final Street Encounter from "Needful Things". The Final Street Encounter A hostage seized After Gaunt assigns him to the town’s destructive plan, Ace reaches Needful Things and holds Polly at gunpoint…

The Final Street Encounter from "Needful Things". The Final Street Encounter A hostage seized After Gaunt assigns him to the town’s destructive plan, Ace reaches Needful Things and holds Polly at gunpoint…

The Final Street Encounter A hostage seized After Gaunt assigns him to the town’s destructive plan, Ace reaches Needful Things and holds Polly at gunpoint while demanding his supposed treasure from Alan. A fatal end Norris Ridgewick shoots Ace as he threatens Polly. The revenge that has shaped Ace’s return ends before he can recover the fortune he imagined.

Summer–October 1991

October 14, 1991

October 15, afternoon

Night of October 15