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,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGWOJRiOuX
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt10f8UcfI
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhtqyA74BT
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NoPuPGXVr
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigX9aYUS3f
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoGebOJTgI
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lVXyFcpz0
"Okay then. First letter."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDpdRn2QlI
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKHIFwyh9t
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoFxQ8ndQc
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK6Wty7dzW
"No, what the hell, May?"1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t3e5gcRE9
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCyI51b6Sm
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNrn7J177J
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBha3wMh40B
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEbYsnfpUG
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBtxsYmWlN
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRrQ41T0ls
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1BD7ARAov
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!'1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxd3rIG4V3
David sighs, and closes the book.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7rOc6oaJe
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1PjH1JWh
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAOuPepBJW
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18wrrIIqW
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63kbqdbcPl
sample volume: 7325kL1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqAhXtueZx
hypothesis: i am alone1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf50V4yvXF
method:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBa7PHnhjS
-extract impurities1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzExqOr7vW9
result: collected 109875L of impurities1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hqzfpOIC
hypothesis disproven1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNZTzdwwgV
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqdYTdDyx8
method:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDZLrXlaBN
-sift and sort impurities1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45kWw4EgVU
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1aoZ7jAE9
hypothesis disproven1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6D2XyLqlq
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y4BeiQd7E
method:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wTNdZ8LjF
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOfpWeraHT
-place in flask1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vgTri2ION
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjEqswtmZc
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrxBBfCrpT
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelvjNpHRlc
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3OTiclpIY
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIP3JqxG5D
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46KOPZiyBM
-wait1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9OI9DVgJR
-until something magical happens1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdrw6Ihopp
result: i waited1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQJdnNmpPY
result: i wanted1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNngBnB1OFu
result: i failed1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ73UcWG9WP
result: i hid1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNfWe5D98y
result: i tried1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S5Biz8i3w
result: i searched1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lS9LlbscO
result: i found1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfrDq2F3tF
result: i found something magical1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByvMbP6gqd
hypotheses disproven1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVyrVEYbwy
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeueBt2nO8r
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTTeckKeE2
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOfTJYXy0f
Thursday's child has far to go,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdkuEOdIyx
Friday's child is loving and giving,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEdEYD07Pq
Saturday's child works hard for his living1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3DRuJxNEA
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJgK7vCpFC
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGbnF9rDiq
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlMTWXaIjP
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfrigfIe7D
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3skoflRvAo
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzR7XzrqqL
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx66IrYLPb
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVy8z37UwL
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0TRvIcXXj
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 –1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJJrLvQdDG
"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."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkTwWaHd4K
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f6nAoYYXV
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2IwnpmKfH
Carolyn1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz2UCzlrHm
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpDvzaw0Wh
"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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSVVaWu5L9
"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."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBybJ4YKRVn
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU6wGFWr2h
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc9mBg3Isw
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK9x848yk9
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BTzqD7FSZ
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVvqHoKGH8
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6upoXseJt
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gd6xz0clH
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKs9zppj7d
Why is this, experts ask?1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWZoNihmvL
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkHUxcejlF
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEhXICqPiX
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIjoIkDpE2
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 1:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoLaAglb7A
Video cameras find nothing.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa962IAWSmB
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt4I3D91Eq
No ectograph response.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVWsDhQ6wp
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 2:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRbEnXCDno
Video cameras find nothing.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatmDdIRTP1
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjYd4qhleP
Slight ectograph response.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWcjTsG77n
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5d5aFtc6V
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchijFVYDzT
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2n2nGdg5s
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYbxQhzubc
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw5ltHw5zr
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcvWkC26su
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 4:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vVTC5cH5L
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKycoVJWeg
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSwod6q8IH
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC16Gunfqj
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8afvSWOci
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmt5tb3z6i
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIDvTxBqNo
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDT7kwg4HD
Audio records many casual conversations.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdklk3Qzq83
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQcjEx1Nmo
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBwSBwjfHY
No ghost activity was found at all.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8SUeFTirv
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6gxSpO64a
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IxA5qUIui
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhU5uNvSPB
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzkdtxtKnO
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6tsNDgVYB
Went up the hill1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7feeskgC2b
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpdFW2eYqZ
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6aFc1k2u2
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6oixhmDyH
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkzgBbRncW
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKhhXhtHbo
Tonight is different.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFSCfMyG0f
He has nothing left to give to the well.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMtVhuUBUA
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvoiuaIoXB
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYafrO4M1b
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rjDKN59Zb
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5CBLXlGBX
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZbP8gv2Kl
He wants it. He needs it.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9BuM9UAUz
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6jat8Q0aW
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9waDOti2
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTR6VC8tz
"Go get 'em, tiger."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5sokKK9n5
And so a door closes, another opens.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA3sS3MNRQ
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdoHRiMBnQ
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhCN96Vs6m
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBtrVsaSiu
He grasps it.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMbGxGdCqJ
"Ready?"1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF8BkuWrMA
The person answers. "Ready."1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFZES7T07s
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrqHEF4aWr
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ807youI7iU
Silence.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUylp4AeHPr
Everything stops.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZyjHoJGMZ
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36GTckXE2Q
I wish…1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPs5ZSlJY9
I wish…1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPHFVNue9E
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG25UgAqrj
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.1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ9tThr9k9
-chalkboard stories-1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvInGwOt7M
its only an enigma1015Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEtEVPXl80
if you want it to be
