some weeks later , jack had reappeared at the center of a self-created tornado , arranging for the telephone to be connected and the electricity billed in his name , scooping up what looked like half the contents of roy 's store , zipping off to arden and la riviere to buy a new bed , linens , tableware , cast-iron pots and pans and a set of french knives , a compact microwave and a giant television , and a stack of sound equipment so sleek , black , and resplendent that dale , who had been invited over for a companionable drink , figured it must have cost more than his own annual salary .