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,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqskvXBwYP
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKbkv1baU9
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY9frohaIO
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSt37Ut795
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS5vHGQhG9
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb95T0Di8ia
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9p7SCtU5e
"Okay then. First letter."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hIh8R4Hsh
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0wo2lIL4S
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk02bNBi6Gb
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL2RUniGng
"No, what the hell, May?"1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6HIYeIfR
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCo14KuLPB
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62UR23pzAy
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXxCnrzOUJ
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAmEnDUucV
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeUopECmGp
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXYSkRhz28
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHda8YnwWcg
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!'1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9iGrN3DFT
David sighs, and closes the book.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaCsYUAZ0y
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGicp0uEdk
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSWk5vMLDr
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiiU6UU1Fj
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoeHiJbBEP
sample volume: 7325kL1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlFQdJyRNx
hypothesis: i am alone1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSbsNTsRI0
method:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGZz8mpx64
-extract impurities1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmQPdcyTPl
result: collected 109875L of impurities1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUVz8HnGJK
hypothesis disproven1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R4Zu0De1I
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDJxn1gGr
method:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv54zQsJHD
-sift and sort impurities1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeta0ra3Nu5
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafXUBjN7Pl
hypothesis disproven1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IF1SBatoC
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBJ70Q2XB2
method:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx52B0j1SPq
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSXwrYRSAs
-place in flask1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tgSMaAU0U
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOIswY8lep
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV5TH0QST8
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvIOD0xVjv
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDdWwGQOcP
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98ooV2bTtK
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe31nZHMo1m
-wait1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlyU8NMUm1
-until something magical happens1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2EZipIbkn
result: i waited1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUOuKr0xWX
result: i wanted1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKXQaUr8YR
result: i failed1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjS0HCbYOi
result: i hid1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNLmuKvQKV
result: i tried1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIOc4mmLOU
result: i searched1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab8bj1da6Z
result: i found1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvihC0qjrLR
result: i found something magical1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4QmOvhoBA
hypotheses disproven1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5r7oxGHoC
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ2XxphqX4
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbWvSJcdhU
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt06jNxOSC
Thursday's child has far to go,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqotLe4lGuV
Friday's child is loving and giving,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrjJxwVHyK
Saturday's child works hard for his living1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMZRgVTC0L
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaoYbmRq5W
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW6fjwuf6q
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r8uyJwFsx
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHN0dfj1Dj
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2jQP35JGh
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE0qUwbaNm
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjNk7eUI5G
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjJxuWijCF
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4IyWDmLr
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 –1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWEPv8x4QW
"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."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhUbb2kyAU
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jNY3ZLcob
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw7zbNcA79
Carolyn1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6ePQEF6Mb
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1sJAQERTG
"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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCotOHzCOu
"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."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6XyWHrz1Q
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujpI1mZBKW
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DwPRQBT5G
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLr7t1DA1s
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTGDB5SSuB
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7xFeBqdx4
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV0eQHj1X6
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Xtv8YFem
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4XT3Y80cp
Why is this, experts ask?1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0RLJmARKW
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2ScDncDsa
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3vscYWiJO
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa2fzDTZIA
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 1:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0a2tQ8vL6
Video cameras find nothing.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4thApx4kUP
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXkN2S1gAB
No ectograph response.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWubw2WVwZ
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 2:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDGKzY3qei
Video cameras find nothing.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTPyLiDLqW
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cWd1YXfJ7
Slight ectograph response.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5I6Oot1e3
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObWFZNIyW5
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDrbj7eYqg
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqp8x6O1JA
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC6803RZFK
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJwQfWRO0f
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01XLSmEACg
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 4:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWkxQv39CG
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WjqjmSfUk
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oAaDuotxZ
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRl09MZ9aC
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE7lPKoHoH
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPKh48I2NN
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW1nRC0Z0n
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrcztm1kIa
Audio records many casual conversations.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaClBkw1KRf
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1tsyotC8
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU04tE1Vfh
No ghost activity was found at all.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjggIHJkafK
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLiWn7ZhKP
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjYmtuSFG5
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmKE39dbod
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOlngzvv7K
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNeyKW0YjM
Went up the hill1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUEWwXgHQv
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sYBo7bIy5
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdprWf06Re
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHk7aN2hYN
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhnz7AiPAh
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zFGr10cjS
Tonight is different.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekFczZcLFC
He has nothing left to give to the well.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcgrLgGeCv
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE1VKl5Te8
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKOqzPRW2j
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGwKvbvHjd
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyNj4twmEt
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMg7kTkBt5
He wants it. He needs it.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQDaMrFrrk
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnxFvRfocb
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlgEes2Luu
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutHxGW9B2v
"Go get 'em, tiger."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAYCtqck1X
And so a door closes, another opens.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29mRlhVJlo
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i2EfGlhLF
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnLn4Wv0Iq
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH4N4uA7zj
He grasps it.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKk7VarqTi
"Ready?"1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Kcre59P4
The person answers. "Ready."1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRHVXkDEa
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMWZbqXhTJ
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnePOlRoPX
Silence.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafvAalOlBX
Everything stops.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeXpy8mJg1
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF4jn5C5k3
I wish…1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKkoO9r8IP
I wish…1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOknlggCZHw
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTao7X2HuL
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.1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFhOKUFr5M
-chalkboard stories-1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1K6ya58v5
its only an enigma1043Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsikKlGrakh
if you want it to be
