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,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16tFdRIruA
The ally-ally-oh, the ally-ally-oh,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH9fUARaMp
Oh, the big ship sails on the ally-ally-oh,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsUSnZnuhC
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIms3jJWg8r
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoaiQDSVgm
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Udq4Nf8v4
"May, I'm not going to tell you that." He sits down on the grass oval and opens his chemistry book.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHguZOeh91
"Okay then. First letter."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqowPCsDiU
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZWKOWzkdM
"Okay. It's an B." He sighs.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeVfozV8d8
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcL7rrgKbg
"No, what the hell, May?"950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdI7RYX1gP
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8jqVjWzHM
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDJ16v36KU
Esme smiles conspiratorially. "You're quite the puzzle, aren't you?" A more sophisticated person might have used the word 'enigma' instead.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR3VEVY9MS
David looks up. "Only if you want me to be."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm29KuOGrg
"Haha…" He can tell she doesn't understand him, as he expected. No one would.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o4Wgtb1k6
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMKtzGOT3E
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoalcUf2RNT
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!'950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYkdEOvuCE
David sighs, and closes the book.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtOtfygeHp
He can't concentrate now.
-impurities-
There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0OSErTa6J
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Bn0ZOVgU
He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7hTKkd8Fz
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
sample: H2O950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlYC9KQPEw
sample volume: 7325kL950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhrmKg87yv
hypothesis: i am alone950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDifvqyJWr
method:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSNMJjurix
-extract impurities950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvYIew8M88
result: collected 109875L of impurities950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6zpSrlkU7
hypothesis disproven950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlfz1VeSTH
hypothesis ii: i am alone, here950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8QH5y7muW
method:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoJrg1fOZI
-sift and sort impurities950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaZUnnKeO5
result: collected 809550mL of relevant impurities950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXsoun7Kz0
hypothesis disproven950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriChUwKsZV
hypothesis iii: magic does not exist950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvsNp8iPZP
method:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WRyQR5xU5
-collect 2mL of relevant impurities950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntOX4nf1ud
-place in flask950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGExR9AHx4u
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RTfhaeuiN
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoq3ZehFOO
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCklQSrWSn
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPKzcg45XM
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rMtjgMFgF
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaT4s4Xn1f
-wait950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVVdkE9oum
-until something magical happens950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81h7qS0KAv
result: i waited950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm4qqZuxbL
result: i wanted950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe7ELW1iOE
result: i failed950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgkk1doJPe
result: i hid950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJD9fTGnGb
result: i tried950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgvxTc6u9p
result: i searched950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcncSVzz4o
result: i found950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2vfpzlwlK
result: i found something magical950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf7RtY6RPo
hypotheses disproven950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMwnvbSiLo
i am not alone
-sign here-
Monday's child is fair of face,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYxEjyeLoc
Tuesday's child is full of grace,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46XwKzyM3q
Wednesday's child is full of woe,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMskLsKVEe
Thursday's child has far to go,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZuvR79hNc
Friday's child is loving and giving,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfTPu3UI4X
Saturday's child works hard for his living950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebM0fokm1w
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day…
The author signs the book, another thank, another person. The line goes on.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHPADMUIFq
"The name's Gretta. I'm your number one fan!"950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Zz3C3xv7
To Gretta, my number one fan. -sign here-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jHY1WAaW4
"I really loved your book. It touched me so much. I've had similar issues myself…"950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CslkDUf28
To quote a cat meme: 'Hang in there!' Don't give up, Jacob! -sign here-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAhN9LxP8R
"What an honour to meet you! I'm lost for words."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD3fhYRqby
To Kyle, my number one fan. -sign here-
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaslhZIjCQx
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMHiPZUTiz
To (name), my number one fan. -sign here-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYpHIVPMfK
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 –950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVij7CNwMdH
"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."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUA1ZRyNRL
The author opens to the inside cover, and sure enough, there's a signature there. It's not his own, though.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vB0WjKvLz
This is for you, Hector. I want you to know that I'm sorry.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegvP3rqKIZ
Carolyn950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcfcSQQJrb
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand –" The author is interrupted by the young man.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnBgT9IHOG
"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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n8FZHRHHQ
"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."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ke6pI6N08
The author finally sees; and – for a moment – for an eternal, deathly moment – he wants to cry.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN87d94gsu
"Yes…" He manages to form the word. "…I agree."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1qTL08umr
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA6qf11POE
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81wZDabHtk
The clearing of a throat brings his attention back to the person in front of him.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgeXFeadun
To Samantha, my number one fan. -sign here-
-ghost 54-
"When will that be?" say the Bells of Stepney,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeS6FdRaA4
"I do not know" say the Great Bells of Bow.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUfDUBHqGH
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSZTGZmnjC
Why is this, experts ask?950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMchyCKNHyf
And why is it only occasionally that ghosts are found in groups?950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPJlsps9DS
It was decided that a study must be conducted.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xlSMqAEVa
We stayed at the Crawley Cemetery for five nights, with video cameras, audio recording equipment, and an ectograph.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2JGhvIC7I
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 1:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyMZX4e7LK
Video cameras find nothing.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfqImIlNiC
Audio finds only the faintest of whispers.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cGu8V5UN6
No ectograph response.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzatXrB27u3
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 2:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCBiSwA1kW
Video cameras find nothing.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuJcn2Z6BW
Audio records crying at a frequency unnoticeable to human ears. Had to be edited.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGU5ljqUXo
Slight ectograph response.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJiEOnY10R
At our midnight campfire, we sensed a presence, 5 foot 4 inches tall. One member of our group panicked, and bailed from experiment.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmUl71mIRX
The presence feebly tried to morph into a replica of a human body, but the image collapsed.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gxOKPTX3s
We have christened the presence 'ghost 54'.
NIGHT 3:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuiuCoyiQQ
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzL6po6HZW
Audio records multiple prayers being said through the night. Again, frequency had to be edited.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8PC6YQkAK
Ectograph gives huge response. Large ghost activity in area.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KwEyJsZXZ
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 4:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXzdFh50Lr
Video cameras record images of horrific beings, humanoid but monstrous.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtoUP9ywBQ
Audio records unintelligible noises. This phenomenon requires further study. Possibly an attempt at communication.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CL1yWxmEL
Ectograph spikes, has buffer overflow. Line of activity goes off the top of graph before the machine breaks.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1hS6Kw2i
We repair the ectograph during our midnight campfire.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0L4rvSlFz
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6nFVKXYMI
Ghost 54 is silent.
NIGHT 5:950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzI4WLmK7i
Video cameras show many people walking around the cemetery.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7SBMjoTRv
Audio records many casual conversations.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSJJxjTPCY
The repaired ectograph gives no response.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmizmiONQe
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLuKIa8tMn
No ghost activity was found at all.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KmVI4xdvf
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEltXaQkZy
We congratulate ourselves on our unusual findings.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3n9frfcoc
To celebrate, we watch the footage of ghost 54 being placed in the cage.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yMn78DTgV
We are surprised to see in the recording, us placing a perfectly healthy (and struggling) human into the cage.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpvzWJhP7r
The footage has not been tampered with.
This phenomenon requires further study.
-whish-
Jack and Jill950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU18vVsuyIc
Went up the hill950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDBa5NEbcX
To fetch a pail of water…
The hill is silent, serene – peaceful, he wants to say.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEati5OrA1
This is his place, where he can lay the storm of thoughts rushing about inside his mind to rest.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmXO7NE8s3
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78lcVQ3gZr
But he still does it, perhaps once a month, sometimes more, sometimes less, because of the Whishing Well.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGC4ctoByB
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctGd2OXtUG
Tonight is different.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8vO8VD5qK
He has nothing left to give to the well.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuba2tuGif
Or, perhaps, he has everything to give.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pu5XyqYwd
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g38yzuoCx
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jCQoNSlFi
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwpC8MUFJn
He opens his eyes. The wish is over.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjSSlRADPX
He wants it. He needs it.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxuTgoP2Ig
With a sigh, he walks back down the hill.
The next evening, his parents are crying.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQNVtPUdH
"We're proud of you, son, no matter what." They're smiling, but they're shocked as well, shaken.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKctdLI7I2Q
His dad, eyes red, pats him on the back.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6gHkmDi52
"Go get 'em, tiger."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCxm7GqXe3
And so a door closes, another opens.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8njrHIGTTz
He walks out, a half-hearted goodbye, a see you soon, and they watch all the way as he walks down the street.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6qGmqySig
The thirty minute walk gives his time to think about what's going to happen, to him, to them, to everyone they know.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszkSoWlVVU
He reaches his destination, and there, a slim, quiet figure waits, extending a hand upon sight.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNG3SG0uP7
He grasps it.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXe7At5AWa
"Ready?"950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSmfeSucZw
The person answers. "Ready."950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SgVLc6tlo
He can tell that they're not, really, but they're going to do this anyway.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymyg6dOv6j
They can hear all the noise from inside the hall, growing louder as they open the door.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSq0fxbXiY
Silence.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJYbo5cjTH
Everything stops.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkktfx7X9KX
And he thinks of his wish, still strong in his mind, and walks, hand in hand, into the room.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB2CsFytHo
I wish…950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLrzqK4pUk
I wish…950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNV3RqThW7
Esme cries.
-extract from memoir of a ghost by david whishaw-
When Adam delved, and Eve span,950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU55KrSJjiW
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.950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJT2TKfYDV
-chalkboard stories-950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G0IjfpurF
its only an enigma950Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgZ0PEKJ89
if you want it to be
