Stone Cold Daily Routines 11-15

1. By: Robert Swindells Stone ColdDaily Routines 11-15

2. Learning Objectives • To understand the main events that have led to the conclusion of the novel: • You will come to learn of the plot developments between Daily Routine 11-15 • Reinforce terms like: Dramatic Irony, Situational Irony, Personification, Simile and Foreshadow • Learn of the climax • You will learn about the use and function of: Juxtaposition • You will come across the significance of various important quotes • You will also have to complete the following tasks: • Write a newspaper article that details the events that led up to Shelter’s arrest. You well be required to point out what you as a journalist managed to see in his apartment • Test on its significance

3. Daily Routine Orders 11 • The two plots eventually manage to merge together in this chapter • Shelter begins to de-brief the readers on the day's events. He calls his operation: ‘Laughing Boy One’ • He reveals how he had know Link and Ginger’s names first. Then, he began follow them, waiting for them to separate • Shelter is almost animal like in the way in which he stalks his prey, only deciding to pounce when they are alone, apart from the shelter of a group • Realising that Ginger is alone, Shelter moves in • He convinces the 'cagey' Ginger that he has knocked Link down and that the seriously injured Link is at his house wanting him to come • Ginger, concerned about his friend, follows Shelter • Ginger thinks he sees an injured body covered in the house and immediately runs to it • Ginger becomes the latest victim to be murdered • Shelter's sadistic nature is evident in his delight at his 'brilliance' in snaring • This is despite the fact that Ginger is suspicious about his story of Link being injured • The story that Shelter engineers to convince Ginger that it really is the heavily bleeding Link under the blanket, display his unbalanced state of mind • In a chilling warning, Shelter vows to carry on the killing wanting to kill Link next. When he does not see him, he states, 'there's always tomorrow,‘ • He calls Link’s operation: ‘Laughing Boy Two’

4. Daily Routine Orders 11 (Cont’d) • After considering various reasons for Ginger's disappearance, Link decides to ask around • In a conversation that follows with a Big Issue vendor, Link learns that: • Ginger was seen talking to another man • Link's name was mentioned • Tension is created as the readers realise that the vendor witnessed Ginger talking to his killer • The readers know that murderer is also aware of Link's existence • This is an example of Dramatic Irony • This is considering that the readers are fully aware of what is going on, but Link has not the slightest clue • In a chance meeting, Link speaks to a Toya, a girl that knows Ginger. She too is unsure of Ginger's whereabouts • She suggesting that he may have found employment and moved on • Link then makes a Promise:Not allow anyone to get too close to him • After a brief meeting with a second 'dosser' called Gail, Link tells her that he must go in keeping with his promise • Link then goes back on his promise when Gail makes it clear that she needs his help. This is considering: • He realizes that is may need her, just as he needed Ginger • He finds her to attractive

5. Daily Routine Orders 12 • Shelter appears annoyed with himself because he has made a 'mistake.‘ • Instead of concentrating on Link, he 'went looking for army boots' to dress his collection of corpses in • This has given time for link to make an new friend, Gail • This relapse strengthens his determination to capture Link • Now that Link has a companion (Gail), Shelter admits that he must, 're-group' and 'devise fresh tactics' if he is to succeed this time • Homelessness moves individuals to the edge of society, to a place where they exist rather than live. Homelessness creates a 'separate species.‘ • Link talks of how being an 'outsider' denies you the chance to: • Get a haircut • Have dental check – ups • Buy clothes and other necessary items • Talk casually to girls • This is because normal everyday experience does not apply to you • At his lowest point, Link begins to think of himself as, “Living beside, not in harmony with the world around him” • It is as if he is a completely different species

6. Daily Routine Orders 12 (Cont’d) • In meeting Gail, Link learns discovers the following has occurred: • He learns to appreciate what it is to feel that he belongs to society again • He talks how for the first time in months, he 'wasn't some sort of freak‘ • The cold and the hunger are not much of a problem • He maybe in love with her • Situational Irony: Earlier on, he stated on difficult it is to get to know any girl as a dosser • Gail questions and learns a lot about, ‘The Scene’ • Living homeless in the city • Link was so caught up with Gail, that he completely forgot about the disappearance of Ginger • He admits that this is the result of love • The chapter ends on a positive note: • Link has made a friend, someone who seems genuinely interested in him as a person • As readers, we are forced to reflect on our own materialistic existence • In the 21stcentury, how many of us can honestly say that all we need to be happy is the company of others? • Personification: “Panic squeezed my heart”

7. Daily Routine Orders 13 • Shelter vows to continue his 'business' to rid the United Kingdom of the homeless • The word ‘business’ indicates that Shelter believes that he is providing a valuable service • Shelter boasts about the fact that: • He has killed 7 dossers • Each execution has been beautifully planned • It is difficult to find a patterns of who is victims are • 1 of the dossers he murders is Black • Situational Irony: His explanation that he does not discriminate and he murders all dossers regardless of their colour is laughable • Quote: “None of my lads is hungry, and they've got a roof over their heads and a floor as well” • This self-serving logic is his attempt to convince the readers that he is carrying out this task for the benefit of the country • Situational Irony: Shelter does provide a roof, floor and relief from hunger, despite the fact that the dossers he lures are dead

8. Daily Routine Orders 13 (Cont’d) • Feeling that Gail values him, Link becomes obsessed with finding a job. He wants to provide a home for her. As a result, he: • Haunted job centres • Wrote letters to employers • Bought stamps he could not afford • Held several interviews • He had to leave Gail in his quest for a job • Link realizes that he fact that she has not left him yet may show that she too is in love with him • Toya's father is scouring the streets looking for her. It is breaking her parents` heart • Link offers to help by letting her know that her father is looking for her if he sees Toya again • Link wishes that someone cared for him enough to come to find him

9. Daily Routine Orders 14 • The readers learn of a strange situation, where a middle-aged man knocks at Shelter's door the previous evening • Suspicious of his appearance and warned by his instinct, Shelter views his visitor from behind a curtain • He chooses NOT to open the door to an uninvited character • In a further insight into his warped mind, the readers learn how Shelter's life depends on being in control of the details to his house. This is considering that: • He continuously checks everything • He only using a 60-watt bulb • This is so as to never 'show a strong light after dusk‘ • Nick, (Big Issuevendor), approaches Link to tell him that he saw Toya with the same man that he saw Ginger talking to • Nick's suspicions are aroused, as both: A) Ginger and B) Toya go missing immediately after talking to this strange man • Realisingthat he is need of help, Nick sent Toya's father - who is searching for his missing daughter – to Captain Hook’s house, who may know where the suspected man lives

10. Daily Routine Orders 14 (Cont’d) • Concerned about what he has just heard, Link suggests that Nick should go to the police • Nick is less optimistic, expecting the police to conclude that Toya and Ginger are two dossers who have simply moved on • Increasingly troubled by Ginger's sudden disappearance, Link persuades Gail to accompany him to the police station • Link is convinced that Ginger would not disappear without saying anything • Hence, this arouses further suspicion on who this man might be • Just as Nick had forecast, the duty sergeant is irritated, claiming that: • The matter has already been investigated • Nothing has been found to justify further action

11. Daily Routine Orders 15 • Confident that he can continue to outwit the police, Shelter toys with the idea of whether or not he should open the door to the 2 officers • He decides to do so, while doing the following: • Being calm • Adopts persona to suit the moment • Being, ‘Shy and modest‘ • Shows that he has a genuine concern for the homeless • At the end of the police visit, he congratulates himself on being able to remain 'as cool as a cucumber.‘ • Simile: ‘Cool as a cucumber’  Used to show how calm he was during the police visit • Shelter launches into a venomous attack, by declaring that he has had the 'last laugh‘ • This is a sign of absolute arrogance • According to him, the enemy has 'been repulsed.’ • His laughing out loud makes the readers think for that he is: A) A lunatic and B) Has completely lost his mind

12. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • Satisfied that Shelter is telling the truth, the officers offer advice telling him to be careful about whom he invites into his home. • Quote: 'I'll be careful'  Shelter’s reply to the police • This is ironic • Shelter will be careful, careful not to get caught • It shows how loyal he will be to follow the police’s advice • He continues to deceive the police • Quote: ‘I never let them stay overnight - well – because I'm afraid I might be murdered in my bed.’ • This is ironic • Shelter is the one who is murdering the homeless, they never attack • This shows Shelter’s ability to deceive the officerswith her persona • Shelter is playing games by deliberately addressing the constable as inspector • This is done in an effort to make him feel more important

13. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • Link and Gail plan to approach Captain Hook to find out where Nick lives • Aware that he would not tell them, Gail decides to go on her own • Whilst Link is waiting for Gail to return, he reflects on how the following: • How he has changed his life for the better • He feels a strange uneasiness that he cannot explain • He is suspicious of Gail's confidence, and suspects that she might not really be homeless • Quote: ‘She [Gail] wasn't screwed up enough.' (Link) • This shows suspicion she may not be really homeless • Foreshadow: It serves as a sign that this maybe the case later on • After finding out where Nick lives, they both set off to watch the house where they think Toya and Ginger were last seen • They spend a considerable amount of time watching the house over a few days • Their surveillance amounts to nothing • Quote: ‘Horrible things had been done in the house‘ (Link) • Foreshadow: A terrible event may ensue there • Link is struck by the ordinary appearance of the man who lives there • Juxtaposition: It is so peaceful, yet terrible things may have occurred there • Juxtaposition: The act of placing close together or side by side for comparison or contrast purposes (Def.)

14. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • Gail has 'a couple of things to see to' so Link keeps watch alone. To his luck, it manages to rain quite tremendously • Shelter manages to see Link and lures him by: • Striking a conversation about his missing cat • Inviting into his house to eat • Tempting him with the offer of a coat that might keep Link warm and dry • Link feels that it is rude to refuse such a generous offer • Once in the living room, Link notices the following: • Everything is in its place • The house is incredibly clean • There are no strong lights • Situational Irony: Link puts himself in great danger in Shelter’s house, but is not initially aware of it • The lingering suspicions that Link had as he surveyed the house have now dissolved. Alone in the room, Link begins to ironically feel more comfortable • The sight of his watchon the sideboard alerts Link that there is something wrong • Link had been mugged for his watch by another homeless man earlier on in the novel • As readers, we are able to make the connection that Shelter may have killed the man that mugged Link • This causes Link to feel great discomfort, since his watch would not appear there by chance

15. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • As the man walks into the room, Link starts to: • Panic • Feel a tightening sensation in his chest • Climax: 'Paralyzed with horror,' Link looks at the man's contorted face and he realizes that he is trapped by the same 'mad' man that had taken Ginger and Toya • Climax: The highest or most intense point in the development of a plot (Definition) • Shelter warns Link of the fate of the other 'recruits‘. He removes the floorboards for Link to see the bodies of the other victims • Realising the urgency with which he must escape, Link immediately react by: • Trying to smash the front window  The glass only cracks • Link, 'sobbing with terror,' manages to temporarily claw himself free

16. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • Shelter manages to quickly pin him to the floor • Overhanging the hole in the floorboards, Link is forced to look at the bodies of the murdered victims below and he recognises Ginger • Link is losing consciousness as Shelter is trying to strangle him. Shelter does get off him, but it is only to reach for a length of flex to kill Link more quickly • Unexpectedly, the sirens scream and the police arrive to drag Shelter out • Gail is waiting for Link she explains how she has got the police involved: • When she returned outside the house she did not see him and was about to leave • The lights then came on and the curtains fell • She could see through the window Link struggling to break free • She then immediately ran to get help

17. Daily Routine Orders 15 (Cont’d) • Gail reveals her true identity that she is actually a T.V journalist researching homelessness • Significance: This therefore fulfills Link’s earlier suspicion that she is not a real dosser • Angry and traumatised by his experience, Link at first accuses Gail of standing by when she was aware of what was happening • He realises though that he 'hardly knew what he [Link] was saying.' • Out of sympathy, Gail then: A) 'shoves a wad of bank notes into Links hand’, B) wishes him good luck and C) Disappears into a waiting car • Link reflects on what has happened to Shelter, and the situation that he now finds himself in: • Shelter has been sent to prison • He still has 'a roof [over his head], a bed and 3 meals a day • Situational Irony: Although Link is not a murderer, he does not get any of these privileges/benefits • Link points out that a murderer is treated with more dignity than he is • Link is not bitter about his near death experience, or even that he still has to struggle on the streets • Link hopes that Gail's research into homelessness may result to the following: • Prompt people to make things better, if they know what is going on • Young people will look for alternatives to life on the streets • It may indicate that he has forgiven her, for fooling him into thinking that she is interested in him and that she is a dosser