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,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGN1jZUgRP
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs558UBheAn
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eTCyL32Zy
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHWOtRTNp3
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbdSj4CHjl
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOqV12PPYO
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU06daWmry
"Okay then. First letter."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygARS54HFG
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KiDdJpks3
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv7D6nlVRc
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9GZDsfzv3
"No, what the hell, May?"1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEOm4mGUbg
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxVSqGzpKt
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoH2RyySpt
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD7VEcYZ5S
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4WXf8nLfN
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFfg47UFC9
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKvsypqyEC
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgcZpbKeGY
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!'1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4MQGNGYXw
David sighs, and closes the book.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc4RwMuI1M
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLQkN9KElD
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VHNkNR4Xt
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fy5IWhdLT
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70flcH4GvQ
sample volume: 7325kL1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw6kSGQe4N
hypothesis: i am alone1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnQej0JbJB
method:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvDmowUlXO
-extract impurities1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8f3K5fCYD
result: collected 109875L of impurities1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnaFs2Bk1M
hypothesis disproven1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBljSdwDLgD
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Remx6mrzQ
method:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTc86jUDvu
-sift and sort impurities1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd2aWKbwzP
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9AZfE58vi
hypothesis disproven1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1lKjKJgmV
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt97uxJxUPb
method:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M3RowSZTC
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n5Qdpqs6N
-place in flask1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8Bi82WSIM
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3JgMINGir
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwteeirYASR
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qOuNRt23v
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQvVS5sRD3
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH92NR1cyy
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uC1CfT6SJ
-wait1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEt2N1dzxe
-until something magical happens1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lSJOQx6nK
result: i waited1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rtZvYir7K
result: i wanted1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaALyDSmVN
result: i failed1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN6ZZSnDfQ
result: i hid1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiElPHBbR5
result: i tried1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBiCgIzrr
result: i searched1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FwU0diSwS
result: i found1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5JkbDF2mj
result: i found something magical1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UucEZhC2J
hypotheses disproven1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhAtwKpW5G
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NId0VVSQq
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4MMWWzAgc
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2eBRdvW7f
Thursday's child has far to go,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwNrHWlfbK
Friday's child is loving and giving,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnq1V3cKlF
Saturday's child works hard for his living1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyEsGVRGWJ
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBUKvciAmn
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkPEuTX3g5
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbEcFQ3qGI
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrQnFYiluT
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYG3BlylR
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNYXFjxvuN
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBgCWov2UT
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMmI9w5zQF
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEdxkt4rvg
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 –1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJUKZw2tp7
"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."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY5mLnr6JG
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWfwEWfAcq
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ckIS0liEI
Carolyn1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZd8vIvmY2
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts7bNQY4Zd
"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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj2uoCUbSY
"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."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbCIvG8yix
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6tQtNdeBX
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CWYfSYuB1
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbHDPFKRiv
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXBadZirm8
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlotINdBbZ
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyHzSBTBBM
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yWvNAbayC
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7IUJypeWl
Why is this, experts ask?1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErfNFZQ9EI
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P9BYZBmn5
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfr7zxcqSV
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW9GUkLi07
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 1:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsKhCJZQ3E
Video cameras find nothing.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f73XM9jkG
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGZY3gpYz
No ectograph response.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLKkW01pAO
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 2:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDqHwvn8Nt
Video cameras find nothing.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITsjvOpa2z
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq25nncrYsK
Slight ectograph response.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyetVwhiR0
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3lg2qpn1L
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXQVbHtU5H
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShEqIh5uJf
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRmvjHj0mX
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVcVSd9itU
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXXhphen9A
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 4:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8yfYnm2Eo
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeOm1jFlXk
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMLDhNlOEa
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VfRzzvJPm
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYdLicVmAW
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCqHrcBlW
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdpG2xBIfS
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5eddC2E3h
Audio records many casual conversations.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTGpit1p8c
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEiV4Z0lGH
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c9ualiQYr
No ghost activity was found at all.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSTboGwv3E
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikoU2fQsX1
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq4ZXEZM4Y
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5yeKyZWWD
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsgAYeqk02
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WNlnNjfws
Went up the hill1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wNQYW5AHH
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK66djOIpK
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMpAodsOrZ
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjNTVrz8a
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLyIzVUzMv
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3HUNlqGtt
Tonight is different.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc6U3TBPKb
He has nothing left to give to the well.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg8EDJCa3R
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiaRjGQyMG
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRef2aHzLBq
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJOnNODXVn
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pjK2RUAiy
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BECDwAtMT
He wants it. He needs it.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK8YpffAOy
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmIMCdyc2D
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zC853O5A1
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROz7clK2Du
"Go get 'em, tiger."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4gPi8ZUKx
And so a door closes, another opens.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTOngHSU2K
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrKjtGpEa5
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXBaX5XgbB
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD0bcA1zfC
He grasps it.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HlC3zoNqx
"Ready?"1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlrAbFI2VB
The person answers. "Ready."1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpySOfdKaNo
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UW6xPoRH5
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A570anjCx
Silence.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEigwBauRd
Everything stops.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a0LG0tixd
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40H4d7H8hK
I wish…1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdesgWdtlht
I wish…1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ095732lLZx
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKHHSsYsIw
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.1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbFZu2fXNa
-chalkboard stories-1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtIjm7LtPa
its only an enigma1033Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqwjoelcxW
if you want it to be
