💾 Archived View for gemini.spam.works › mirrors › textfiles › messages › BACKWATER › bw841110.txt captured on 2022-07-17 at 09:06:55.
⬅️ Previous capture (2022-06-12)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ************************** INSTALLED: 10 NOV 84 ********************
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator
4 ************************************************************
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION PLACED ON
6 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 Hi all! I'm first, I see, today. I don't have a topic, but am open to
21 discuss any and everything (maybe).
22 **************************************************ANNETTE******************
23 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
24 From Prometheus: The Designed
25 I was going to announce myself by calling myself Hawthorne, but I realized that with all the nw, and returning old patrons,
26 my last name isn't well known anymore. How quickly they forget.
27 To whomever mentioned 666; What you have called attention to is a fine example of ways in which co-incidences can be linked
28 together. Forming something that appears 'FORCED' or beyond the realm of real co-incidence.
29 I remeber an article in SMITHSONIAN recenetly which could be of great interest to you. Nary to mention victims of the Liquid
30 Orange as it is commonly referred to. Vile Orange Liquid is another name for it.
31 The article to which I refer has a list of about twelve seemingly incredible co-incidences between the assasinations of two
32 American presidents, Kennedy and Lincoln. As it turns out, four of the observations weren't true and the others were clutching
33 at straws. At least in my opinion. As feeble as that might actually be.
34 To Piper, about the prescence of an editor helping the structure not the content of any peice of writing; I agree.
35 What I was reppeating was simply saying that an editor could have deeper effects than just helping one story.
36 That what was learned from an editor, however begrudgingly, could train the writer to be better in their field later.
37 LMan in Gray, the blodclots seem to go away if the stricken clothing or blades or soaked in the saliva of the victim.
38 Wearing green clothes also helps, as green clothing isn't as easily stained by blood.
39 I went to a store called the Combat Corner, the local merc outfitters. And one of the attendants, a man named only to me as
40 GREGORY-VII, recommended the simple shovel. It seems that they are much easier cleaned of hair and blood traces. And less, er
41 revealing to pharencists.
42 I still am waiting for my father to let me have a chance at the key to the Gun rack in the black team's van.
43 That should be it, except for thzanking Annette for mentioning being at the top. A fine tradition that seems to be fading
44 from sight.
45 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
46 THUNDER LIGHTINING ,IT CRASHES THE SKY
47 THE ONE THING IS THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER THE REST OF THE SONG
48 TOO BAD....
49 {BLACK MAGIC}
50 OH YEAH OH YEAH I'M BACK FOR GOOD....BECAUSE I AM SICK AND TIRED OF NOT KNOWING ANYONE ON HERE..AND NO ONE WILL EVEN SPEAK
51 TO ME....
52 INTERNATIONAL TRADER:I AM NOT YOU ,AND THAT IS FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!
53 OH YES OH YES.....WHAT HAVE WE HERE....PLEASE,IF I AM TRYING TO WRITE AN ENTERY PLEASE DO NOT SCREW IT UP.....OK,I'D REALLY
54 APPRCIATE IT.I AM GONNA DO BETTER ENTERY'S SINCE NO ONE WANTED TO HELP ME LAST TIME I MIGHT AS WELL JUST DO IT ON MY OWN.BUT I
55 F I DO ,I ALMOST KNOW FOR A FACT IT WILL GET ERASED YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN....BECAUSE MOST OF YOU THINK I AM THE INTERNATIONAL
56 NERD BUT I AM NOT...YOU KNOW THAT NOW....BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT
57 I DON'T WANNA BE...I HOPE THIS CLEARED THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT
58 OH YEAH...IF I FIND MY ENTERIES ERASED AND I CATCH WHO DID IT.
59 EACH ONE OF THEIR ENTERIES WILL BE DEMOLISHED(OH NO HE'S THREATINING US ...OH NO....) YES I AM.BECAUSE I HATE PEOPLE WHO DESTR
60 OY AND WASTE DISK SPACE AND ALL THAT JUNK BUT IF THEY DO THAT
61 TO MY STUFF I WILL SURLY DO THAT TO THEIRS....YOU KNOW WHAT
62 I MEAN......AND ONE OTHER THING BEFORE YOU START SAYING
63 I WANNA TELL YOU THAT AFTER
64 THIS STUPID LECTURE THAT NO ONE IS GONNA READ...I WILL IN FACT
65 COME BACK UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME IF NO ONE CAN GET THIS STRAIGHT
66 I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THE I.T. IS BUT I HOPE WE FIND OUT
67 THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
68 BLACK MAGIC
69 ****************************************************************
70 SAVE THAT PLEASE
71 THANKS
72 ::::: PROMETHEUS ::: Black Magic, I am more than willing to meet you. I would enjoy it in fact. Please contact me on PCS-CBBS
73 (775-xxxx) to either give me or have me give you, phone numbers.
74 The invitation still stands for a game of Pente, you know. I must be going, but please don't feel alienated.
75 I don't know of anyone who thinks you are International Trader, twit-files included. So don't let that bother you anymore.
76 ::::: prometheus ::: The Quest for a key repeat feature goes on ::::: And on ::::: and on ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
77 *******
78
79 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
80 I recgonize that, its an older Michael Schenker tune.
81 Pretty rightous! Killer in fact!
82
83 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% dizzy lizzy
84
85 ####################################################################
86 The Innkeeper slept restlessly, tossing and turning in his bed.
87 He draws the covers about him more closely to try to keep out the
88 cold, but it is of little help. The darkness is oppressive. Sleep
89 comes to him fitfully, no position seems to be comfortable enough to
90 relax. Sitting on the edge of the cot, the cold hard packed clay
91 floor numbed his feet. Clasping the pillow to his breast, he slowly
92 rocks back and forth. When will it all end? The noise and pressure
93 is almost too much to bear. The close quiet darkness offers only
94 marginal relief. The night seems to last forever.
95
96 Finally, the cold gray morning light begins to seep through the
97 curtained window. Outside the garbage man is clattering the cans,
98 and the birds are awake and greeting the dawn. The Innkeeper gets up
99 and gets dressed, preparing for another day. Moving to the dresser,
100 he sees the golden locket laying there. Picking it up, he opens it
101 to see the Rowan twig encased in it. Ah, the memories it brings
102 back. He can almost hear PAM once again in the Inn relating tales of
103 her latest adventure. Almost?... He can hear her! Rushing to the
104 doorway, he brushes aside the worn curtain. It was her! Sitting
105 there talking to the early morning customers. But will she remember
106 an old friend? Does she even care? He stood there mesmerized by her
107 once more appearing in his humble establishment.
108 #################### The Innkeeper #################################
109 OH DEAR OH DEAR I LOST MY KID
110 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
111 Did anyone make the Roger's CableSystems presentation at MHCC today? I
112 would be interested in hearing about it (perhaps if Scott Rainey went???)
113 Aaron
114 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
115 (&_!&%!_*&%+!@*%!&*%+)@*#+!)%*)+%*_#$)&^#{body}amp;^_&^)_!&_^&!$^*&#$*^!&^)_$#^)_#*^_)#{body}amp;^_#&^_*^_#&^_#{body}amp;^_*!#*^*+!*^)*#^_*_^
116 Mikey: The club is easily fixed. The adventure is written so it is easy to add messages and such. Something like,
117 "The club clatters on the far wall, but nothing happens...". As for the BASIC. If have NEVER heard of a basic that
118 couldn't handle nested if's. Even the commode 64 can do that. In regards to mixed mode disk I/O, do you mean numeric
119 and alphabetic in the same I/O operation? This sounds like a real funky basic. There is no color in the basic
120 adventures, only inverse video and I believe double intensity. Is this too much for the Sanyo too? Both programs are
121 written under BASICA, and work on such machines as the Tandy 2000 w/o modification save the force capslock and clear
122 KB buffer type ahead. If you would like me to work on them to make them Sanyo compatible, let me know. I guess these
123 "intense" conversations can hold until next week (phone call), we wouldn't want to subject the other patrons to that
124 horrid computer talk!
125 Kathy: Too wordy? What else can rhetoric be? Would you call Borges wordy when he questions our existence on our little
126 planet? Would you rather have spartan prose describe life? I would like to think that life, in all of its infinite
127 expressions, can not be put aside with a few choice words of succinct diction and writer's guide approved paragraphs.
128 But thanks for the comments, next time I'll try Carlinesque.
129 Milchar: Ack! Multicolor doesn't work! Hires does, but not Multicolor. I get a blank screen, but if I go to multi-
130 color character mode, I get a green box on the screen. What gives? Also, XMON has a terrible disassem. It can't tell
131 the difference between a byte or word load, which messes up the next (n) instructions until it comes to something it
132 knows for sure again. Very frustrating. Are any of thoese other monitors any better?
133 *)_@#*%_)#*_)*%!_)*%_!)*%!_)*%!%*_! L'homme sans Parity *_%)#@*_)*!_)*%_%+@(!%*_)#*%_)*%_)*%#$)_%*_^*_*^_)*^_)^_#@_*^
134 ---> SLIME PIT MINDS RULE THE UNIVERSE! <---
135 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
136 The Diamond Valley glitters and shimmers and is gorgeous. But is is also
137 sharp and cold and comfortless and I don't like it one bit. What good
138 does this kind of beauty do you? You can't farm it, can't hug it, burn it
139 or eat it, so let's get on with this and get out of here, Milchar. Not
140 fair. Milchar is struggling with consciousness.
141 I am making a mental chart about who holds what power, who holds a grudge
142 or wants revenge, who is able to help or heal, who has which part of the
143 necklace and who is just plain scared to death (me). It is like the organi-
144 zational charts companies put out except that it includes things like hatred.
145 And magic of types I have never imagined (or cared to) before. Each little
146 square in the chart in my head shimmers like the rocks in the Diamond Valley
147 and each has a cutting edge.=====> And the other thing I don't like about this
148 place is the enemy. We can cope with monsters, wizards, and demons, but
149 in this hard unfeeling place we are confronting a machine. I fear the slice
150 of its logic. Now what??
151 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Lila UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
152 Voyeur-Thanks for the compliment a couple of disks back. Gaudy Minsky only
153 comes out for spy & detective stories. So far. My current character pur-
154 posely has little humor. If I met her in real life I would be respectful
155 but bored to tears. (Points for grammar and spelling, but no jokes, folks)
156 -------------------Gaudy M.
157 *******************************************************************************
158 yes, 100% to wordy, just as the music of Mozart had too many notes, he was a
159 master and so are you, but didn't cut down on the unneeded.
160 And again, I am without an entry, Ill work on one this afterneen at work.
161 *******************************kathy********************************************
162 to Gaudy M. Nice to see you again. We have missed your treasured input. Your
163 words of flowering wisdom, are greatly needed when the days are cold and dark
164 and wet. A good story is like a good fire: It warms the outer portions of the
165 body first, but eventually the warmth makes its way inward, for all of the
166 being to enjoy and take solace in. Please return with us on our great sojourn.
167 Is fantasy that much different than espionage? Can a division really be made?
168 Consider this a plea from a humble reader who has enjoyed your writing as
169 an escape from the drudgery of day to day existance.
170 I'll just sign my name as, 'Tooting someone else's horn'
171
172 The mini disk skimmed the surface of the earth, Ontho was relaxing
173 Iceland in about 1200 micros. Her first mission: To investigate the strange
174 volcanic activity now growing more intense in Iceland. The elders had warned
175 her of their fears. They belived the current erruptions were not caused by
176 mother nature but were being induced by an evil being. Ontho had confirmed
177 the elders theories by closely studying the seismograph charts and not finding
178 the normal patterns. So off they went. The trident was in a special holder
179 at Leo's side. It was glowing so brightly that Leo could see to write in her
180 new journal.
181 Entry One: Alex, Alex, (young duke) why the pained look when I gave you
182 my decistion to take this mission? You knew I was just dying to get out of
183 school, I want to prove to myself and the "others" that I am not a over-
184 confident punk with all kinds of rough edges. I'm ready for whatever happens
185 to me. Also I'm worried about Ontho, Inmo's are just not meant to be so
186 damn smart! Just last week the little tart was giving me theories and exp-
187 lanations on why inmo's were destined to be the rulers of the cosmos, can
188 you image something so bizarre?
189 Leo put away her journal and heard Ontho announce they would be arriving
190 in Iceland in less than 700 micros. Leo went back to her flight seat and
191 reclined. "Ill show them all!" she spoke outloud.
192 Ontho looked up at the outburst, which was not uncommon nowadays from
193 the human. She wasn't nearly as much fun as before the discovery of the
194 trident. But time would cure that problem permantly. (heehh heehh)
195 *****************************kathy***************************************
196 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/
197 Aaron:Mr. G and I spent some time last night discussing that presentation.
198 Do you want me to have him call you?
199 Theus:I need some help with the PETN shape charges for the 'neeshe run.
200 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/MiG/? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? > ? ? ? ? ? ?/
201
202 There was an important job to be
203 done and everybody was asked to
204 do it. Everybody was sure that
205 somebody would do it. Anybody
206 could have done it, but nobody
207 did it. Somebody got angry about
208 that because it was everybody's
209 job. Everybody thought anybody
210 could do it, but nobody realized
211 that everybody blamed somebody
212 when nobody accused anybody.
213
214 *****************************************************************
215 L'homme: The nested if it doesn't like is:
216 IF A IF B IF C THEN 100
217 *********************** CISTOP MIKEY ***************************
218 <(:=========================================================:)>
219 George: You're certainly right about the mysterious lack of
220 news coverage. I called the news departments of both channels
221
222 Bill
223 <(:=========================================================:)>
224 BILL,
225 WHAT TERRITORYS MIGHT YOU BE TALKING ABOUT?
226 THE QUEEN LIVES, THE OUTER GAURDS SUVIVE
227 B I L L CURT.
228 EXIT
229 ::::::::::::::O O::::::::::::11/11:::::::18:51::::::::::::O O:::::::::
230 I see that Buckaroo Banzai starts Friday. Are all of us WesterCon survivors
231 going to go and see it en masse, compleat with our Team Banzai headbands?
232 (safety in numbers, you know). Lets see: L'homme, Marty, Leonard, Prometheus,
233 and of course moi. Hmmmm?
234 ::::::::::::::O O:::::::::::::::::voyeur::::::::::::::::O O::::::::::::::::
235 **********************===**************************************
236 I AM OFF..................WHERE???????????????????????????????
237 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<====ALLANON==========================>>>>>>>>>>>
238 I WILL NOT GO ........GO WHERE?
239 YOU WILL THEN WON'T YOU???
240 NO.
241 "NO WHAT?"
242 "NO I WON'T!!"
243 "WON'T WHAT?"
244 "WON'T GO"
245 "GO WHERE"
246 "COOL!!"
247 "NO IT'S A 100 AND ONE DEGREES OUT THAT'S HOT..!"
248 "NO IT ISN'T IT'S COOL.."
249 "WHAT?"
250 "YOU WILL THEN WON'T YOU??"
251 "NO I WON'T" "WON'T WHAT?"
252 "WON'T GO."
253 "GO WHERE"
254 "ANYWHERE"
255 "WHERE'S THAT?"
256 "HERE"
257 "HERE.HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?"
258 "KNOW WHAT?"
259 "SHUT UP"
260 "STOP MAKING SENCE!!"
261 "HUH?"
262 :**:*::::::**:::*::*::==>CONFUSER<==::*::*:::*::::::*:**:-
263
264 The Former leaned tiredly over the maps and charts. Looking almost dead, he struck the table hard with his fist.
265 Taking the sextant and paper and pen in ahand he left the Chart Room for the Quarterdeck. Dodging the boom he went to the
266 railing.
267 While aligning the delicate mechanism of a sextant he muttered some things to himself. Trying to remember them better.
268 As he easily swept through all the steps, and equasions necessary. It seemed to him as if he had been doing this a thousand
269 years.
270 It stuck him how easily he had learned the arrangements of this ship. How he'd learned just the right ammount of bounce in
271 your step to guide you up the stairs in three bounces.
272 And the right ammount of powder to get a five pound ball thrown twenty leagues by six foot cannon.
273 All of it had come very easily to him, including how to kill a dying freind when death was better than life.
274
275 The Former found the mistake in his equasions and finally knew the new course. Bellowing it to his mate, he went below.
276
277 Marking his notes in the log, he penned the fleet code as if it was native to him. The Royal code MIGHT be native to him he
278 thought. He started thinking in it during an engagement with the French. Perhaps he needed a rest from the wars, a calm day.
279
280 At that very moment he decided to visit the inn once again, something he hadn't done in far to long. Since two lives, and
281 twenty thousand forgotten years.
282 He went to the quater deck and calibrated the sextant to indications which made absolutely no sense to anyone on the seas.
283 As the ship faded ever so slowly from view, he watched his mate, Llewelyn gasp. And some of the lower crew scream. #I will
284 return, Llewelyn, don't forget me...# said the Former.
285 Only completed in time before the leaves and dark green of the Inn's grounds faded in. The rowan was over there, and so was
286 the Innkeeper's horse, he might just be home after all.
287 Once solidified, he patted the sextant and congatulated it's workings for still doing their job after so long a time.
288 Sixteen paces to get to the entrance, and two more to get inside. Pam was here, as is evidenced by the Innkeeper's presence.
289 All drinks were seemingly at the expense of one patron, and as the Former lifted his tankard from the oaken bar, he thought
290 ho would have purchased it for him. And he did not know. But it was good rum, and watered just right for him. So the evening
291 proceeded. With no one recognizing the Formmer, which was odd. Damned odd.
292 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
293 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
294 L'homme: Byte or Word mode? If only the 6510 would be graced with a
295 word addressing mode....
296 MiG: PETN? Season on 'neeshees closed last week, you wouldn't stoop (not
297 as in Michael) to poaching, would you? There are gentleman's rules to such
298 things.....
299 Mikey: Do we have Kaypro schems/data at work?
300 Aaron
301 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
302 [=------------------------------------------------------------=]
303 Hi, I'm suprised to see so many ladies using a certain board
304 all at one time. It used to be that there were 98% guys and the
305 rest were gals. So were did they all come from? Why weren't
306 they around when I used to call? Oh well, I don't know if I
307 can write a story but here is something that someone might like.
308
309 "If you want to be happy for the rest of your life,
310 don't make a pretty ladie your wife. If you want
311 to take it from my point of view, have a oridinary
312 gal marry you."
313
314 [=-------------------------Red-Fox----------------------------=]
315
316 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
317 Aaron: I'm not sure what his problem is with the monitor, but I think it might be he is disassembling at the wrong
318 location (in the middle of an instruction) or is going through data tables.
319 L'homme: Nothing to say, your call says it all... thanks for the advice given.
320 Voyeur: So THAT's what those headbands stood for! I was exposed to my first Buckaroo Banzai comic about a month ago,
321 much after the PorSFiS meeting in which the headbands abounded.
322 All interested in current story: May I find out exactly who you are? Possible names right now are Piper, Leonard,
323 L'homme, Friar Mossback, Unwilling Traveller, and Myself. After this entry there will be much more opprotunity for
324 input from all of you.
325 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
326 L'homme stepped quietly from the rear of the party, looking up onto the machine and reading it aloud.
327 "Letters still, letters in motion:
328 Of the Key, will you have any notion?
329 TEVA HEOP HRET EQFA EYFL WUYS AOOA
330 OIOT NUUS RRUD SHNT DEIS WADT RDSN"
331 Eyebrows furrowed as everyone began puzzling upon the cryptic enscription. Someone mumbled "net", but the source of
332 the word was indeterminable.
333 ++++++++++++++++++
334 "Found it!", I cried, snatching a hunk of the Argentium from the side of the rock formation. Now to get it back to
335 Milchar before he suffocated. I hoped the group of adventurers would be successful at deciphering the answer, and that
336 they would note the cipher was broken into four-letter groups instead of five-letter...
337 +++++++++++++++++++
338 My force-knife chipped away at the sphere, sending bits flying into the void. Another contraction of the sphere made
339 me increase the pace. Damn! It wasn't working... the sphere hardened faster than I chipped. There must be some way,
340 there must! I gave up supplying energy to the knife, and it faded out of existance. The bubble returned to its former
341 transparent state, but still it contracted. Time was running out.
342 Force had been futile. I could not even hope to break the tough bubble. Wait- perhaps burst it by filling it too much?
343 It was worth a try. I began by composing a song... worked out thirty or so complex calculus problems... strained to
344 be creative and thoughtful and energetic, all those things this bubble was designed to contain.
345 Suddenly, I felt the bubble begin to fill with a liquid-like substance, originating from nowhere. The bubble
346 contracted once more, causing the level of the liquid to rise quickly....
347 +++++++++++ Milchar & Novar ++++++++++++++++++++++ 11:54 on 11/11/84 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
348
349 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
350
351 The new clothes are serviceable, but the need to buy them simply
352 shouldn't have existed. How could the airline have lost my bags? The
353 plane wasn't going anywhere, it was as much a prisoner of circumstances as
354 I, so they couldn't have taken a detour through Outer Mongolia. In fact,
355 the plane was still here and probably would be for some time since the
356 airline wouldn't let it into the air until the faulty engine was replaced.
357 There was no rush, no hurry, so there could be no excuses as far as I was
358 concerned. But there is little sense in wasting vast amounts of mental and
359 emotional energy on something that is completely out of your hands, so I
360 left to find a local store where I could get a change of apparel, as well
361 as a toothbrush. Having as personal posessions only the clothes on your
362 back can spoil your whole day.
363
364 Tawny was reassigned to a new flight, and she left around noon the
365 next day. We exchanged addresses and 'phone numbers, hugged each other,
366 cried, and made promises to keep in touch that I think we both knew would
367 never be kept. We had so much fun! Night spots, restaurants, even a
368 "singles" bar (an idea of that filled me with trepidation, but I surprised
369 myself by having fun despite the constant hits by men trolling for a catch)
370 on the one day and night we had together helped to cement an intimacy in
371 our relationship far beyond what I would have believed possible for so
372 short a time. I found the perfect card in a small shop before she left:
373 two humorous cartoon lizards on the front, crying, and an interior that
374 read "Iguana miss you!" And I do.
375
376 When finally that afternoon I was informed that all arrangements had
377 been made for a new flight late that evening, and that my bags had been
378 found (they had somehow taken a side trip to Canada, don't ask me how) and
379 would meet me in Seattle, I thanked the agent and headed back to the hotel
380 room. I didn't feel glad to be going home, or relieved that my belongings
381 had been recovered, or much of anything else; my entire trip had been an
382 emotional roller-coaster, and all I could feel was tired, numb, and
383 hung-over from the almost continuous intake of alchohol.
384
385 Entering my room I flung off my clothes and dove into bed, hoping to
386 sleep for the rest of the afternoon in preparation for the next attempt at
387 a return home. "What I really need," I told myself as I began to drift
388 off, "is a pair of ruby slippers."
389
390 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
391
392 Yes, an editor would be helpful, but as someone said, the nature of
393 the medium is such that one wouldn't really be practical. Our work is here
394 for just a few days, then it dissapears into the vaults of the Innkeeper,
395 never to see the light of day again. And I simply don't have the time to
396 devote to rewrites of these contributions. Usually, I write what I enter
397 here in one sitting and then read it quickly for spelling and punctuation.
398 Other writings of mine (more personal, and more private) receive more
399 attention.
400 Of course, probably my biggest fear of an editor would be that they
401 would immediately spot those things that I DIDN'T say and question me about
402 them. There are some things a person would prefer were left hidden away,
403 and a good editor would be too quick to grab them and force me to look at
404 (and perhaps include) them.
405
406 Promethius, I'm glad to hear that you've read my recent entries. And
407 don't worry, neither you nor your name have been forgotten. I always
408 remember those at the Inn who show intelligence and a sense of humor, and I
409 hope you'll continue to drop in even if you don't plan to contribute, or be
410 "in the service of". (Snicker!)
411
412 My thanks to the Innkeeper! Your aid in cleaning up the mess left by
413 a previous patron was greatly appreciated. Would you join me in a warm
414 brandy? Do you think there's room?
415
416 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
417
418 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
419 The piper had strange feelings of trepidation looking at the enigmatic
420 machine. The meaningless words marched across the face of it, holding a slight
421 familiarity -- as though something seen long ago through different eyes.
422 He turned to his compainions and remarked "If any of you have connections
423 with the NET, perhaps you could be of more help here than I, who have no
424 aptitude for cryptography."
425 Stepping back to let the others crowd closer, the piper soon lost himself
426 in contemplation. As he turned the facts of the situation over and over in
427 his mind, the raw feeling of loss increased. The beating of great white wings
428 was engraved deeply into his heart, and the need to find his pegasus was
429 nearly overpowering.
430 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
431
432 IMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM;
433 : :
434 : Why worry about Tomorrow, :
435 : when today is so far off? :
436 : :
437 HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM<
438
439
440 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
441
442 TO STYRAX:
443
444 2345 6789 5634 9008 4567 4536 5678 6789 5644
445
446
447 HUP
448
449 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%11128490856%%%%%%%%
450 <==========================================================>
451
452 Bill:
453
454 It's no joke. Carrol, John, Mike, Bob, and I took the four
455 wheel drive up to investigate. When we got to that clearing
456 where we partied this summer we got stopped by three guys in
457 suits. It was real strange cause they all wore suits, no boots,
458 and really looked out of place. It was real bizaare.
459 One of them asks us what we're doing out there. Mike tells
460 them we're just out driving. He says the bridge is out and we
461 have to go the other way. Mike says that with four wheel drive
462 we really don't care about the bridge. Then the guy gets mad,
463 flashes a badge, and demands to see our ID. We show him, he
464 writes down all our names, then tells us to get the hell out of
465 there.
466 We take off but try looping around that overgrown trail
467 John's been wanting to explore anyway. We get about half a mile
468 when two other guys appear. They're wearing suits to but at
469 least they have the sense to be wearing boots. One of them has
470 a thing plugged into his ear so we figure he's talking to one
471 of the clowns we met earlier. We got the hell out of there
472 fast.
473 We're thinking of going back but we want to have some kind
474 of a plan first. Keep in touch. This is getting interesting.
475
476 George
477 <=============================================================>
478 George,
479 I am very interrested in what happened to you guys. Because a similar incident happened to me, I wont go into it here but
480 I think they are covering up something very important or controversial.
481 Please leave me a message on the portland atari club bbs if you would like to discuss this further. adress it to OPUS.
482 BILL C.
483 OFF
484 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
485
486 Ahhh.....To again be telecommunicative....
487 With a questionable effort on the part of Hayes I am once again among the
488 modeming public. Bless UPS on this veterans day holiday. I see some familiar
489 borders have returned .... And others discreetly changed so they may continue
490 their " terminal " addictions unfetted by a previous reincarnation....And
491 still others whose fresh entrys do justice to the Inn.
492 MiG,
493 Several weeks ago I was mailed some purulent garbage of a financial
494 nature....Would you know how I came by it ?....I feel we should meet sometime
495 this week...at the same old place...you pick the time & day. The outline
496 is complete.
497 L'homme - voyeur & Leonard,
498 Played a new variation last weekend .... The addition of tactial
499 neutron weapons as a part of your mobile forces....and an expansion of the
500 targeting capabilities of strategic weapons....did wonders keeping Bart
501 to a manageable level in South America...As well ( grumble grumble)
502 the tried and true Australian technique.
503 Milch,
504 YDLI EEAT OHEF ATME UAAT LOBN CVSE PRLD OETD HSEF UAST ACDI LTHH BRIL
505
506 :::::::::::Alex:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
507
508 HI ALEX....
509 HI MIG
510 H LENOARD
511 HI KATHY
512 HI PHROMETHUES HAWTHORNE
513 HI CITSOP MIKEY
514 HI PAM
515 HI PHANTOM GLITCH
516 HI BLACK MAGIC(ALLANON)
517 HI MAD MAX
518 HI ALL YOU BACKWATER MESSAGE SYSTEM PEOPLE
519 YOU GUYS ARE COOL
520 -------------------NEW U.---------------------------------
521 OH YEAH WHO EVER I FORGOT LET ME KNOW......................
522 Kathy, Are you interested in other partners, or is yours a solo act ?
523
524 *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
525 "I feel I should get back to Milchar" I said, not wanting the others to know about the pre-
526 monition I had had that morning. "I will see you all in a few hours. I knew that my death
527 was planned. I did not want any of them struck down with me.
528 Rather than heading back towards Milchar, I circled around behind the machine, a good distance
529 from it. Clearing my mind, I began a probe of the insides of the machine, using techniques long
530 forgotten by most of our order. I was able to see inside for only a short time before a cover
531 was thrown over the insides. "What !?!?" I exclaimed. I had never had anything of the sort
532 happen before. Suddenly a wave of energy came in my direction, and the pain was unbearable.
533 I slipped quietly into unconciousness.
534
535 Friar Mossback
536 *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
537 ENTER
538
539 TELL IT TO MIKEY. HE`LL READ ANYTHING!
540 MONDALE `88! HOORAY............................................................................................................541 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
542
543 *!)_@$*!_)*$)_!*$_)@*_+)$*!+$)!@#*)!*$)+_*_)%&#@_)%*#)*_#$)&_)#$^&_)*@#_)*%_@#)%&@_)#&%@#_)*%@_)*%@#)_*%_@)#*%@_#*
544 Code! I hadn't seen any code in many months. Back when NET was after that Leroy McKane character. That
545 scum of the earth who tried every dirty trick in the book to take over the world, and still came out on the
546 short end of the shtick. Code. Different, somehow... It was different from the NET code. It had four letter
547 groups, instead of five. And the clue at the top. Could that mean this code is some kind of offset code. Now the NET's
548 code was a substitution type, with an n-position substitution key. But this code could contain some kind of
549 shifted letter value, and to decode it would be a simple procedure. Let's see...Hmmm.hmmm.hmmm...
550 A few moments later. Make that a few more moments later, I had it solved. "Hah!", I announced, to
551 no one in particular. "It's easy! All you have to do is be a little shifty!"
552 "What! What does it say? What does it mean?", someone blurted out, the excitement ringing in their
553 voice. "Well... I don't know if I should tell you right away. Wouldn't you like some intellectual stimulation
554 yourself? Do you want to go through the rest of your life having other people figure out all the puzzles you are
555 going to encounter? I think everyone should solve this little puzzle for themselves. I think everyone will feel much
556 better for it." Ignoring the oaths directed towards me, I sat myself on the ground, and watched the others
557 mull about while trying to skirt the latest complication in our adventure...
558 $*_)@#*$_)@*%^@#_)*%_)*%_#)%
559 Mikey : I see...still sounds pretty suspect, but fortunately that is easy to change. I'll try to call you Tuesday.
560 Alex : Welcome back to Backwater. I have two Apple Sourcebooks for you. When can we arrange a delivery.
561 Voyeur : This Friday? Sounds like a good idea to me. I can talk to Marty, and unless her busy social schedule
562 offers resistance, I think I can convince her to come. Can you talk to Leonard? I'm sure he'll be up to donning the
563 old banzi head bands. I still have mine. I'm sure Marty kept hers. Good idea!
564 Milch : Thanks again for the help. I'll tell you how it worked out after tomorrow.
565 Football Fans : It looks like the Breakers are coming to Portland. Let's hope history does not repeat itself and
566 we end up with another Portland Storm/Thunder debacle.
567 _*%_)*%_)*%_)!*%_)@#*%_)@#*%_@#) L'homme sans Parity *($_)#*_)*!_)*$%_!)*%+!_*%_!)*%_)#*%_)@#*%_@)#*
568 PS To Aaron : XMON.880D doesn't know how to disassemble something like :
569 ldx $14
570 ldy $15
571 It returns a :
572 ldx $A414
573 ???
574 _%&_@#%&*_#*%_)*%_)%+#%)@#&*%)_@#*%_@#)&%_#&%_!)%*+#%_)!&*%_)#*%_)@#*%!_&%_)@#*)_#{body}amp;)_%&*_*)_#*%%
575 I picked up a few old magazines at ORYCON this weekend & in one of them there
576 was a science article on COMPUTERS! The magazine was dated Feb 1951.
577 "... Work now going on in this field offers a hope that the problem can be solved
578 with machines that may reach a speed of ten thousand multiplications or one
579 ndred thousand additions a second."
580 Wow! Imagine that! Machines might someday operate at 10 kips! (snicker!)
581 L'homme: I am planning on going. Which theater & time?
582 __________________________________Leonard____________________________________
583 :::::::::::::::::::O O::::::::::11/12:::::::20:34::::::::::O O:::::::::::
584 Banzaiists: Shows are at Bagdad (SE 37th & Hawthorne [symbolic?]), Rose Moyer
585 (165th & Division), Washington Square, and Clackamas Town Center. As I recall,
586 the best picture/sound is obtained at Rose Moyer & Clackamas. Bagdad is
587 most convenient for Leonard, Clack. for me, Wash. Sq for Marty, and Rose Moyer
588 for L'homme. I *KNOW* Leonard has no hangups about wearing his headband,
589 so I will exhume mine. The show STARTS playing on Friday, so there are later
590 possibilities if need be. The newspaper ad doesn't mention showtimes yet,
591 but we're all big people so we shouldn't have too much problem there.
592 L'homme: my NET skills must be slipping - I had no luck with Milchars code. I did try shifting, plus NET, so....
593 ***********************************
TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 593