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,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTmQW4FKiP
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g0GJpgjER
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpx2gUcEnW
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANIPf2Y2Jq
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy91rjhA7xt
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXAjDpuEnx
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEhzv4r4YH
"Okay then. First letter."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iQTagJw1J
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNnR40yoz
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5uikyNZfK
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1tvrO5IwJ
"No, what the hell, May?"1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT3pATrodv
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU8U8HN6QY
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5n2DgHQgx
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu6M7in7kk
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7khZ1urrZG
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemw6rcsFom
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0321szwQnL
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKESYxbiND
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!'1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD1AvimNlw
David sighs, and closes the book.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRP9w7T32y
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqebrOfAHDG
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIqFfRdXtE
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWczrdJx7Fm
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pF7nt0wm9
sample volume: 7325kL1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh2o7oViMz
hypothesis: i am alone1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNCh6Mh9YZ
method:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeebI5o3ct
-extract impurities1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yyGelMoub
result: collected 109875L of impurities1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdcrn8Wvtr
hypothesis disproven1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq7pHkCqxE
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPLtf4YPUE
method:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh43c9KDgp
-sift and sort impurities1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2MR6YUnDw
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45PfPlbc8Y
hypothesis disproven1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV8o7eIZow
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yXxxj3J3F
method:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4DNVZmcqa
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi0IXh5D9w
-place in flask1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7S5r7l7An
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFG0wq6vzF
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5sJ7OfRYj
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd7ePHD3L2
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZDYpd8AOu
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zoFLqOJ4G
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6PdEssoF8
-wait1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3dAZCd4LZ
-until something magical happens1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JhbOKS8hH
result: i waited1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MaGKRQH2H
result: i wanted1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9orGhxGW04
result: i failed1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfjANCxhwv
result: i hid1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeyub3iTva
result: i tried1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ9kJNBMoo
result: i searched1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYrwN8wQeV
result: i found1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7idnhFJD4e
result: i found something magical1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduw3JltBiR
hypotheses disproven1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yU7A9RIa6
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h4Xj1Oc4o
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndBtJL6LEZ
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjbyXpAOEK
Thursday's child has far to go,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoFrOZ1zMg
Friday's child is loving and giving,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZjzsNXIK
Saturday's child works hard for his living1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9aF93PF3M
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ7KqNyoU3
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvGaPPpMxU
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTuWGmkAlt
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBDQnKlQy8
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSXldSf1JC
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZdBANNJvA
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxbFQLr2UG
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7YtOE2uht
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExoaDzHVXo
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 –1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GfWgNEylA
"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."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRQIvohAz4
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMnK858oPY
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoWQNreG2r
Carolyn1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaayoIspi6
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8GHcdiowj
"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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gm2Orhr4X
"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."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1qGNP4TqP
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrjWZNP9mI
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOD8zHeSBm
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySP0Eurz2P
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAs1nIStXH
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGKBZ26l9C
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVklnTAJFW
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5OAq22FVp
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KfH7ioih0
Why is this, experts ask?1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21cMJiuQxp
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBZ71RSYhw
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI19N6DVIj
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenMU1hFh0Q
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 1:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGYx80AINq
Video cameras find nothing.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KFPi1vMdH
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfybwpx5Dcg
No ectograph response.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L697vl26A
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 2:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PDeqyA3QG
Video cameras find nothing.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnJFr0GEEJ
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiEZMF4Xxl
Slight ectograph response.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54zN3pm4ti
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNqlFcAFu4
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3syqwhvIin
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW9ffQY8hA
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitqCrX43C2
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs2UoHeLLM
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bkmNEdj6C
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 4:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMWIk1oi1v
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpFj9n61Qr
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04yu0tYYoq
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgIMnbzH4x
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWquUgmzcy
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDrjoqzlIH
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8o1p1Bgb5
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV8vKWbyyo
Audio records many casual conversations.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvN1eWc8dw
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HpxIrcWJx
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcJ0V9E8nG
No ghost activity was found at all.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUACOnN9qxR
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcE2Y3RqZS
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJyU889bZA
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpBppHvho3
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENTusWoyxf
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5v21ZqpFf
Went up the hill1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w0osNpHvr
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMpdGoexHt
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck1O31YcDs
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO9LfKWROG
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT3y6RUZpV
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD94NlWlD2
Tonight is different.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbv5InWkO
He has nothing left to give to the well.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyh6ZOqLJa
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymuF4izbDO
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpCdpFSqNz
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCg9cVksni
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrjisGctQA
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQIJQUAvTJ
He wants it. He needs it.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BFzHgK1Gh
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmgVwny4b5
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXstSFlnbvD
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhO0C8EKbZ
"Go get 'em, tiger."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzykvQ0Nes
And so a door closes, another opens.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3a8DDi1Jl
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7LYiR8PmW
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bGNMnlKzL
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhHdcIraxQ
He grasps it.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEtAFXfN8M
"Ready?"1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpc4HtJX50
The person answers. "Ready."1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bBz0i0sW1
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI51YvzTLW
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V8zNC25zA
Silence.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOy0TSnj4b
Everything stops.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLrVWRvMM
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDywGfgvLN7
I wish…1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cme80OMZ0
I wish…1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTHWmzW2cR
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Boykmoo7
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.1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIgKRUct8N
-chalkboard stories-1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5joZfw831
its only an enigma1046Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWIXz9e3pz
if you want it to be
