Sneakers (short story)

Infobox short story |
name = Sneakers
title_orig =
translator =
author = Stephen King
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Short story
published_in = "Dark Visions" (1st release),
"Nightmares and Dreamscapes"
publication_type = Anthology
publisher = Orion
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pub_date = August 10, 1989
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Sneakers" is a short shory written by Stephen King that was published in the compilation book "Dark Visions" and in his collection "Nightmares and Dreamscapes".

Plot summary

Music exec John Tell thinks that working at Tabori Studios with famous producer Paul Jannings will be a big opportunity, but when he notices a pair of old dirty sneakers in an adjacent bathroom stall he doesn't realise what he's getting into. John at first assumes they belong to somebody who works at the studio or a delivery person, but when he visits the bathroom again throughout the week, he notices that not only have they not moved but are now covered in a layer of dead flies and other bugs. Eventually Tell discovers that particular pair of shoes were the trademark of a dealer who supplied the recording talent with regular supplies of cocaine who was killed in the men's room and his money stolen. Tell finally confronts the ghost, to find himself face to face with himself, then the ghost turns into an Indian man of about 30.

The ghost informs him that he was brutally killed by Tell's boss, a drug addicted and somwhat predatory homosexual. This prompts Tell to quit his job.