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,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWz2rq7l3
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P9beBtdOD
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVEnZzyoRz
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjpNpna7Fq
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3WpHX03Ne
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjRdKHMmLP
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4bs4y7NJF
"Okay then. First letter."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzCeoLkaab
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfvRR5Oc5C
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSFymw05on
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezO1bQ5hHE
"No, what the hell, May?"989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeckxNd9NPB
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexsd9gEQAT
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGQIfavedo
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQG5MdcgZT
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpnSxuIQoN
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7qaNo6bcl
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD34dERnzPl
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxaUztVl1P
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!'989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF8VnMAi9i
David sighs, and closes the book.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97EmoUQZvF
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlgPWmVdoV
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtjT3jsVte
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7VfitJgdp
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVQamiAM0e
sample volume: 7325kL989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXBwXYREyN
hypothesis: i am alone989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiOhgOjgPs
method:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKVfKmTbPd
-extract impurities989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc98BRzeXWU
result: collected 109875L of impurities989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVar2CsbjsY
hypothesis disproven989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB32KXHOT5B
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhStArXsT6T
method:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2W0yvBRJ1
-sift and sort impurities989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL8viQiXuJ
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmCXkZCu1A
hypothesis disproven989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNfIO4x1o
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuv4N5fl2A
method:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4UUc2m9SD
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TYVwxYsLj
-place in flask989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCoEaWRpZ
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfmk1XCCmF
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXA0JhYgQz
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23b4S1j4ht
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpnZE9iUYH
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yCQgpsLBB
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJctUSnnpu3
-wait989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk9VaFTcZA
-until something magical happens989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD3MkFhGup
result: i waited989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6xlpv9I9Q
result: i wanted989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HWKYVrLXG
result: i failed989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYNQjLwEzz
result: i hid989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2D1YOlhWy
result: i tried989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggXyZiUFj5
result: i searched989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkzaQTrd9C
result: i found989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKnFexAMZC
result: i found something magical989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXeibwVPGi
hypotheses disproven989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPKFuxRpPV
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpVwZSDBpN
Tuesday's child is full of grace,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVH5mifaB1
Wednesday's child is full of woe,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy388sz9b3m
Thursday's child has far to go,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8eEEzOPt6
Friday's child is loving and giving,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY085vo1WQD
Saturday's child works hard for his living989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVB5plKwOD
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI67CqoxRat
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqgAyMpRzo
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mf4mzblmD
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3essKBggq
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2bm7eEpt0
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJHLBRFH3Q
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX38MSWqtD
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRw1hHP6dL
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjeBFPOhD4
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 –989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIEV7t1th8
"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."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFwaN4TWjd
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvvvRUAHbm
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbKTwVXMwu
Carolyn989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTP10RCQhf
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirNp3hg7w2
"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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRVEiMFHON
"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."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZoVg661Nz
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuELnqIxEY
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yWSrjd0Nz
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFSe3G0u4q
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkgwt6y1CP
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1MqEew1Tt
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg9cirZuOZ
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqprn6zCAZ
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcTBoixpkH
Why is this, experts ask?989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXMTwAl4Fp
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBWO8yuJru
It was decided that a study must be conducted.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcygZDtnhn
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajMBHaayUT
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 1:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt2SXL00DK
Video cameras find nothing.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJCoXF3MX1
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW8rcbJWuF
No ectograph response.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGkvLOkxx4
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 2:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7CSaidNIr
Video cameras find nothing.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47vpOfvh7E
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o6pKbR87l
Slight ectograph response.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hOTzJZWNX
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyOOnsS4ku
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8PcZeh4Er
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4kiBH5zEb
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICxX8VRlIE
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9paTGbTd0F
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpM3mPJCOe
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 4:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDRZxa9TtV
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd7G4OYQp6
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zs7PmXGX2
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdmcp48KGN
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4vIU92Bo3
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6QComgDsT
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOZHaI8ebg
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhtzUoY25
Audio records many casual conversations.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDqa2hynyx
The repaired ectograph gives no response.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnhihyuFiL
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZFc6q95Hw
No ghost activity was found at all.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsOARGsc10
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd63gw8WzlB
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwmTM5y9ss
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesMuJqALit
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH6CM7VFM4
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnEWWSGKQe
Went up the hill989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYcjC9dyv9
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGv4VWFEeT
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFjJ7zOWqA
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lIyvxGhCt
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAmBXDJW6q
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT4x1aKdre
Tonight is different.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDhuljH5OG
He has nothing left to give to the well.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoekOEODvKq
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I7bsF55r4
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhXvr5eWPJ
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMelkpjtUYW
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8ko1jRpmV
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHLsC4NRO
He wants it. He needs it.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3oSi8yVzS
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZVsD9keIg
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDka3nzBvnT
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8yufluqCA
"Go get 'em, tiger."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO6miP1Ly2
And so a door closes, another opens.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK2yAIjCPU
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse9s0BgmWa
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqfh5LdE2A
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDwaTnDkE1
He grasps it.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOHWwtJOfC
"Ready?"989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7J1ZYwhxf
The person answers. "Ready."989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6InqWFwCO
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzidBqO6Hgf
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFgTCB03dA
Silence.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47jNYIeWv9
Everything stops.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc6R0GCcGN
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYGNRbrQHV
I wish…989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroS76RF3fN
I wish…989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg8IVmr337
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuGYnsdYKK
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.989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rd8HVlv9L
-chalkboard stories-989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtotmo2xURw
its only an enigma989Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnZEtAp9wp
if you want it to be
