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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2 ************************* INSTALLED: 9 DEC 85 *********************** 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 privately 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 privately 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 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 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>END REACHED AT THE TOP?<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<DON'T BE 21 SILLY - EEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOO! 22 """"""""""""""""""Drat! So close... SOLI 23 GOR CAMERAS AND LENSES AT YOUR NEAREST 24 PHOTOGRAPHY SHOP. BUY TODAY! 25 """"" 26 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\THE DESTROYER\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\26 27 When he did wake up, he found that he didn't want to. The darkness was warm, comforting. And there were no 28 dreams. 29 When he opened his eyes he found himself in a high tech hospital room. He tried to move but nothing worked from the 30 neck down. Then he noticed a faint blue glow around him. A paralyzer. To keep him from moving and reopening any 31 wounds. That was also why he didn't feel any pain. As long as the thing was on, he was stuck there. Probably just as 32 well. He closed his eyes again and sleep took him surprisingly fast. 33 Seconds later (it felt like), he was reawakened by a noise. He opened his eyes and saw a figure in a doctor's long 34 white coat. His back was to James but when he turned around James recognised him immediately. "Oh, boy." he said in a 35 weak, rasping voice, "I knew it. I died and gone to hell." 36 The doctor responded with a sour smile. "And greetings to you, too. Sorry to hear your sense of humor hasn't 37 improved any." 38 "I like my humor the way it is. How's it goin', Putzie." 39 The doctor winced at the hated nickname. "I have a name. I would appreciate you using it." 40 "Excuse me, intern Willerd Putzner." 41 "Doctor Putzner." 42 "Doctor! This place has lowered its standards. Never mind. Where's the Old Man?" 43 "He'll be in later. You're not his patient this time, anyway. You're mine. It took three hours to repair the 44 severed nerves and muscles in your back and most of our available blood supply to keep from losing you while I did it. 45 And then I spent another five hours refixing that mess beneath your jawline. Whoever fixed it the first time did a 46 lousy job." 47 "I was rushed." 48 Doctor Putzie was was more than a little skeptical. "YOU fixed it?!" 49 "Yeah, I'll tell you about it later. The girl I brought in with me. How is she?" 50 "Oh, she's fine. In a lot better shape than you are at the moment. She was suffering from some type of powerful 51 nerve toxin. Fortunately our lab boys figured it out pretty quick and she recovered in about forty eight 52 hours." 53 James tried to turn his head to look around. "Where is she?" 54 "Well, no money, no relatives around here... I put her up at my place." 55 "What!?" 56 "Don't bother to thank me. It was my pleasure. I've been showing her the sights around town. She's a delightful 57 girl and I'm really enjoying getting to... know her." 58 "You son of a-" 59 "I said you didn't have to thank me. The expression on your face is thanks enough. You're getting a little 60 overwrought, and I'd hate to see you undo all my nice work. You better get some more rest." 61 Before he could object, Putzie reached over to a long gray machine and hit a switch. James was unconcious 62 instantly. 63 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\THE DESTROYER\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 64 (((*)))(((*)))(((*))) 65 L'homme: It is an STD bus with 8in drives. Thank you for helping me. 66 (((*)))(((*)))((( Ripple ))) 67 ((( of the brook ))) 68 ((( the songs of the larks ))) 69 ((( Yes, I remember all those things ))) 70 ((( but tell me please, will you: ))) 71 ((( Why I couldn't remember your name ))) 72 ************************************************************************* 73 Mister Smirnoff I presume? 74 **************************************kathyD******************************** 75 HELP 76 77 FA LOVERS 78 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 79 IT is indeed comforting to be able to once again walk the streets of 80 downtown Portland and seldom see a Prostitute, thanks to the outstanding work 81 of Mayor BUd and Chief Penny. But now I find I can't venture out my apartment door, 82 without encountering muggers and even murderers...is this such a great improvement for what once was 83 the most livable city? 84 You should try LIVING downtown some lifetime. Better than an INfocom game. 85 IT is really discomforting to decide which is lesser of two evils: 86 Prostitute 87 or 88 Subtitute (faggots, as in AIDS) 89 I don't know where in downtown you are referring to but the hookers are there. Muggers? Murderers? Downtown? Not really 90 unless you are the kind of un-street-wise person that looks like you are afraid of something. I lived in downtown for more 91 than 8 years and noone ever mugged me. And I am not a big guy. I just know how to survive on the street. You should learn 92 or else stay OFF the street. 93 off 94 There has been a resurgence of violnt crime in the area of Portland bounded 95 roughly by the river, Burnside,21st and PSU in which an average of two viloent 96 crimes are commited each and every nigt. 97 There was also a man stabbed repeatedly near SW14th and Hall last week who 98 lay where he bled to death for many hurs before anyone even noticed or cared 99 ennough to call the police to report it. 100 Maybe it's nothing where you're from but here it seems things are indeed 101 gettin significantly worse. 102 Read the Oregonian...it's there. Everyday. 103 ?c 104 ______________________________JD 2446408.9998______________________________ 105 violEnt,averEge,viOlEnt,hOurs,enough,gettinG,commitTed. Not good, Lennerd. %%%%%%%%%%%%%BACKWATCHER&&&& 106 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 107 "God rest you merry merchants may you 108 make the yuletide pay!" (Tom Lehrer) 109 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>...psu-cs!nelsons<><><> 110 .-.-.-.-.-.-.EmuLurk.-.-.-.-.-. 111 exit 112 113 Have you ever had one of those days when the first thing you do is 114 expect to work a full shift and then all the power goes out. Maybe 115 Hmmmm..... Looks like the power went out again, eh? 116 +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ 117 118 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 119 |||||||||| Argh! Early-morning shifts! I can't stand it!! |||||| PEN NAME ||| 120 ppppppppppppppppppppp (first time in a week I haven't seen line 629!ppppppppppp 121 lnhq......................................................................lnhq 122 Does any one out there think that our friend Taxi ^H^H^H^H^H Lewis would do 123 well with a one dollar Kamikaze??? Fifteen minutes and counting... 124 Slum......................................................................Lord 125 _~_~_~_~_~_~_ODX_~_~_~_~_~_~_ 126 The statistics prove that Portland is one of the worst per capita crime areas 127 in the COUNTRY. Although perhaps it is only in reported crime because it's 128 hard to imagine it being any more dangerous than New York City, where walking 129 on the street at night feels like a life-threatening adventure. 130 131 But my feeling is that Bud and Penny (don't their namesjust say it all?) are 132 just too liberal and weak-minded to crack down on the impotant stuff, and 133 the crooks, who are generally not so liberal, feel inclined to take advantage 134 of the situation. I love women, but to be a woman in charge ofthe police takes 135 someone a lot tougher than some chick named Penny. 136 137 Portland, after all, one of the worst in the nation? Seems unreal, but it's 138 true. And to the joker who thinks because he's never been mugged that crime 139 is rapant in our city... 140 141 You're just plain stupid. 142 143 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+oh well, just my opinion +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ 144 did I say crime is rapant? Of course, crime isn't rapant, although it is, but 145 he thinks that... oh forget it... 146 147 rampant rampant/... arrrgh! 148 149 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@SSC@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 150 Valinor: You're writing is very good. 151 Delta V: If your battle between you and Valinor would be decided by writing 152 talent alone, I'm afraid Valinor would have you roped before you got into the 153 hotel. 154 Smirnoff: verbose? Do people really talk that way? 155 Destroyer: Writing is fine, but perhaps we're all growing weary of it. Maybe 156 an ending is due soon? 157 158 @@@@@@@@@THE SELF-STYLED CRITIC@@@@@@@@@@@ (Those who can't do, criticize@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 159 160 (((*))) 161 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 162 163 TSSC: Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them. Hopefully, I'm 164 not battling anyone. I just like to write. I stepped on enough toes around 165 here a couple of years ago.... I'll try to restrain my enthusiasm this time 166 around. 167 Mohammed Wassir 168 <The Friendly Albanian> 169 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 170 171 You Can Go Home Again 172 173 The mist hung over the mountains like a gossamer cover, 174 gripping the trees and the road in its silky embrace. It was just 175 like he remembered, just like it always was, coming though the 176 Cascade Range towards the coast. 177 'Nothing changes. Even after all these years the mountains 178 still look the same.' 179 Ten years ago, Ben Clausen chose the fast life of the big 180 city over rural existence in the small Oregon coastal village of 181 Cooper Bay. Now Ben had changed his mind. He was returning to 182 the land of his birth. He wanted to go home. 183 Ten years. The thought would not leave his mind. 'I've been 184 gone so long, shat will I find there now? Hostility or open 185 arms? Can things ever be the same again?' 186 Through the help of a realtor friend in New York, Ben had 187 put the down payment on a small cottage with a beautiful ocean 188 front vista. At least that's what the blurb in the listing book 189 had said. It was expensive, but money was the least of Ben's 190 problems. 191 The flight from Kennedy in New York to Portland had been 192 uneventful. Ben had chosen to drive the remaining miles to the 193 coast in a rented car. He thought the drive would give him a 194 final chance to prepare himself mentally for what he would find 195 in Cooper Bay. 196 The drive took on second 197 <line noise> 198 The drive took on secondary consideration as Ben continued 199 to ponder his decision to move. The beat of the wipers taking 200 away the Cascade mist provided the appropriate accompaniment. 201 'My move was so sudden, I know it stunned most of my 202 friends. They just couldn't understand what I was feeling 203 inside. I was unable to tell them myself. The typical lack of 204 communication strikes again. I just had to get away. Ten years of 205 the hustle and bustle and clawing towards the top has worn me 206 out. I am sick of stepping over others for a chance at the brass 207 ring.' 208 Ben left many friends behind. He also left many opportun- 209 ities back on 5th Avenue, 3000 miles and a world away from where 210 he was heading now. 211 'Damn!' Ben had done a great deal of soul searching these 212 last few days, but peace seemed as elusive as ever. 'I have 213 forsaken everything I worked so hard for. I am heading into an 214 unknown, a place that has probably changed as much as I have in 215 the decade since I left. Have I made the right decision? Can I 216 ever return to the way things were before? What of my grand 217 experiment; the local high school wonderkid goes away to school 218 in New York, and comes back ten years later with his tail between 219 his legs.' 220 Ben had been a specially gifted student, a quality that 221 didn't go unnoticed thanks to the coverage his scholastic 222 achievements earned him in Oregon newspapers. He won a full 223 scholarship to New York University. Ben continued his stellar 224 educational performance while majoring in Business communications 225 and advertising. The big Pinkton and Rich ad agency snatched him 226 up upon graduation, and for the past six years he had been one of 227 the leading commercial writers in New York. 228 Ben had started to feel 4he burnout that so often accom- 229 panied the business. He realized he needed a change of pace 230 from the hurried, never stop life style he had formed around 231 him. The idea of starting up a small one-man operation back in 232 Cooper Bay had come to him one night after an especially long day 233 of meetings with prospective clients. Ben put in his two week's 234 notice soon after. Despite the protests of Pinkton and Rich, Ben 235 was soon on his way west, wondering what the future held for him. 236 'My ideas are sound,' he thought, rounding one corner after 237 another in the long drive through the mountains. 'I know I have 238 the skills to help the local businesses all around the area. But 239 will they accept me? I know I am an outsider even though I was 240 born there. What will they think of the city slicker come back.' 241 Ben's train of thought was interrupted by a bright light 242 coming through the windshield. The fog had broken and the sun was 243 out. Ben realized he was through the mountains and descending 244 into the coastal lowlands. So affected by the wonderful tableau 245 that presented itself before him, Ben pulled his car over 246 and stopped. 247 A slight haze partially hid the bay, but he could see the 248 town, his town, spread out before him like a miniature city in a 249 picture postcard. 250 'It hasn't changed a bit,' Ben mused. 'After all these years 251 it looks exactly like I remember it. The same buildings and 252 offices dot the same streets I walked so long ago. Everything is 253 here just like I left it.' 254 A shiver of excitement and anticipation ran through Ben 255 Clausen. Overlooking the town from the low hills above, Ben 256 realized something very important. 257 'I have come back to the place I belong. I will make a new 258 life for myself in Cooper Bay. I have been gone a long time and 259 now I have a lot of catching up to do. I am not sorry for leaving 260 New York anymore. This is it. I know I made the right decision. I 261 can come home again.' 262 263 Sorry about the mistakes. I just found out about this system from a friend 264 at school and he told me how to access Backwaters. I hope the upload looks 265 ok. Does this fit in? 266 Jane Smith 267 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 268 OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI 269 "Zeb!" Trainor awoke with a start. His eyes were wide and the pupils 270 danced crazily, examining every corner of the room. Finally his eyes fell on 271 the lady now know as Aedem. She returned Trainor's gaze with a smile. 272 "Cragmore, Emu, Bard, get in here, help me up." Trainor called for his 273 companions, who hurried into the room and to his side moments after he spoke. 274 "Are you...OK now Trainor?" Bard asked quietly. "You had us worried there 275 for awhile." 276 "We felt obligated to help you out, I hope you understand." Cragmore con- 277 tinued. 278 "Did you see our marks?" finished Emu. 279 "My friends, your caring efforts are greatly appreciated. I was overcome 280 with insanity, you know the reasons why. I understand now that I was wrong in 281 my feelings. Aedem and I have resolved our conflict. I am content with the 282 situation. I thank you again my friends." 283 Aedem approached the bed where Trainor lay. "I say we leave this place, 284 now. The Creature from Zeb is no longer. Our path is free and clear." The 285 woman once known as zeb spoke with calm authority. 286 Emu looked at Trair. "We can leave, return to the Inn. Trainor, nothing 287 remains to be done here, right?" 288 "Yes Emu, please take care of it. Bard, could you go with him and help 289 with the preparations. Cragmore, see to Piper and Lady Tayre, if you will. I 290 want to speak to Aedem for a moment, then I'll join you." 291 "Sure Trainor. It is good to have you back." 292 "It is good to be back Cragmore." 293 Cragmore left and Trainor turned to Aedem. "We have been through a great 294 deal. Our minds have touched and I think I understand what must happen now. As 295 you saw my inner-most feelings, I saw yours. I know you must return to your 296 place in the universe. I know that we must not meet again. I know your 297 journey back is just beginning, while ours is almost over. What will you do?" 298 "Yes you do know my thoughts as I know yours. You will return shortly to 299 the Inn, and these adventurers will scatter to the winds. I know you will 300 scatter the farthest, in search of a new home. I know your search will not be 301 easy, but you will find what you are looking for. I know that once I leave 302 I must not return. I will go with you to the Inn, and from there I will depart. 303 The magic is strong at the Inn, my heart tells me so. I am confident that I 304 can make it back to my origin from there." 305 "The Inn is strong. I felt that strength when I first arrived in my Pell- 306 mell. I too will set forth from there. Goodbyes are best said now, the trip 307 to the Inn will be short." 308 "Trainor, goodbyes are best now. As distance separates us our souls will 309 mingle in the stars. Goodbye." 310 A moment later she was gone. Trainor knew he would not see her again. 311 She would quickly exit the Pell-mell upon its arrival at the Inn. He tried to 312 dismiss the feelings he felt creeping up already. 313 314 "Cragmore? Where are you? I am ready to help you with the others!" 315 OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI OMNI 316 317 Self styled critic: Let me tell you something about myself. I am a rogue agent 318 who has been hunted by the U.S. Government, organized crime, McKane, and various 319 others who want me dead, for several years. So far I have disposed of more than a dozen of them, and there will be 320 more as time passes. I am trained in explosives,firearma of ALL types, electronic surveillance,and many many ways 321 to end the lives of those who antagonize me. If I had really wanted to kill the Albanian, I could have done so any 322 number of times,just as he could have terminated me had he so wished. You say you criticize others because you can't 323 write. Well, you are about to learn. You see, you have insulted me from the very day I came back to get McKane, and 324 now, you are part of all this. You better be very very careful, because I'm looking for you, and sooner or later I'll 325 find you. And then what will you do? WHAT WILL YOU DO? Delta Five. 326 Wassir: It's your move. 327 Backwatcher: as I said before... if my *name* isn't part of the border then 328 it is a marker and has no connection with any text above it... 329 This entry starts at line 351... by the way "averege"? shouldn't that be 330 average? 331 ______________________Leonard_JD 2446409.9035____________________________ 332 Leonard, I did not know you were Delta Five. Wow! 333 Wassir, now that we know the true identity of your opponent, will you 334 pursue this quest with the same ferocity? 335 hi 336 HOW AREAL? 337 WHAT YA' DOING? BEEN HAVING FUN LATELY? 338 THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON THIS BOARD SO I DON'T QUITE KNOW WHAT I SHOULD OR 339 SHOULD NOT WRITE!!!! IM NEW TO ALL OF THIS SO,SORRY IF I DONT DO THJN 340 T EXACTLY RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE BOARD. 341 SO FAR ITS STILL PRETTY CONFUSING!!!BUT,WHAT IVE READ SO FAR IS REAL GOOD! 342 343 344 345 346 LATER! 347 TTYL! 348 ME! 349 350 |:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|A. M. Ge= 351 Jane: If I may critique your first entry -- There were a lot of redundancies 352 dragging the story out. It appeared to me that you were trying to set the 353 mood of the character, but (at least for me), it wasn't quite right. Keep 354 on with the story! 355 <=A. M. Goer|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:| 356 357 358 AM Goer: Why don't you try writing something yourself instead of sniveling 359 about what others write. This BBS is patronized by a handful of people with 360 some good writing ability, and a horde of small minded creeps who have 361 nothing better to do than unwittingly express their jealousy by trying to put 362 down others. You can't beat us, and you can't hurt us with your metaphorical 363 sticks and stones, so why don't you join us? If there were more attempts at writing something other than criticism this BBS 364 would be a more pleasant place for everyone. 365 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. 366 Jane: another comment might be to shorten your entries. Save some of the 367 story for later, instead of one long block. Also, don't be discouraged 368 by any name callers or super-critics that might try throwing a bone 369 your way. 370 AM Goer: that last sentence was for you too. 371 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.Emu 372 TSSC TSSC TSSC TSSC TSSC TSSC TSSC 373 Jane Smith: No one escapes my comments here, especially new folks. The writing 374 is fine, but your uploads make any thoughts of whether it's good or not moot. 375 Too many spaces, and much too long an entry. I think you'll find Backwater 376 readers much more interested in short, to-the-point entries... 377 378 Delta V: After rereading (actually as soon as I hung up) my entry I realized 379 that it was much too harsh a criticsm, and I apologize, because you're giving 380 it a good effort and you're far more interesting than many. Just looks like 381 you rush it once in a while. HOWEVER, I'd love to take you on... I lurk in the 382 shadows and assume many identities, so 383 you may not always know whether you got the right target! 384 385 Thank goodness the Emu Bard etc. people are scattering to the winds, that 386 piece of good writing but uninteresting story was bogged down deeper than the 387 dark woods of Ephengel. 388 389 As an occasional writer, I have found it sometimes frustrating to put in entries 390 and have no comments back, positive or otherwise. Therefore I decided to name 391 myself the Self-Styled Critic in an effort to give the good writers of this 392 board an idea of at least one person's opinion. I shall always try and be 393 constructive and positive, but carefully worded negativisms are sometimes 394 necessary to improve one's writing. If someone doesn't like it, tough, because 395 it's a free forum. And they can criticize my criticisms if they want... 396 I just think it's a service that needs doing occasionally, and any good writer 397 should always be anxious for feedback, good or bad. I shall, however, as mentioned, try and remain responsible and 398 upbeat. 399 400 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@THE SELF-STYLED CRITIC@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 401 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 402 Jane Smith: Nah, don't believe 'em; they often put toungue before mind. The 403 entry was a bit long and redundant, but the material of a (dare I say) 404 wholesome nature, and playable. Keep it up. 405 406 Rest: Hope to have story soon; time to get rid of your modems, you critics 407 you! 408 PEN NAME /~ 409 ||||||||||||| (New symbol -> /~ Like it?) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 410 Self styled critic: What I like to write about is action. Things happening fast. 411 That is why I bacame Delta Five. I have been other characters here, but Do not 412 have time (haven't had) time to pursue them. The last entry was typed as I made it 413 up at about 2 AM the day of a bitch of a final exam. If I took more time, perhaps 414 It might have been different, but whatever-what I write is what I write. Since you 415 were a big enough person to say what you did you have earned my respect. I will 416 shake your hand and tell you that face to face. And then I will kill you. Delta Five 417 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 418 419 Hmmmm.... Guy could get hurt around here. Hey Martha bring me the 420 helmet. By the way, Delta 5: Wassir wanted me to tell you, it may be 421 someone else's move. Just hang tough for a while. 422 Dr. Frankenstupe 423 +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ 424 425 !!!Dr. Frankenstupe! Where have you been hiding? Long time, C'est non? 426 Please thank Mr. Wassir for his reply. If you're out there, Wassir, I'll 427 bet you lunch at the Savoir Faire that my ankle hurts more than your jaw! 428 Delta V. 429 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- 430 Doctor! Hey, I thought you'd disappeared somewhere 431 due to that odd, blinking contraption of yours... 432 (I still have those entries -- was wondering where 433 the craetor of that tale had gone.) Hello? Aloha! 434 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -JUGGLER- -+- -+- 435 436 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 437 The piper sat alone at a scarred table, a wounded beast seeking solace 438 in the shadows. Next to him was a tarred leather container that had 439 recently contained a rather large quantity of the Inn's best ale. 440 Within, he contained several measures of that ale, and an inconsolable 441 grief. The effect of the ale did little to blunt the edge of the pain 442 although he sought the dregs of the container for an anodyne. 443 Heedless of those around him, he pillowed his face on his bandaged arm, 444 the pain of the disturbed wound a counterpoint to the stabbing pain in 445 his heart. As the tears soaked his neatly bandaged arm, his shoulders 446 shook in silent sobs. 447 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 448 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 449 """""""""""""""""" 450 All: Those of you who have read the third book in the Hitchh-Hikers Guide to 451 the Galaxy (Life, the Universe and Everything) probably remember something 452 called the "Campaign for Real Time". I think we need something like it here 453 on Backwater called the Campaign for Real Line Numbers. It's getting very 454 hard to know where to start reading. For the last few days every time I call 455 my pointer has been made invalid by all the deletions going on. Since I don't 456 download everying, I'm not always sure just what was erased or why. So I have 457 to guess where to start. Anyone else will to join CRLN? 458 """"""""""""""""""SOLI 459 NO. 460 :-)I, for one, think it might be a good idea. Max...:(-: 461 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 462 Franklin Pervis took a sip of the hot black coffee and stared at the CRT term- 463 inal in front of him. He pondered his cup for a moment- he had gotten for 464 (it for) Christmas a few years back from a favored niece of his- and now it was worn and colored light brown around the 465 edges. Just like an old pipe, it had reached the point of perfected usage, where every sip of the warm stuff tasted like 466 ambrosia. 467 But this morning was slightly different, even with the down-home feeling of his coffee cup, and the familiar surround- 468 ings of his workplace. He worked at "The 469 Daily Ditto," a near-tabloid newspaper which worked very hard to expose whatever injustice might come its way. As one 470 of the paper's top reporters, he had uncovered more than one scandal in his lifetime. But today, his fingers tried to 471 disassociate themselves from his brain. Instinctively, they wanted to remain attached to the body they had come to so 472 dearly love and rely on. 473 474 475 But Franklin Pervis' mind forced his fingers to work, and slowly but with a sureness of will that belied his inner 476 turmoil, he started pecking at the keys before him. 477 478 DO KILLERS LURK IN OUR CITY? 479 By Franklin Pervis 480 481 Dec. 11, 1985. This article is written with not just a small amount of trepidation. For you see, it may be a matter of 482 life and death for this writer. I am, in effect, risking my life to expose this latest cancer in our society. Indeed, 483 my life has already been threatened, by a man who claims to respect me, but feels no qualms about ending my life, simply 484 because I called a shortcoming in his personality to his attention. 485 486 The man? He goes by the name of Delta V. His purpose? Apparently, to kill, extort, and track down any number of enemies 487 with the sole purpose of eliminating their lives. 488 489 I must, in the interest of society, find out more of this man. I do not know his real name, I do not know where he 490 lives. Surely he knows, or will know, much about me. But he is a killer, and he must be stopped. Public outcry may be 491 the only way. Delta V is a menace to our way of life, and it is my duty as a 492 citizen of this nation to lead the charge against him." 493 494 Pervis leaned back against his chair, contemplating the flickering white letters against the bland green screen. He 495 fondled his coffee cup, and took a quiet sip. He thought of Delta V, and 496 wondered when, and if, he might meet the man face to face. His hands shook slightly as he patted his overcoat, whic 497 was sitting atop the back of his chair. Yes, that small can of mace was still there. 498 499 Pervis wiped his furrowed brow, and continued writing... 500 501 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 502 503 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 504 TSSC - @@@: Perhaps you need a little profesional/literary help; my card: 505 +------------------------------------------+ 506 | Nick Young | 507 | Private Investigator | 508 |------------------------------------------| 509 | Felons found; Hipsters handled; Con-men | 510 | crashed; and cold-blooded murderers who | 511 | end their name with a Roman numeral | 512 | (especially five) completely dealed-with | 513 |------------------------------------------| 514 | and his agent: PEN NAME /~ | 515 +------------------------------------------+ 516 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 517 <Giggle> This place is getting interesting again. 518 Juggler: Not lost, just misdirected. Somehow, that story line just 519 fizzled out. Writer's block, I guess. And where have you been? Haven't 520 seen your nom de plume around the boards (though I do believe you may be 521 using another one <or is this your real name?>) 522 Dr. Frankenstupe 523 +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ 524 525 Juggler: Hello....from Aloha! 526 ______________________________ 527 __________________________________________________________________________ 528 Scotland Yard, London - Internal memo: 529 530 It has come to the attention of the intelligence team that the 531 fugitive known as "Delta V" is on the loose in Switzerland. The trail 532 of carnage this man has left speaks for itself. The I.T. report requests 533 appropriate actions be taken, ie send out agents just as mean and tough 534 and loathsome as Delta V claims himself to be. If these pursuit agents 535 can effect a capture, the I.T. report recommends return of Delta V to 536 the Dublin office for intense interrogation. If Delta V refuses to be 537 taken alive, facilitate his wishes and eliminate him. 538 Intelligence also recommends contacting NET for further 539 assistance in this operation. They have dealt with the Delta series of 540 agents before and are familiar with their operations techniques. 541 Finally, funds have been appropriated for the hire of an outside 542 consultant, a Mr. Robert Ludlum. Mr. Ludlum has also had some experience 543 with omnipotent agents and will serve as a great aid in the capture or 544 elimination of Delta V. 545 ______________________________________________________SH__________________ 546 547 Jane, glad to see you arrived at the Inn with a minimum of trouble. Don't 548 say I didn't warn you about the possible comments. Actually the critics 549 were not as severe as I have seen in the past. Consider yourself lucky. 550 I hope to see another story from you soon. 551 French Toast 552 ************************************************************************* 553 554 ATTENTION, ATTENTION PLEASE. IT WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AT 555 THE BLUE RIBBON ROUND ROBBIN WRITERS CONVENTION THAT A 556 MORATORIUM WOULD BE PLACED ON THE CREATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL 557 PRIVATE DETECTIVES NAMED NICK. THIS EDICT WAS PASSED IN 558 RESPONSE TO A MARKED RISE IN CREATION OF SAID CHARACTERS., 559 AND TO PRESERVE THE INDIVIDUALISM OF ALL PREVIOUS DETECTIVES 560 NAMED NICK. THIS ENDS THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CONVENTION 561 . PLEASE CARRY ON. 562 563 YOUR OWN LUGGAGE. 564 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\the critics didn't stop Chuck Norriss...\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 565 566 567 Yeah, but they should have. 568 569 Either that, or give him some speech lessons. 570 Monotone went out with the hula hoops...... 571 572 573 ______________________________JD 2446410.9151______________________________ 574 |:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|A. M. Goer=> 575 I fear that my last statement was mis-interpreted - it was intended to indicate 576 that I wanted to see more of the story and that Jane should continue. To my 577 first critic: I have posted here in the past, though only once. I fully 578 intend to contribute further. 579 <=A. M. Goer|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:|:-)(-:| 580 ]]]]]]]]]]}]=]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] 581 To: All UNDERGROUND operatives 582 From: UNDERGROUND NEXUS 583 Subject: NET, Wassir, and Delta V 584 All operatives not on assignment or who shall finish their current 585 assignment shortly is directed to investigate a 'Mohammed Wassir' and a 586 'Delta V', persons who are currently on NET's priority list. Find out why. 587 Also note: The North American district is heretofore under direct control of 588 UNDERGROUND NEXUS. John O'Hara shall return to field duty for the duration. 589 NEXUS out. 590 [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ NEXUS [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[_[_ 591 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++)++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 592 Lurk... can you believe that the typical Commodore owner can go down to the 593 store nowadays and pick up a modem for $12.95? Just think of all those new 594 modems to be given out on Christmas day. 595 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar +++++ December 12, 1985 at 12:00am ++ 596 """""""""""""""""" 597 I'd really rather not, thank you... 598 """"""""""""""""""SOLI 599 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\maybe they should have but they didn't \\\\\but they won' stop me either\\\\pphhhffffttttt!!!! 600 (((*)))(((*)))(((*)))(((*)))((( just peeking )))(((*)))(((*)))((( Ripple ))) 601 |||||||||| Modem? $12.95?? Where! |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| PEN NAME ||| 602 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- 603 "And then if it looks like it might be too simple to understand, it 604 usually isn't. I think I've got the gist it now! How about this one?" 605 "How about not... I think we've spent way too long out here on the 606 bank of this stream. Besides, I'm hardly able to view the designs that are 607 left in the sand now! If I didn't already know what was there I'd be lost. 608 How about you? Don't you think it's getting a little dark out here?" asked 609 the pixie that had been my companion for the evening. 610 "Oh," I commented regretfully. "You are quite right. We have been 611 talking and drawing, and talking some more for a very long time." I began 612 to stand to work off the sleep that had seeped into my kneeling legs. "I 613 hope that I haven't kept you from anything you might have better spent your 614 time on. I appologize if I have..." 615 "No, oh no no no! It was welcome company. It seems the band of Inn- 616 dwellers I was trying to reach left just as I was nearing the bend in the 617 road. Why, if you hadn't come out of the Inn when you did, I would pro- 618 bably have been faced with a long return journey home." The tiny pixie did 619 not seem to have been affected by the duration of the chat, she just 620 bounced up from her place on the ground and started off towards the Inn. 621 "Where are you off to now?" I asked as she made no immediate mention 622 of going anywhere. 623 "To the Inn, silly! That was where I was going in the first place. 624 And that is where you came from. If we both go, at least one of us shall 625 know what it's like inside." The spring in her step gave me motivation. 626 "Could you tell me of the Inn? 627 "Why should I tell you now when you could wait to see for yourself?" 628 The spring in our steps returned as we headed up that hill to the Inn. 629 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -JUGGLER- -+- -+- -+- TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 629