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,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWSDP9lsXp
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68RZO2aaAp
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarIWPvc8Cf
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66JZXiVUlJ
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKVlvKBaRn
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjknr41qn2
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULLaAi6nPp
"Okay then. First letter."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsxh16d7Pa
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ07xpqxdH
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbmYjzB6D
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKaRVGNxah
"No, what the hell, May?"1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbMVRjbZyq
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuGf4Hl1Jy
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZU42j59nF
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm51JdKMeS
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7TlZk4S5a
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp4ZzpDiUZ
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6Vy8dE5NQ
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ870PfXlRAy
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!'1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25OkKwRjAJ
David sighs, and closes the book.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZLMW2JvJw
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaKZGYzrCA
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBMuDF2wEW
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2JnO678FP
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNcDhMUV8m
sample volume: 7325kL1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPybrB8TpS0
hypothesis: i am alone1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKfD2JPPn7
method:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RRz6kgf8n
-extract impurities1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLkwPsmSyA
result: collected 109875L of impurities1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRV32aZskF
hypothesis disproven1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOkDR7ZrAG
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5LfcYAazI
method:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhxbXyqmBS
-sift and sort impurities1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL7rfk5x70
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKiDJROUq7
hypothesis disproven1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNz2GI5LLG
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHLFxBBMW1
method:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74bLVSDQ3l
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB9iKJICbz
-place in flask1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR8bngN4EV
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmJiXLLSR4
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmic0SbV7h
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNuDNDjxhy
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXtJQXWSly
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcoGdV25Fa
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71qiV6X93W
-wait1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgDvUBNVBe
-until something magical happens1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhP4NETyUo
result: i waited1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgmBhHNU4t
result: i wanted1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhKRYmUqia
result: i failed1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL2TyBpZZQ
result: i hid1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtZ2fR8xCe
result: i tried1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IgJlv5bXn
result: i searched1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAN4e1UADz
result: i found1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1O3qnGzoF
result: i found something magical1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLvWgpney
hypotheses disproven1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYNfEFZO8g
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNBioNXSY1
Tuesday's child is full of grace,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZspUQ1HEJc
Wednesday's child is full of woe,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuFiuPOtlx
Thursday's child has far to go,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiwBaEt7wH
Friday's child is loving and giving,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rX6yaClQk
Saturday's child works hard for his living1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6x5edDZQO
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvQa9E37HB
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHTFa8Llk
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhixqS18l3T
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYyU1oluzP
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPndmRwIOg
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazJY3nqUBx
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuCbFPz2zw
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4luGZanaQ
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM93RRx8Vw
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 –1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMphQxaVjQ
"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."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lr1fsLHHY
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyklCnmxHi
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTjrspa8e
Carolyn1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo0yHQlNAH
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXs5jLIAeU
"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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlmOPypo2p
"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."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38GxCcAMdx
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnE3CNOVeQ
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnqysbSPvT
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2Rr3GP2fB
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dAUX65fW0
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw9yRIJTWI
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs6jdOi6SK
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxdaCDjOTX
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvW8zLwIJv
Why is this, experts ask?1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0YH9j1Yy5
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjCn0s71WO
It was decided that a study must be conducted.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYReVygjc8T
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPEN3MlaiA
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 1:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFB4ZQKCc2
Video cameras find nothing.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dXTlqCqGX
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1GgtfVJSG
No ectograph response.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYSSrCs7Hd
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 2:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQS80sT3mQ
Video cameras find nothing.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1qsmxesNc
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAZnf6Jc4E
Slight ectograph response.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttT9u5ojHj
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYhPIi7Bqt
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc3oxRmVGI
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5hNpUdf9s
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHOD76mfBR
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIBwDNt7bG
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNU52F235x
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 4:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMnvVKcZrH
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSTF5YC9pP
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqrElvxiGM
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq2LrQ95cD
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlRRZXdyYu
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg11x2g84m
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8tryW5H8B
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWKKLrYoZb
Audio records many casual conversations.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyV2TEQ0gY
The repaired ectograph gives no response.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtT1fhTl6m
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvotnXpEII
No ghost activity was found at all.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje0RS8sRW0
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GHpPar1WG
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q6A6v7fES
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwa1taD5qY
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qJPzaWgg2
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlpvn6mOrV
Went up the hill1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfdggifqQs
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd1fEafidy
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByi1BVRanD
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJOFR1DsXi
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQg5U480hP
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1manttwXMf
Tonight is different.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd92PQ1cWU0
He has nothing left to give to the well.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR9sx7Csro
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjDdzU874M
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli4DYuhdHP
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxya7Vk69C
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5aj8pzGd0
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3cqFOgI16
He wants it. He needs it.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlTEp1ZAv9
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQPXQCE88F
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9H31cisep
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel0owE8NqS
"Go get 'em, tiger."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OElh59kJM
And so a door closes, another opens.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y1sXvGsVp
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjRWBkH01c
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFkMiaOecO
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEjlkOWy39
He grasps it.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITpZI6Zpno
"Ready?"1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88fzersIwi
The person answers. "Ready."1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTnraWqNBO
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqo2rMCerV
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTII9rCAq1P
Silence.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKM6g4RKoG
Everything stops.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgvvWriwBp
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2z7Y0OSL
I wish…1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKewdDKrW7t
I wish…1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kf1BPNOPi
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCQ9JvLTjj
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.1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJjSWjaagr
-chalkboard stories-1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdw9RYj8YC
its only an enigma1081Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1woKj5QcQ
if you want it to be
and then Add to home screen.