Big Fish

Edward Bloom has grown into a healthy, strong, well-liked man, who eats and drinks with gusto. His life is like a dream, but he knows he must leave. His mother and father don’t try to stop him, but they’re worried, as the only road out of Ashland passes through “the place that had no name.” Only people who are meant to leave Ashland can pass through unharmed. The others linger there in perpetual limbo.

Edward leaves Ashland on a bright day. It grows darker and foggier as he approaches “the place that had no name.” He sees stores like Ashland’s, including the pharmacy and the hardware store, but they’re dark, empty, and have cracked windows. Strange people—with “one terrible thing” different—run to meet Edward. One man has a shrunken arm that was battered in a car accident. A woman who had a stroke has a sagging face. An embittered whore lives at the end of the street. Her son is a brain-damaged boy with a swollen head and no memory who carries a broom around, looking for his father. They all tried to leave Ashland after their mishaps but got stuck here.

Edward meets a shriveled old man named Willie. Edward says he’s just passing through, but Willie takes Edward’s arm and shows him around all the same. Willie shows Edward places like the billiard hall and the whore’s house, mentioning how sweet she is—sometimes. It starts to rain, and Edward says it feels like everything’s damp here. Willie says “you get used to it,” explaining that’s what this place is for—getting used to things. Edward says he doesn’t want that. They walk through the growing fog as people with missing fingers gather to watch them. Willie explains that the dampness is like the residue of people’s dreams. Edward responds “not mine,” and Willie says “not yet.” 

Edward spots a generic-looking dog emerging from the fog. Willie smiles, saying the dog has no name so they call him “Dog.” Dog’s a gatekeeper of sorts. Willie tells Edward to call the dog, so Edward kneels hesitantly and calls to it, trying to look friendly. Dog’s hair bristles and he bares his teeth, locking eyes with Edward. Willie forces Edward to stick out his hand as the dog approaches, snarling. Edward’s heart is pounding, but the dog softens, licking Edward’s hand and wagging his tail. Willie looks defeated. Edward wonders if he can leave now and Willie grips Edward’s arm tightly, saying Edward will want a coffee first. 

Edward and Willie enter the Good Food Cafe, a gray, lifeless place. The pallid diners smile, eyeing Edward like he’s their meal. A silent waitress serves some steaming coffee and Willie cautions Edward that there were others who saw themselves as big fish and still got stuck here. Jimmy Edwards was going to be a big football star but he’s here all the same. Dog got his left index finger. Edward notices that everyone’s missing some fingers. They get up and crowd around Edward as he spots Dog waiting outside. Edward wonders if he missed his chance to leave.

A man even older than Willie warns Edward not to face Dog again, saying he’s unpredictable and it’s better for Edward to sit tight and tell them about his dreams instead. Edward does, and they smile, asking him to come back and tell them again tomorrow. One woman even says she can fix Edward up with a nice girl. Edward shifts uncomfortably and says apologetically that there’s been a misunderstanding and he’s not staying. The diners crowd around Edward, urging him to stay, saying he’ll forget about his dreams. 

Suddenly, someone screams as Dog approaches, growling, with his “terrible” teeth bared. The crowd back away in fear and Edward jumps at the chance to escape, running into the darkness without looking back. The sky begins to lighten and Dog is running beside Edward. The world becomes green again and Dog rubs against Edward as they approach a giant, endless lake. Dog collapses, and Edward rubs Dog’s neck with soothing tenderness. As the sun sets and the moon rises, Edward sees the river girl emerge from the water in the distance. She waves at Edward and he waves back, saying “Hello!” and then “goodbye.”