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,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlrgzHm2iP
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMUuZWKV8i
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EXENO8HE
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPZsqjNCqL
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ejsx7DVK
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLxakLGU2g
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLUHICkix0
"Okay then. First letter."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J92UlYCKG
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zyLUONQeX
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SGfxKhywh
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iacdRc11y
"No, what the hell, May?"1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsTRCSHZDb
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2d9tiIZmW
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImOTt98pjd
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqy4bQePzk
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKBUqUz1P0
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT9IwJ4WJd
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzbqdS9Tnw
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fjVLiX84y
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!'1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TzO6YDQZq
David sighs, and closes the book.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZe9j9KqW1
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYHPRQnFIH
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Cl0Va84j
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvCkn5jaxp
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfId7puTBsW
sample volume: 7325kL1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNydrsvh25O
hypothesis: i am alone1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZXWoZfCxd
method:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bVcvZ8dv0
-extract impurities1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7egoqpYCL1
result: collected 109875L of impurities1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusArtSLO7o
hypothesis disproven1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKw5n4BBt8
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM7jAuHUis
method:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw1o7Mb5uf
-sift and sort impurities1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAhB84pZAz
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iqCB6ymzk
hypothesis disproven1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL8JB0Hnnx
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6CqUuZ89z
method:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXarewTTe57
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkddO0rsnd
-place in flask1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ49nuXNUQ
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudjaIE7hxU
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mdYjjy8bI
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tk2cy4utk
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjqdUIrVLl
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxksEvwgI8j
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BfzQ2dlm8
-wait1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0qlku7ZOn
-until something magical happens1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW8bA65Hd4
result: i waited1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7jNo89nsU
result: i wanted1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr2vw9d4XB
result: i failed1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbsHlOeKt7
result: i hid1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gXAiBwcRN
result: i tried1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVCjQV4ppU
result: i searched1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlax4BfiJOj
result: i found1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf1ZHOqIPL
result: i found something magical1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkLKiDtY0K
hypotheses disproven1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7PKRdpT0G
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIBCspCr47
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvPwcD97x5
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVsinz1F0s
Thursday's child has far to go,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXLrAgXaN1
Friday's child is loving and giving,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq46ylmtsf
Saturday's child works hard for his living1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSQUlKgHww
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47xc16OIFW
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY7CKxLzzd
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3edfBKq34
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXAlRzF5oh
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeU91xjUGy
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH78IHN6of
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCew0COzof
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ROIbVq0x
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlEjHjmvaU
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 –1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw6j4VeWZy
"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."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RFsjKolUU
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehrQzGIZKN
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T70bqorhY
Carolyn1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm7Q6HeCRR
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQE7aCZ4Wu
"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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ9zYOPGF1
"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."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HZEiWNvXK
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pvws79uDu
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWQx9IiPoz
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgiOXiN0py
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS5VTfkQvb
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQYfwfkEjp
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyHShk54f7
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgdCBNKXxL
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVouO0GOfFL
Why is this, experts ask?1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKY1FXpHF8
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwEH3IDlB1
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SrIlnHG5U
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jjQQky3gz
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 1:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYgsNrBl7w
Video cameras find nothing.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqKcsg0dPX
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsEtnESP1x
No ectograph response.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwlHEOa4tK
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 2:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqCr9xTXjl
Video cameras find nothing.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiNOQFwFFt
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3UR4OCK9e
Slight ectograph response.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9xSBTFZJ
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFPdtWFSUr
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieDeC7fYwG
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUEgeralwJ
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09QcT2Npky
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AONzmwRYK
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnZ7dS662r
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 4:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXqPNdkWZj
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGYLLAu2yu
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8NRz86CVt
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWZHlcja3q
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmbyyxUgPy
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL1a92kSv2
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKFfNonjRh
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrsyBcr280
Audio records many casual conversations.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhRug3XwJ4
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwb6XOivfa
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbO9aBWE3d
No ghost activity was found at all.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp74SWMvakK
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQDcj0MvYc
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBHU38zDf
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPbLAGyjYv
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fl4QFEz4z
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTituYX57Z
Went up the hill1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUCfB2suTs
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TmIDwuwDo
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPeC5L6Cl1
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy9B76BnI9
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxLh1DSR5A
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3wP733PU8
Tonight is different.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaakUxLHIkN
He has nothing left to give to the well.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr4pFJgW5r
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWLbvpivER
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJi1i75fu9
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdq2PHcwKd
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHSGu3Bssl
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYbwEg9Myu
He wants it. He needs it.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yge43gHPp
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdLjRkQfL0
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdQHm8B1Cg
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pK1Kg5Ghe
"Go get 'em, tiger."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeFsa7wnF3
And so a door closes, another opens.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ME2fFW9B0
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe65RZVBrTr
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIKpD0Sr55
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrxnX7JvwW
He grasps it.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWWTEcguLe
"Ready?"1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRdANOPuvs
The person answers. "Ready."1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPdgeKugzC
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9vtkcKK0J
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2CLuX0EmB
Silence.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbnQgwidEv
Everything stops.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLSmEDCLPe
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ4u4yOZSz
I wish…1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPxWzcrFhk
I wish…1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX30CJh7Ieg
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57XzxUld7v
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.1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqkf4OTZJw
-chalkboard stories-1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD60hOSvZA
its only an enigma1001Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOpn6pvpiV
if you want it to be
然後按「加至主畫面」