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,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwBFYN3vaU
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR9jwnL6f7
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rFfGPhQU8
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePqwTFxYFV
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMkmErFPIF
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPfnIC7FWl
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5hkKXYbXh
"Okay then. First letter."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJClpNOlGjt
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYxHY0hiRK
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ZIiu20gA
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5BfoMV7Nu
"No, what the hell, May?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzYQ8oPz9k
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZkKqUvbIJ
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVz0Y6qTAc
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNTzhXebrP
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEGI0qxWTX
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ruyfBIuIw
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt29reCKbtq
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9HLm24KpL
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!'1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV29JUCldq
David sighs, and closes the book.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxxLZGlMhr
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63wOTqBCt5
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEacAanReEL
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3MIGO5uf0
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d8qZ6LVCT
sample volume: 7325kL1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnB2QDgMku
hypothesis: i am alone1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TmqjASzcF
method:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcdXHL4E9x
-extract impurities1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE5RmY3JtF
result: collected 109875L of impurities1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4ud2Su1Ff
hypothesis disproven1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj8GDngrFW
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXP6QMsRBw
method:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbVeeXxUP1
-sift and sort impurities1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SVmQlfNhg
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE6VdNpUyP
hypothesis disproven1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8sQxGRUe9
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNTAcJxGSK
method:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZc31shCAV
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJnrs4OfnH
-place in flask1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHGwwil4Jv
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0tFmSA4Uu
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKryuSI8RI
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9ooOPH3Q3
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDPItlp5O9
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupbnZYLDoe
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6uZFkadKn
-wait1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhAXwBLhqg
-until something magical happens1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwKcMejhS2
result: i waited1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhlBsF3MH
result: i wanted1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtWDvt6mjK
result: i failed1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70WlqBByJC
result: i hid1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98cqWnYUrX
result: i tried1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeTvaMQY9R
result: i searched1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2V9bF0Mxb
result: i found1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG4skf2KEv
result: i found something magical1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O9HuUHVcK
hypotheses disproven1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuznIwdf1Gl
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP9uS2YZCN
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexh1TCvovc
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYVahFuWG0
Thursday's child has far to go,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnugBBIk5j5
Friday's child is loving and giving,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56G9PnvdP2
Saturday's child works hard for his living1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGP57WcLc1
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKBu8Ad7GG
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiU4VNh0G3
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiNIo0XuBB
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSWnH9O24V
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0BTutXGIr
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhzklhqAFu
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtTCsram8E
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSR4XnE3UP
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85LGMJwAFk
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 –1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmevNPuFk5
"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."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6kMAi29K4
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOihP2nkk
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChVsdovy40
Carolyn1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi6HqIYKvT
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv5SPbJCqn
"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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzUwDKlpyK
"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."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8rdpAYmiN
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZz3jmFxJ1
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWidperQ8Kr
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop6h6LZrSw
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHPWGoDfat
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtweycIL7Wj
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjRpVajeVt
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpqnnx4CDF
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPwuVM94k2
Why is this, experts ask?1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsZ0YexsSD
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvxsd6xd8G
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwpyhQE28q
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDiQm3iVbg
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 1:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD8lgIqwIv
Video cameras find nothing.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3T3xO2L3g
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCIcJSd3xr
No ectograph response.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiPjd44xAi
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 2:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69AvjqsttX
Video cameras find nothing.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHrSX4rdQj
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiBLPAmjIs
Slight ectograph response.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr04UXbJZs2
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6ZuVv3RCr
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoTEvCrmvc
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKb7wNXL8Y
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ73A29YzPr
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh14XGVjuUe
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscAvSAkTI0
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 4:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ67ZBUjYZ
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RuVYbq3jV
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpImR9itCt2
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5LXWaw9Cj
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSWmixDwrQ
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrapFFe5YUI
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKMnEHGI1C
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwLT7u0T0R
Audio records many casual conversations.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKNwzqImRT
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsHtRhwaGc
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBKZqlKzCV
No ghost activity was found at all.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSkk5oFQVj
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva61SH6Qgu
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoml7anMXEh
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYsCh6sVpm
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBjOCElIet
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSCChSkAAP
Went up the hill1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu7fJZoumz
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs2vKQf63v
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKwC8xFlwB
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhRSZErMUh
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbns99SFXNH
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7exh8s5AF
Tonight is different.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYjJLQvRM9
He has nothing left to give to the well.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3SPikfWTw
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXGwYh5pKb
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdapEA3g0gl
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Cimmc3zb
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlGAMHwpzU
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ynX0Pds89
He wants it. He needs it.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerflhpMVg2
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPXTSTXNWC
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf6VtHg2er
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwviUIvljC
"Go get 'em, tiger."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdY4yffxnE
And so a door closes, another opens.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU5VpGlPKT
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCnlOKqvOX
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D6WoEsYVJ
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwORQEzPUZ
He grasps it.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOfJGbw4IF
"Ready?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TOIDwxF2Y
The person answers. "Ready."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWgqICtBA4
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluI15HkXPn
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkEPrmWUln
Silence.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFXx3S8CZ1
Everything stops.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMO34RSqWn
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f17ijmtW4
I wish…1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPFtg9ymNL
I wish…1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBDblUHMio
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl3IlQXY5D
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE8zk74KKI
-chalkboard stories-1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ujhwTsIs
its only an enigma1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRrhkHrWJv
if you want it to be
