1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2 ************************* INSTALLED: 14 MAR 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 070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707 21 TO : ALL NET AGENTS 22 RE : POSITION AT THE TOP! 23 070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707070707 24 25 phffttt! yourself 26 ............................................................................... 27 28 where's that pizza, anyway?!?!?! 29 ............................................................Entropy........................................ 30 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*Guru of bliss*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 31 Attachment to any (person place or thing) weather by Love or hate, is a 32 handle by which you can be manipulated. 33 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 34 35 since i am without a terminal... and this is on loan... for another fifty 36 minutes... might i ask... that someone explain all this gibberish... 37 38 i mean really... pffffit and pfffat aside... what is going on... any of all 39 of you... what is going on...!? 40 41 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT 42 43 44 45 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (no one is reading...) 46 so I'll say that a foul wind is blowing- foul from non-recognition... 47 ^^^^^ ('Glasses and Hammers) 48 As I watched the sands drop, I had not noticed the face of the man carrying the 49 Hourglass. If I were to have tryed, I might have noticed that his face was 50 draped with a cowl that drew waving lines to his shouders. These lines seemed 51 to be stopped strands of time themselves- coarse khaki lines that draped past 52 his shoulders and continued to the floor. 53 The pace of the sands decent had quickened in what seemed another minute. 54 Before all of what had taken place before me became clear Chronos spoke agian. 55 "Time itself is an illusion. It is only a tool that you must all learn 56 to use to your advantage. If the time with you other is too short, learn how 57 [ch /with you/with your/ eo, sorry] 58 to make it last the eternity you wish it to be. The other 'tricks of time' 59 are something you must seek on your own. You know more than you may suspect." 60 The strands that were the wrap that protected Chronos seemed to turn to real 61 sand, flowing gracefully to the floor of the Inn. As these 'living' grains 62 came to meet the floor, they passed through it to return to their own realm of 63 existance... A sight you would not conceive, nor understand had you not seen 64 it at first hand. 65 The noises that were proof of the Inn's reality came slowly to my ears. 66 First as a whisper, then to the normal din. My limbs felt as if Zeus himself 67 had cast a mighty bolt of lightning aside to return me to my movement. After 68 having blinked a countless number of times it finally dawned on me what had 69 taken place here. I sent my gaze around the Inn to see if there were others 70 that looked as confused as I. They were not, they were happy. 71 And when my eyes sought out the sight of the figure I had most wanted to 72 trade words with, I saw him pick himself up and reseat hinself in such a manner 73 as to exclude me from his sight. No, he would never lower himself to speak to 74 me, would he? He was only contented with the sight of his "beacon". 75 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 76 As I made my way to the door, I removed the leash from my satchel and 77 began to make it ready for use. In my dispair, I had managed to neglect many. 78 There were those that might seek my words, but they were as inhibited as I 79 when their privacy would be concerned. There was one that watched me head for 80 my travel, wondering when the mice and music would return. (Yes, YOU! I am 81 wondering as well.) Then there was another that sat at a table for two, unable 82 to leave because the meal that was ordered would soon arrive. (Thank you for 83 the letter. It was good to see your words again.) There were others, but 84 they were sitting at the counter speaking with the Innkeepers momentary relief. 85 And then there was one that would sit alone with a box and tell it many a tale 86 when the time allowed, and the dark was nigh- the one that was the idol of 87 those that would dare sit near. 88 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 89 As Castellan for House West, a duty more taken than given, chores of other 90 than security for the household would have to be carried out by my hand. Some 91 of these chores didn't seem to go along with the job, but it was an interesting 92 change of pace at times.k I took the leash that I had readied and took the now 93 quieted beast back to where he could be taken care of by people that understood 94 him. Each time I went to seek liaison with them, they would always be waiting. 95 I had never seen them anywhere near the Inn, but I knew they were close by 96 none the less. The INDIANS had allwed me to choose the name I would be known 97 as, not an easy chore. At first they called me "Tschepsit," which meant 98 "Stranger" for I was one amomg them. Other names had been told to me. They 99 were something like- "Waskeu", "Wilisso" (although only by one of the females) 100 "Tulpe" (followed by the laughter of two), "Alleanque", and "Quis". 101 After trying to explain what I was and what I did, some said to me- 102 "Nagatamen" and "Nutiket". I chose Nagatamen. (And I would remember Tschepsit) 103 "Come along, NIANQUE. You are going home. People do not understand you 104 here. They make faces and call you names, but *I* know you are peaceful. *WE* 105 may still be friends... 106 Yes, the Indians would be my friends, and a place of Harmony for me when 107 times grew tired and miserable. I needed th Indians Now. 108 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 109 I know... "OINK, OINK!" I just had to get things out in the open, sort of. 110 My phone is patient, but no one calls. Either that, or not for long... 111 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->Nagatamen, the Guardian 73:16 112 113 (*==marker==*) 114 EX_\A DPSF@ PDRXZ ZAIDX LPXDP TAD\_ AEEAL ZAJDC LIDEC _FIDT FEDTC LI_RA 115 . 116 .DSCED [E_YC JI[E\ HB_TA DPXRI _D\C] DPTC[ _PDTA D@SCE DPTAD YCJID MJX\D 117 . 118 .YS[\D _STAL D_FDR XZZA[ _IDX[ _LDCL @IDEC SDPTA HB@\A EECZA DPXD[ E_CRR 119 . 120 .[ED@_ MJ@X\ DYCJI [LD_F @DZXP D@CTX RID_X MD\C] _[_\D T@ADF ED_Y@ JFLZF 121 . 122 .LZD\A DCHBN XVUD@ XMDPT ADGEA JDR_F EPDPX L[_FZ TP[\D _STA_ LDSAD TC^AD 123 . 124 .PTADP SFPED JACRD LC\A[ L@D_S A_HBN C_LDP [_COA DN@CJ ADXMD P@TAD VJX_Y 125 . 126 .RA_\[ \D_CL UD@EG ZZ@AE @PFX@ LEDCE DPXDS TCPDS A_D@E TXGRI DIX[Y HB 127 . 128 01010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010100101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101 129 09090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909 130 As to how I got thair: Phreek aksident! 131 Like I say, I was typing first and thinking later, an evil for which I have 132 berated others in times past. I do know beter; just let a new toy get the 133 better of me. 134 09090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909090909099009090909090909 135 hi_?? 136 137 138 010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101 139 .FD_TC ^ADP@ TADLC \ADXM DPTAD PSFP_ [\D_T ADFED OALDY _COAM ARP[\ HB_CL 140 .UDEGZ ZAEPF XLE[Y HB@HB 141 .010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101 142 ALL AGENTS: DECODE THE ABOVE MSGS *IMMEDIATELY*. OPERATION WILL COMMENCE 143 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 144 010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101010101 145 -=*=- O guarder of empty rooms, yours is a lonely vigil. -=*=- 146 -=*=- Fret not that your words are swallowed by darkness,-=*=- 147 -=*=- for the shifting of sands, interminable and dreamy,-=*=- 148 -=*=- shall someday bare our words to eyes full of light.-=*=- 149 (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( LXIX )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 150 I looked up from my glass. I had tried not to, but it was to the point that the effort was becomming obvious, so 151 there was really not point to avoid her eyes. She was watching me. I looked into her eyes and was lost. I blinked, 152 she was good eye contact, this one, a real talent. 153 She kept smiling, and lifted the wine glass to her mouth. White wine through red lips. She lifted the glass to 154 drain the glass, and let the last ice cube fall into her open mouth. As the glass came down she looked into my eyes. 155 I could see the ice cube moving just behind her lips. Back and forth. Then she pursed her lips and let the ice 156 cube slid off her tongue into the glass. It was a slow, deliberate movement. She still held my eyes. With my hand 157 I rattled the ice in my drink, hoping ( maybe ) for a bartender to hear and break the contact. None heard. 158 I could feel the man next to me squirming in his seat. He too had watched the ice cube. In the corner of my eye 159 I can see him look at her, then at me, then her. Like the ice cube. Back and forth. 160 161 He jogs my elbow as her ajusts his waistband. He lifts his glass for a moment and wipes his lip. Still his eyes 162 go back and forth. 163 I know what he thinks. I know who he is. No not by name, but he has a title. I call him Gold Card. Tonight he 164 came in with some friends. Their all Gold Cards too. They even look like they got their suits in the same place. God. 165 They must drive Pontiacs and Buicks. No Cryslers, no matter how Iacoca has turned it around. Sucessful cars, 166 sucessful clothes, sucessful shoes. And of course, sucessful drinks. Drinks to sucess, drinks to excess. 167 My uncomfortable neighbor was sipping his sucessful drink, while his friend wereat the other end of the bar, being 168 sucessful with some people they had met. He was uncomfortable because it was late, and he had been far from sucessful. 169 I had watched him earlier in the evening. I had watched the whole sex powered circus. 170 The entire collection was here. Warming up for St. Patty's day no doubt. Most of them had built up quite a 171 tolerance, they had to get a head start. The whole gang. The Cheese F___s, the Coke Whores, the Gold Cards, the 172 Cowboys. The group absurdly called regulars. That bother me. I didn't ever want to feel like these people were the 173 average, that this was all that there was. Women in twos and threes at the bar, sipping their wine in tiny sips, 174 pretending that the visiting was why they had come, that the side show didn't affect them. Like a child ignoring a 175 game it was not invited to play. The men traveledin an endless merry-go-round in the bar, back and forth, around 176 and around, never resting. For if the carousel should stops, the music seases,and their carefully choreographed will 177 come to an end. 178 It is a carnival, but everyone is a barker, and the rides don't have pretty lights that shin for miles in cold night 179 air. Not exactly a place to bring the kids either. An X-rated circus where the people are the only rides. 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 tear along dotted line 182 (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( LXIX ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 183 I am not sure if the above entry is of the kind that belongs on this kind of sustem. If it is not welcome, leave a 184 note. There is more, but I must first test the water. a pun, yes? 185 186 *=-=* To hear a few words cast in my direction is all that *=-=* 187 *=-=* I ask, a mere signal of acceptance, a small token *=-=* 188 *=-=* that would say "you are welcome here." Thank you... *=-=* 189 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 190 I apologize for using an inverse of your trademark, I was using it in hopes 191 that it would have made it more obvious as to whom I send my reply. 192 If you are refering to another place and time, I think I can safely say 193 that "No, I did not have indigestion." Humorously, I look over my words. 194 So few are able to put a smile on this face any longer. 195 As I am not familiar with you, may I call you by the word "Anatschiton"? 196 Difficult I know, but I shall not forget its meaning. 197 kathyd: Your "rooms" are most interesting! If I may be so bold to say, 198 "Bravo! Please, Carry on!" Your words give us all something to 199 think about. We must think. 200 Movie fans: If you don't already know, F A N T A S I A has been 201 re-released with Dolby Stereo sound. It is NOT a film that should 202 be missed fro it is very much a masterpiece! Also, coming this 203 summer (I think)... R E T U R N T O - O Z - 204 "This is the Oz you haven't seen before..." 205 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian of Nianque 74:03 206 207 208 ^^^^^^^^^^ 209 Forgive me. I now know who you are, Anatschiton. -=*=- 210 ^^^^^^^^^^ --->G 211 212 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 213 Some people are famous for the ability to rapidly broad jump to totally incorrect conclusions.--Scanning Eye 214 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 215 now it's my turn:PPPPPHHHHHHHFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTT!!!! (slobber) 216 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the "ACHGIIKI" Guardian 217 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 218 The gunman reached a fence and scaled it easily. Frank followed. He 219 was gaining; his breath came in gasps. "Pace yourself," he thought to 220 himself. "This chump's not going to get away." 221 The hound and quarry moved through backyards, climbing fences, jumping 222 obstacles. Their chase marked by the barking of dogs and the inquisitive 223 shouts of homeowners. Frank was closing... 20 yards... 15... He stumbled 224 for a moment, then recovered. 225 Frank topped a fence. He saw an alleyway. On the other side, the 226 young man labored to climb a high cedar fence. Frank knew he almost had him 227 He bounded across the alley and scaled to the top of the fence. Instantly, 228 he felt something was wrong. A shiver ran through his body. His prey had 229 disappeared. He dropped to the ground, senses tingling. His pulse hammered 230 in his ears; adrenaline pumped him higher than ever before. He crouched 231 at the bottom of the fence, sucking in air, trying to regain his wind. 232 Morning dew soaked his trousers. The world was colored black and grey. 233 As if it had a life of its own, his gun slithered from his holster. 234 Frank moved to the side searching for cover. His eyes scanned the yard 235 seeking the fugitive. He saw only shadows in the moonlight. Finding a 236 wheelbarrow, Frank moved behind it. He felt a momentary twinge of fear and 237 fought it off. 238 Frank waited a heartbeat, then two. He held his breath. Over the 239 throbbing in his ears, he heard a faint panting in the far corner of the 240 yard. He crept towards the sound. 241 Silently, Frank moved through the shadows. This was the most terrible 242 experience in his life, yet it was his rite of passage. He couldn't walk 243 away. Time stretched. Seconds seemed like hours. He was terrified, but 244 never so alive as in this moment. 245 He neared the panting. Suddenly, a brilliant light silhouetted Frank. 246 A flash of disorientation. Concerned about the disturbance, a resident 247 turned on his back porch light. Glimpsing the drama before him, the home 248 owner darted deeper inside the house, to safety. 249 Frank stood rooted for a second. His confidence gone. Then his eyes 250 found the one he seeked crouched behind a small bush. They moved in a 251 bizzare ballet. Guns moving upward, seeking an enemy. Frank yelled, 252 "Freeze!" It came as a harsh scream. 253 Their eyes locked. Frank's finger tightened ont the trigger; his 254 knuckles whitened. He was rock steady. He had no time for fear; the moment 255 seared itself in his mind. The men stood frozen. In the distance, a siren 256 wailed mournfully. 257 Frank screamed another command; "Drop the gun!" No macho bullshit. 258 Dirty Harry's quips were for the movies. This was real life. 259 Slowly, the young man's eyes flooded with fear. His gun began to 260 waver. "Hey man, don't shoot;" he said. He lowered the gun and placed it 261 on the ground. His hands reached into the air. 262 Frank's training took over. "Move forward to the center of the yard." 263 The gunman complied. The commands came in succession. "Turn around and 264 kneel... Cross your legs... Hands on top of your head." Frank moved foward. 265 Carefully, he handcuffed his prisoner. Behind him, the backup officers 266 walked through a gate into the backyard. Frank took a long deep breath. 267 It was over. 268 Frank motioned to one of his rookies walking up to him. "The gun's 269 over by that bush." 270 The officer walked over and picked it up. Examining the large frame 271 automatic, he gave a long, low whistle and said, "Holy shit, look at the 272 size of this thing. Somebody could have gotten killed." 273 Frank looked at his prisoner. A smile touched their lips. In those 274 few short minutes, they had become joined in a fearful bond. Together, 275 they had stood at death's shoulder. Frank knew he could kill if he had to. 276 The rite of passage was over. All he felt was exhileration; the fear would 277 overtake him tomorrow. He turned and walked his prisoner to the awaiting 278 police car. 279 The End 280 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Valinor~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 281 282 -------------------------------------------------- 283 & some people take themselves toooooooo seriously. 284 ------------------------------------------------- 285 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 286 Valinor -- Superb! You had me gripping my chair on that episode. 287 ppppppppppppppppp 288 The piper turned away from the mournful eyes of the dragon, knowing full 289 well that her rider would come or go at her own pace. The invitation had 290 been extended, to press the issue less than gentlemanly. 291 Smoothing the pegasus' mane, the piper led the pegasus out of the low 292 dark stable into the milky effulgence of the moon; his feet and the pegaus' 293 hooves leaving dark trails in the frost-covered grasses, cutting through 294 like dark memories in the silver reaches of childhood. She stood and 295 shook her head impatiently as the piper slipped back into the main room 296 of the inn, cutting unnoticed through the warm bustle of the common room 297 and slipping back outside carrying his pipes. 298 Sensing his parter's impatience, the piper stepped to the side of te 299 pegasus, in front of one of the great wings that she had unfurled to test 300 the wine-bright night air. Holding his pipes, the piper mounted his steed 301 with great energy, but little grace. Adjusting his kilt, he felt the 302 contrast of the body heat of the pegasus on the inside of his thighs, ad 303 the sharp bite of the frosty air on the outside. Leaning forward, he 304 stroked the velvet neck of his mount, and whispered softly, "Let's 305 go, Peg!" 306 The great wings were fully extended now, testing the night for vagrant 307 breezes, rustling pinions, tensing against the test that was soon to come. 308 The piper felt the muscles in the body beneath him tensing, gathering an 309 awesome power; he involuntarily clamped his knees tighter to the pegass' 310 body and locked them around the leading edge of the roots of her wings. 311 Rearing back, the pegasus pawed the night winds with her forefeet, nd 312 with all the power of her hindquarters leaped into the frosty night air. 313 The pegasus' wings beat down just as the momentum of her upward leap began 314 to abate, and with a mighty surge of power she began to mount the 315 moon-limmed passages of the sky trails. 316 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 317 **************************************************** 318 and those who do not write are quick to critic. 319 **********************************************kd***** 320 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*Themnax of Lananara*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 321 (a random moment from his 'youth') 322 The wait was short. A dilithi-nadu skityered accross the platform and up 323 the tree, a prize jalidu-becu cluched firmly in ita's fir-paws. 324 The dimunitive dmu glided to an effoirtless stop and Themnax boarded, 325 his mind on changes he would soon be making. A young girl of the betteween 326 age was in the compartment with him. He could tell because she was wearing 327 the required availability costume, as opposed to the simple robes worn by 328 adults, male and female alike, and she appeared to be betteween 12 nd 14 ( 329 earth equivelant) years old. 330 In his enthusiasm of the moment he kised her warmly but took no further 331 physical liberties, his moind being on other things. 332 Lenu sat in the control cabin of her singleship, suarrounded by the 333 twinkling glow of indicatoo, control and sensing instruments. In her hand 334 , the dellicate, intricate, sculptinmg of the subtle forces of nature, a 335 peice of driftwood. 336 On a keypad near her other hand she entered a short sequence. In mom- 337 ents a chime sounded. Opening the couver of a small compartment in the 338 console peninsula between the control seats, she removes a steaming mug of 339 lubintau elixer. 340 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=**=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=***=*=* 341 Guru of Bliss- 342 Escape is the safty valve of sanity. 343 nosrepersonosrepersonosrepersonosrepersonosrepersonosrep 344 345 hello Nagatamen, hello others(?), what is? 346 nosrepersonosrepersonosrepersonosrepersonosrepersnonosrepersonosrep 347 348 r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm 349 Prometheus- See PCS. 350 r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm r/sm 351 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (easier said...) 352 As I take my final steps before entering into the quiet, almost reclusive 353 village by nature I hear a slight whistle in the air as a blur passes over my 354 shoulder. Ssssssssssssp! An arrow! Not just any arrow, but a greeting. 355 The voice that makes a recital of words that are still not easy to under- 356 stand is the one I had expected. I had been expected, or how else would she 357 have known to use that partricular arrow? To anyone else it would not have 358 meant what it did to me. You see, it had been I that had given her the score 359 of red velvet ribbons. I had instructed her to use them only in the case of 360 dire emergency, for which I would be sure to come, or in such an ocassion as 361 now. We were alone, the ribbon tied to the arrow told me all I needed to know. 362 I turned to see her watching me, quiver still in hand. I dropped the 363 leash that kept Nianque by my side, he would know his way home from here, he 364 knew I wanted to be alone and lifted his paws for home. As she returned the 365 bow and quiver to her side, I took the ribbon from the expended arrow and tied 366 it gently around her neck. "Awullsu, how I have longed to see your face," I 367 said. She wore a smile, but there was a tear in her eye 368 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->Nagatamen, the Nutiket 369 Awullsu: go to the place where clandestine parchments are traded and you 370 will learn the meaning of the name I have given you now. 371 Lady S : ...than done. If he doesn't see it today, he may not until Monday. 372 Septine: sorry for all the background noise. It was good to speak again. 373 Lady S : is that system working? I've been have a devil of a time connecting. 374 Sorry for being in such a rush on Wed. I'll make it up to you. 375 person : Hark! My name, but no face... Are you well? What happened? 376 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 74:ex 377 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 Lxix: I pray you continue. I can see no reason why you should not write 379 what you have here. Perhaps, others see reason, but I find none. I enjoyed 380 reading of it much. Please do continue. Unless people start telling you to 381 stop then keep going. And, that would be a great misfortune if they did say 382 so. Yes. Continue... 383 *=-=*: I had assumed we were all welcome here, as long as we did nothing 384 of distasteful nature. I am not sure, by they way the lines were worded, if it 385 is for me to reply. But, I am anyways. I give you welcome. I would buy you 386 some of the Inn's so highly-famed mug of ale, as well. A smile, too. I am 387 sitting there in the corner near the fire, if you ever have wish to converse 388 with me. 389 Kathyd: One of my reasons for not making an appearence here of late is 390 due to the fact that words tend to run away from me. That proves most anonying 391 to others. I have been busy. Although stories are floating in my mind, just 392 waiting to be fished out, I have not done so yet. I will, soon. And, then I 393 will be carefull that the spelling and grammar is correct (and that they are 394 not too long) before entering them here. Thank you very much for giving me 395 words. It is a pleasant feeling and produces a rarely seen smile. -Tanya 396 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 -------tb: I understand. Of course, since you drink more than you write. ef 398 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (a word) 399 please do not confse *=-=* for -=*=- for we are not the same. 400 as stated previously, i had used the former to reply to the latter... 401 Tanya- You are always welcome here. 402 -----: please excuse my previous outburst, but may I ask you a question? 403 Why is it that your words are so pointed? (Or had we already discussed?) 404 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the insomniatic Guardian 405 406 WORDS ONCE SPOKEN CAN NEVER BE RECALLED. AN INJURY IS MUCH SOONER FORGIVEN THAN AN INSULT. ONCE 407 =-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-= 408 Tanya: Am I the =-*-= you wrote to? Their seem to be quite a few of us around. If I am, Thank 409 You for the welcome & I would be delighted to sit and talk with you for a while. I think that I 410 will change my header to prevent more confusetion. My name is Tsilb, so you will know me when I 411 change it. 412 Kathyd:Sorry to hear of the death of Jack.Even though I did not know him I feel that a loss has 413 occured in the bbs world. 414 Would you let me know when the services will be.I would like to pay my last respects to 415 one of whome I have heard so much. 416 417 Tsilb 418 P.S. I just found out what ENTER ONLY means. 419 Valinor:Good story! 420 The Tin Man:I liked your poems.As for wasting space.It is not realy wasted when words such as 421 yours fill them. 422 =-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=(soon to be changed)-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-=-*-= 423 .............................................................................. 424 "Damn." She slammed the receiver down. 425 "What is it?" he asked, not looking up from the Saturday sports page. 426 She began to pace the length of the living room, arms crossed in a defensive 427 gesture. 428 "The line is busy. She's got it off the hook, or something." Her cheeks flamed pink with ann 429 flamed pink with annoyance. "She knows damn well that I need those files on the 430 Martin project today." 431 He flipped to the stats. The Raiders had a shot at the playoffs. 432 "I can't afford to sit around and wait for her to finish trading recipes or 433 whatever it is she's tying up the line for." She trailed her index finger along 434 the sofa table as she paced; it left a shiny path in a week's collection of d 435 dust. "This place is a mess," she muttered under her breath. 436 He looked up from his paper. "I heard that." Since he'd lost his job he'd 437 been doing the housework while she held down a 9-to-5 at a prestigious a archi- 438 tectural firm. 439 She glared at him and continued to pace. "What the hell is my damned sec- 440 retary doing, anyway? Probably sharing child-nurturing tips from "Parents" 441 magazine with one of her housewife pals. And what am I doing?" She stopped 442 dead in mid-pace. "Are you listening?" 443 "Yes." He looked over to where she stood. "I thought it was a rhetorical 444 question." 445 "I'll tell you what I'm doing," she snapped. "I'm counting the minutes 446 until I lose my job to Dave Peterson, because if Nancy doesn't get off the 447 phone and on the ball, Edwards Associates will dump me for that 'up-and- 448 coming' young architect." She sneered. "He's the fair-haired boy who can 449 do no wrong. And speaking of boys -- old boys, that is -- how do you think 450 he got that position fresh out of school? Why, the 'Old Boy' network, of 451 course, unlike SOME of us", she aimed an emphatic thumb at herself, "who had 452 the guts to WORK our way up!" 453 "Is that the imperial we?" he said mildly. 454 She whirled to face him. The cords in her neck were sharply defined by rage. 455 "What the hell does that mean?" she hissed. "You know damn well how hard I 456 worked to get where I am today. I'm not about to let it all slip away just 457 because my goddamned secretary can't wait to phone her friends and tell them 458 about her kid's new tooth!" 459 "It's Saturday -- doesn't she get any time off? She only gets paid for 460 forty hours a week," he offered. 461 "And what am I supposed to tell my boss when the project is late? 'Sorry, 462 sir. Nancy's kids cut teeth on the weekends, sir, so I didn't finish the 463 project.' Is that it?" She leaned across the back of the armchair and fixed 464 him with an angy stare. "I don't think you understand how important this is. 465 Besides, if I lose my job, how are we going to pay the rent? With your fab- 466 ulous household allowance?" 467 He neatly folded the paper. "So that's it." His voice was quiet, neutral. 468 "What's it?" she shouted. "I'm sick of your damned riddles!" 469 "Resentment." 470 She stared at him, her mouth a thin white line of fury. He looked back at 471 her, not challenging, but sympathetic. 472 "I think you've simply bottled up all the resentment you could, and now you'v 473 popped your cork, so to speak." He shrugged. "You resent my having lost my 474 job. You resent being the sole breadwinner, for the moment. You resent Dave 475 Peterson because he got a better career break than you did. And you resent 476 Nancy's motherhood." He shrugged. 477 She dropped into the armchair and curled up, hugging her knees. The corners 478 of her mouth turned down in a self-conscious scowl. "I guess you think you've 479 hit the nail on the head," she said tonelessly. 480 He shrugged again. "Is that it? What else do you resent?" 481 She thought for a minute. "Everything." 482 "Everything?" He was bemused. "Why do you resent everything?" 483 It was her turn to shrug. "Because it's easier than being specific." 484 The phone rang. He reached across the end-table and answered. She stared 485 at the floor, unmoving. 486 "Hello? Just a moment..." He held the receiver out to her. "It's for you." 487 She looked up, then took the phone from him. "Hello?" 488 "Hi, it's Nancy. I've been trying to reach you all day, but your line's been 489 tied up. I've got the files; got a pencil?" 490 .......................................Entropy........................................................ 491 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ 492 The guards approached the olive-skinned pair,hands edging toward their 493 sword hilts. "And who was this old man?" 494 Thalion and Mallyn gave each other a quick glance. To ad mit that this 495 was their grandfather,whan he had just been kiiled by Oraj guards, would mean 496 that they would share his fate. "We don't know, sir,"said Thalion,"except that 497 he is Rhyll, like ourselves - we only meant to give him a sea burial." 498 "That's easily done",said the guard. "Feed him to the sharks - NOW - 499 or you'll go in after we throw him in." To do such a thing would harm the old 500 man's soul, they knew; and as they started stalling, they saw two of their 501 travelling companions sneaking up behind the Oraj guards. 502 Mallyn had half started a lengthy rhetoric on the world's religious con- 503 victions when Aliren and Cordum shoved the guards, chain mail and all, off 504 of the pier. Then, without warning, Aliren dived in after them! 505 The other three watched for anxious seconds until Aliren surfaced, swam 506 to the ladder, and loudly announced,"I just couldn't save 'em!!" 507 Then the cheers exploded fron the neighboring trading ship. 508 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ 509 That actually happened at our last DnD session. Aliren got 100 exp. pts. 510 extra - the DM said that he had never heard such uprorious applause for a 511 cold-blooded murder before! 512 Home for the weekend for Jean Pierre Rampal - and my, haven't we gotten 513 creative in the City of Roses?? Moo U is NEVER like this. Five more days, and you'll have to put up 514 with me as well...and I expect the same high quality then that I've read tonite! 515 So, To All The Writers: KEEP IT UP!!!!!!! 516 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Luingil/\/\/\/(anyone wanna take my finals for me)/\ 517 This is Zudo 518 here are some samples 519 oops! I've got some control codes to delete before I try this again. 520 (-)_(-)_(-)_(-)_(-) 521 So what is going on about all the boarders? Why can't people just use a 522 boarder that is different than the last one, if they want it to be. Why 523 does it have to be the same thing time after time... Oh well, to each 524 his/her own. But one last question; why do users get so upset about people 525 using a boarder that they used? Shouldn't it be what is in the message, 526 not what the boarder looks like? 527 (-)_(-)_(-)_(-)_(-)_(Mark)_(F)_(-) 528 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHELLO, IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO CAN GIVE ME AN ACCURATE, UP 529 DATE LIST OF LOCAL BBS NUMBERS. 530 I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE BBS'S FOR A WHILE AND FEW OF MY NUMBERS ARE STILL USED, THANKS 531 532 T.W. 533 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 534 535 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 536 ANYWAY, WHAT'S BEEN GOING DOWN SINCE LAST TIME I WAS ON? 537 ANY NEW USERS, ETC.? 538 IF MY LUCK IS GOOD, YOU MAY HAVE A NEW USER, BUT I AM NOT SURE SHE COULD GET IN FROM ANOTHER TERMINAL 539 (SHE MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO RUN ONE)......HOEFFENTLICH,JA. 540 UNTIL LATER, 541 SHOGOTA.(NEW NAME, OLD: UNBELIEVER) 542 543 KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA 544 The perspective had been obscured due to my ignorance. Soon, very soon, 545 all will be made clear. It seems just a little too much for one that has 546 been out from the rigid controls construcetd for our protection as well as 547 others. The stage will be reset, all actors cued to their respective lines, 548 and all the exciting, action packed adventures will be under way soon... 549 KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA KOSTA 550 551 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 552 From Prometheus; Tarred and Feathered 553 My precious terminal was designed seven years ago and built five. So it 554 should not come as a suprise that it died several days ago. Ergo, I am not as 555 I usually try to be. Several things demand attention though, and I will try to 556 ddress all the pressing ones. 557 558 Borders are used to indicate the identity of the speaker, both in name, and 559 in the personality. For instance, kathy and cistop mikey share a common one; 560 but they both are somewhat deserving. 561 On occaision do you not feel as if the joint be jumpin' when kathy sends so 562 many stars? And do you not feel as if our Good Cistop sends us these bulletins 563 hot from accross those new telegraph thingies? 564 565 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 566 I sit in the semi-darkness, hunched over my keyboard, listening to the sounds 567 of the street outside and the low drone of a too low radio. The tv shows mute 568 faces to the room, its light reaching her sleeping form on the bed. Soft face 569 pressed into my soft pillow, the sheets pulled in a hundred different directions 570 , the smell of passions filling the room. 571 Her make-up is now just stains on a wash rag next to my sink. When I saw it 572 I stopped and stared for a long time, then came back to the bedroom. 573 I sat and looked at the bed. The impression in the pillow, the fold of the 574 covers. She moves from time to time, ajusting her sleep, pulling the blankets 575 even more. 576 A towel lays on the floor, it shares our scent. 577 578 I have not known her long, just a few weeks really, hardly a moment. So why 579 am I so comfortable with her, confident, content. Willing to talk about things 580 I can share with no one else. I let her read my works. She liked some of them 581 and told me. She told me the ones she didn't like as well. I liked that. An 582 honesty I can care for. 583 Tomorrow the sun will come up, erasing the warmth that is the darkness. The 584 bed will be made, the sheets and blankets smoothed out. The doors and windows 585 will open to let in the fresh air, the towel will be folded and put away. 586 It is time to go to sleep, she woke and asked me to come to bed, I said I 587 would be right there. 588 But first I must go in and get the wash rag, and put it where the morning will 589 not find it. 590 The Harlequin 591 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 592 593 To continue from above, when I logged out for an emergency. Borders are often 594 important Lsignals of individuality. And even beyond egos, there are other an 595 and perhaps better resons to use them. 596 597 The use of a border sometimes indicates an identity, or a mask. Lately, 598 shadowed figuires have stepped from the shadows. Tugging their shirts down to 599 show how nifty they are, they say nasty things about others. 600 To show how courageous they are, they run back into the shadows with their 601 tails between their legs. Somehow their courage seems lost amidst the annoying 602 presense. 603 604 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 605 606 SageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSag 607 608 The Sage looked the tweny feet down, into his own bushes and tangles. The 609 ivy woven into the decaying brick and the shadows into the ivory. The Sage 610 felt so cold, so cruel, standing atop his balcony, looking down into the night 611 that hid the fowl ones. 612 613 To hear the vermin, scuffling stupidly about in his ivory. To see them try 614 in vein to cover their presense. To see them coming to his place of residence. 615 All of these things were to the Sage reprehensible. 616 617 The would take knives, and for lack of anything else to create, they made 618 scrawlings and notches in the wood. They would accost his guests, and then 619 would run when anyone came to their defense. 620 621 The Sage put the thing, the weapon he was holding down. His arm drooped 622 sadly. And the thing drug it down to the ground where the vermin hid. 623 The plumb of gravity was inviting, and to the sleepy eyed Sage, the feel 624 of gravity in sagging him to his sheets was almost bliss. To a tired mind, 625 it always is. 626 627 SageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSageSage!s 628 629 ???Ian:mess recieved on PCS,no data now, will try my best./MiG/??? TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 629