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,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmNHfPkjwz
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlCoszWvFu
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwQmBkXx6k
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZKS3Bz1aM
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEKnMliviT
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKEdl50Jkb
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4RcVYQIpN
"Okay then. First letter."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcsuSvxWqb
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMn6LYekEX
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiXMWR1PQV
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1qDzHBeoa
"No, what the hell, May?"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELJGlnbBjB
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7RPTTWxwy
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlqLHL3Bz1
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB1hAodFyL
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OqXRjG1s2
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonkeXZ2r3E
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DGs6DaHWE
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ue8c6XFqU
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!'1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZXeKUZXq0
David sighs, and closes the book.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk03YmR25B
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApREIbFx7P
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7dAT1YjcD
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpKx5Fk7wD
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfraBGXEP
sample volume: 7325kL1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU8p84kgke
hypothesis: i am alone1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMEvi5NhPK
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXGfwwC7MG
-extract impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ukA0o272
result: collected 109875L of impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMCXiI47wv
hypothesis disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaunHiF85Mu
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5He2oFgBvW
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLkBy49ys0
-sift and sort impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH7IIoeK9O
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69kaBECbtL
hypothesis disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTF6P3TSJN
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0wTdO8QPX
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCK6xsf46p
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EOOgSd7gE
-place in flask1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2iLzTNUmF
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuzpHDnh0h
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvcHg3oqkU
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZMWt4dcmV
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitPLQEAT8p
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19jNh2Nyrn
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsL5DT3ENl
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FaLMIS3P6
-until something magical happens1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3oagU3ooS
result: i waited1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA28EwvhtK
result: i wanted1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhRU9Q0bMI
result: i failed1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6GsWKcC29
result: i hid1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUdMONWcle
result: i tried1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TASnU63A7
result: i searched1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0qRkrVRt
result: i found1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ651cHJ1FC5
result: i found something magical1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOXDNPPgLY
hypotheses disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGJ1VMSXQZ
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGILiKKElZO
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsPskxZsMD
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcPbxQtIQl
Thursday's child has far to go,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvAHehDkdn
Friday's child is loving and giving,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oQfGogQVJ
Saturday's child works hard for his living1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xH5JwBCbB
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrgvXy4wK6
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziXl7pTf02
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbnTfmFgUo
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66aZNCY38l
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsplRiIb8lr
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAINO2bqVj
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4uY0m09Pg
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OIpCTN8yT
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fkrrZ7pG
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 –1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36hu3hfUWZ
"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."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwI1VFdqOL
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U1YgYMekG
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhLhjvPfGV
Carolyn1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIMDZWMXX3
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P9nieK9O0
"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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDJRlqz6SC
"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."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtHEtmHAFE
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakNgf1DV4n
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26s7wQFY7m
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShmaPYg2Ig
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK1m4HuuBF
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH2vmDXZNH
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt7r4p3SqE
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXqP0K9pmt
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RhsYxpQmQ
Why is this, experts ask?1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFgsUAxD9T
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Unj1yWXY
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNcmfJaoYs
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMPjVBuToo
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 1:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzOe8MOp2Q
Video cameras find nothing.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrduPhQeK6
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk0jKw77mr
No ectograph response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKifkDxJxK
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 2:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q09cIOe5Z
Video cameras find nothing.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KLPbdwm5i
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FSRHaKvuQ
Slight ectograph response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcp9UwqS0d
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Kd6CNIrp
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA8efcZdgL
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFgS18j4oF
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGlngW7hMz
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83nYq6AKs
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBquULZYImb
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 4:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA92MZ0duWQ
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE4wn2U1Wy
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmhLcEuMQP
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcqG0LYdtW
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeY4zTHELD
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSan15XJWSh
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuENw1xSPRV
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT01amwXlv
Audio records many casual conversations.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmffWcCAonH
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNejYVqBaFl
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rUymz35nD
No ghost activity was found at all.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiaRc2Xu8O
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzxZqnAsNF
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7afR5NiuV4
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4JSvOgBWw
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2He988pz9C
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmcsDFuhTQ
Went up the hill1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS0mfAQjBM
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU90G7Px8L
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcVt2gn7eZ
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAPHmuijD1
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dAE859g5t
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA1grHS6cQ
Tonight is different.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0kUblwIM6
He has nothing left to give to the well.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfIMnioHSF
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDefxK2LZ4
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEposinsCAj
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8fuvGLd2t
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dPmbP0QBu
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw7ecGEGt0
He wants it. He needs it.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAOoIDmEW
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYjoVMrSSc
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa78QhqMPME
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBybnCayW3
"Go get 'em, tiger."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUIHMUZt2y
And so a door closes, another opens.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiQy0DPf36
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUgkkbYMUP
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UD6r3Itut
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZStgzqxUc
He grasps it.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivLG9lWmFh
"Ready?"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekclM9QRIH
The person answers. "Ready."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDUyXSkq2o
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYtolOHG9D
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVHzwY7qE7
Silence.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWjA0Pv0py
Everything stops.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopBIohzzSG
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw2e62REiF
I wish…1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2KCjEfR37
I wish…1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtVwTLqKqt
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n742ZPSLk
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.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc8qanPjBg
-chalkboard stories-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCevWHWfYh
its only an enigma1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIz8143vIp
if you want it to be
然後按「加至主畫面」