1408- Electronics

“The Dolphin went to a MagCard system in 1979, Mr. Enslin, the
year I took the job as manager. 1408 is the only room in the house
that still opens with a key. There was no need to put a MagCard lock
on its door, because there’s never anyone inside; the room was last
occupied by a paying guest in 1978.”

“You’re shitting me!” Mike sat down again, and unlimbered his
minicorder again. He pushed the RECORD button and said, “House
manager Olin claims 1408 not rented to a paying guest in over twenty
years.”

“It is just as well that 1408 has never needed a MagCard lock on
its door, because I am completely positive the device wouldn’t work.
Digital wristwatches don’t work in room 1408. Sometimes they run
backward, sometimes they simply go out, but you can’t tell time with
one. Not in room 1408, you can’t. The same is true of pocket calculators
and cell-phones. If you’re wearing a beeper, Mr. Enslin, I
advise you to turn it off, because once you’re in room 1408, it will start
beeping at will.” He paused. “And turning it off isn’t guaranteed to
work, either; it may turn itself back on. The only sure cure is to pull
the batteries.” He pushed the STOP button on the minicorder without
examining the buttons; Mike supposed he used a similar model for
dictating memos. “Actually, Mr. Enslin, the only sure cure is to stay
the hell out of that room.”

- 1408, chapter I