CHALKBOARD STORIES
Proposition 1: It is possible to determine everything that was ever written on a chalkboard from the traces of dust they leave behind.
The hard chalk squeals in pain as the young man drags it across the board. He stops for a moment, then writes a second:
Proposition 2: It is possible to reconstruct a life from the traces they leave behind, the ways they affected other lives.
Yes, he thinks, that's it. Stretching, he adds an underlined title above the two sentences:
The Chalkboard Proposition
-date-
The big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYjicSg7yG
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiYdgpy39w
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiuHAb5WoV
On the last day of September…
"Oh, come on, you've got to tell me who you're taking to the social!" Esme titters, throwing her luscious blonde hair back with a flick of the head.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQE0mbUlkK
"Just someone." David was an unusual person; quiet, introverted, and the secret crush of nearly every girl in his year (not to mention ones younger and older). He had well defined features – piercing blue eyes, observant, brown curls hanging over his forehead and the faintest hint of facial hair sprouting beneath his tall nose and under his chin.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK8rP82ONt
"Don't tease me, Dave. Give me a name." Esme pouts in what could be considered a sexual way, and a few distant onlookers wolf-whistle. It took a lot to get the self-proclaimed beauty of the school to give that face.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF7gpoyUtf
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFJYjbfzeu
"Okay then. First letter."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9sDXzEQ3F
"May –" Her bottom lip sticks out even further, and she bends over, batting her eyelids. Shit, David thinks. If I don't say anything soon she's going to be undressing for me right here.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMhPVXMDit
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISzFdpOS1i
Immediately, Esme straightens herself, and pulls up her dress which had casually fallen a centimeter or two during her maneouvres. "B for bitch?" She adds, helpfully. A hysterical laugh.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5QhnuQXZ1
"No, what the hell, May?"1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHjXMNaT4B
She puts on a young, girly voice: "It was just a joke, mummy, no need to get so uptight!" Another laugh. "Ohhhhh my god, it's Bronte, isn't it. That SLUT!" She gasps theatrically.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7I8FwGpbm
"No, it's not Bronte. You wouldn't know who it is." He takes out and puts on his glasses and focuses on the book on his lap.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UBVzeBQ8O
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IkbKBJGAT
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4hAGv5szY
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveEO5EFCUz
Esme's group of friends appears suddenly, as if sprouting out of the ground like unwanted weeds; dandelions, pretty at first sight, but as you blow all the frills away you see the filth underneath that spreading over your garden.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWxGw0dDMy
"Well, Dave, I've gotta go. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!" She giggles, and her friends follow suit with an irritating chord of nervous laughter.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozVLtTgzmQ
As if in reverse mitosis, they form one impenetrable cloud of gossip that slowly walks away, emitting the occasional 'No way!' or 'Oh my god!'1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTOCKxqu8W
David sighs, and closes the book.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUnb0lrBpV
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lvk4ci4wz
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdOlToCNtL
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGKS676e2D
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeDtl8MYlz
sample volume: 7325kL1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaRfdk35QH
hypothesis: i am alone1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZUTa2gK56
method:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JZPP0iGVK
-extract impurities1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx46MEk221b
result: collected 109875L of impurities1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAssqiMVGdu
hypothesis disproven1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVlxFvNhVE
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ957eyn1Jc4
method:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL69RQtf1e6
-sift and sort impurities1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppBondd8iE
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMUNeaL1Sl
hypothesis disproven1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DK63oQKQw
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBNIue9TPL
method:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmTImvA2An
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMd3qX5C5y
-place in flask1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0vnrl2GHb
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tn7yNlWH0
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUl9DZLSq3
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxfcYOazSs
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmUwihPvYS
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbrKVWnoSW
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uJRbBAnjd
-wait1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMmzLgRftf
-until something magical happens1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lOy8PRXI6
result: i waited1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunZi93tWpX
result: i wanted1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cioLZzeaL
result: i failed1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBpBDwDZu2
result: i hid1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFeLUHDzdL
result: i tried1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56L8QFvhpI
result: i searched1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXpeLx4Isp
result: i found1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEoewRumLn
result: i found something magical1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6exsyqELp
hypotheses disproven1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSDm4qyLtY
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pYlLgxyWH
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwvIZre4D3
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2Bp7qezNi
Thursday's child has far to go,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRri6CNJNI
Friday's child is loving and giving,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMPu27hYu3
Saturday's child works hard for his living1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedCxjgGuCu
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF278AxlnN
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ871jLoV4cR
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkcjZt80yp
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnz3oTZoT9
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23YUfwJjdq
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQrd1Q7ki0
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCXwyH5bha
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn4qSVaJox
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4GdbXkppi
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-
Endless, endless, endless, and they all mean nothing. Dammit. The pen has run out of ink. He reaches for another –1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CkOhBQjld
"No need to." The author looks up at the voice, and is greeted by the figure of a young man, possibly mid to late twenties, perhaps even in the thirties. Streaky blonde hair, slightly awkward gait, but something elegant about the entire presentation. A smile. "It's already signed."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIUjrH1W32
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ0wyQBmVu
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z0oQPiQwh
Carolyn1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitZDqkh7Ig
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLQSdZKBKK
"You don't need to. It's only a mystery if you make it one." There's an audible muttering of impatience from the people in the line, and he glances back quickly after he finishes the sentence.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe6rJNAe1i
"The book isn't mine. I bought it second hand." He takes closes the cover, and takes it back. "I think there's a greater story in those fourteen words than what could ever be expressed in the entirety of your book."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdJYi9GxdT
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFrhRaGFux
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SDNrhmmlW
The young man offers nothing for a goodbye, simply walking away; but, just before he exits the bookshop – he turns back, and gives one last smile – that happy, sad, confused, surprised, goddamn smile.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsU0eB4aJW
The author doesn't want to let himself believe it, but he's sure, so sure, that when the man returns home, he'll play an old record of some Shakespeare, sit by his Shigeru and with his long, shapely fingers, play the most impenetrable and so unspeakably beautiful harmonies.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3FVk0gGDp
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoH3MUDGjE
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9kq8RZVEo
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkooOSxsMcv
Here comes a candle to light you to bed…
It is known that ghosts do not come out in day, but only at night, or in the dark.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa1ZZNUv4v
Why is this, experts ask?1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXfwK0OMIH
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8fI7PcjKQ
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPgqvjw9Qv
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnPugp0858
Each night, we video the cemetery, record audio in selected areas, record a transcript of all dialogue at our midnight campfire, and place the ecto-sensors around the cemetery, transmitting information to the ectograph.
NIGHT 1:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPx0kI0Amf
Video cameras find nothing.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0sWiThTU3
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85JV6keNio
No ectograph response.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XrE2baeqq
At our midnight campfire, we had seven people gathered around, telling stories. We came as a group of six. Once pointed out, said extra person vanished. Ghost activity suspected.
NIGHT 2:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbS9MessEK
Video cameras find nothing.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31zoo4EOnY
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHWesGc7nL
Slight ectograph response.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgVx49du3K
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYbsnIJ3ru
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChw0bPTt3A
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0Y6gBAHPM
Video cameras find a group of ghosts, touching, walking through each other, but seemingly without the knowledge of each other's presence. Further study of this phenomenon is required.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU2cp1jb1G
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhp81UmI96
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnFnkxkRn2
Ghost 54 returned to our midnight campfire, seemingly trying to make contact with us. Sounds made were unintelligible. We managed to capture it: we have placed it in a cage.
NIGHT 4:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgDbcIsEaF
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SrO8L50uk
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bkxgg2ZAm
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGlCsoj0FX
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAwOtjTiaW
One of our remaining 5 crew members has an epileptic fit. We attempt to calm him before he morphs into a monstrous ghost before our eyes. We restrain him, and place him in the cage. We have lost another crew member.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lcw01QPqZ
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsb1h1RyNd
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxQGowHzlh
Audio records many casual conversations.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu410o2bEN
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2YHAGHqgg
The cage contains our crew member and ghost 54. We cannot tell which is which, as both no longer resemble ghosts, both seemingly human now.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUGH0PmrSl
No ghost activity was found at all.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGllcXWblx
At midnight campfire, we go back through previous footage and recordings. They have changed. Frequencies are back to normal (edited versions had to be re-edited) and unintelligible noises now resemble human conversation.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaKzJmYCsj
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWpcyxN9iU
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf9g7gqhOD
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ890IZH1avK
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAUMIqQmFt
Went up the hill1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qnzJkfFWr
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV47krHjiF0
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQQln5gXBE
The climb is harsh, and he recalls when once – as a younger child, perhaps 11 or 12 years old, he twisted his foot on a rock, and it never quite fully healed; you wouldn't notice it at a glance, but there's something ever so slightly awkward about the way he carries himself.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1GBSsHnN4
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrnukIx6s7
That's what he calls it; the old, defunct well at the top of the hill – the Whishing Well. His own little private joke. And on those nights that he sneaks out of the house to climb up, he drops something precious down the well and makes a wish, then lies under the glimmering stars for as long as he dares before heading back down to his house.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXvj0xsF3X
Tonight is different.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJFAXzFEli
He has nothing left to give to the well.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgqa3opny2
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Nssxmpf5
He knows that this is the last time he's going to go to the well. He doesn't want to come back after this, because this – this is his final wish, the most important thing in his whole life, the one thing he wants granted.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaztT4FtAgn
He reaches the peak, and kneels beside the stone circle surrounding the pit. He makes his wish, and as he does so, he can't help but let a few tears escape; each echoing hollowly as they splash against the bottom of the well.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tds4M68R9
The sleepless moon watches over him, gliding so slowly across the sky, a guardian, a confidante, the only other that will know the wish, the light reflecting of his streaky blonde hair.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWrYKWNYvb
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURuSnyIIPv
He wants it. He needs it.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ES2Xameg
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxvqemohfn
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ4z8cTQEm
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMJCPsSKwn
"Go get 'em, tiger."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBgMLsmyUG
And so a door closes, another opens.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd05qkQw3E
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrrHOReFOB
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa593epOUBt
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEfNJveK2n
He grasps it.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIptFjYW03
"Ready?"1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L1KvSdI2C
The person answers. "Ready."1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcwWcozjLO
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQgm7PyBOh
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbXj53Exml
Silence.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK9seIaz7I
Everything stops.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnDBXonBdm
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxmavLqb2P
I wish…1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpTPrhJCqV
I wish…1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq4qNJ1isU
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBLGr4Mdrv
Who then was a gentleman?
I'm walking new territory now, no footsteps in the sand before me. I've thrown everything that I knew and loved to the winds, and I'm scared that I'll take the journey alone. Everything is different now, but even in those first, tentative steps, I know that however hard this will be, something magical is waiting for me at the end. And when I glimpse that beautiful thing, still so far away, rising over the horizon, I'm going to run, oh, I'll run, and I'm never looking back.
Just watch me go.1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD9I5iQTHS
-chalkboard stories-1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHGTtvCnPo
its only an enigma1003Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJP1OTpgNw
if you want it to be
然後按「加至主畫面」