textfiles/messages/BACKWATER/bw840413.txt

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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ********************* REMOVED: 13 APR 84 *******************
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System)  Mike Day System operator
4 ************************************************************
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION
6                     PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM.
7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privatly owned
8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public.
9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is
10 privatly owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which
11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be
12 periodically purged of 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 && && &&
21 The Poet awoke with a start. This alone was enough to put him through 
22 spasms of agony, as his head had somehow swollen several sizes overnight.
23 Looking around,he found himself in a strange place. Hmmmm, the last he
24 recalled, he'd been having a grand time with some new-found friends at...
25 the Inn? No... somehow he'd gotten to somewhere else, he recalled. It 
26 hadn't seemed too important at the time, but his dislocation took on more
27 serious implications in the cold, wet  light of morning. Wet? Yes,
28 apparently he'd spent the night outdoors sleeping in the rain. Now, where
29 was he... at that moment a native passed by dressed in some sort of 
30 ritual costume or uniform. From the way he was running he was late for 
31 something, so rather than delay him the poet steeled himself against the
32 pain and tried to run along with him.
33 "Excuse (unh) me, but could (puff,puff) you tell me where I (gasp) am?"
34 "What are you, an idiot? Joggers don't carry spare change, so beat it!"
35 Ah... This "Joggers" must be some sort of religious group... "I don't 
36 need any spare change (Wheeze). I just woke up here and (grunt) don't 
37 know where I am. Could you (unnhh) please tell me?"
38 "In the South Park Blocks. You people are disgusting, why can't you 
39 stay up north on Burnside where you belong?" 
40 The "Jogger" put on a sudden burst of speed, leaving the oxygen-starved
41 Poet behind. Oh, well. Looking at the cloud layer overhead he found a 
42 lighter spot that must be the sun; from this he guessed that this
43 direction must be north, where "Burnside" lay. Turning to face it, he 
44 began walking...hopefully the hurried fellow knew enough that the Poet 
45 might find some of his friends from the Inn on this "Burnside". He hoped
46 that it wasn't more than a day's walk away...
47                && The Mad Actor &&
48 up 30
49 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
50         I stepped outside and began to take my morning walk to get my
51 breakfast, and I realized that something was amiss.  The ground was quite
52 hard.  Pavement? Wait, this cant be the reality I was in when I went to
53 bed.  Must be that crazy piper again.  Hmmm....  No bolo's, can't be
54 that far of a time lapse.  I decided to follow the blacktop strip in
55 front of me and try to figure out where I was, and where I could get
56 breakfast
57                 Fast Fred
58                 BSAL (ret)
59 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
60   
61 OscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscar
62      The  rain had been pouring down for weeks now,  and still it 
63 did not letup.   The small patch of ground I had taken refuge  on 
64 had become a island in a boiling sea of mud and water. 
65      My luck has seemed to run out on me this time, for even as I 
66 watch  the  last bit of ground gives way to the ever  encroaching 
67 water. 
68      My equipment,  my tent, everything I carried with me is long 
69 since gone, damaged or carried off by the raging water.
70      Clinging to the last remaining tree still standing,  I  know 
71 that  the  end  is  near as the waters  slowly  but  inescapeably 
72 continue to raise. Soon the water will rise to cover my head, and 
73 my failed mission will be at an end.   Wet and chilled I cling to 
74 the tree,  yet for some reason I am not afraid, perhaps because I 
75 know that it wouldn't make any difference if I were.
76      The  water has risen to my chin now,  it won't be  too  much 
77 longer.   My  only regret is not finding the object of by  search 
78 the one called PAM.  But,  it is too late for regrets now. As the 
79 water  rises over my head,  and the darkness enfolds me I do  not 
80 even  notice that the last tree that was standing that I was  now 
81 clinging to was a Rowan tree.
82      Sometime later a man appears beneath the Rowan tree  outside 
83 the Inn, his hands clasped about it in a death grip.  The body is 
84 naked and soaked from the pouring rain and covered with mud.   he 
85 does  not move,  perhaps he is dead?   The rain continues to pour 
86 down on the man, little rivlets running down thru his thick brown 
87 hair and across his cheek, while his steel gray eyes stare out at 
88 nothing.  A dark cloak fluters down from out of the Rowan tree to 
89 cover his still body, and the rain continues to pour down........
90 OscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscarOscar
91 
92 TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW IMSAI BBS AT
93    760-xxxx
94 7-11 DAILY.
95 760-xxxx
96            LYLE DIXSON-SYSOP
97 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXTO:THE MAN IN GRAY
98 I GOT ON TO THE NERD,AND ALL THE MESSAGES ARE GONE.
99 I TRIED TO LEAVE A MESSAGE TO YOU BUT I COULD NOT  SAVE IT.
100 AND WHEN I CALLED IT DIDNT HAVE THE O
101 ND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A MESSAGE.
102 I GOT ON WITHOUT IT EVEN ASKING FOR MY PASSWORD.
103 
104 WHATS THE MATTER??????????
105 
106 PHERIC F.
107 
108 @!#$@#%$!#()%^$#(^)#%$^()%$^&($%&($%)&*)*$#)*%^#)$^()%^*@%$)*^%*^)%$^*@^
109 Reality...what a concept...especially when said reality is an unknown
110 quantity floating in a vacuum known simply as... "Portland"
111 :: voyeur :: nice message...very effective use of reality shifts,
112 considering we were sitting so close to the area of main exposure to the
113 piper, I would guess our trans-reality shifting was due to his pipes.
114 Certainly our location at the PC & S had to also have some affect on our
115 situation, given its non-stable reality within its four walls already...
116 Where or where will the pipes take us. Let us all hope our destination
117 is more interesting than the last two disks have been eh?
118 Aaron...boy sometimes you can be so short with your associates! Oh...before
119 I forget, you are suuposed to return MIG's property ASAP. He (really does
120 wear all grey) wants his stuff back, and since you have been avoiding him,
121 I decided to take action and put a hold on your check from M.F.& E. until
122 the property has been returned... Remember that famous quote from the
123 famous sysop who has admitted so much in the past couple of weeks...
124 "I don't threaten...I act!"    yiiii yii yiiii!!! Watch out for the MCP!
125 @%#$%$#%$#%#@%325 L'homme sans parity #@$@#$#@$)#@*$)#@*$@#*$#@)$*#@$@#$@@
126 PS...I was a pleasure to meet MIG, TMA, Piper, voyeur, apprentice, bard,
127 leonard, traveller, et all... (that should be It not I of course)
128 #@!#*!@($*@!#($%@#%(&!$#(^%$#)%^*$)%*$)%*$@)%*)@%*$)%*#$^&$)(%^$)%($)%*$)
129 
130 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
131 I'm only sorry I didn't arive sooner to meet everyone.
132 MIG:the nerd got as far as my password, then stopped.  Is mike playing
133 games with me?
134                       Fast Fred BSAL(ret)
135 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
136 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
137    It must have been that bass drone reed.  It didn't sound right --
138 I had to pull the drone and restress the reed, and it was double-toning.
139 Now here I am -- I must admit that the tavern was quite nice -- brick walls
140 a pool table, warm, out of the rain.  I really don't like this reality.  
141 Too many loud machines, people with the look of quiet desperation in their
142 eyes, pavement, pavement everywhere.  The stone beneath my feet is not 
143 pleasurable to walk upon, the river that I saw was walled off from all
144 possibility of contact.  Strangely dressed persons come out of doorways,
145 the whole ambience is that of self-involvement.  Where are my companions?
146 I do not have the skills to long survive in an urban atmosphere -- if I
147 don't come across them soon, I'm heading for the hills.
148 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
149 && && &&
150 The Poet had been wandering, quite lost, for most of the day. No stranger 
151 to cities, he nevertheless was having problems with this one. It lacked the
152 friendly charm of the more low-tech urban settings he prefered, yet without
153 the cleanliness and efficiency of his brother's haunts in 45th century 
154 Noram. Still, the place was not without its charms... one young lady
155 offered him a friendly chat about "Signtolgy", apparently some sort of 
156 religious organization (these people seemed to have a lot of those). Knowing
157 from experience in the Inn that the proper response was to start a friendly
158 argument he did so, but for some reason she took offense and left in a huff.
159 So, having long since forgotten his original purpose (as Poets are wont to 
160 do) he contented himself with wandering about, gazing with fascination
161 through the broad windows put forward by the trusting merchants to display
162 their wares. As the day wore into evening, he found himself at the doors 
163 of a corner drinking-place wishing he had some coin of this realm with 
164 which to buy some refreshment. As he gazed enviously through the window at 
165 the patrons enjoying themselves within he heard a familiar sound. Could it
166 be...? He burst through the door into the conversation-stopping drone of a
167 very familiar music. It was! 
168 "PIPER! I'M SO GL" the pipes stopped, but the Poet continued shouting "AD 
169 TO SEE YOU!"
170              && The Mad Actor &&
171 -------------------
172 New BBS:  Nite-Time BBS  10pm to 8 am.  635-xxxx.  On PCJR.  Try it out!
173 -------------------
174 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
175 I stood there, frozen in panic at the sight of the large beast approaching
176 so rapidly, until the Bard reached forward, grasped my clothing, and jerked
177 me out of the way.  While I leaned, weak-kneed, against the wall, Bard
178 proceeded to remind me of some of the hazards of a high-tech urban
179 environment.  I had enjoyed the tales told in the Inn, but never did I
180 imagine what these things were Really like.  
181 Deciding I needed a drink after the terrible ordeal, I re-entered the
182 tavern.  Avoiding the unfriendly barkeep, I returned to my table, fell
183 into my chair, and took a large swig of my ale.
184 After my nerves had settled down a bit, I looked around.  What had
185 become of the Bard?
186 :::::::::::::::::::O O:::::::::voyeur:::::::::::O O:::::::::::::::::::
187 P.S. Thanks, MIKEY.  It's good to have it back.
188 P.P.S. As the ONLY time I go downtown is to attend the PorSFiS meetings
189 every other Saturday, I may have some difficulty accurately portraying
190 the environment and inhabitants of said metropolis.  Well, shift imagination
191 into overdrive.
192 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
193 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
194    The air was saturated.  The piper took shelter under an overhanging building
195 and waited for the downpour to moderate.  He wanted -- oh how he wanted!!--
196 to leave this reality, but could not bring himself to abandon his compainions.
197   Oh well, perhaps just a tune to lift his spirits -- and maybe ---
198 He lifted the pipes to his shoulder, oblivious to the people hurrying by.  
199 Taking a deep breath, he inflated the pipes, set the drones humming and
200 began fingering the chanter.  With his dancing fingers, he wove the feeling
201 of the cool mists winding through secret glens high in the misty hills.  He
202 played the droplets of mist condensing out of the air onto the leaves, dropping
203 down and joining their fellows, first a trickle, then a brook, a stream, a
204 mighty river.  A tinkle of coins caught his attention.  The pavement before
205 him had several coins.  He had gathered quite a crowd.  He swung into a 
206 strathspey -- the lively beat swinging out through the crowd -- there --
207 a lady was breaking into a dance.  It was not an uncommon occurance -- he
208 tried to reach with the notes and cause her steps to bounce -- to lift her
209 with the music.  Noticing that she was tiring, the piper took the next phrase
210 rather slowly and snapped off the sound of the pipes.  A shower of coins 
211 hit the pavement and he bent to collect them.  He straightened up and became
212 aware of her level gaze.  It was a cold and heartless town, he was sure --
213 but with a native guide --
214 -----
215    Later that evening, the piper was playing in a small tavern.  He had just
216 finished a set of tunes when he heard the shout --
217 "-AD TO SEE YOU!"  A familiar voice --
218 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
219 
220 hello
221 /ex 
222 end
223 help
224 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
225   I WAS JUST WALKING THROUGH DOWNTOWN, LOOKING AT THE WINDOWS AND CHECKING
226 OUT THE PEOPLE WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF PIPES PLAYING.  THIS GUY, DRESSED IN
227 A KILT WAS UNDER THE OVERHANG OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE, PLAYING AWAY.  HIS
228 EYES WERE CLOSED, AND HE DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE OCCASIONAL COIN THAT
229 PEOPLE THREW HIM.  THEN HE OPENED HIS EYES AND LOOKED AT ME AND STARTED PLAYING
230 AND THE MUSIC MADE ME DANCE.  HE PICKED UP THE COINS AFTERWARD, BUT I COULDN'T
231 LEAVE.  I TALKED  WITH HIM AND TOOK HIM BACK HOME WITH ME.  I COULD TELL THAT
232 THE CARS AND CITY BOTHERED HIM.  I ASKED HIM WHERE HE WAS FROM AND HE SAID
233 SOME WEIRD PLACE CALLED INNISFALL-- I NEVER HEARD OF IT.  HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT
234 AND I TOLD HIM I REALLY WANTED TO GO THERE.  WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS
235 FOR A LONG TIME.  I FED HIM DINNER AND TOOK HIM DOWN TO A TAVERN I LIKED.  HE
236 PLAYED HIS PIPES AND I DANCED A LITTLE.  THEN AS HE STOPPED THIS WEIRD GUY
237 CAME YELLING UP.  I HELD ONTO HIS ARM BUT HE SEEMED GLAD TO SEE THE WIERD GUY
238 SO I JUST KEPT CLOSE.
239 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LURINE OOOOOOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO_OO
240 
241 (((((((((((((((((((( - BANDERSNATCH - ))))))))))))))))))))))
242 
243                   Beware the Bandersnatch 
244 
245 ***********************************************************
246 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
247 """HAY MAN,WANNA BUY SOME GOOD DRUGS???"
248 the one dressed in gray wondered about what "drugs" were,people kept offering
249 to sell him some.perhaps they were native food of some kind? deciding to try it
250 he put on his best gravely voice and yelled"yes,I do want some drugs"
251 this seemed to cause some consternation amongst the crowd,they all moved away,
252 strange,maybe "drugs" were only ment for women?
253 "hey dude,not so loud" oh good,I found a "drug" salesman.
254 "whatcha need? acid,good dope,hash,oil,even got some good crank!"
255 ah,something nurishing perhaps?
256 "nurishing? oh well,I guess hash is nurishing enough,here I gotta gram,you got
257 15 bucks" oh,money,local money,he he,perhaps you could tell me where I can have
258 this changed? the ssalesmans eyes lit up in an uncharicteristic look"gold,sure,
259 thats good here!!" oh fine,how many do you need? "1 will b fine,just fine,here 
260 have it all" and he thrust a rather largeish bag of "hash" into my hands and qu
261 ickly left.extreamly pecular taste,now to find the local tavern.....
262 
263 
264 Nerd users:well s**t,the problem is thus,we have plenty of disk space,but our
265 directory file can only hold 128 entrys,Michael was at Reed for a few days and 
266 things went overboard(literaly)
267 should be up as of 12:00 on monday.
268 Aaron,yes it was!
269 person w/o parity(I always forget how to spell it):thanks,hope to see you again
270 same reality,same place,1209600 seconds hence.
271 The Man in Gray
272 p.s. Fast Fred(I think it was you,not sure):michael NEVER does that to anyone.
273 we get them into "chat" mode and it's more fun!
274 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
275 "Right.... Of all the LOUSY lines to wind up on", said the bard as he 
276 consulted a odd-looking box, "Europo-American Subsector, 20th century C.E....
277 OH NO! Not the Reagan line! ARRGH!"
278 Voyeur gave him a puzzled look, "What does all that mean?"@
279 "It means we don't want to hang around very long, most of this group
280 of timelines get REAL ugly in a few years." He thought for awhile. "OK, let's
281 see what we can put together in the way of gear and funds."
282 It wasn't until then that he realized that most of the group had left.
283 "Great, just WONDERFUL! I turn my back for a minute and everbody takes off.
284 Now we're gonna have to track them down before something happens to them."
285 "Aside from the 'cars' and 'buses', what do they have to worry about?" someone
286 asked. "I mean, this place DOES look civilized- well sort of..."
287 "Tell me my friend, what do you suppose would happen to an OBVIOUS
288 foriegner, apparently alone and NOT a noble or the like if he tried wandering
289 around the thieves' quarter of one of the eastern cities?" He paused, "And then
290 of course, there's the fact that ONE gold piece is about a MONTH's wages here!
291 NOW do you see why I'm so worried?"
292 The bard thought to himself, "No way am I even going to TRY to explain
293 vagrancy & lack of ID!"
294 After some discussion bard decided that they'd better leave. No point
295 in attracting too much attention. (Though the way some of them were dressed...)
296 After a brief search for a gold dealer (you try finding one that's
297 open on Saturday!) to change some money, they were off. 
298 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~8
299 Traveller: let me know if you are with me or already wandered off. I hope
300 you still have the gear from the raid on Freddie's lot. (this msg is being
301 sent out on the frequency of your com unit, if you are wandering around).
302 Please let me know who is with me, all I have for sure is voyeur!
303 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
304 A Quarter Million Sunsets Worth of Lonely (words & music:Thomas G. Digby)
305 I'm a stranger and all alone,
306 An orphan out of time,
307 Wand'ring in a world I know was never meant for me
308 And I'm a quarter million sunsets worth of lonely.
309 
310 To tomorrow I belong,
311 Full seven hundred years --
312 Farther from today than when Columbus sailed the sea --
313 And I'm a quarter million sunsets worth of lonely.
314 
315 I had meant to spend a while
316 Exploring yesterday.
317 Then I found my time machine was stranded on your shore.
318 And I'm a quarter million sunsets worth of lonely.
319 
320 I'm reminded of some lines
321 By poets yet unborn,
322 Written in a language that someday will come to be,
323 And I'm a quarter million sunsets worth of lonely.
324 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~8
325 It seemed appropriate...
326 piper: If I may make a suggestion, I would expect that the most likely 
327 DOWNTOWN establishment for you to be at is the Elephant & Castle.
328 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BARD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
329 Hey Mikey, It looks like we may be moving, could I interest you in MY 2311?
330 ___________________________________________Leonard_____________________________
331 MY, THIS DISK SURE FILLED UP IN A HURRY!
332 OH MIKEY, SYSOP SERVICES ARE CALLED FOR AGAIN!
333 The Ninja's computational skills are disperately needed.  The rest of
334 the comptetition will then get a true lesson on wwho really programs
335 (<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)
336 As I walk out the door I pause to get my bearings. Hmmmm. 20th Century
337 United States. Well it doesn't look quite like home but last time I was
338 on this timeline it was close enough that I didn't have any trouble.
339 The Piper and some other familair emanations are coming from towards the 
340 river, perhaps I will find somplace to sell a couple of my diamonds on the
341 way. Pausing to check that anything suspicious lookig was out of sight I
342 set off down the street.
343 
344 (<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)The Traveller(<>)(<>)(<>)(<>)
345 The Ninja, dressed in his black garb, let in to a partial smile as
346 he entered from a long absence. Empty! A cry blaming it on George Slime LTF
347 *******************************************************************************
348 MEN, RATHER THAN A STEREOTYPED POWERHOUSE, HAVE EVOLVED INTO FRAGILE CREATURES.
349 THEY NEED COMPANIONSHIP AND CARING CONCERN FROM WOMEN IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR
350 PSYCHOLOGICAL LIVES INTACT, TO MAINTAIN DRIVE ENERGIES, AND TO FEEL NEEDED
351 AND ACCEPTED. FEELING DISPARAGED, THEY HAVE TAKEN REFUGE BEHIND VARIOUS 
352 BULWARKS. THEY HAVE EXTINGUISHED EROS AND DECIDED TO FIGHT WOMEN WITH THEIR
353 OWN METHODS. THEY SHY AWAY FROM LONG-TERM INVOLVEMENTS, FULLY AWARE OF 
354 EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL LOSSES IN THE EVENT OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. THEY 
355 CUT THEIR LOSSES, DO NOT MARRY, ABANDON FATHERHOOD - THEIR 'FAMILY JEWELS'
356 ARE SAFE.        GERD H. FENCHEL
357 *********************** CISTOP MIKEY *************************************
358 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
359    #Bard -- I have no idea what this place is called.  I'll wait here.#
360    The piper was sitting in the back corner of the tavern at a table with
361 the mad actor.  His pipes were cradled in his left arm while his right held
362 a small pitcher of very weak and pale ale.  A young lady leaned on him and was
363 watching the proceedings quietly.
364   The piper poured the pale fluid into a glass and spoke.
365   "It's a strange place here.  I really don't know what happened to get us
366 to this reality, but I don't seem to have much strength for shifing us out
367 with the pipes."  He drank a deep daught from the glass.
368   "I suspect the fact that the bass drone is going out could cause the problem.
369 I'll put a new reed in, but it will take several hours of steady playing o
370 break in the reed.  It will take even longer to get it very controllable."
371   Reaching into his sporran, the piper pulled out a slim yellow cylinder a
372 about 5 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter.  It was a piece of cane, topped
373 with a blob of red sealing wax, a tounge cut in one side, the lower end 
374 wrapped in hemp cord.  The piper placed this in his mouth and blew.  A loud
375 quaaark resulted.  The piper combed a hair from his beard and slid it up 
376 under the tounge of the reed, tried again and said, "It's not the best reed
377 I've ever tried, but it looks like it'll have to do."
378   He slid the drone out of the pipes, put in the new reed and reassembled the
379 pipes.  Standing up, he moved nearer the door.  As long as he was going to
380 have to break in the reed, the xsound might help attract the rest of the party.
381 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
382 The apprentice was in a mild state of shock. Unlike the others
383 who merely assumed that all the flashing lights and rushing vehicles were magic
384 (except for the few who were familar with high technology worlds), the
385 apprentice had to face this assualt on his senses without either of
386 these cructches. He was totally unfamiliar with any technological item more
387 complex than hand tools or an astrolabe. And worst of all, though he kept
388 trying to find the magic animating these devices, he could find none!
389 "No magic..., no magic... but there HAS to be some..."
390 Finally, he extended his perception to the limit.....
391 Was there something there? Off to the east, and perhaps a bit north?
392 There WAS some magic here! Small flickers scattered here and there,
393 and one MASSIVE source far off. It must be INCREDIBLY powerful for him to be
394 able to sense it from this distance!
395 He reached out once more... stones... megaliths... Of course! It was 
396 a henge, like those back home... 
397 At the thought of home, he felt a massive resonance from the henge.
398 It might be a way home! But it felt as if it were at least a score and a half
399 leagues distant. Well, first he had to find the others..
400 At least now he was used to this world....
401 ..................................the apprentice...............................
402 To: All
403 I am considering submitting our current adventure to Pulsar
404 (the PorSFiS newsletter). Does anyone have any objections?
405 Bard and I wish to beg thy pardon for the rather lengthy business
406 portion of the meeting. It was the most business conducted in the last 
407 six months!
408 ...............................................................................
409 ***************************************************************
410 
411 This is Gary and I'm in need of some help; since thing appr
412 rather slow it seemed a good time to ask.
413 
414 I've mentioned before that I'm a mental health professional. The
415 problem is that there have generally been about a hundred and 
416 fifty applications for every mental health position that opens.
417 I've been unemployed now since nearly a year ag
418 completed the "Nuts To You" series. It's getting real old.
419 
420 I'm interested in developing some marketalble computer 
421 related skills so I can broaden my job search. I know many 
422 of you know a great deal about what's happening with computers 
423 in the area. I'm hoping you'll have some advice to offer.
424 
425 I'm very interested in learning how to do research on the 
426 big databases like Dialog, Orbit, MIST, etc. I've been reading 
427 about them but have no hands-on experience.
428 
429 My questions. What is the job situation for telecomputing in 
430 Portland? How much training does it require? Who offers
431 best training? Is there a local telecomputing users group and 
432 how to I get in touch with them?
433 The other area I'm looking into is technical writing. I don't 
434 have formal training in this area but over the years I've 
435 developed an easy to read style. With the obvious need for 
436 easy to understand computer information I figure this skill 
437 must be marketable.
438 My questons? Who hires unproven techical writers? Would formal 
439 training help in getting a job? What training? Where? What is 
440 the best way to break into the field?
441 I've always been impressed with the intelligence, knowledge, 
442 and sophistication of most of the patrons of the Inn. I figure 
443 if ever there was a place I could get an intelligent answer to 
444 my questions this is it. I'm looking forward to your responses.
445                       Gary Olson
446 **************************************************************
447 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
448     I was rapidly growing tired of this reality.  At least before, I was
449 able to keep track of the others.  And me with no coin of the realm, that
450 surely dosent happen very often....  Wait, a few coin's here and there.
451 Nothing from around here, but maybe something a collector would want.
452     No, Nothing of interest.  Hmmm, at least not to an expert. I figured
453 it was about time to put my salesmanship talents to work.
454   @@@@@@@@@@@@@
455 Within hours I had sold several small coins, an extra set of boots, and
456 something called a Ross Island Bridge.  Now I could spend time looking for
457 whoever else might have entered this time shift.  
458       soon it was starting to get dark, and I needed a place to eat, not to
459 mention a place to sleep.   Wait, I hear something up in the distance, could
460 it be pipes?  Not knowing many many pipers in my time, I decided to follow
461 the sound.
462      What's that up ahead, a tavern?   I chuckled to myself. I should have
463 known.  Entering, I waved to the barkeep for something to make me
464 forget my aching feet.  I looked over.  Not only was the piper here, but
465 the actor as well.  I walked over, bowed formally, and sat.
466                              Fast Fred 
467                              BSAL
468                               (now is that bolo's or bridges?)
469 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
470 THE SPINNER HAD BEEN OF NO HELP. HE PRATTLED ABOUT THIS AND THAT BUT WHEN
471 I HAD PRESSED HIM FOR HELP OR INFORMATION ON MY WHEREABOUTS HE REMAINED
472 SHUT MOUTHED AND STIFF LIPPED. I MADE SURE WHEN I LEFT HE HAD FAT LIP.
473 THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO WAS HIT THE ROAD AND LOOK FOR A TRANSUNIVERSAL
474 REALITY OFFICE. IT LOOKED LIKE A LONG REALITY SHIFT. THE ONLY CLUE THAT 
475 I GLEANED FROM THE SPINNER HAD BEEN THAT THE "INN" AND THE FOLK WHO WERE
476 FREQUENTLY SEEN THERE MIGHT BE OF HELP. UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARED THAT
477 IN THIS, I WAS ALSO ON MY OWN. THEY HAD BEEN THERE BUT HAD SHIFTED REALITY
478 BUT A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL. I NOTICED A POLE SET INTO THE SIDE
479 OF THE ROAD, SIGNS POINTING THIS WAY AND THAT. ONE SAID REALITY 1980'S.
480 WELL, I THOUGHT, TAKE A CHANCE! YOU CAN GET LOST BUT YOU CAN'T GO HOME.
481 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
482 Apprentice: 'tis alright with me if you wish to amuse the PorSFiS members
483 with our latest (mis)adventure, but if you do, I still have the
484 intact version of my first entry here on disk.  I think it readseasier.
485 :::::::::::::::::::::::O O::::::::voyeur:::::::::O O:::::::::::::::::
486 I return to the Inn, but it's empty! All except for a small voice
487 in the corner warning me of George MathKneeBiter SlimeHopper. This all
488 sounds vaguely familar.
489 "Show yourself, comrade! My aborigines are camped only a few hours
490 from here. Together we can rescue the patrons and conquer George!
491                       The Ninja (Back home again)
492 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
493 etherality...
494 pipes of in the distance-lurch forward to`source.
495 enter bar(sepelphant and houses,or was that`"elephant and castle?)
496 turning,the man in gray said "pardon  sir,mayhaps you could play some more? tha
497 t echo is fun"`he then passed out on the ground.
498 The Man h in Gray
499 ??????????????????????????>??????????????????ykin86//????//?//?????????????????
500 yes,the modem`is haiing problemss peopl|ew
501 -------------------------------- (<>) --------------------------------------
502 
503   As I drive out of the car lot I check out the handleing of the small car.
504 Reality travel has its benefits, somthing picked up for practically nothing
505 in one reality can be extremly valuble in another. A couple of my diamonds
506 had gotten me a car and a few hundred dollars of cash. There are a few places
507 in this culture where things can be sold or bought without questions.
508   As I drive towards the Tavern near the river I come apon a rather bewildered
509 looking Apprentice walking along the sidewalk (not completely by chance).
510 I have a rather difficult time explaining cars to him...
511 
512 -----------------------(<>)The Traveller(<>)--------------------------------
513 ((((((( There's nobody out there - Bandersnatch ))))))))
514 
515 *********************************************** HAWT***** **************`******
516  WOTS THIS,MIGADS.A FICTION BASED BILLBOARD.I THINK,PARDON ME MY OPINION BUT
517 THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE DECLARED EITHER A BBS,OR A PUBLISHER'S "STAR SEARCH"
518 IN ANY CASE PLEASE KEEP UP THE FORMER QUALITY OF THE SYSTEM.
519 I HAVE SELECTED FIVE,OR SIX SYSTEMS IN THIS AREA THAT ARE OF
520 HIGH QUALITY AND THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I KEEP CALLING.
521 WHEN I FIRST FOUND BACKWATER THERE WAS A GOOD DEBATE GOING ON ABOUT GUN CONTROL
522 BUT NOW IT HAS DEGENERATED TO SCIENCE FICTION,AND SOME GUY FROM 5216AD FALLING 
523 INTO OUR TIME.
524 LOOK,EITHER WQY THE SYSTEM GOES IT WILL BE A SATASFACTORY SYSTEM.
525 THINK ABOUT IT.
526   
527   
528 To the Above: Stick around a while, we alternate (it keeps it from getting
529 boring).
530 I would be both pleased & flattered to see the current tale in the Pulsar.
531 Is there any way I could get a copy w/out joining?
532             && TMA &&
533 && && &&
534 The Poet was enjoying this reality more and more. At first he assumed that
535 such an "advanced" culture would not take his cash, but when he cautiously
536 approached the barman with a coin it was accepted with astonishing greed.
537 Apparently gold was a rather rarer commodity here than in Innisfall. Now,
538 with only two coins gone from his purse, he found himself with a bar tab 
539 paid for some time in advance and the in the company of an attractive (if
540 rather overly top-heavy) young lady. I could get used to this, he thought
541 to himself, even if the ale is so thin I have to drink twice as much of it.
542 A contented smile played across his lips and his toe tapped to the Piper's
543 tune as he surveyed the room from above his fourteen empty glasses.
544             && The Mad Actor &&
545 **********************************************************************:
546 <<< POP! >>> The Innkeeper suddenly appears in front of the errant group
547 of travelers. Well! There you are! have any of you seen PAM around here?
548 She seems to be a bit overdue in her return from her latest trip. Tsk tsk..
549 Well, if any of you do see her, chase her back home to the Inn would you?
550 <<< POP! >>> As suddenly as the Innkeeper appeared, he disappeared.
551 ***************************: CISTOP MIKEY ******************************:
552 ***************************************************************************
553 Hello Mike Galassi, just wanted to ask  how long it takes to acquire a password 
554 for Nerd.              Thanx, wendell
555 *********************################################************************
556   I THIINK I WILL STICK AROUND AFTER A WHILE THIS COLLLECTION OF TALES BECOMES
557 WELCOME,HENCEFORTH MIGHTN'T I BEG A LITTLE MORE FOR MY PAARCHED MIND.QUITE GOOD.
558 GOOD DAY.    P.J. HATHORNE
559 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
560 The piper looked around at the growing group.  "We are almost back together--
561 just a few left to go!"  He walked over to the door of the tavern and stood
562 outside on the sidewalk.  "Now if I can just keep from being arrested --"
563 he raised his pipes and sent the most carrying tunes he knew out into the 
564 evening air.  If they only heard them...
565 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
566 ..........................................................................
567 to gary--
568      i can give you some information on technical writing in the local area
569 as i are one.  call whispering pines (682-xxxx) and post a message there.  
570 i'll return a message under my real name.
571 .....................................................................n.......
572 ***************************************************************
573                        HEY ALL OF
574                        YOU COMPUTER
575                        BOZO'S. WHY
576                        DON'T YOU GIVE
577                        YOUR HEAR TO
578                        SOMETHING WITH
579                        SOME MEANING?
580                        DO YOU LIVE
581                        YOUR LIVES IN
582                        FEAR OF WHAT
583                        WILL COME AFTER
584                        WHAT YOU CALL
585                        THE END? DO YOU
586                        WANT TO KNOW?
587        ARE YOU AFRAID OF EVIL? ARE YOU UNSURE ABOUT THE
588       POWERS YOU DON'T POSSESS? ARE YOU UNSUCCESFUL? DO
589        YOU WANT SUCCES? CAN YOU ACHIEVE IT HERE? ARE YOU
590        HIDING? I BET YOU ARE. WHERE DID YOU SEE YOURSELF
591                        LAST? WAS IT IN 
592                        THE MIRROR? THE
593                        WINDOW TO THE
594                        WORLD OF ILLUSION?
595                        ARE YOU DEAD??
596 *****************************************SATAN'S.ROCKER*************************
597 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
598 WHO'S THE INTELLECTUAL ABOVE?........................SORRY, I REMOTELY FEEL
599 THAT MY COMMENT WAS RUDE..........REMOTELY.............................VERY.
600 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!DEBORAH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
601 VERRRY REMOTLY.....      MIKEY
602 ***************************************************
603 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
604   yes, yes....  I miss Pam too, CISTOP... though I might never express such
605 on DA, whose to see if I beg her return on the lowly bottom of DB?
606 
607  So, i will place the ultimate temptaion on DB...(no! not the "ultimate
608 temptation"! anything but the.....) yes! here it is ! watch out PAM!
609   there are a whole 15 lines of text left on DB! 15 LINES! WASTED! 
610 and DA is just about to roll over..... tsk, tsk, tsk......
611                                                     Aaron
612 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
613 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
614   piper: mundania too much for you? are you out in the Xanthian suburbs?
615 Aloha? Troutdale? ???......well, if you brave the elements and make it to
616 the next PorSfiS, look me up....
617   RONNIE: gee....   (almost) funny... 
618                                                 Aaron
619 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
620 {
621    Gary: tank u, tank u, tank u. And anow, a word from oura sponsor..
622 }
623 <><> sorry... upload to wrong disk..  delete at will last 2 mssgs..<><> 

>