Version
Elephant Cobra
Scorpio
almost passed out. He grabbed hold of awake and clung to it, the
weird lighting of the internet cafe punching into his eyes, his
stomach wrestling with the deluge of coffee. He grit his teeth, he
clenched his fists. He imagined Wolverine from X2 carving his way
through the soldiers storming Xavier's. He took a deep breath. He
almost passed out.
Typing
quickly, then slowly, sometimes needing to find each key, sometimes
running across the keyboard, drunk tightrope, words mispelled, didn't
matter these days. Bad spelling, new jargon, Scorpio caught between
the two. Hoping he wouldn't fall asleep, didn't want to be awake
anymore, caught between the two.
Couldn't
let her go. Couldn't let her log out. Didn't know how to ask.
Couldn't stay silent. Caught between. Could she tell, could she tell
as his text appeared on her screen, wherever she was, whoever she
was, how messed up he felt, how desperate he was. Did the stark lines
and curves capture the apocalypse in him or erase it. Magic runes
summoning the right feeling in her, or suburban architecture
strip-malling the forest inside him.
He
could just ask, but she was already asking. Would his question
connect them or scare her off or worse sound contrived, his true
desperate agenda inverted into a ploy, an online flash of a smile and
a wink, boozy end-of-the-night lunge for the finish line.
And
if she was asking then she couldn't tell him. But maybe he didn't
really need to know, he only needed to know that others were asking
too...
Except
for all the typing he was doing, all the passing-out he wasn't doing,
keeping the exchange running, lobbing text at each other across
whatever was between them, he couldn't aim for what she had put on
display - he envied her courage, he feared her intent. He almost
typed about it, finally, but he had another strange flash of
black-suited men storming the cafe and he almost passed out again.
He
stared at the screen. The chat window open. Their exchange about
politics and movies. Her name and quote in the top corner.
Mayganne
- who is max cube?
20131222
Pocket Universes
Version
Angel Zero
Suki stepped out of StarCoffee with an extra-large double-cream double-sugar coffee in her hands.
If it was one thing she liked about this it was that the coffee was next to divine in taste.
Click. Click. Click
Suki began crossing the street before answering.
"It's like we are all in our own pocket universes," Suki said as she pulled the tab back on her coffee lid.
Click. Click.
"No, not really," she replied once she took a sip. "I really don't have a friggin' clue on what to do at this particular moment."
Click.
"For all I know we could be just lint specks in some guy's pocket," she replied.
Suki stepped out of StarCoffee with an extra-large double-cream double-sugar coffee in her hands.
If it was one thing she liked about this it was that the coffee was next to divine in taste.
Click. Click. Click
Suki began crossing the street before answering.
"It's like we are all in our own pocket universes," Suki said as she pulled the tab back on her coffee lid.
Click. Click.
"No, not really," she replied once she took a sip. "I really don't have a friggin' clue on what to do at this particular moment."
Click.
"For all I know we could be just lint specks in some guy's pocket," she replied.
The Holographic Universe
Version
Crimson Falling
Stone keyed in the numbers to access his voice-mail as he shrugged off his suit jacket. One message.
"...get it now, see how the one reflects into the many and back again. The same pattern occurring at all levels. The war in Iraq and the behaviour of the government is the exact same equation as the way my family reacted to my Dad getting cancer is the exact same equation as when we all flipped out when the Lieutenant got fired is the exact same equation as the way they're arguing online. And I can't see a way out, we need to find a way out."
Stone's eyes were wide. He gasped for breath, felt dizzy.
Riveta.
Stone keyed in the numbers to access his voice-mail as he shrugged off his suit jacket. One message.
"...get it now, see how the one reflects into the many and back again. The same pattern occurring at all levels. The war in Iraq and the behaviour of the government is the exact same equation as the way my family reacted to my Dad getting cancer is the exact same equation as when we all flipped out when the Lieutenant got fired is the exact same equation as the way they're arguing online. And I can't see a way out, we need to find a way out."
Stone's eyes were wide. He gasped for breath, felt dizzy.
Riveta.
20131220
Vortex
Version
Indigo
"I know it's strange for me to be calling," Stone said into the phone. "It's just that, well things are really getting strange. And I don't know who else to call. Now that Riveta is..."
He glanced around at the street through the smudged and graffitied windows on the phone booth.
"Things just feel weird is all. And you used to be into all that New Age stuff. And I know I used to tease you about it all the time. So this can be your big 'I told you so'..."
Stone absently patted the revolver holstered at the small of his back.
"Like, for example, the other day I ran into Charlie from the service, then a couple of hours later I saw the guy who owned Stinger's. What are the chances, running into people from two different chapters of my life like that, on the same day? But get this... I saw them both when I was out visiting with Horner and Plastic Ken... They were both in town... On the same day..."
Stone started slightly when a car alarm went off nearby.
"And seeing Ken and Horner got me in the mind to call Waters... and it turns out he's going to be in town next Friday, the same day I was about to suggest I come visit him..." His voice was getting more excited. "Plus, there was a link of a comedy clip going around the station email, from this old show, and the two guys on the clip were both on the same talk show last night - total coincidence!"
Stone took a deep breath.
"I don't know if this makes any sense... I guess I just needed to tell someone. Listen, you don't need to call me back or anything. I hope Carl is doing well. And please give my love to the kids, ok? I mean, if you think that's alright... Anyway... Take care, Colleen."
He hung up the phone.
"I know it's strange for me to be calling," Stone said into the phone. "It's just that, well things are really getting strange. And I don't know who else to call. Now that Riveta is..."
He glanced around at the street through the smudged and graffitied windows on the phone booth.
"Things just feel weird is all. And you used to be into all that New Age stuff. And I know I used to tease you about it all the time. So this can be your big 'I told you so'..."
Stone absently patted the revolver holstered at the small of his back.
"Like, for example, the other day I ran into Charlie from the service, then a couple of hours later I saw the guy who owned Stinger's. What are the chances, running into people from two different chapters of my life like that, on the same day? But get this... I saw them both when I was out visiting with Horner and Plastic Ken... They were both in town... On the same day..."
Stone started slightly when a car alarm went off nearby.
"And seeing Ken and Horner got me in the mind to call Waters... and it turns out he's going to be in town next Friday, the same day I was about to suggest I come visit him..." His voice was getting more excited. "Plus, there was a link of a comedy clip going around the station email, from this old show, and the two guys on the clip were both on the same talk show last night - total coincidence!"
Stone took a deep breath.
"I don't know if this makes any sense... I guess I just needed to tell someone. Listen, you don't need to call me back or anything. I hope Carl is doing well. And please give my love to the kids, ok? I mean, if you think that's alright... Anyway... Take care, Colleen."
He hung up the phone.
Vesper Bell
Version
Crimson B2
Riveta glanced over at the Brownstone and didn't see any signs of movement. She had been here for couple of hours, waiting for a sign or signal of some sort.
"This is nuts," she said softly. Her car radio was on, playing a faded hit from long ago and she found herself humming along to the song.
Her gun, cellphone, a pack of gum, and a dime-store novel were on the passenger seat. As well as three styrofoam cups of empty coffee.
She knew that she had drank one coffee too many since she had the urge to go to the bathroom, but she didn't want to leave her post. Not yet.
"Well Professor, whatever it is that's supposed to be here isn't," she muttered again. She chuckled at the notion of talking to herself.
An eerily glowing light emanated from the top floor of the brownstone window.
Showtime, said Riveta. She grabbed the stick of gum and the three empty coffee cups and exited the car.
Riveta glanced over at the Brownstone and didn't see any signs of movement. She had been here for couple of hours, waiting for a sign or signal of some sort.
"This is nuts," she said softly. Her car radio was on, playing a faded hit from long ago and she found herself humming along to the song.
Her gun, cellphone, a pack of gum, and a dime-store novel were on the passenger seat. As well as three styrofoam cups of empty coffee.
She knew that she had drank one coffee too many since she had the urge to go to the bathroom, but she didn't want to leave her post. Not yet.
"Well Professor, whatever it is that's supposed to be here isn't," she muttered again. She chuckled at the notion of talking to herself.
An eerily glowing light emanated from the top floor of the brownstone window.
Showtime, said Riveta. She grabbed the stick of gum and the three empty coffee cups and exited the car.
Who's Watching Me?
Status
Report on Subject A-443-C
Blog Entry:
Ever get the feeling that you are constantly watched? I do. Though, it could be a mild sense of paranoia kicking in.
I do have this vague feeling though that someone(s) watching my every move. But that is strange isn't it? Why would someone be watching me?
Blog Entry:
Ever get the feeling that you are constantly watched? I do. Though, it could be a mild sense of paranoia kicking in.
I do have this vague feeling though that someone(s) watching my every move. But that is strange isn't it? Why would someone be watching me?
The Modification of Mu
Version
Charlie Ten 1.9
Simon put down the paper; he had given the news a glance over and read only the stories that caught his eye.
The past few days were unraveling on a strange course and he couldn't remember what he did yesterday.
"Coffee?" the waitress asked him.
"No, not really," Simon replied as he flashed the young waitress a pearly smile. "I would like some more tea, though."
She smiled back at him and nodded. "Right away, sire."
'Sire', now that's an odd term, he thought. He was about to say something more to the waitress but she had moved on to another table to top off a couple of cups.
Coffee. You need coffee.
Simon put down the paper; he had given the news a glance over and read only the stories that caught his eye.
The past few days were unraveling on a strange course and he couldn't remember what he did yesterday.
"Coffee?" the waitress asked him.
"No, not really," Simon replied as he flashed the young waitress a pearly smile. "I would like some more tea, though."
She smiled back at him and nodded. "Right away, sire."
'Sire', now that's an odd term, he thought. He was about to say something more to the waitress but she had moved on to another table to top off a couple of cups.
Coffee. You need coffee.
20131219
The Trouble With Girls
Version
Angel Cake 1.7
Suki wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, leaving a big oily grease stain on her forehead.
She reached over and grabbed the bottle of water on the stool beside her and took several gulps.
Click. Click.
"I know," Suki said. She placed the bottle back on the stool. "I wasn't born yesterday."
Click.
"I heard that," she said out loud. She lay back down on the roller and then slid back underneath the vehicle and muttered, "Nag. Nag. Nag."
Click. Click. Click.
Suki wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, leaving a big oily grease stain on her forehead.
She reached over and grabbed the bottle of water on the stool beside her and took several gulps.
Click. Click.
"I know," Suki said. She placed the bottle back on the stool. "I wasn't born yesterday."
Click.
"I heard that," she said out loud. She lay back down on the roller and then slid back underneath the vehicle and muttered, "Nag. Nag. Nag."
Click. Click. Click.
The New Doctrine
Version
Mountain-Sunders-Tree
Simon lifted the bulky envelope out of his mailbox. Up the stairs. Into the apartment.
Hang up his coat. Drop his wallet and keys on the table.
Check the phone for messages. Aren't any.
Study the envelope for identifying marks. Aren't any.
Sit at the kitchen table with the cellphone. Open the envelope.
A compact disc, wrapped in plastic.
Over to the laptop. Carrying the cell and the disc.
Slide in the disc, click on the program. Video file. Play.
A burnt copy of the movie Memento.
Simon lifted the bulky envelope out of his mailbox. Up the stairs. Into the apartment.
Hang up his coat. Drop his wallet and keys on the table.
Check the phone for messages. Aren't any.
Study the envelope for identifying marks. Aren't any.
Sit at the kitchen table with the cellphone. Open the envelope.
A compact disc, wrapped in plastic.
Over to the laptop. Carrying the cell and the disc.
Slide in the disc, click on the program. Video file. Play.
A burnt copy of the movie Memento.
The Status Quo
Status
Report on Subject A-443-C
5:55pm Subject sits at his computer with a cup of ramen noodles by his side. He frequents several pages over and over again. [Snark.ca, Linkage.uk, Blognation.com]. Subject spends several minutes in a forum and replies.
[Read through transcripts find out what's piqued his interests]
7:44 PM Subject leaves his apartment and heads to the corner coffee outlet to pick up an extra coffee to go with triple sugar and triple cream. Subject chats with a woman at a table.
[photo will be sent to be identified].
7:51pm Subject heads back home.
7:57pm Subject back at laptop to watch a program. Nothing out of the ordinary.
[review show to see if anything has a trigger]
5:55pm Subject sits at his computer with a cup of ramen noodles by his side. He frequents several pages over and over again. [Snark.ca, Linkage.uk, Blognation.com]. Subject spends several minutes in a forum and replies.
[Read through transcripts find out what's piqued his interests]
7:44 PM Subject leaves his apartment and heads to the corner coffee outlet to pick up an extra coffee to go with triple sugar and triple cream. Subject chats with a woman at a table.
[photo will be sent to be identified].
7:51pm Subject heads back home.
7:57pm Subject back at laptop to watch a program. Nothing out of the ordinary.
[review show to see if anything has a trigger]
20131218
Percussion
Version
Crimson.7
It was a step or four down from the hotel suite but Riveta felt more relaxed here in the seedy motel.
She missed Stone.
She lay back on the bed. The couple upstairs were stomping around again. She tried to steady her breathing. Tried to change the way she heard the noise, the way the Professor had described. To become open to it, to change her borders, so that the thumping wasn't an intrusion but part of the landscape.
She wondered where Stone had ended up. If it was like this for him.
She was scared, she could admit that, the small sharp spike at the end of every inhalation. She knew she was in something deep. She exhaled.
The thumping continued.
It was a step or four down from the hotel suite but Riveta felt more relaxed here in the seedy motel.
She missed Stone.
She lay back on the bed. The couple upstairs were stomping around again. She tried to steady her breathing. Tried to change the way she heard the noise, the way the Professor had described. To become open to it, to change her borders, so that the thumping wasn't an intrusion but part of the landscape.
She wondered where Stone had ended up. If it was like this for him.
She was scared, she could admit that, the small sharp spike at the end of every inhalation. She knew she was in something deep. She exhaled.
The thumping continued.
Roads Less or More
Version
Charlie Ten.7
Simon tugged his knee-length charcoal coat tight around him; the wind was chill today. He pressed the cell to his ear; there was lots of noisy traffic on the busy downtown street.
"They want to offer me the position," he said. "Should I take it?"
Simon reflexively scanned the faces of the crowd, glancing in car windows at the drivers, through shop windows at the clerks, always looking for someone he recognized. Trying to find the others. Except his memories of them were so staticky, he couldn't hold their faces or names, too much like a dream. And the man on the line was rarely any help.
"I can't tell you that," the Professor said. "You know it doesn't work that way. At least for now."
Simon sighed with frustration. "I'm just not sure if it's the right thing to do. Now, with everything being so different." He stopped briefly, thought he saw a woman across the street, red hair, something about her familiar... And was bumped into from behind, a careless teenager, no apology, strutting past with his crew.
"I'll have to call you back," Simon said to the Professor. "I have to go check myself for bugs."
"Now that's something I can help you with, Agent Light. You're clean."
Simon gave the street another scan, this time taking his look upward, to the tops of the buildings, and to the sky above. He had gotten used to thinking of the Professor as being in a satellite, although he knew that wasn't quite the case. Or sometimes he imagined it like the Operators in the Matrix, but that wasn't quite it either. And a lot of the time, Simon had the dread suspicion that the Professor was only a voice in his head.
"Let me know what you decide about their offer. It may be significant, it may not be."
"It'll be a big deal to me either way," Simon said with a slight edge.
"Yes, of course Agent Light. I'm sorry."
Simon tugged his knee-length charcoal coat tight around him; the wind was chill today. He pressed the cell to his ear; there was lots of noisy traffic on the busy downtown street.
"They want to offer me the position," he said. "Should I take it?"
Simon reflexively scanned the faces of the crowd, glancing in car windows at the drivers, through shop windows at the clerks, always looking for someone he recognized. Trying to find the others. Except his memories of them were so staticky, he couldn't hold their faces or names, too much like a dream. And the man on the line was rarely any help.
"I can't tell you that," the Professor said. "You know it doesn't work that way. At least for now."
Simon sighed with frustration. "I'm just not sure if it's the right thing to do. Now, with everything being so different." He stopped briefly, thought he saw a woman across the street, red hair, something about her familiar... And was bumped into from behind, a careless teenager, no apology, strutting past with his crew.
"I'll have to call you back," Simon said to the Professor. "I have to go check myself for bugs."
"Now that's something I can help you with, Agent Light. You're clean."
Simon gave the street another scan, this time taking his look upward, to the tops of the buildings, and to the sky above. He had gotten used to thinking of the Professor as being in a satellite, although he knew that wasn't quite the case. Or sometimes he imagined it like the Operators in the Matrix, but that wasn't quite it either. And a lot of the time, Simon had the dread suspicion that the Professor was only a voice in his head.
"Let me know what you decide about their offer. It may be significant, it may not be."
"It'll be a big deal to me either way," Simon said with a slight edge.
"Yes, of course Agent Light. I'm sorry."
The Light at the Waters Edge
Version
Angel Cake
Suki awoke on the floor. Her mind a dizzying fog of images and memories gelling together like tape in a dispenser.
It was cold and grey and all she could smell was diesel fuel; this wasn't a good sign to begin with.
"She coming to," a metallic voice said.
She could make out the click click of another sound. She lifted her head, but it felt heavy and it was pounding.
Bad shift.
"Are you okay, Miss?" the metallic voice asked.
There was that clicking sound again.
"I think she can understand me," the other said.
Click. Click.
"Of course she might be thirsty," said the metallic voice. "Go get her a bottle of water."
Suki awoke on the floor. Her mind a dizzying fog of images and memories gelling together like tape in a dispenser.
It was cold and grey and all she could smell was diesel fuel; this wasn't a good sign to begin with.
"She coming to," a metallic voice said.
She could make out the click click of another sound. She lifted her head, but it felt heavy and it was pounding.
Bad shift.
"Are you okay, Miss?" the metallic voice asked.
There was that clicking sound again.
"I think she can understand me," the other said.
Click. Click.
"Of course she might be thirsty," said the metallic voice. "Go get her a bottle of water."
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