| abstract
| - Stillson is introduced in the novel at the beginning of the book as a struggling traveling salesman for a Bible-printing company in 1955. During a stop at a house in rural Iowa, Stillson is attacked by the absent homeowners' dog and, enraged, sprays ammonia in the animal's eyes before beating it to death. As he drives away, Stillson comes to the realization that he is destined for greatness. It is revealed later that Stillson held a series of odd occupations in the years following this incident, among them being a successful rain maker. Eventually Stillson moves to Ridgeway, New Hampshire in 1971, where he becomes an active leader in local business and politics. He blackmails Sonny Elliman, the leader of a biker gang called the Devil's Dozen, into becoming his hired thug and, later, his head of security during his political campaign. Stillson also develops a reputation in Ridgeway for his ability to "straighten out" delinquent teenagers, a clandestine process that often involves physical and emotional torture. Stillson campaigns for the United States House of Representatives as an independent in 1976. He gains national attention for his unconventional behavior during rallies, often donning a construction helmet and making bizarre campaign promises, such as sending air pollution into outer space in plastic bags. Meanwhile, Stillson's security detail, led by Elliman and his fellow bikers, are implicated in several beatings involving rally attendees. Psychic Johnny Smith first attends a Stillson rally in the town of Trimbull, New Hampshire. When he and Stillson shake hands, Smith sees a vision of Stillson being sworn in as President of the United States many years into the future. As he eventually relates in a letter to his father, Smith comes to believe that President Stillson will worsen an international conflict originating in South Africa, starting a full-scale nuclear war. Smith estimates that up to twenty countries will use nuclear arms during the war, as well as terrorist groups. The experience of the vision not only horrifies Smith but Stillson too, and Stillson's men almost assault the psychic. Stillson is elected congressman on election night. He proves so popular during his first term that he is re-elected in a landslide. Shortly following his re-election, he creates a conservative political action committee called the America Now Party. Smith, with the terrible knowledge of Stillson's future deeds, contemplates attacking or assassinating the congressman. Soon after saving the life of a boy he was tutoring from a deadly roadhouse fire, Smith leaves New Hampshire and finds a public works job in Phoenix, Arizona. However, after suffering from a severe seizure on the job and discovering a brain tumor, he realizes he has precious little time to deal with Stillson. Smith arrives in Jackson, New Hampshire, which is to host a town hall meeting featuring Stillson the following day. Posing as a news photographer, Smith finds a decent sniper's nest in the town hall's second floor gallery, with a clear view of the podium. The next day, Smith takes his place there in hiding as the rally begins. However, when he decides to shoot the politician, he misses several times. Stillson grabs a nearby child and uses him as a human shield. Smith then hesitates to shoot Stillson and is himself subsequently shot and mortally wounded. His efforts are not in vain, however; a news photographer Smith had met earlier took a picture of Stillson cowering behind the child, and gets away from Stillson's bodyguards. Smith touches Stillson again when they meet the final time, discovering that he has changed the future and that Stillson will never come to power. With this knowledge, Smith dies content. It is implied that Stillson's political career ends in disgrace after the damning photo of him holding the child against Smith's fire is published.
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