You Like It Darker

In 1937, Phil Parker faces a major life decision. He can work for the large Boston law firm where his father is a senior partner. However, he would prefer to establish his practice in the small town of Curry, which he hopes will grow with his business. If he chooses to practice in Curry, Phil risks disappointing the father of his childhood sweetheart, Sally Ann Allburton, and he’ll forbid their marriage. Phil spends a weekend in Curry to decide whether to live there, destroying his relationship with Sally Ann, or move to Boston, disappointing himself.

Along the highway, he sees signs directing him to “The Answer Man.” Amused by the prospect that someone else might have the answer to his dilemma, Phil stops at the middle-aged man’s stall. The man advertises five minutes of service for $25 but offers two questions for free. Phil asks questions about the service, and the man cautions Phil about his questions but answers that his rates vary by time and place, and Phil would know that his answers were correct only over time. Phil accidentally asks how much time. The man generously responds that this also depends and notes that smart people often ask questions that prevent them from understanding the truth; he refers to these as “impotent” questions.

The Answer Man suggests that Phil ask him his mother’s maiden name to verify that his service is legitimate. Phil is initially reluctant to pay and even asks for a discount. He’s ultimately so drawn to possibly humiliating the man that he pays the full price. The man cautions that he isn’t a fortune teller; questions beginning with “should” are forbidden. The Answer Man starts a timer for five minutes. When asked for his name, Phil says he’s “Just Phil.”

Phil is surprised when the Answer Man tells him his mother’s maiden name. He then correctly names Phil’s girlfriend. Phil starts asking questions about his future, learning that he and Sally Ann will marry and settle in Curry. To reassure himself that the responses are true, Phil asks about his father’s birth, and the man answers correctly. Phil learns that Curry will develop precisely as he hopes it will and that Sally’s parents will reconcile with his decision to live there in seven years. With his remaining time, Phil learns that a war will break out, which the US will join in four years. Phil will participate in the war but will survive without injury.

Though relieved when his time ends, Phil wonders how the Answer Man knew he’d be coming. Phil soon loses consciousness and wakes up in his car. He supposes that his encounter with the Answer Man was a dream, especially since no evidence of his stall is apparent. The dream convinces Phil to follow his instincts and settle down with Sally Ann in Curry. They marry the following year, and her father attends at her mother’s request. Phil establishes his practice, serving farmers whose properties the banks have threatened. This sustains his practice into 1941, when the US becomes involved in World War II. Phil enlists as a soldier in the Pacific theater. During training, he learns Sally Ann is pregnant.

Deployed to Eniwetok Atoll, Phil’s unit meets steep resistance from the Japanese army. The US establishes a camp, but Japanese soldiers attack it the following morning. Standing in the line of fire, Phil narrowly survives, assured of his fate by the Answer Man’s predictions. The US forces resist the assault, and Phil becomes a bond salesman for the remainder of the war. When he returns home, Sally Ann’s father reconciles with him over his heroism, and Phil meets his three-year-old son, Jake. He’s initially shy with Phil, but they connect through playing catch. After the war, Phil’s business booms, and the town of Curry develops rapidly. At eight years old, Jake is a talented ball catcher, leading Phil and Sally Ann to wonder whether he might have the potential to turn professional.

In 1951, Phil is driving to pick up a new television set. He’s thinking of running for state senator when he sees signs for the Answer Man. Seizing the opportunity, he follows the signs and is surprised that the man has barely aged. He advertises three minutes of service at $50 with one free answer. The Answer Man remembers Phil, leading him to admit that his previous questions were impotent. Phil uses his free question to learn that no one can see their interaction with the Answer Man because it occurs in a hidden fold of reality. Phil pays for three minutes. He learns that he won’t run for Senate: The incumbent New Hampshire senator will ask someone else to run. However, his family will enjoy the new television set. Phil learns that Jake will never play sports, even at the high school level. The time runs out as Phil asks whether something is wrong with his son. He tries to extend his time, but the rate has changed to $200 for three minutes. Phil loses consciousness again, and Jake wakes him. Phil again assumes that his encounter with the Answer Man was a dream.

As predicted, Phil’s family is enamored with the television. Jake spends all his free time watching shows, hardly ever playing sports. Phil and Sally Ann are initially concerned that he has an addiction to television, but he begins writing cowboy stories, and Phil wonders if he might become a professional writer. In 1952, Jake has a severe nosebleed. They take him to the doctor, who diagnoses him with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He dies the following year at age 10. Overcome with grief, Sally Ann forms an alcohol and smoking addiction. Phil suggests another child, but Sally Ann miscarries and decides that she doesn’t want more children. Phil tries to confront her about addiction, but she won’t listen. In 1960, she dies in a crash while driving home from a bar. Her father soon dies of a heart attack.

Phil wishes to talk to the Answer Man again to learn whether Sally Ann’s death was an accident or she died by suicide, and why he suffered so much more than others have. Phil’s life turns around when he agrees to represent Christine Lacasse in suing real estate developer New England Freedom Corporation for causing a fire that scarred her and killed her family. Phil relentlessly pursues the case, winning more than $7 million for himself and Lacasse’s brother-in-law after Lacasse dies of pneumonia. He hangs a portrait of Lacasse and her husband in his office to remind himself that others have suffered worse than he has.

With the financial security of his windfall, Phil becomes a pro bono lawyer and an active member of the Curry community. Though he doesn’t remarry, he maintains a casual relationship with a friend and adopts a dog in 1979. He eventually retires, and the town celebrates him. His dog dies in 1993. Two years later, at age 83, Phil is diagnosed with a brain tumor. He refuses surgery when he learns that the odds of survival are 50:50.

While taking one last drive on the highway, he sees signs leading to the Answer Man, who has not aged. He advertises his services for free. Phil asks whether people go on after death and whether he can expect Heaven, Hell, reincarnation, or a reunion with his family in the afterlife. He asks whether it will be happy or sad. The Answer Man says “yes” as Phil loses consciousness. He wakes up in his car, feeling good. Pretending his dog is still there, Phil asks the dog whether he thinks Phil can drive them home safely. The dog barks yes.