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,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmOmZVxQh6
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzfdbdDUdK
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0tD861370
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwnObmIzk8
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn3EtQIQXc
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TjzJxNvKL
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgwTC720RD
"Okay then. First letter."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHuy7NkYPD
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AEMqCI33X
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovU8iddHOI
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHZbv1C8Qj
"No, what the hell, May?"1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yx6zUz5TF
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKXEmQ544C
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCRneqktgd
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxENdAoo1Aj
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU1g0OBsFg
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWvZw0SdbB
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCRrQ6ifPV
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiWfzt6frL
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!'1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqXlMmsjxz
David sighs, and closes the book.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcsJ6KtXK4
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYoFSjdmKx
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IcotmEfY8
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmXCAE5eOY
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrdF04jXZ6
sample volume: 7325kL1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd48VnO4Sr9
hypothesis: i am alone1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNAkvjc0LT
method:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny1tTJLGw6
-extract impurities1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtqiDgWUMx
result: collected 109875L of impurities1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAkp4SSfV
hypothesis disproven1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyf1m9hRdM
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxJ1tEKVzN
method:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Dv28GydK
-sift and sort impurities1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzFCMegWfJ
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatb47NxkI3
hypothesis disproven1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eHvlFry3q
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxbBh9oYHC
method:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbcmoX266g
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OznqeDwOk
-place in flask1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX42kO4jPjT
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY7WTTwmOA
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP1eIX7VUh
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm9FN02Alq
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzp3uV5Ogu
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdzzHSs4ci
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkQxZAU57k
-wait1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1Te5OQ1hG
-until something magical happens1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVgb54aIQd
result: i waited1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO18307t8q
result: i wanted1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ139UC2veRj
result: i failed1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAB0FvztOT
result: i hid1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFkkKjqPI6
result: i tried1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxirfxVZFT
result: i searched1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wyf0Yz7zk
result: i found1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax47A8J40C
result: i found something magical1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTKBrODa6Y
hypotheses disproven1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufKxLTlg96
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9hTTPAsia
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDgK83s8io
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZmywUNl7Y
Thursday's child has far to go,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tRH7oiLth
Friday's child is loving and giving,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLw9RjR4QA
Saturday's child works hard for his living1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrIK65joKv
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LdYk3Kxs
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWOq9q8KRw
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHE3oBeFt2
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSX1EuglL7
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXevIKS2JaZ
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjh8YGZ3qc
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL3GRpZgrE
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oqwx6v2dr
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMNMl0txkm
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 –1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSN0iDdQkl
"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."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3wLuOhkRW
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIQch6DJlu
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU58cQtZKDS
Carolyn1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKaDqsKZdw
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D211zrMz1
"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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxgzrDMMEk
"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."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA6a1iQxHd
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnLE6GzSyO
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3OZTOlJxi
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzw0n6FF5z
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd3Oh4q2YQ
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESWTpKvDtk
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFbXtxklXJ
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nfWQ83k6i
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJhHLrkPkW
Why is this, experts ask?1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO949J5c0U
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdUV9ZO6YV
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w9f2AGhbo
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbgsjxZFQW
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 1:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUCscPoPVJ
Video cameras find nothing.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIoeKT96lQ
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMxCZJRIR1
No ectograph response.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbeh8tCx9I
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 2:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGazhtmVObQ
Video cameras find nothing.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiwybm3ORg
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJjP0nTazE
Slight ectograph response.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMrh9RMLAL
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJeNBG02uZ
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsgVUgRD9O
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc0fSp6VY6
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFDbj1M38b
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj2rZE36oj
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkoK3D4A0D
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 4:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOR4zEMHRj
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuo6r5YfDr
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHFksF8S2c
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt14V50aWn
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIv46knO4
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HNHMQzZUF
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsXcLTUIwB
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJyNzgGjeU
Audio records many casual conversations.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZXY4ngHG1
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiXkZEn4bW
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I9KwHSQdu
No ghost activity was found at all.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylwZIRSFZ
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU9LGy9gnn
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvoIRJPUYS
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAel7c0RLmO
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhPLm3UM63
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMlrwdZvsL
Went up the hill1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCra1aJc6wP
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b7nvNfLQk
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHixxBRWzlp
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop9UlPbRSj
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tbZlUE47T
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xs4UXvKFz
Tonight is different.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIsGshB8ar
He has nothing left to give to the well.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO081wpZJHA
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMesuT5fZUH
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wgRn1exzO
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmkUSeVTzK
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IfElHhh4W
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA1i3laWQm
He wants it. He needs it.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPYU2UIa7g
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzk84yemHW
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ztpyx2pR
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxKrA2MCLA
"Go get 'em, tiger."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7TqDw7Ni2
And so a door closes, another opens.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKoXhmpVql
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNpvAVpgSG
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVYtsTIh1j
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hnvLsMgnd
He grasps it.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ267ZmLbfUx
"Ready?"1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMATBGcfpdp
The person answers. "Ready."1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrDzKhAQFR
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj1OgKxB9y
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsB15aIQSM
Silence.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3dSvDiHlO
Everything stops.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorF0O3wEYK
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnFr3esiFY
I wish…1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERGFUheeeF
I wish…1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl0ZeX4SwQ
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSna22ZJVuf
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.1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtkepRtQ7B
-chalkboard stories-1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEySl8F1TC
its only an enigma1059Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR6esllCAt
if you want it to be
