The Shining: Chapter 45 Summary & Analysis

At 8:31 a.m., MST, a woman aboard Hallorann’s flight begins to panic and scream that the plane is crashing. Outside the plane, snow falls relentlessly, and the plane rocks violently back and forth. It has been a rough flight, but the stewardess manages to calm the woman down. The pilot comes on the loudspeaker and says they will soon begin their descent, and the “NO SMOKING” light turns on. The sour-faced woman sitting next to Hallorann asks how his head is, and he says it is just fine. The plane begins to rock even more, and the woman takes off her glasses and tells Hallorann everything will be alright. She asks Hallorann if he would like to get a drink after the flight, but he politely declines. She smiles at him, a warm and friendly smile, and looks years younger.

Hallorann gets off the plane at Denver’s Stapleton Airport and goes directly to the car rental desk. He rents a car, and the desk attendant tells him that this is the worst storm since 1969. Hallorann can stop at the gas station on Route 270 and get chains put on the car’s tires. Hallorann thanks the attendant and leaves, passing the sour-faced woman waiting for her suitcase. She smiles and gives Hallorann the peace sign, and he feels her shine. He instantly feels badly for lying about a metal plate in his head, and he wishes her well in his head. As Hallorann gets in the rental car, he can hear the woman wishing him well, too.