Stephen King has been writing from an early age. When in school, he wrote stories based on movies he had seen recently and sold them to his friends. This was not popular among his teachers, and he was forced to return his profits when this was discovered. The stories were copied using a mimeo machine that his brother David used to copy a newspaper, Dave's Rag, which he self-published. Dave's Rag was about local events, and King would often contribute. In Quitters, Inc., Dick Morrison bumps into an old friend, Jim McCann, who tells him that a place called Quitters, Inc. helped him to quit. Dick goes to Quitters, who tell him they have a 98% success rate. After Dick signs up, he finds out why. Quitters, Inc. has found out everything about him, including who his family and friends are. They have a series of threats against Dick's loved ones that they say they will carry out if Dick smokes. Quitters lists very specifically horrible things they will do to Dick or his family, including electric shocks, and breaking his son's arms. If he is caught smoking a tenth time, his Quitter's tells him he will be killed, these are the 2% that are failures for Quitters, Inc. Dick doesn't really believe either that they would harm his wife, disabled son, or Dick himself, or that they could possibly find out if he does break down and smoke. He is wrong, and is forced to watch his wife Lucinda receive half an hour of electric shocks… Listen online to free English audiobook "Quitters, Inc.” on our website to experience Stephen King's short story.
