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,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuTPjFAdKr
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAVYP7kWq8
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12wjGYu6Rm
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjCjFRJ3YA
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQLBz4VDcI
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfps4jkmFPV
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCe35kUUz2
"Okay then. First letter."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt1Nw2jD71
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pVkJzyfPO
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ53h8yPOmy
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0RCWcmULB
"No, what the hell, May?"1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9btpTP43E
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJTGuMK8ny
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWsuEnreG5
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnJkSkeSJO
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0vNICxcS5
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhzQWlX5JR
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcQeVfnu1Z
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWxLvObSq3
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!'1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAXZbiAd1v
David sighs, and closes the book.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrorVTDcO0f
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ5u2MtGCQ
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe96R4Oeix
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA9B40dtGL
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tZV4Fw4C1
sample volume: 7325kL1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMa5f7q9Pz
hypothesis: i am alone1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6AT3VIDW2
method:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fqyqIF4Ou
-extract impurities1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJNOCpOY3n
result: collected 109875L of impurities1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqERDxSXxz
hypothesis disproven1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qEPINdwGQ
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWznxJssozW
method:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA9U7eSdr1
-sift and sort impurities1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5WHsfLFoP
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzFduv4vNj
hypothesis disproven1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4uFqVlVEz
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ1MU4F4ch
method:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiEr9cPZyx
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClonGTMpyh
-place in flask1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxC0EhUTrH
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGSQfcC7Mz
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZl5QXpjWM
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDfSsK2Coj
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIMkeo67Wx
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGD3mOAkg2
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyPpeR5PJs
-wait1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU5bXp63b0
-until something magical happens1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg30xrqKdW
result: i waited1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H5vEMHEag
result: i wanted1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCqzm9fypw
result: i failed1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUDB44sRYc
result: i hid1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCCjSb5ZAI
result: i tried1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeQRuRJ0cX
result: i searched1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f8KxuNxhm
result: i found1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXfagdn8cu
result: i found something magical1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj00zir8kK7
hypotheses disproven1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJKl3OYs4S
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwe63WngfN
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcFrMPP0tC
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIheCJoEVdV
Thursday's child has far to go,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHYGjb5E3t
Friday's child is loving and giving,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr8dwDT9nl
Saturday's child works hard for his living1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHKO264yAt
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGBKBA1r5r
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakcNol6MCn
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ1MS57eC7
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRLhl7urLp
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUz8P54zK7
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa5b6YJHih
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qcVAFZxaz
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoVnB0t9f4
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs0OHfsxdm
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 –1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uk7ynOoef
"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."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ557t0ptZB
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOssxs6xm2
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjsYSAd4LO
Carolyn1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvb965yFW5
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEwr6zYack
"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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI2UjgXBiq
"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."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB6G4EKzTo
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKCa2IlUKK
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJgSZISRfX
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ndSR5vvE
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVRAYfVSmQ
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz66zb32emB
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49KQQiY9Ey
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsm88GPgtQ
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxbLX2Rp7H
Why is this, experts ask?1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAJHbQ1Zye
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrkAiD3DHl
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHQ4XdSI5S
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEvFnIQI5g
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 1:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9iBLJXm23
Video cameras find nothing.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl05RjirrMX
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMWekUPQHf
No ectograph response.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEie0oTRxbT
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 2:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbaqmXos9O
Video cameras find nothing.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfexUpJQOX
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NKJRojI1m
Slight ectograph response.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgzGE47QSx
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR3GrIJxF8
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEFnzDYQqo
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qpgjb3MYy
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3KJBCA4yj
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxzCTiK9n
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo4W68t2k7
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 4:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4nxQaJQHc
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP85aJNevn
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouT1yZdA65
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhli2T6C1m
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgxpexUfHM
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9AqxFNlJs
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ujtryeS4
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLUNQtKYsl
Audio records many casual conversations.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUXAH1SaZm
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKr2I7bxIT
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKLCiypIXU
No ghost activity was found at all.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSNerTRlXs
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c83ckVySX
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOj3ez7USp
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7avcbuFd3P
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE4IyZm1qn
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbGDiwJIRZ
Went up the hill1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3zmZIpii3
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVjLwOELQ7
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC21vnLLqAZ
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm9HhCLCZl
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMRVwVGrfd
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKXi6xggA4
Tonight is different.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9yhir685U
He has nothing left to give to the well.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7a4Yr5k8w
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYg4xJvlTz
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPxsPhZcG3
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopMSMMpLv5
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kEFkYWUFM
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIDv2I4CpL
He wants it. He needs it.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ew5iBTn5R
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6px0dE7IWF
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBxfHbpDE
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtHXjsM7lk
"Go get 'em, tiger."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PIbeGWv4n
And so a door closes, another opens.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPfwEgB658
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9PIfIfBlF
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Vwo6bT74
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4kca9YnAv
He grasps it.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ717mtE7tT3
"Ready?"1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjydHdkc8O1
The person answers. "Ready."1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRLaRDY2x6
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv66BoJva9r
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYCl37gDzy
Silence.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxviXrgB0Dp
Everything stops.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH9BQulLNT
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQOCzeVCnt
I wish…1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37KD8HDh2j
I wish…1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3TXOyWQkR
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06mL5jooNr
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.1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7yXe6Coyk
-chalkboard stories-1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZJoiri0Fr
its only an enigma1080Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrd3IaV9y7
if you want it to be
and then Add to home screen.