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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnkvV8tsGc
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKKVKjo6NO
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPNVhVZkA5
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWME6TP3YVP
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i6NXccFP5
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8B9rYgy5
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz4quFF1aR
"Okay then. First letter."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp0fRiv6qp
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsG0rN7oHy
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYtTPoOtRM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE42YGgxjbM
"No, what the hell, May?"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBbrWuMWUH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaav3bA06u
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByeOt5CPgF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIwrZWM5ZJ
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ4lSzTXOe
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxzveSQ7p3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YmHE682H8
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00SxQklwXp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcQuBZa3Fb
David sighs, and closes the book.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3umSI0AjXp
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoKmkv0cZn
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9RZOq9OU0
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZa92I4Fjc
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6czAYTBlW
sample volume: 7325kL1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxgecb5KTO
hypothesis: i am alone1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7c8UBO4w8
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h1NLpx2re
-extract impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMQofnuqiV
result: collected 109875L of impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTu8Dwq5Hc
hypothesis disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtMWFngToh
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJwsDEPx5n
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjwDKFM3nK
-sift and sort impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxbokqRsUv
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc0XeKx3uP
hypothesis disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLv3tEPFKV
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsYxEvTwC7
method:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjovpiDbcx
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhkzx0kBwl
-place in flask1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5qvPiPbAh
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA2LS7EHY2
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua1gPvCE9I
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3fWlnvRh9
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlcr3xapqY
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0V1CFmJW5
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9bMHgJseM
-wait1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsCfiwDkPP
-until something magical happens1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0rWUJ5oLC
result: i waited1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt4w0aqHmA
result: i wanted1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO1PATjNcq
result: i failed1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yn8DUECFM
result: i hid1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNR4qG0nDv
result: i tried1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzPbtSEXvI
result: i searched1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZoGn9oCoR
result: i found1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg01xpLyGL
result: i found something magical1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3h3Rw1O6N
hypotheses disproven1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUKsRDFzsu
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI1hr4x7lp
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgSNZv0RKG
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS7eUqkDvU
Thursday's child has far to go,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvIJtDOq1Z
Friday's child is loving and giving,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ19of6sFz
Saturday's child works hard for his living1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhS0jTqPxG
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzqvAmdyqt
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVvk1xcgm4
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Isrc7tx4z
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbruNJ4Gh3W
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCGpgJWJOW
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJBr91iYHO
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox4oG0NrP8
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7tA40aDhF
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNeSTl2rKQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjE8DjsGgs
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe3DEqBzlv
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaJdXnqx5g
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2KDRuVbvv
Carolyn1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyXZikSbXy
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUI4zMUOmy
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkcVZscY4B
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgalFaXwka
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY4lkO91qo
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKc8jHhyKi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYeRlcmo14
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbq4Y2JD4C
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KZGqbTY7U
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzeuzJ71CJ
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBZGvHl4w
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf17aHI3y2C
Why is this, experts ask?1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRAtpz6Y6x
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFbDvoPMjG
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb94drPGP2
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJcJntSjkT
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8MpvUCInT
Video cameras find nothing.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC4wQzHoU6
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a4aGu4zJx
No ectograph response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9cPIPuW2D
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9X1w2iTmS
Video cameras find nothing.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNoQ7y1R92
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7rSUwaUe9
Slight ectograph response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Rou9gl8w
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI2Yq001x5
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevY7XTaoOg
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUKCLvLTI9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjgu54LMuC
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP0yvpbVfr
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz0hROMBlz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VUZhsi30K
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaxME4iY9h
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JrH4rmwY7
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj8h4whHXK
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EVnhmAZdx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHu4MPAorC
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rForU1dnx
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpizZbo3I3
Audio records many casual conversations.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fBaQeBnmr
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1tCaQ3UOB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcSrRUkq87
No ghost activity was found at all.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJLV76z0O
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQVPCKJJqy
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8FYIcbPTJ
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsBhR66aT3
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhhhn4IObl
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToEqoyMIkT
Went up the hill1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjLTomA8bL
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJYxAXN0pp
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHVESBAh2U
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrliv1wVWi
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiMJGx3e0c
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgujR8UMncT
Tonight is different.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wLf92qGKp
He has nothing left to give to the well.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN4IrZ2jnp
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92ouskULgp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MlMECUnyb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxVg0feFRs
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffgbN1G4Ej
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWJBhJgY8m
He wants it. He needs it.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3xFONCwN
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLYqCcFXWy
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZyKSNUJ8G
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xx4iWWPRY
"Go get 'em, tiger."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaqvGlIse3
And so a door closes, another opens.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6vxtnw0PQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCqe1g1iCw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeudaKok6Tu
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMEnLgGvq1
He grasps it.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0kPDYZayP
"Ready?"1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAAFVeiRe
The person answers. "Ready."1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgTE32O2nO
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8kXw98y64
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmFvOtpJNy
Silence.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb9Tko3akL
Everything stops.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADIT6nhJpB
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZgvfyyMlz
I wish…1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVqz24jAw7
I wish…1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY3sKZFt6m
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKhHuQIj3S
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp4K6boPqK
-chalkboard stories-1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer6axz6bMU
its only an enigma1048Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebXSz6blRs
if you want it to be
然後按「加至主畫面」