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,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5cebuiijh
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7vSaZe9et
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl3D4wLv5N
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw6GFYi04o
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbWK6Ecflg
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehRb1OQrAT
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqFqVdnkdq
"Okay then. First letter."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2PY7YOncD
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZTOBRIUmm
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY6A112IcE
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo6x3wrU7k
"No, what the hell, May?"1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4n9Nrliu9
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkblp5S9AZx
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs66Yd7lfW
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy8FHQjkdO
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx84ziWmdwr
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Emc65E2T
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBax6XtMsn
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSogd7lJMdA
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!'1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtB54W7HpS
David sighs, and closes the book.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCI1HXOSEt
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3M65ErFUx
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8MOZVdxh6
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqy4OIQo9p
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGOoLhRr1N
sample volume: 7325kL1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG7OjGhFEa
hypothesis: i am alone1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Uh0tdU0F
method:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22VzdtWc2c
-extract impurities1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq24V1Eygfy
result: collected 109875L of impurities1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2wSsHo606
hypothesis disproven1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5XRraBU1B
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3uDApOpXv
method:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuwDiTC6J8
-sift and sort impurities1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyyek2Cbdv
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHmW6eghFL
hypothesis disproven1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTQC3pVefJ
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklGLOFeKXb
method:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCq2busI7F
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgPhTkw5nh
-place in flask1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrXJtB6xhY
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XjA6DH2F1
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cCKVI36Xw
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThnYknHBow
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT1g2oahS5
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu09KeE9kFC
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5KrSOsWHu
-wait1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42NYUGKofj
-until something magical happens1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkva2CB4rwp
result: i waited1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h9ZGEYo1B
result: i wanted1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBTfFWrYYF
result: i failed1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj8eYqPCES
result: i hid1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09Dnz4dKH
result: i tried1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS6uDDI0qg
result: i searched1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil7Bgb2LHD
result: i found1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IRMOURK5s
result: i found something magical1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqliYbzRa7x
hypotheses disproven1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsMczs2xlC
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zRypbHtZN
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r43NwgkD4
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBDg5lqfTS
Thursday's child has far to go,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmTRXtgwGa
Friday's child is loving and giving,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJaesb8TvF
Saturday's child works hard for his living1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK6wkBg3TR
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SYvxrk4QF
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ3oEnWdVP
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAkLfBuJ03
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEouYQhO93T
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsOwgFtRI4
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGbqwrYOhQ
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r0yp6sKA4
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAUlNvFzmI
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbW8Kb6EMU
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 –1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISkpGTkxbe
"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."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUpubmX0rH
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIQOtL2AS4
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0fdZbYYYB
Carolyn1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ7zLWt1Kl
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXZkECWxfj
"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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYSeAnktnJ
"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."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWegmEUP044
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEd8cbrBhY
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaWPf98LJj
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0Zgq6sDck
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ssWw2b5k
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq4ZUU7x6Z
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIWA1obl6N
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtwK5e3ApT
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE0mJJMUQd
Why is this, experts ask?1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhYTxDYd1n
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8VbZq4F9
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItXtekEENm
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ORBncWNig
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 1:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle1BEeXB9T
Video cameras find nothing.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUulQIbmEq3
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKby3Kv5it
No ectograph response.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFf6cmjBhQ
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 2:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAVI511Mh1
Video cameras find nothing.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxeF4Xw7G0
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKrlVk4l1f
Slight ectograph response.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOpxzKvCF0
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ303aLXBCEy
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfTtOUEbzc
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb79lhq2Kv
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj4hzBVkPs
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cl9bVRMP2
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcTpQoiI9r
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 4:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYERJbd5tU
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtoe1ZMbQ5
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUndSnkBqh
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50SA4OsCEA
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBum29CULvX
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzCiiJ6YxX
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bRQVllscC
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso7bmbGTwT
Audio records many casual conversations.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqRlSn1zeI
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJREL7lvbw
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayE426mqqC
No ghost activity was found at all.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S2bhVYApA
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHFDUPvhNG
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNoLMafj3
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv2ilXCoAf
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu7gF9EaIp
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlCOHoeLd0
Went up the hill1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWQvPfaFXs
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k2Ylv8JHe
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp0fKUgMz7
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuftItgGnn
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X68KfIASz
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM0ytjv9l8
Tonight is different.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn160H5IyT
He has nothing left to give to the well.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VZC0ebC6b
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0p57fQ8Md
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYskRNPLU4T
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwMMYasxS5
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbpAiM22pl
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKSHKII677
He wants it. He needs it.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4ZKgqhLH7
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzXlFYALTw
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQFH0hdyWR
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM96WRkYPc
"Go get 'em, tiger."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHD5Guf5Rr
And so a door closes, another opens.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaQk51jelu
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQIZbtlkeB
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ODZf9S8Tj
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyNr3W8cmG
He grasps it.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ2YYPMrbt
"Ready?"1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6EOvnFwxr
The person answers. "Ready."1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxfbngXH1I
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrynFmnkjb
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4nda23qzF
Silence.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ71prGtQHt
Everything stops.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1ZckbN9dC
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQgrbLXKqK
I wish…1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPMqh93hDm
I wish…1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmPrXCzDpn
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF6pK0Zyn8
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.1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqGPVyUnCH
-chalkboard stories-1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx6jSb7QvH
its only an enigma1030Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeb1Ag6351
if you want it to be
