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LIST FILE ON MARGIN IS 126 STATUS: ALL ALLOWED NUMBER OF LINES: 629 1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask.... 2 ******************* REMOVED: 14 JAN 84 ********************* 3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator 4 ************************************************************ 5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION 6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM. 7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privatly owned 8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public. 9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is 10 privatly owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which 11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be 12 periodically purged of older messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved) 13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the 14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the 15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace 16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up. 17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system. 18 *********************************************************** 19 20 Rory sat as he had been sitting for -- how long? He stroked his long red 21 beard. He had been clean-shaven when he left the inn. How long had he been here? 22 He rolled his practice chanter in his hands, and ran his fingers lightly over 23 the holes in its length. 24 ---HOW?? ---He had come here with nothing!! 25 26 The unseen piper winded his pipes, then a strange melody arose. Rory started, 27 made as if to raise from the ground, then relaxed. 28 This was not just a melody, this was the canntaireachd, a translation of the 29 human voice to the inhuman tones of the pipes. Nine holes peirced the walls of 30 the chanter, the poirtion of the pipes the piper fingered. This gave ten distinct 31 tones, each one standing for a vowel. The piper shifts from one vowel tone to 32 another with lightning gracing notes in distinct sound patterns. These gracings 33 sound remarkably like constants. 34 In the old language, the unseen piper spoke in the language of the 35 canntaireachd to Rory. 36 37 "Long have I searched to find you 38 Long are the days I searched for you 39 Long are the nights without you 40 Long are the years that you were gone 41 Long was the way to come to you 42 Long will the years be before I am gone. 43 44 SORROW IS MINE WITHOUT YOU YOU MUST RETURN TO ME 45 SORROW IS YOURS WITHOUT ME I MUST RETURN TO YOU 46 SORROW ALONE WILL DWELL WE MUST TOGETHER BE 47 PREPARE YOURSELF FOR MY COMING FOR I SHALL COME TO YOU 48 49 long have i searched to find you 50 long has the way been for me 51 long have i searched to find you 52 long have you been far from me 53 prepare for i come to find you 54 prepare for you will come to me 55 56 The pipes cut off abruptly. Rory smiled a quiet smile, then rose and went down 57 to the bank of the pool. He stripped off his clothing and made a small pile 58 on the bank. He placed his skean dubh 59 on top of the pile then plunged into the icy pool. 60 Chilled nearly to the bone, he heard another splash behind him. Turning, he 61 beheld -- his own face. The stranger coming toward him was himself -- 62 with a slight difference. Rory had a beard and hair of light red, the 63 stranger had hair and beard of black. The stranger moved nearer, then 64 Rory neither saw nor felt any more. 65 66 A stranger, had one been present, would have seen a strange sight. Two 67 men, one with black hair and beard, one with red-blond hair and beard 68 entered the pool. A single man left-- 69 his hair was dark with reddish highlights, his beard redder, but still 70 dark. Of the two that entered, there was no trace. Our observer, had 71 one been present, would be hard pressed to explain the **blurring** of the 72 two and emergence of only one. 73 74 The dark man walked slowly from the pool. Two piles of clothing lay upon 75 the bank. He picked a linen blouse from a pile, then slid it over his 76 head. Taking a large rectangle of softly woven wool, he pleated it on the 77 ground over a heavy belt, lay on it and folded it over himself. He buckled 78 the belt and arose. A cairngorm brooch held the trailing end of the belted 79 plaid to his left shoulder. He finished dressing, then bent over and touched 80 a small pile of discards, left from both. He smiled softly, picked up a 81 handsome stand of silver-mounted pipes, placed them under his right arm, 82 then walked softly out of the glade. He winded the pipes, and went 83 downstream, his step light, music wafting before him. 84 85 -------------------------the piper--------------------------------------- 86 87 It was the ranger Arvid rode homeward through the hills 88 Among the shadowy shiverleafs, along the chiming rills. 89 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 90 91 The night wind whispered round him with scent of brok and rue. 92 Both moons rose high above him and hills aflash with dew. 93 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 94 95 And dreaming of that woman who waited in the sun, 96 He stopped, amazed by starlight, and so he was undone. 97 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 98 99 For there beneath a barrow that bulked athwart a moon, 100 The Outling folk were dancing in glass and golden shoon. 101 102 The Outling folk were dancing like water, wind and fire 103 To frosty ringing harpstrings, and never did they tire. 104 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 105 106 To Arvid came she striding from where she watched the dance, 107 The Queen of Air and Darkness, with starlight in her glance. 108 109 With starlight, love and terror in her immortal eye, 110 The Queen of Air and Darkness cried softly under sky: 111 112 "Light down, you ranger Arvid, and join the Outling folk. 113 You need no more be human, which is a heavy yoke." 114 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 115 116 He dared to give her answer: "I may do naught but run. 117 A maiden waits me, dreaming in lands beneath the sun. 118 119 And likewise wait me comrades and tasks I would not shirk, 120 For what is ranger Arvid if he lays down his work? 121 122 So wreak your spell, you Outling, and cast your wrath on me. 123 Though maybe you can slay me, you'll not make me unfree." 124 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 125 126 The Queen of Air and Darkness stood wrapped about with fear 127 And northlight-flares and beauty.He dared not look to near. 128 129 Until she laughed like harpsong and said to him in scorn: 130 "I do not need a magic to make you always mourn. 131 132 I send you home with nothing except your memory 133 Of moonlight, Outling music, night breezes, dew and me. 134 135 And that will run behind you, a shadow on the sun, 136 And that will lie beside you when every day is done. 137 138 In work and play and friendship your grief will strike you dumb 139 For thinking what you are -- and -- what you might have become. 140 141 Your dull and foolish woman treat kindly as you can. 142 Go home now, ranger Arvid, set free to be a man!" 143 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 144 145 In flickering and laughter the Outling folk were gone. 146 He stood alone by moonlight and wept until the dawn. 147 The dance weaves under the firethorn. 148 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 149 There was so much to learn, the properties and uses of stones, the 150 uses of plants. How to read the runes, the cards, and now this new thing- 151 the - he glanced at the book again- the "Book of Changes". When would it all 152 end? 153 He set the book back upon the shelf and prepared to leave for the Inn. 154 No, wait! he said to himself, master will skin me for sure if I don't take 155 Pam something for her trouble. He took down another book and read: 156 For Colds & Rheums: take tea made from root, not bark, of sassafras tree. 157 Alright, now where is it? Ah, there it is! So saying, he placed 158 a packet in his pouch and replaced the book. 159 Later, passing over the bridge, he stopped and stared downstream awhile. 160 Before continueing on his way, he could not resist the impulse to face 161 downstream and bow. "O bearer of the staff, be thou welcome!" 162 Arriving at the Inn, he saw that it was somewhat less crowded than of late. 163 Not seeing Pam or d, he left the tea with the Innkeeper. 164 As he ate he wondered at his dreams of the previous night. At first he had 165 been talking with Whisper Rose, but then as the dream continued, she vanished 166 and other shapes appeared. A fierce Pegasus, rosy-hued Amber, and -- 167 a Monical? While he was not certain of their meaning, he suspected that they 168 might be clues in his search. He still was not certain of her origins, she 169 knew about his past and his master's, yet he could not bring her to mind 170 when he searched the memories of those days. He hoped that things would 171 become clearer soon. 172 ..........................................the apprentice..................... 173 For Leroy & friends, I have found a song that seems to have been 174 written with them in mind. The tune is "Londonderry Air" 175 The New Londonderry Air 176 177 Our Morris Miner's running out of petrol; 178 The bomb is set to go at half past five; 179 It's quarter past, and we're stuck here in traffic, 180 I doubt that we'll get out of this alive. 181 182 The IRA has really blown it this time; 183 This time I fear we've spread ourselves too thin. 184 And when the bobbies come to clear the wreckage, 185 On every Ulster face you'll see a narsty grin. 186 187 (sorry, but with all the poems & songs, I couldna resist!) 188 ______________________________________Leonard________________________________ 189 ############################################################################# 190 PAM: Thanks for the kind words a disk or so back but I hardly ever leave 191 anything anymore as the current mode the Inn seems to be in is of no in- 192 terest to me. I much prefer the heated discussions of politics, religion 193 and other subjects that shouldn't be discussed face to face. 194 These current ramblings seem to be nothing more than an extension of D/D 195 and I find those games foolish and very useless. I would like to see more 196 valid information here and on the other boards rather than this childish 197 prattle, sorry but that the way I feel. 198 I will continue to monitor the activities here but doubt that I will have 199 much to contribute toward the current drivell, hope there is a change soon 200 as it is most dificult to get a line to the Inn anymore. 201 Anyway Happy New Year to you and yours and I do hope your depression has 202 abated. 203 ################C.Y.M.##############################1/10/84 11:00 am######### 204 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~! 205 The warm sun beamed down on the crowded marketplace. The exotic aromas 206 and noisy hubbub assailed the senses. The small, wiry man lounged at the 207 head of an alleyway. His one good eye scanned the jostling crown for a 208 likely mark; a pocket to pick or a pursestring to cut. 209 Suddenly, at his side a tall, khaki clad man appeared. The ferret- 210 faced man nervously glanced from side to side trying to find escape from 211 his nemisis. Inspector Salazar gazed intently at the one called Weasel. 212 "Weasel, don't leave just yet. I need some information." 213 "Ah Inspector, I'm just a humble laborer. I mind my own business." 214 Salazar's eyes flashed with impatience; " 215 "Tell me about the murder on the beach and anything you know about 216 McKane." At the mention of 'McKane', fear flooded into the Weasel's eyes. 217 "I know my rights--I don't have to talk with you." He turned to leave. 218 Suddenly, Salazar's hand snaked out...grasping the Weasel by the throat. 219 His feet dangled inches from the rough cobblestones. He beheld a terrible 220 vision of the Inspector's face close to his. Salazar spoke softly as to a 221 lover; "The only right you have is to talk to me; maybe then, you can keep 222 your life. I have no time for games today. Give me what I want and you 223 will be well paid." 224 The Weasel sputtered; "Awk! Alright, just put me down." After being set 225 down, the words tumbled out; "The murdered girl's name was Natasha. The 226 word on the street is that one known as Ninja Loo Tau Foo murdered her. 227 She was McKane's lover. As for McKane himself..." He looked at Salazar 228 craftily, "That will cost you a thousand." 229 Salazar reached into his pocked. "Weasel, this had better be good or 230 I'll remove your other eye." He handed him a wad of bills. The Weasel 231 passed him a powder blue envelope and without a word disappeared into the 232 crowd. Inspector Salazar started to read as he walked through the market. 233 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 234 My Dearest Mohammed; 235 Success is at hand. We now have the old man. He's not as cute as the 236 Dali Lama, but he'll do in a pinch. With our share of the ransom--Albania 237 will soon be free. 238 I haven't found a replacement for Pedro yet. (Heavy Sigh!) Also the 239 dwarf has been kidnapped, but that's not important. The ringmaster of the 240 Ukraine Travelling Circus gave me another in return for my favors. 241 The ninja still threatens and may have killed Natasha. Petrov is still 242 as weird as ever. God, what a zoo. How I miss you... 243 --Serena-- 244 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 245 The Inspector strode purposefully into the police station. Espying his 246 aide he barked out; "Start looking for someone known as the Ninja and pickup 247 Mohammed Wassir, the crazy Albanian. IMMEDIATELY!" 248 To himself..."Either I'll have some answers or we'll have Albanian goulash 249 for dinner." 250 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!Valinor!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~! 251 252 Gary: 253 I should introduce myself. I have the personnas of Mohammed, Serena, 254 and Valinor. I really enjoy your work. The AP news story was a real gem. 255 At times I'm hard put to keep up with the plot twists, but I love it. 256 Now for the question, why did you kill off Natasha. Not griping, just 257 curious. 258 Mike Bigham 259 ***************************************************************************** 260 :*************************************************************: 261 262 Mike: 263 264 Pleased to meet you. Thanks for the praise...always a 265 appreciated. Obviously I'm a great fan of your work as well. 266 267 I've also become a fan of Valinor. I love the way he 268 transitioned the McKane adventure into a different format. I 269 also appreciate the Bogart influence...nice touch. 270 271 I, too, have trouble keeping up with the plot twists. That's 272 OK, though, it's all part of the experimental medium. 273 274 I killed Natasha for two reasons: 275 276 1) I screwed up when I made her mentally ill. To maintain 277 my credibility I need to keep my mental health and 278 fantasy stuff totally separate. I was correcting an 279 error in judgement. 280 281 2) I was trying to keep the plot moving. I've noticed that 282 one of the pitfalls of multiple authored fantasy is 283 that it's real easy to get bogged down in 284 characterization or descriptive passages. 285 286 By killing Natasha I was trying to open up a new 287 dimension of the plot. From the description of the 288 investigation of Natasha's death it seems to have worked. 289 290 The AP story was another effort to get the action 291 moving. Hopefully it will open up another dimension of 292 the adventure and keep it from getting bogged down. 293 294 So much for now. Want to close by acknowledging how much I've 295 enjoyed having Mohammed & cronies to bounce my imagination 296 off. LeRoy wouldn't have survived without you. 297 298 Gary 299 300 :************************************************************: 301 302 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 303 304 I WAKE COVERED WITH SWEAT, AND THE FOUL STINK OF FEAR PERMEATES THE 305 ROOM. I HAD A DREAM, ONLY PARTS OF WHICH I REMEMBER, AND A BATTLE FOR THE 306 POSSESSION OF MY SOUL. AND THE FACE OF THE MAN I FOUGHT WITH....IS KNOWN TO 307 ME SOMEHOW....YES, AS I REMEMBER, HIS NAME IS MIDER. BUT FROM WHERE DO I 308 KNOW HIM, AND HOW CAME HE TO INHABIT MY DREAM? 309 310 AS I ARISE FROM MY BED, I REALIZE THAT I AM MUCH WEAKER THAN I HAD IM- 311 AGINED, FOR I SWAY AND MUST CATCH AT THE BEDPOST TO PREVENT A FALL. IF THE 312 ROOM WOULD ONLY STOP SPINNING... 313 314 AH, THAT IS BETTER. AT LEAST MY BROW IS COOLER, THE FEVER HAVING BROK- 315 EN DURING MY SLEEP. BUT I HAVE NO VIGOR, NO STRENGTH, AND I THINK THAT I 316 WOULD BE FOOLISH TO ATTEMPT TO GO TO THE INN THIS DAY. PERHAPS IT WOULD BE 317 BEST FOR ME TO STAY AT HOME AND TAKE CARE OF MY HEALTH. 318 319 LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW, I SEE THAT THE COLD AND FOG OF THE EVENING PAST 320 HAS TURNED TO RAIN TODAY. IT IS DREARY AND DEPRESSING, PERHAPS TO MATCH MY 321 MOOD OF LATE, AND THE GREYNESS OF THE SKY IS NO GREYER THAN MY OWN MOOD. I 322 SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME MESSAGES LEFT UPON MY STEP, AND OPENING THE 323 DOOR TO READ THEM MAY GIVE ME SOME NEW AIR TO RELIEVE THE VAPORS. AH, DEAR 324 CISTOP LEAVES A COMPLIMENT, AND A COMMISERATION. SURELY NO INN HAS SUCH A 325 KEEPER, ONE WHOSE CONCERN FOR HIS CUSTOMERS IS AS DEEP AS A DOTING PARENT! 326 327 A COMMENT FROM AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, FRIEND CYM, WHICH CAUSES A SMILE TO 328 CROSS MY FACE MOMENTARILY. HE WISHES FOR THE OLD DAYS, WHEN RESOUNDING DE- 329 BATE ECHOED THROUGH THE HALLS OF THE INN, WISHES PERHAPS FOR A RETURN TO 330 THOSE TIMES. THEY MAY ONE DAY RETURN, BUT THE CURRENT POLICIES IN FAVOUR IN 331 THE INN IS MORE LIKE DAYS LONG PAST. THEN I WAS BUT A HUSHED AND RESPECTFUL 332 OBSERVER IN THE DARK CORNERS. WHEN CHANGE CAME, AND I HAD MASTERED THE IN- 333 TRICACIES HERE, I JOINED IN. BUT AS HAPPENS THROUGHOUT LIFE AND THE WORLD, 334 CHANGE CAME AGAIN, AND THE INN TOOK ON THE APPEARANCE OF OLDER TIMES. I'LL 335 JOIN IN THE FRAY, NO MATTER THE STYLE, SINCE I TRY TO ADAPT AND FIT IN NO 336 MATTER WHAT (SHORT OF VIOLATING MY OWN ETHICAL POSITIONS). AND DRIVEL, LIKE 337 SO MUCH ELSE IN LIFE, IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. GOOD CYM, REMEMBER THE 338 WORDS OF THAT FAMED PHILOSOPHER, THEODORE STURGEON, WHO SAID: 339 340 "99% OF EVERYTHING IS CRAP!" 341 342 AND A FINAL LETTER, FROM AN APPRENTICE, WHICH INCLUDES A REMEDY FOR 343 AILMENTS AND INFECTIONS! INDEED, A THOUGHFUL AND GRACIOUS YOUNG MAN IS HE 344 WHO WOULD THINK SO KINDLY OF ONE HE ONLY KNOWS IN PASSING. THE MASTER MUST 345 TEACH THE APPRENTICE WELL, AND IN WAYS OF GENTLE LIFE AS IN HIS APPOINTED 346 TRADE. I WILL THANK HIM WHEN NEXT I GET THE CHANCE AT THE INN. 347 348 THESE EPISTLES HAVE DONE MUCH TO STRENGTHEN ME, MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE 349 THOUGHT POSSIBLE FROM SIMPLE PIECES OF PAPER. BUT IT IS NOT THE PAPER THAT 350 HELPS ME, BUT THE THOUGHTS OF THOSE THAT HAVE CARED ENOUGH TO CREATE THEM. 351 THE WARMTH OF THEIR CARING IS STILL WITHIN ME AS I LOOK UP AND OUT THROUGH 352 MY YARD TO BEHOLD THE GATE THAT WAS NEW THE NIGHT BEFORE. WHAT I SEE NOW 353 CHILLS ME AGAIN, FOR THE GATE IS GONE, SMASHED INTO MANY SHARDS, AND SPREAD 354 ABOUT THE YARD AS THOUGH BY A GREAT FORCE. I TURN BACK TO ENTER MY HOME, 355 AND I AM SHOCKED TO SEE THAT ONE OF THE PIECES OF THE GATE, ITS POINT SHARP- 356 ENED AND KNIFELIKE, IS BURIED IN THE HARD WOOD OF THE DOOR LIKE A SPEAR. IT 357 HOLDS A TORN CLOTH OF MANY COLOURS, UPON WHICH IS WRITTEN A MESSAGE IN AN 358 INK BLACKER THAN THE HEART OF A TAX COLLECTOR: 359 360 "Know ye, O woman, that my love can be sweeter than life itself, 361 Grand as the best of wines, eternal and without surcease; 362 More intoicating than the best ale of Inisfail 363 Is what I would offer you. 364 365 "But you that would deny me, prevent me my due, 366 Steal my heart and then fly to you petty mortal dealings; 367 You fill me with rage, passion beyond compare! 368 In your small mind, beware my wrath, for none can deny me!" 369 370 SHUTTING MY DOOR, I REALIZE THAT I WILL INDEED GO TO THE INN TODAY, AND 371 I THINK THAT I WILL SPEND THE NIGHT THERE. SUDDENLY, MY HOME IS FRIGHTENING 372 TO ME, A PLACE ALIEN AND VIOLATED BY A POWER I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I HOPE MY 373 GOOD FRIEND d WILL BE THERE, HER WIT IS SUCH A COMFORT. 374 375 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 376 377 To the inspector: 378 I am giving you a warning to back off the Natasha case. The Ninja have no 379 cause to kill the likes of you but don't like anyone who asks questions. We are many and our fanaticism can easily 380 over come you. 381 Ninja Loo Tau Foo 382 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 383 !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? 384 WELL d, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S OFF FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING, BECAUSE MY MODEM IS GOING FOR A RIDE. UNLESS 385 YOUR HOME IS AVAILABLE OR YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR SETUP HERE. I'M LEAVING THIS SAME MESSAGE ON YOUR 386 ELECTRONIC MAILBOX, SO THAT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER YOU'LL GET IT. 387 388 CYM: I'M WITH YOU ON THE DEBATES AND SUCH, BUT I ALSO EONJOY A GOOD STORY, THOUGH FANTASY IS OF NO 389 INTEREST TO ME. FIND A TOPIC AND I'LL TRY TO GIVE YOU A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY. 390 391 AMR. VALERUS: AM REQUESTING MORE INFO ON GET TOGETHER MENTIONED ON PREVIOUS DISK. 392 393 ALL: FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, HELLO. 394 !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?DEBORAH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? 395 396 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 397 G.T- 398 Where have you been? Been on many of the bulletin boards lately? 399 //////////////////////////////////////////Jen/////////////////////////// 400 He wasn't used to speaking other than the nonsense songs he'd 401 sung back to the birds and the animal imitations he'd used. He had talked 402 to the ground hogs, but they weren't much for conversation. He scranbled out 403 of the bushes, wrapping his arms in a bone crunching hug around Ben's neck. 404 "Where we going?" 405 "Home." 406 Marc was all arms reaching for knobs in the cockpit as Ben firmly 407 strapped him into the crash webbing. "Excited?" But Marc had no answer, 408 he was busy fingering the catch on the web. Ben didn't need an answer 409 anyway. 410 "Sleep now, little one, it's a long ride." Ben directed. The 411 speeder rose noiselessly straight up until Ben was sure that he was 412 high enough that his passing would not disturb any of the other children 413 in the vast, rolling plains. After the morning's exertions, even the 414 excitement of being in the speeder was no competition to the warmth 415 and comfort of the crash couch. As if triggered by Ben's words, he 416 dropped immediately into a deep sleep. 417 ------------------------------daver----------------------------------- 418 419 SALIZAR: 420 tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick..... 421 422 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 423 424 AA7 ACK ZULU NOVEMBER 425 PRIORITY ALPHA 426 STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND 427 SINCSAC HQ BRAVO 428 429 SOURCES SHOW ALBANIAN MILITIA MOBILIZED. SOVIETS HAVE GONE TO 430 STAGE TWO ALERT. SCRAMBLE ALL BOMBERS, REPEAT SCRAMBLE ALL 431 BOMBERS. THIS IS NO TEST. REPEAT THIS IS NO TEST. MCKANE HAS 432 MOVED OUT. SATELLITE RECON SHOWS AIRCRAFT CROSSING INTO ALBANIAN 433 AIR SPACE. AGENTS MOBILIZED TO INTERCEPT. REPORT READINESS. 434 435 AUTHENTICATION AA7-1001 436 GENERAL MACAIBO 437 ...................................................................... 438 439 440 441 repeating message.... 442 To ONE AND ALL: 443 FIRST SEMI-NOCTURNAL 444 BACKWATER INNCOUNTER 445 -and- 446 AMATEUR DEBAUCH 447 448 28 JANUARY 1984 449 *LIGHT BEVERAGES &GOODIES 450 *ALL AGES AND ALTEREGOS WELCOME 451 6PM PRELIMINARY INNCOUNTER (GET OUT HERE) 452 6:30 PM MELEE AT THE BRIDGE (CARPOOL TO WASH. SQ. HYDROTUBES) 453 9:00 PM PARTYING IN EARNEST 454 455 LANDLINE 642-xxxx DO IT! 456 457 ****************** CONTREMON VALERIUS ******************************** 458 PS...REPLYS APPRECIATED FOR PLANNING BUT NOT NECESSARY. 459 JODY TAYLOR 460 HELLO. HOW ARE YOU DOING? DO YOU LEAVE 461 MESSAGES VERY OFTEN ON THIS SYSTEM? I 462 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 463 AS I ENTERED THE INN, I AM OVERCOME BY AN AMAZING SIGHT. INSTEAD OF THE 464 INDIVIDUALITY THAT IS COMMON HERE, THE PEOPLE SEEM TO BE GATHERED IN ONLY THREE 465 GROUPS. THE LARGEST, WHICH ATTRACTS THE ATTENTION OF THE INNKEEPER, CONSISTS 466 OF MANY PEOPLE RECOUNTING ADVENTURES BOTH REALISTIC AND FANCIFUL. I STOP 467 TO LISTEN, BUT KNOW I AM NOT UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THIS GROUP. ANY ATTEMPT 468 TO CONTRIBUTE WOULD BE RIDICULOUS. I MOVE ON TO A SECOND GROUP, WHICH ARE 469 DISCUSSING MATTERS IN HUSHED TONES, WITH MANY REFERENCES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES 470 OF WHICH I KNOW LITTLE. THIS IS NOT MY FORTE, EITHER, SO I INVESTIGATE THE LAST 471 AND SMALLEST ONE. TOPICS FLOWING HERE ARE QUITE REALISTIC, BUT ARE FEW AND 472 RIDDEN WITH LARGE WORDS BEYOND MY KEN. I SIT IN AWE OF THE OBVIOUS POWER AND 473 KNOWELDGE OF THESE PEOPLE, BUT AM AT A LOSS AT WHAT TO DO. 474 I MOVE TO AN UNOCCUPIED SECTION OF THE INN, WISHING FOR SOME DISCUSSION 475 OF TOPICS BOTH REAL AND NOT, THAT A SIMPLE, UNTALENTED PERSON CAN ENTER. 476 IN A MOMENTARY FIT OF MADNESS, I STAND UP AND CRY, 477 "WHO DO YOU LIKE FOR THE 1984 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?" 478 AS I PERCIEVE THE COLD STARES OF THE PARTONS, I WONDER WHAT THE RESULTS OF 479 MY ACTION WILL BE............ 480 JONATHAN CHANCE 481 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 482 AFTER LEAVING A MESSAGE (AN INVITATION) WITH THE INNKEEPER FOR THE 483 APPRENTICE. WHISPER STUFFED HER GARMENTS IN HER WORN RUCKSACK PUT HER 484 LEATHERS ON AND STRAPPED HER DUREUM MACE TO HER FOREARM WHERE HIDDEN 485 BY THE SLEEVE IT WAS INSTANTLY AVAILABLE AT NEED. WITH A GRATEFUL NOD TO 486 THE INNKEEP SHE SETTLED HER TAB AND CROSSING THE BRIDGE TOOK TO THE WOODS 487 MOVING UPSTREAM. MOVING SILENTLY IN THE PRACTICED MANNER OF AN EXPERIENCED 488 THIEF SHE SLID ALMOST INVISIBLY FROM DAPPLED SHADOW TO DAPPLED SHADOW. 489 WHO KNEW WHAT SHE WOULD FIND UP THIS TINY TRIBUTARY. PERHAPS A GIANT OR 490 SOME WIZARDS LONELY KEEP, WHERE SHE COULD LIBERATE A FEW "SMALL" COINS 491 OR SOME OLD AND MUSTY TOME TO GIVE TO HER MASTER. NOT MENTIONING OF 492 COURSE HOW SHE HAD COME BY IT. 493 494 **********************************PROSPERO'S APPRENTICE********************* 495 LEONARD, 496 YOUR GETTING OFF THE TRACK. JUST BECAUSE I USE THE PERSONA OF ONE OF 497 MY CHARACTERS DOESN'T MEAN I SHARE IT'S SEX OR IT'S VIEWPOINT. THINK 498 WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO JUST GOT A COMPUTER LATELY. BY THE WAY, I CHECKED 499 WITH THE WISE OLD MANAGER OF THAT REPOSITORY OF WELL THUMBED BOOKS YOU 500 MENTIONED AND HE HAD HEARD NOTHING OF THE SCROLL. 501 502 ****************************PROSPERO'S APPRENTICE*************S.S********* 503 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ 504 Night visions of men dressed in black scuttling through the night 505 plagued the sleep of Salazar...He awoke in darkness to find his sheets 506 soaked in sweat...His heart full of apprension. Though a man not given 507 to fear, he knew he would face Death's grinning visage soon enough. He 508 also knew that if perchance he might survive...He would experience an 509 exhileration known to few mortals... 510 BEWARE...Those who threaten, I have faced death before and 511 not turned aside. I come for you... 512 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!Valinor!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ 513 514 ################################################################################ 515 VOTE NO FOR 516 PRESIDENT 517 KEEP THE WHITE 518 HOUSE EMPTY FOUR 519 MORE YEARS !!!!!!!! 520 521 ##############C.Y.M.#################################1/11/84 12:30am############ 522 This is BIG BROTHER here! I've have been watching you! You are 523 all guilty of thought crimes! We know where you live! You will 524 be arrested and sent to deprogramming! Give yourselves to BIG 525 BROTHER! That is all! 526 Citizens......do The Pony! 527 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 528 The President is not real, but what of the sales tax 529 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 530 off 531 So it IS you, Steve. 532 ((((((((((((((((((Sam)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 533 Milady Pam: 534 Why dost thou think that the arts healing are not part of my training? Though 535 it is true that they are not the main thrust, they are still part of what I must 536 learn. 537 I am not yet skilled enough to aid in the current matter, but I am sure that my 538 master could be of aid. 539 ............. 540 He looked at the letter again, sighed, and tossed it into the fire. Some things 541 are better said face-to-face... He got up and walked over to 542 Pam's table. 543 When she looked up he said, "Milady Pam? May I speak with thee? 544 ................................the apprentice.................................. 545 546 JONATHAN: OK, SINCE I'M ALREADY WOUND UP IN THE OTHER GROUPS, I MIGHT 547 AS WELL SHOUT BACK ACROSS THE INN AT YOU, ALSO. COLD STARE NO. 1 MIGHT 548 BE TO ANSWER "NOBODY!", BUT WHAT FUN WOULD THAT BE? SO I'LL PARRY 549 AND THRUST THE FOLLOWING: 550 551 I say keep Ronnie around. He may be an ...hole, but at least he 552 seems to be having some effect! It's time the American people showed 553 that they can get behind Something. 554 555 Crouching before the Backlash, ............. General Macaibo... 556 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 557 558 "Ah, good day, Mr. Valerius." The dwarf smiled from his cushioned 559 divan. "Thank you so much for the weekend. I had a wonderful time." 560 he mumbled as one of the hostesses popped another grape into his mouth. 561 "But I fear I must be getting back." 562 563 "Certainly, Phillipe." The tall figure smiled. His white dinner 564 jacket was folded over one arm, concealing the hand. Phillipe glanced 565 suspiciously. "Are you planning to be near Marakesh? I might have 566 a job for you." Contremon smiled, and pulled on the jacket. No weapons 567 showed, and Phillipe relaxed. 568 "Why, yes, monsieur. I will be meeting a friend." 569 "Excellent, my friend, excellent. There is a man in Marakesh. His 570 name is Salizar. I have been informed that he is in danger." Valerius 571 removed a roll of currency from his jacket pocket, along with what 572 appeared to be a key, a large, ornate gold key. He placed the key quickly 573 back into his jacket, and handed the currency to the dwarf. "Take this, 574 my private jet is waiting on the runway. You must be in Marakesh tonight. 575 Go to Salizar, for tonight there will be an attempt on his life, and you 576 must be there to stop it, my friend. Only your talents will suffice 577 this night." With that he strode out of the room. The dinner guests 578 awaited, and this was a special evening. He fingered the key as he 579 descended the stairs. 580 581 ************************Contremon Valerius*************************** 582 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 583 I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with CYM on 584 the presidential choice. We really don't have anyone 585 who I fell could do a better job at this time, sad as 586 that may be. 587 Bo 588 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 589 HELP! 590 591 SIGNED: 592 JASON BROOKS 593 -------------...... 594 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 595 CYM & BO: WHAT ABOUT JASON BROOKS. HE 596 SEEMS TO HAVE THE SITUATION SUMMED UP 597 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 598 Alas fair winds and home port in sight but no moorage < Captn' Barefoot > 599 ######################################## 600 There are many people that come to mind that are not only quallified but extremely electable 601 alas the problem is to gey them to run for the office. I really can't blame them for not 602 wanting to run as it seems to be a thankless job in the long run no matter what yoyur political 604 affiliation. It used to be that they waited til you and your imediate family had all 605 passed over, then it was when you had gone 606 now there are no holds bared and the muck rakers are at it from every angle. 607 What we need is a purely non-payed political 608 group in Washington and our state houses and a time limit on their tenure. Take the profit out of the game and we might get 609 some responsible people to run for office. Of course they would be on a flat rate per-diem to 610 cover the everyday expenses but not a penny more. The private assets, if any would be 611 frozen for the duration of their term. 612 Lets get a discussion going on this idea, who knows it might help, it certainly won't hurt. 613 614 #################C.Y.M.##############################1/12/84 10:39 am########### 615 Now back to drive 'A' 616 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 617 618 A VERY INTERESTING CONCEPT, CYM. BY TAKING AWAY THE PROFIT MOTIVE YOU 619 WOULD CERTAINLY ELIMINATE THOSE WHOSE INTEREST IN POLITICS WAS MOTIVATED BY 620 GREED. HOWEVER, YOU WOULDN'T LOSE THOSE WHOSE POLITICAL DESIRE CAME FROM A 621 NEED FOR POWER OVER OTHERS. BY TAKING AWAY ANY CHANCE FOR PROFIT, YOU MIGHT 622 RESTRICT POLITICAL OFFICE TO ONLY THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO TAKE 4 YEARS OFF 623 TO DEVOTE TO SUCH THINGS. "THE SELLING OF THE PRESIDENCY" DESCRIBES HOW DE- 624 CISIONS IN OFFICE CAN BE MOTIVATED BY PROMISES FROM LARGE CORPORATIONS TO 625 PROVIDE MONEY OR EMPLOYMENT AFTER THAT INDIVIDUAL'S TERM IS ENDED. IT SEEMS 626 TO ME THAT THIS SORT OF BEHAVIOR MIGHT BE ENCOURAGED BY YOUR PLAN. IS THERE 627 ANY WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM THAT YOU CAN SEE? OOPS, I'M OUT OF SPACE! 628 629 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM+[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] >