"Each story contains something I believed for a while, and I know that
some of these things--the finger poking out of the drain, the man-eating toads,
the hungry teeth--are a little frightening, but I think we'll be alright if
we go together. First, repeat the catechism after me:
I believe a dime can derail a freight-train.
I believe there are alligators in the New York City sewer system, not to
mention rats as big as Shetland ponies.
I believe that you can tear off someones's shadow with a steel tent-peg.
I believe that there really is a Santa claus, and that all those red-suited
guys you see at Christmastime really are his helpers.
I believe there is an unseen world all around us.
I believe that tennis balls are full of poison gas, and if you cut one in two and
breathe what comes out, it'll kill you.
Most of all, I do believe in spooks. I do believe in spooks.
I do believe in spooks.
Okay? Ready? Fine. Here's my hand. We're going in now. I know the way.
All you have to do is hold on tight . . . and believe."
Stephen King
Bangor, Maine
November 6, 1992
Introduction to 'Nightmares & Dreamscapes'
