Stephen King is a true craftsman, when it comes to weaving stories. When Olin finally consents to take Mike up to the 14th floor (which is actually the thirteenth floor), He even goes so far as to beg him to change his mind.
He tells him anything that he can, to persuade Mike to upgrade to a different room or leave all together. He tells him bizarre effects that the room has had on his staff. He shares with him privileged knowledge of the 12 suicides and over 30 natural deaths, which seemed to occur each time a guest stayed in room 1408. Once Mike gets to the Dolphin, Olin tries very hard to persuade Mike to change his mind. It is with the help of his publisher’s attorney that he finally gets Olin to work with him. His goal is to spend an entire night in room 1408, but when requesting these accomodations, the Hotel’s manager Gerald Olin ( Samuel L. It is for his current project that Mike heads to New York City and into the Dolphin Hotel. Even so, Mike Enslin seems content in being miserable and bitter. It is even mentioned, by a few people who have read his work, that his earlier unrecognized book was beautifully crafted and touching. Early in the film, on a few occasions, he makes comments about how this is where the money is. Mike doesn’t try very hard to show the world that he stands behind his work, or believes in what he is doing. There is the 10 Nights in Haunted Graveyards, The 10 Nights in Haunted Mansions, The 10 Nights in Haunted Houses, and his current work: 10 Nights in Haunted Hotels.
He is best known for a series of books he has written on Haunted places. The entire story, in written form, is 38 pages. He goes on to talk about how, unexpectedly, the story “seduced” him. “I wrote the first three or four pages as part of an appendix for my On Writing book, wanting to show readers how a story evolves from a first draft to a second,” King says. When King originally began “1408,” it was never meant to have an ending. The last shot is of him finishing his cigarette and walking towards the door just as he vanishes.“1408” is based on a short story, written by Stephen King, for the Everything’s Eventual published book of short stories. We see a specter Mike Enslin staring out the window. Gerald catches his breath, starting his car and driving off. He looks back at the girl who has found her dad that was looking for her. Gerald jumps but the vision quickly disappears. He turns around to look at her and catches a brief vision of Mike Enslin in his back seat, hideously burned. As he listens, he sees a young girl in his rear-view mirror waving in his direction. Gerald plays it and hears the same dialog between Mike and his daughter heard at the end of the theatrical release. Gerald returns to his car and opens the box, which contains the nightgown that was sent through the fax machine as well and the burned tape recorder. Lily, in too much grief to listen, cuts him off and refuses to accept the box.
He offers it to Lily while also trying to explain, with a sense of hope, that Mike's death of was not in vain and that because of his actions no one else will *ever be able to stay in room 1408. He says the box contains some of Mike's belongings still left in the room. Gerald introduces himself and gives his condolences.
As the procession ends, Lily walks to her car and is met by Gerald Olin who is carrying a box. Lily is there, being consoled by Mike's agent. The next scene is at Mike's funeral where his coffin is lowered into the ground right next to his daughter's just as the visions 1408 prophesied.
The camera zooms in on the numbers on the outside door, just as they melt from the heat. Instead, the last we see of him is when he's lying on his back in the burning room and we hear the words of his daughter "everybody dies". Mike Enslin sets fire to 1408 but is not rescued by the fire department. ***Spoiler Alert - Alternate Ending*** The Director's Cut contains a more tragic ending.