A Retrospective Monologue for John Cheever’s “The Fiver-Forty-Eight”
...n one can convert him into good? There I had it, my mind was set and I was prepared to save Blake. That morning I awoke and made my appearance so that Blake was sure to recognize me. Then I packed my father’s old six-shot revolver and the letter I had written weeks ago and headed out the door. When I saw him on the crowded street I knew that the time had come. I could see he was still the same man he had always been, cowering behind that front of malevolence. As Blake tried to lose me through the street failure never crossed my mind as I had been following him for around two weeks now knowing his day to day life, actions, travels, all there was to know about the man. When we eventually boarded the five-forty-eight I followed closely behind. The cat and mouse game we were involved in was part of my plan. Blake needed to feel a sense of safety before I sent him into a decent to fear and panic. Then I approached him and began his reformation. As time passed by I could see the color fade from his face. Slowly at first, but with a rapid acceleration as time ticked along.When we reached Shady Hill it was time for the plan to intensify. I made moves as if we were in a heated match of chess. Every word I spoke, every step I took was like the well-planned movement of a chess piece. Then I knew it had come time for check. I forced him to kneel and then lay on the ground face ...