ROOM 274
by
Killian H. Gore
Letter
#1 from Jacob Donaldson to Mr. Elkind – dated 11th March 2011
Dear Mr. Elkind,
My name’s Jacob Donaldson
from the UK and I’m the host of a YouTube channel called Jacob’s Heebie Jeebies. A few months ago I was on the top floor of
Roy’s Antiques in Ealing when I found a rather peculiar book. I had been
casually looking for strange objects to further decorate my study whilst I was
researching the nearby Castle Hill Hotel – a rather haunted and spooky little
establishment that is featured on my channel (check out the video, if you get
the chance).
I discovered the book at the base of a wonderfully gothic
small chest of drawers. Clearly it had fallen down there at some point in time
and remained hidden from view for who knows how long.
It’s called The Last Room by Caleb Baldwin and there’s a possibility,
considering your location, that you may know something about it. However,
having thoroughly researched it, I can find no records of its existence. There
is no publishing house or printing company listed anywhere throughout the
entire book (including the cover). I can’t find any information about the
author either. All I can surmise is that the book is one of a kind and was
perhaps homemade.
I have spoken with some antique experts about the chest of
drawers in the hope that their history would shed some light on the book. The
date 1899 is carved into the base of them but there are no visible indications
of which company produced them. It is more likely they are a bespoke piece
created for a wealthy client or maybe something a carpenter made for his own
use. Unfortunately nothing more could be determined from a mere visual
evaluation of the drawers. Their history would have to be researched more
thoroughly and I don’t really have the time or resources to pursue this
endeavor presently.
However, it is the contents of the book that are most
relevant at the moment. The hotel featured in the book is your hotel, The
Golden Dome Hotel in Skarrow, Alaska. I figured that whilst the hotel is
specifically named that you or someone else employed by you (past or present)
might be able to shed some light on it.
Are you aware of any stories surrounding room 274 at the
hotel? Anything strange? I tried to find more about your hotel online but I
could only find this address and your name. I realize that maybe the hotel is
no longer in business and I’m just waffling to myself here! So I’ll keep it at
that for now.
I hope to hear back from you soon,
My best wishes,
Jacob
Letter
#2 from William Elkind to Jacob Donaldson – dated April 13th 2011
Dear Mr. Donaldson,
Thank you for
getting in touch. My apologies for the late response. The Golden Dome Hotel is
indeed closed down. It has been out of business for the past five years now. I
still own the building and live nearby in Skarrow. I make monthly visits to
check on things and look for mail – though this is the first time in three
years that there’s actually been any! It took me rather by surprise –
especially the contents of the letter.
There indeed were stories connected to room 274. I don’t
know if it’s mentioned in your book but there are actually only twenty rooms at
the Golden Dome. When my father opened the hotel he must have decided against
having a room 13 – I believe other hotels also don’t have a room 13 or even a
13th floor. Unlucky for some, I guess! The numbers 2, 7 and 4 obviously
add up to 13 and so I suppose it was my father’s humorous idea to use 274
instead. Or maybe he just wanted the hotel to seem bigger!
It’s quite amazing that there’s a book about the hotel and
the room. I’d love to read it. Does it say what year it was published? With it
being so rare I wouldn’t expect you to lend it to me by post. If there is any
chance you could have it photocopied and sent over I would gladly pay all of
the costs. Alternatively if you wanted to fly over here and see the hotel for yourself
(maybe shoot a video for you channel?) that would be fantastic. You would be
most welcome to stay at my home if it allowed me the opportunity to read the
book. With the Golden Dome being in my life since I was born I would naturally
be very keen to read it.
But, you know something Jacob? Room 274 scares me.
The hotel may not have a
website but I’m no technophobe. I’ve got an email address. I will tell you more
when I hear back from you. It’s billelkind@mailtoz.com.
I look forward to your email!
Bill
Taken from The Shining Quiz Book by Killian H. Gore
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Also features the chilling new The Shining-inspired Killian H. Gore short story, Room 274.
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