textfiles/messages/BACKWATER/bw840529.txt

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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ********************** REMOVED: 29 MAY 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 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 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
21  Oh my, golly gee, I'm on top!
22 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
23    Morby ate his meal slowly and without interest.  After he had finished he
24 and Dawg went into their room to grab some esentials, including his sword. He
25 left the Inn and went to look for the book worm fellow.  After a bit, he found
26 the Lazy One under tree, absorbed in a tome of some sort.
27   " Sorry to bother you like this, but I'd really like something to read.
28 Maybe something on the art of wandering, or something on that line."
29   The Lazy One glanced up, and then a look of comprehension appeared on his
30 face.
31   "  How about a comprehensive text an thieving talents?"
32   "  Down my alley...sounds wonderful."
33   The book materialized before his Morby's eyes.
34   "  If you would please sign it out...I don't like losing my books."
35   Morby went through the process of signing the book out, and looked for a 
36 place to read.  After some looking around, he settled for a patch of grass
37 next to a tree, and with Dawg's head at his feet, he began to read.
38 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
39   Sorry if I used your character incorrectly, but I wanted some interaction.
40 Lord Morby....
41 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
42 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (Back to 120 columns!) +++++
43 (Due to a large demand that SOMETHING happen, I shall try my best...)
44 ... a man of amazing stature and an absolute evil look about him entered.  He calmly looked about, and said in a low
45 voice, "Danger Room?"  Milchar and the Doctor exchanged worried glances, and silently agreed.  "Lead on." 
46 The two travellers turned about and lead the man through a maze of tunnels, corridors, and side passages, untuil at
47 last they arrive at a set of double doors of massive size.  "K-9, activate the Dager Room, Danger Level 'Maroon'.  
48 Validation code: cheeseburger."  K-9 replies, "Room activated, confirmed validation code.  Room is now LETHAL, Master."
49 The double doors slide aside, as the three combatants enter to commence their silent challenge.....
50 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar & The Doctor +++++++++++++
51 
52 ##########################################################################################
53 NOW THAT'S BETTER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, BUT AT LEAST IT'S ORIGINAL. GOOD WORK. MAX
54 ##########################################################################################
55 &%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%
56 Pam, if you're out there, this is for you:
57 
58   "My heart has rooms that sigh with dust
59     And ashes in the hearth.
60   They must be cleaned and blown away
61     By daylight's breath.
62   But I cannot essay the task,
63   For even dust to me is dear;
64   For dust and ashes still recall,
65     My love was here.
66 
67   "I know not how to say Farewell,
68      When that Farewell is the word
69   That stays alone for me to say
70     Or will be heard.
71   But I cannot speak out that word
72   Or ever let my loved one go:
73   How can I bear it that these rooms
74     Are empty so?
75 
76   "I sit among the dust and hope 
77      That dust will cover me.
78   I stir the ashes in the hearth,
79      Though cold they be.
80   I cannot bear to close the door,
81   To seal my loneliness away
82   While dust and ashes yet remain
83    Of my love's day."
84 
85                          Pitchwife
86 &%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&% 
87 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
88 I might as well enter A message on here also,
89 is there a game going on over this System?
90 I keep seeing messages about "A Bard"
91 Well, I am slowly learning this system.
92 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+The Zorker.+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
93 1
94 1
95 2
96 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
97 Zorker:There is no 'game' here per se, but the people (all-inclusive term) here enjoy a little aventure.  Yes, the
98 Bard is one such person; I am another.  If you feel the urge to join us, do so!  We need all the imagination we can
99 get (even though we are never short).
100 ++++++++++++
101 The three fighters move to the opposite sides of the large hexagonal chamber, the roof being easily 300 yards high
102 and the diametercould just as easily be over 200 yards.  Trees, bushes, even a river decorate the scene, the illusion
103 of which is only ruined by the whirr of mdeath machinery sliding into place.  In the center of the room is placed the
104 items that will serve as 'prizess' for the winners:K-9, The Amulet of Zelgar, and The Key of Time.  As a bonus, your
105 enemy is destroyed (convienient, is it not?)
106 Abruptly, vesta-cannons erupt with deadly violet flame that wreaks havoc wherever the remote aims itself.  A hum in 
107 the air preceeds dozens of small jet-like aircraft the size of paper airplanes that deal out a less pleasandt demise...
108 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
109 (How'm I doin', folks?)
110 
111 
112 ----------------------------------------
113 Hawthorn:try welding,car repair,building things works great wonders!
114 Quizmaster:a heartfelt thanks! yes,I should not expect reality from 
115 thease people,how stupid of me.
116 Hawthorn again:never,but NEVER talk about religion!
117 -------------shtoner--------------------
118 
119 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::O O::::::::::::::::::O O::::::::::::::::::::::
120 Shtoner:  if you are an alter-ego of a pre-existing BackWater Innhabitant,
121 I will assume that you are merely trying to disguise your identity.
122 If you are a truly new visitor, here's a short explanation of how the Inn seems
123 to work.  It has cycles.  For a while, it is mainly fantasy, essentially a verbal
124 D&D game; sometimes good, sometimes not so.  Currently we seem to be in the
125 mediocre mode.  After a while, the pendulum swings, and the bulk of the messages
126 relate to something "relevant".  Usually it ends up being a 'discussion' of religion. That's when a person named Aaron becomes
127 active, also the few female members are heard from then too.  Other topics such as anarchy are tried, but somehow also end
128 up being about religion.  That finally dies down, and the multi-authored
129 stories start up again... If you see one going that looks interesting, figure
130 a 'logical' way of joining in (logical within the bounds of the story, anyway).
131 If you want to try something different, try offering a story line.  Someone
132 might also find it interesting, and pick up on it.  Luck!
133 :::::::::::::
134 Milchar: a very intriguing story you have going.  Is it based on something
135 in particular, or is it entirely invented? 
136 Are the weapons controlled mentally; the arena a miniature world (the gods playing at war?)
137 Do you have any idea where it's going, or are you just 'winging' it?  I'm interested.
138 :::::::
139 L'homme: donde estas?
140 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::O O:::::::voyeur::::::::::O O::::::::::::
141 
142 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
143   Far away from the familiar haunts of the inn, the piper was travelling a very
144 strange path.  His kilt was stained with travel, and his brouges dusty with many
145 miles, but his step was steady.  The path shown beneath his feet with a steady
146 silvery light, sparkling up as his feet lightly scuffed the surface.  Above, in
147 negative, shown the image of the path.  
148   As he walked, his pipes carried at his side, the very air about him seemed to
149 flash and change with his motion.  Occasional side roads would appear, and he 
150 would peer down them, shake his head, and continue.  Once, he seemed ready to 
151 go to the end of one side road, but the golden collar shaped like a dragon that
152 encircled his throat pulsed a warning at him, and he turned back to the main 
153 path.  Finally muttering "I've got to get some rest somewhere!", he took a 
154 likely looking side path.  As his feet left the main pathway, the continual
155 flikering slowed, and it seemed that he moved through three-dimensional images
156 that shifted abruptly as he travelled.  He stopped once or twice and examined
157 the scenes he saw, but moved on quickly.  
158   At last he came to an unoccupied meadow with a small brook bubbling through 
159 the center of it.  Moving as though down a steep hill, he stepped into the 
160 meadow -- the shining path disappeared behind him.  Evening was just falling in
161 the meadow, the piper quickly made a fire, stored his pipes in a fabric cover to
162 protect them from the damp, wrapped himself in his plaid to protect himself 
163 from the gathering chill and toasted a half-loaf of bread over the coals.  
164 Taking a large chunk of cheese from his sporran, he propped it on a framework
165 of twigs near the fire.  As the heat melted the cheese, he scooped it with 
166 toasted morsels of the bread.  After eating his fill, the piper returned the
167 bread and cheese to his sporran, took a drink of water from the brook, then
168 came and sat by the fire.  Streching out, he began to wonder what had happened
169 with his friends at the inn.  What strange creatures had come in that weather-
170 beaten and weapon-scarred door?  What strange fluids had been passed over that
171 blackened bar-top?  As he speculated, he became aware of thin, colored, gauze-
172 like filaments filling the air.  Idly, he reached out his forfinger and spun a
173 green-colored one around it.  Looking at the colors, he felt a slight resistance
174 as he dropped off to sleep.
175 21
176 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
177 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
178 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
179   WELL NOW.ISN'T THIS GREAT.I
180 `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `'
181    It had been a long voyage and many diverse realities since the ancient
182 practitioner had seen his friends, of that convoluted eddy known as "The
183 Backwater". First there had been the trans-time, cross-discipline, enrichment
184 conference. The King, of course, had insisted that there be a representive
185 in attendance. Considering most of the papers that were read, he suspected
186 the reasons were more political than academic. Really, a two hour treatise on
187 determining the artistic or intellectual bias of the individual, based on
188 whether they install the roll of toilet paper in the holder with the loose
189 end rolling off the front or the back. The trip, however, had not been void
190 of merit. In his discussions with other attendees he had picked up a paradox
191 or two. "A Pair of Paradoxum", now that had a multitude of possibilities. One
192 of the items was the funniest joke ever told. There was one slight problem.
193 When someone heard it told, they laughed so hard that they died laughing. How
194 one can learn the story, and remain in existence was a story in itself. Maybe
195 the folks at the Inn would find it amusing. He had set sail for there some
196 days previously, but a great deal more water would flow under the keel before
197 he made landfall again. 
198    As he stretched out on deck in the tropical sun, his mind ranged out to
199 pick up any hint of mental activity. What was that? ## ~~~~~~~~~  @^@^%@!%#*&
200 ----- _______ ++++ ******** [][][][][ jjjj pppppppppppp... ## He sat up quite
201 suddenly, his mind spinning wildly. There was a great familiarity to the
202 pattern. Perhaps, if he brought his own mind to a more precise focus... With
203 that thought he relaxed and surrendered himself to the gentle swaying of the
204 boat's motion.
205 `' `' `' `' `' -alchemist- `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `' `'
206 Lord Morby:	That's "ridding" not "riding"! (I have this picture of you sitting
207 astride the world of evil...)
208 __________________________________Leonard__________________________________
209 Voyeur: try checking your Laumer collection for "Worlds of the Imperium" and its
210 sequels. One of them (the one with the apes) has Bayard using an improvised 
211 vehicle for crossing the world-lines.
212 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BARD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
213 Lazy one: I can't seem to find that quote in the source that the last two came
214 from? (By the way, how IS Ahz these days?)
215 	"The only thing more reliable than magik is one's friends"
216 			MACBETH
217 .....................................the apprentice.............................
218 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
219 HAWTHORNE--I think that you are really starting to push it.  Why don't you
220 go on vacation for a week?
221 ????????????????
222 Piper--so glad to have you back!  It's so refreshing to have one of
223 our quality writers rejoin us.  (Now, where's PAM?)
224 ?????????????????
225 Milchar--the banana is 5 3/4 inches long.  Unfortunately, that is the only
226 answer given in the book.  If you want to see how it's done, it's up to you.
227 ??????????????????????????? QUIZMASTER ?????????????????????????????????
228 
229 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
230   YES ZORKER; THERE ARE MANY D+DERS, A LOT OF OTHER STUFF ERS AND SOME OF US
231 EVEN READ OCCASIONALY.  I'VE NEVER ZORKED MYSELF BUT I KNOW SEVERAL
232 WHO HAVE.  
233 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
234 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJTMNXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
235   "DON'T WORRY TOOO MUCH.  I'M NOT GOING TO PUT US TO COUNCEL ANY IMMEDIATE
236 MOMENT.  ITS JUST PART OF MY FUNCTION TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS SOMETIMES."
237   THEMNAX BOUGHT FAST FRED A GARGLE-BLASTER AND ANOTHER FOR HIMSELF.  HE HANDED
238 THE BARKEEP A NINGY AND TOLD HIM TO KEEP THE CHANGE.  "I WONDER IF EITHER
239 OF YON CAT-LIKE CRITTERS LIKES ETHANOL?" HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF.  
240 HE BARROWED A LARGE EMPTY BOWL FROM THE BAR AND POURED HALF OF HIS DRINK
241 INTO IT AND SET IT ON THE FLOOR NEAR GREENEYES.
242 JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJTMNXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
243 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
244   AS LONG AS THE GENERATING OF UNNECESSATY AND INAPPROPRIATE PSYCO-SOCIAL
245 STRESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUNDANENESS CONTINUE TO BE LOOKED UPON
246 AS SOCIALY AND MORALY ACCEPTABLE, TRUE FREEDOM WILL NOT BE 
247 ATTAINED!
248 ---------------------------------THE GURU OF BLIS-------------------------------
249 (I REALIZE THE HABITUEES OF THE INN ARE ABOVE SUCH THINGS BUT THE EXTERNAL
250 SOCIAL AMBIENT STILL SEEMS TO BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS)
251 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
252   OKAY,GURU.I WAS REPRIMANDED BY  QUIZMASTER ALLREADY TODAY.AT  THE LEAST OF IT YOU HAVE NOT AS SOME HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE
253 THE LAST BASTON OF POLITICAL TRU TH AND WELL BEING.THE MISSPELLI NG OF BLISS POINTS OUT LIMITS  YET UNSAID TO YOUR INTELLECT.
254   IF MY BOREDOM AND SUBSEQUENT  PLEASE ARE NOT UP TO SNUFF THEN I WONT SAY ANYTHING UNLESS SPOKE N TO.AND INDEED THAT WAS MY
255 PLAN.BUT WHEN I FEEL INSULTED,EV EN IF QUITE INDIRECTLY THEN I  CONSIDER THAT TO BE BEING SPOKEN TO.I AM SORRY FOR TAKING UP 
256 THE 60  OR LESS LINES THAT I END ED UP TAKING.BUT IN THAT 60 OR SO LINES I SAVED MYSELF FROM GOI NG STIR CRAZY.WHEN YOU CONSI-
257 DER THAT 60 LINES IS THE RECCOME NDED HIGH LEVEL FOR A SINGLE   MESSAGE WELL THEN I DIDNT TAKE  TOO MUCH SPACE.AND AS FOR THE 
258 USUALITY OF SUCH THINGS.REMEMBER THAT I SEARCHED AND SEARCHED FO R PROPER TERMINAL PROGRAMS AND LATER ADOPTED A VERY 'IFY'
259 LINE LENGTH OF 126.IT TOOK A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR BUT I THINK I EVENTUALLY GOT IT A BIT RIGHT. AND FOR THE SO CALLED CREATI-
260 VITY LAG OF WHICH YOU SPEAK WELL I AM NOT REPEAT NOT<!> A VERY  EXCELLENT WRITER.I KNOW THIS BUT I TRY.I GIVE WHAT I THINK ARE
261 GOOD FIRM ENTRIES INTO THE STORY LINE.I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WAS BAD ENOUGH OR STUPID ENOUGH TO BE BANNED FROM BLACKWATER!DONT
262 THINK THAT A SINGLE SWIPE INTO  THE SIDE CORNER WILL GET ME OUT. IT WOULD HAVE A WHILE AGO AND  DID FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS BUT
263 I DID COME BACK,AND I GAINED A  NICE LITTLE QUOTE UNQUOTE THICK SKIN TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM HIGH AND MIGHTIES LIKE YOU.I AMN'T
264 ONE THAT WILL BE SWEPT ASIDE ANY MORE!
265   PROMETHEUS HAWTHORNE '84
266 *$)#@*%)!%*!)*%$#)!*^)#*^)#%*)^*!)$%*#^)@$%*&)*!)&*!)&*%$)*&)$%*&)$%*&)^*&)%*&%)^*&)%^*&)%^&*)%^*&)%^*&)%^*&)%*&)&*&)*%
267 Finally made it back on...The inn seems to have gathered a few new members...
268 voyeur : Je suis... More later...
269 MIG: Since when is a 16 year old too much to handle??? Maybe about 10 years ago when they started learning more when
270 they were 14??? Anyway...our mutual friend may make a re-appearance if certain things don't improve markedly...Need I
271 say more...n'est pas?
272 MIKEY: ON THE SUBJECT OF COPYLINK. DOES IT SUPPORT ANY KIND OF TERMINAL EMULATION? IS IT STRAIGHT ADM 3A? WOULD IT PERHAPS
273 HANDLE VT100 OR TV 950? AND THIS CP/M EMULATOR? AVAILABLE FOR PCDOS ALSO NO DOUBT? THERE ARE DIFFERENCES AS I AM SURE YOU 
274 KNOW. I WOULD BE A DEFINITE CUSTOMER FOR SUCH A PRODUCT, AS I AM SURE MANY OTHERS WOULD
275 BE TOO? A FEW QUESTIONS...WHAT 5.25" FORMATS WOULD IT HANDLE? WOULD IT BE COMPATIBLE WITH MBASIC, CBASIC, BDS C, ETC...?
276 WOULD IT TAKE ADVANTAGE (RAM DISK, SPOOLER) OF ANY ADDITIONAL MEMORY THAT MAY EXIST IN THE MSDOS-PCDOS MACHINE? WHEN WILL
277 IT BECOME AVAILABLE?
278 Quizmaster - Thanks for your comeback...and touche on the comments to hawthorne. It is getting quite
279 excessive...
280 Bard: Who is this dreamtoucher? I don't recall giving anyone else a ride in the car. The back seat is kinda crowded already 
281 with all your gear...
282 *)@#*$)@$*@#)%*@#5
283 I took the exit Bard pointed out...and sure enough, there was the gas station off to the right. But is wasn't your normal 
284 Texaco or awful brothers station. The name on the sign, which seemed to be spinning without the aid of any visible support,
285 read "Reality 76". Under that a small sign proudly displayed the message, "Best restrooms for terrestrials of any kind"
286 We pulled into the station, and a strange attendant walked up to us and said, "What'll it be boys?" "Premium leaded please"
287 I replied... "Premium leaded? What's that? Is this some kinda joke?" "Joke? Hello no! This car runs on PREMIUM LEADED!!!"
288 "No need to get angry sir! It's just that we don't sell anything here callpremium leaded. Let me get my manager."
289 "That won't be necessary", interjected Bard. "My friend here isn't familiar with the local brand names... Let me explain..."
290 *$)@#*$@#)$*#@)$* L'homme sans parity - aussi sans l'essence *)#@*$)#*$)*$23)*$#@)%*@#)%*)%*)@*$%)@
291 
292 *****************************************************************************
293 Just when the book was really getting interesting there was loud commotion
294 over by the door of the inn. Irritated the lazy one looked up just in time
295 to see a semi-seething mass of protoplasm on horseback attack one of his
296 new friends. Reacting quickly for one of his temperment, he sat back and
297 thought for fifteen minutes, ignoring the fight except to casualy float
298 aside from the combatants as they rolled around on the ground. Finally 
299 making up his mind, he waved and a new book appeared floating slightly above
300 the other book. Mumbling to himself he flipped pages until he located the
301 proper spell. Ah, oh protean one, since you like to fight. The lazy one 
302 made some gestures with his hands and fingers, joints popping like fat on
303 campfire. Suddenly the raging fighting mass of whatever began to shrink
304 Smaller and smaller it (grew?) changing shape all the while. Ten minutes
305 later it had turned into an extremely viscious and active shrew. Go find
306 some other world to fight on, the lazy one said as the shrew disappeared 
307 with a pop. That spell will wear off in a few days but it may take him 
308 longer to find his way back from that world.
309 Remember, In times of crisis, it is of utmost importance not to lose
310           ones head.           M. ANTOINETTE
311 ************************************************ THE LAZY ONE *********
312 Hearing the noises of combat outside the door of the inn, Whisper pulled
313 her mace from her belt but otherwise did not look up from her conversation
314 with the Apprentice.
315 ******************************* WHISPER *******************************
316 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
317 Tally Ho(e)...For god's sake will people stop correcting my spelling. I know it 
318 awful.  Secondly, how 'bout someone with knowledge making a list of all the
319 
320 present people at the Inn.  I have lost count....
321 ::::::::::::::::::::
322   Morby looked up only to see that the Lazy One had taken all the fun for 
323 himself by defeating the present nasty.
324   " You could have at least spread it out !" he yelled.
325   He looked at Dawg and then resigned himself to reading the manual.  Unkwown
326 to the luckless individuals a small advance scout group of giant intelligent
327 ants was approaching the I.
328 ::::::::::::::::::::
329   Sounds corny, huh?  Well sorry, the place needs some action.  If you don't
330 like the idea, well just kill them off.  On the other hand, you might leave
331 one or two for me.  
332   I must appoligize for my writing style...seems like I'm composing the stuff
333 for a comic book.                 Morby
334 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
335   CISTOP MIKEY:I TRUST THAT BY  NOW YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE DONE.I DI D IT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE AND I ASK THAT YOU LEAVE IT THAT WAY
336 ,PLEASE?                                  HAWTHORNE
337 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
338 Voyeur:Yes, I know where may story's going, but not completely (I know where to go, but not yet how to get there).
339 Some of the things in the story are from other worlds, things I have read, and so on- but not all, nor even most.
340 +++++++++++++
341 The jets spewed out thin streams of universal solvent (Guaranteed to dissolve anything when the component parts are
342 mixed together!).  The solvent falls, and Milchar fadses for a moment as a stream of the stuff slices through the 
343 space where he had been.  "It's a good thing the floor is Solvent-proof... and that I can make myself into a shadow."
344 Meanwhille, The Doctor was also having problems- Two of the vesta-cannons had decided to obliterate him.  Drawing out
345 his sonic screwdriver, he dodged yet another blast that almost knocked him over.  Leaping to the wall, he uses the 
346 'driver to open up one of the cannons, using the brush for cover.  Working frantically, he severs the control module-
347 and then, with a flick of the wrist, enables the 'LOCAL AIMING CONTROL'.  Operating deftly, a few wires here and there
348 crossed, The Doctor leaps aside as the cannon again activeates, now homing in on The Black Guardian...
349 ...who is busy gesuturing  a spell, in hopes that it will destroy some of these play-toys so he can get down to business
350 with the others.  A streak of light flows from his outstreched finger... to strike a cannon on the far wall.  The 
351 resulting explosion produces no noise, but the light... 
352 +++++++++++
353 In a nearby empty room, a CRT flashes dimly as sheer destructive power is unleased below.  The words found on the 
354 terminal say:
355 DANGER ROOM ACTIVATED-  AUTHORIZATION CODE !MAROON!
356 RULES:  NONE, EXCEPT THAT THE COMBATANTS MAY NOT LEAVE UNTIL ONE IS DEAD.
357 <NOW ACTIVATING EXTRA-DIMENSIONAL CUT-OFF AND SIGMA FIELD>
358 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++++++++++++++
359 ***************************************************************
360 HAWTHORNE: I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO, BUT
361 I MIGHT REMIND YOU OF THE RULES OF NOT VANDLIZING OTHERS MESSAGES.
362 BESIDES ALL THE OTHER ASPECTS, IT ISN'T VERY POLITE.
363 ******************* CISTOP MIKEY ********************************
364 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
365 The Doctor searches through his coat for his Danger Room Remote Control Module.
366 "Milchar, how many times must I tell you that we only kill if absolutely 
367 necessary!!!  Ah ha!  There it is...One flick of the switch, and...There we go.
368 Milchar, head for the door while the Black Guardian's busy!!"  The Doctor and
369 Milchar jump through the door and shut it.  As they do, they see the Black 
370 Guardian jump for the dootr(to no avail.).  "Head for the control center.  We'll
371 give him a run for his money!!!"  "This ought to be fun!!!" exclaims Milchar.
372 "K-9, override the present Danger Room program running, and give me full con-
373 trol of the room."  "Affirmative, Master...Completed.  Danger Room in your full
374 control.  Activating main viewing screen."  The screen slides up to reveal the
375 Black Guardian standing in the midat one edge of the Danger Room looking about 
376 wondering what happened.  He then lookks at the center of the room and sees the
377 Amulet of Zelgar and the Key to Tinme.  He runs for them.  When he is about 10'
378 away from them, The DOoctor flips a switch, and they dissapear.  $This isn't 
379 fair, Doctor!!!$  "Look who's talking" replies The Doctor.  I knew from the 
380 minute you entered the Tardis, that you didn't have the Key with you.  You see
381 I expected something like this from you, just as you should have expected some-
382 thing like this from me."  The Doctor turns to Milchar, "Well, should we give
383 him Danger Room Sequence #152?"  "Which one is that, again?"  "Surely you 
384 remember that one.  You helped write it!!!  It's the Dimat Sequence."  "That's
385 cruel...I like it!!  Go for it."  The Doctor then starts key the sequence while
386 at the same time, he tells the Guardian:  "We hfave a very special sequence that
387 we'd like to test out on you.  You don't have much choice.  You know we don't
388 kill, but this sequence will make you wish you were dead...Milchar, key it on 0
389 Ready?  10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.  Key it NOW!!!"  Milchar keys it in
390 and the Danger Room roars to life.  In the center of the room stands the figure
391 of a tall, white bearded, powerful man.  The Black Guardian looks up and then
392 screams in terror....
393 
394 ?????????????????????????????????????????? The Doctor & Milchar ????????????????
395 ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()())()()()()()()()()()()()()
396 back at the inn, pheric foerender,confused at all the attacks and to-be attacker
397 s. opens his pouch and draws  out a ybow(he could shoot it better than a gun)
398 and a quiver of 50 arrows,then walks out and quietly sits down and waits.
399 (maybe for giant ants?)he hasa feeling that danger is near, but what could
400 it be?he wonders.as he is waiting he idly chews on a blade of grass.he see's
401 the lazy one and whisper a ways off below a tree, ad whisper has her mace out
402    he starts to hum a tune he heard on another planet,was it dulon or suykin
403 he cant remember......
404               pheric f.(i dont do capitals)
405 ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()())()()()()()()()()()()()(())
406 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*DREAMTOUCHER*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
407   HAVING RESTED MUCH ON THE LONG, SO FAR REALITIVLY UNEVENTFUL
408 RIDE, DREAMTOUCHER FELT MUCH RESTORED.
409   AS THEY APPROACHED THE EXIT ITSELF, BARD TOLD L'HOMME;"THIS LOOKS LIKE A 
410 LIKELY PLACE.  
411   THEY LEFT THE BROAD, SMOOTH, TRAFFIC FILLED ROAD BY WAY OF THE CURVING
412 EXIT, THE ONE LABLED BABILON BUISNESS LOOP NORTH.  TO DREAMTOUCHER
413 THIS WAS A NEW LAND OF MANY WONDERS.  AFTER PASSING FOUR OR FIVE
414 WIDELY SPACED SIDE STREETS, THEY PARKED UNDER THE OPEN SHELTER PROJECTING
415 FROM A SMALL SHELTER.  OTHER CARS PULLED UP AND PARKED IN LINE
416 BEHIND THEM.  ABOVE THE BUILDING ON A TALL POLE WITH AN OVEL OF SOME 
417 UNFAMILIAR TRANSLUCENT GLOSSY MATERIAL NEAR ITS TOP.  ON IT WAS PICTURED
418 IN A CONTRASTING COLOR OF THE SAME ODD STUFF (VOYER TOLD HIM IT WAS CALLED
419 PLASTIC) WAS A PICTURE OF A FOURLEGGED FINBACK WITH A RIDER WITH WILDLY
420 FLYING POUCH (IMPLYING MOVEMENT AT GREAT SPEED) AND A ROW OF ODDLY SHAPED
421 MARKES (BELOW THE SYMBOL) WHICH BARD TRANSLATED AS: 'PONI EXPRESS GASSAHOL
422 , SUPER FLITE FUEL AND UNTETRATED REGULAR'.
423   DREAMTOUCHER WAS ASSURED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND TO BE EXPECTED,
424 JUST WHAT L'HOMME AND BARD HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR, INFACT.
425   THE SCEEN WHICH GREETED THAIR EYES WHEN THEY ACTUALY OPPENED THE DOORS
426 AND STEPED OUT HOWEVER, WAS VERYMUCH NOT!
427   THE LINE OF CARS WHICH HAD JUST PULLED UP BEHIND THEM, NOW COULD BE SEEN
428 TO BE IMMOBILE PILES OF RUST WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN SETTING THERE 
429 FOR YEARS, PERHAPS CENTURIES!
430   THERE WAS NO ONE ABBOUT, THE BUILDINGS
431 GLASS HAD LONG SINCE BEEN BROKEN AND VANDELIZED, EVEN THE PUMPS WERE USELESS 
432 RUSTED LUMPS.  INSIDE THE 'STATION' WAS NO BETTER, ONLY THE BUILT IN
433 CABBINETTS REMAINED AND A YELLOWED STAINED MAP LAY IN A PILE IN
434 ONE CORNER WARE THE THUMB TACKS WHICH HAD HELD IT TO THE WALL HAD RUSTED
435 THROUGH AND FAILED.  IT WAS A GRID OF STREETS AND ROADS AND NEAR ITS MIDDLE
436 WAS A LARGE FADDED PURPLE DOT WITH THE WORDS YOU ARE HERE.
437   L'HOMME BENT TO PICK IT UP AND IT CRUMBLED TO DUST IN HIS FINGERS.
438   EVEN THE DUST WAS BLOWN AWAY AND SCATTERED BY THE BREEZE WHICH CAME
439 IN THROUGH THE BROKEN GLASS OF THE DOOR.
440   BACK IN THE CAR, BARD ADJUSTED HIS CONSOLE, MUTTERING SOMTHING ABOUT 
441 GHALDRON-HESTHOR GLITCHES.  DRIVING ON INTO TOWN, LOOK THOUGH
442 THEY MIGHT, NO ONE COULD SPOT ANY TANGABLE SIGN OF LIFE.  
443   CAR GAVE UP, GASPING, OUT OF FUEL, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A CURB.
444   FROM TIME TO TIME, OUT OF THE CORNER OF THAIR EYES, THE ROADWORN 
445 TRAVILERS CAUGHT GLIMPSES OF WHAT APPEREAD TO BE NORMAL SCIENTIENT
446 ACTIVITY.  YET WHENEVER ANYONE TURNED TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT WHATEVER 
447 HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE SEEN, IT WOULD TURN OUT TO BE NO MORE THAN
448 A BREEZE STIRRED BRANCH OF TREE OR SHRUB.
449   EVERYWARE THERE WERE TALL BUILDINGS.  THE CITY, FOR INDEED THAT IS WHAT IT WAS
450 , OR HAD BEEN, WENT ON FOR MILES AND MILES IN ALL DIRECTIONS.  SOME OF
451 THE BUILDINGS SEEMED LONG AGO TO HAVE BEEN SCORCHED BY FIRE FROM THE 
452 INSIDE OUT.  MANY MORE WERE COMPLETELY OR MOSTLY INTACT.  FOR ALL
453 THE STATE OF THE PLACE, THE STREETS WERE SUPPRISINGLY FREE OF DEBRIE OR RUBBLE.
454   INSIDE EACH BUILDING INVESTIGATED TURNED OUT TO BE MUCH THE
455 SAME AS THE GAS STATION.  IT WAS ALMOST AS IF EVERYONE HAD LEFT, EN-MASS
456 IN AN ORDRELMANOR, TAKING ALL THAIR VALUABLE BELONGINGS WITH THEM.
457   ONLY AN EMPTY DESK HERE, AN OLD TABLE THERE, IN ONE ROOM A RUSTED
458 BEDSPRING WITH A LAYER OF MOLD WHICH MIGHT ONCE HAVE BEEN A MATRICE.
459 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*DREAMTOUCHER*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
460   THE FIRST EXCERSIZE FOR THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO DREAMSHAPING IS TO LOOK
461 AT YOUR HANDS WHILE DREAMING.  JUST GO TO SLEEP WITH THE THOUGHT IN YOUR MIND
462 THAT YOU WILL.  IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY BUT SOONER OR LATER IT WILL.
463 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
464 PLEASE DON'T EDIT THE ABOVE STORY ENTRY INTO UNINTELIGABILITY
465 AS SOMEONE SEEMES ALREADY TO BE DOING (OR
466 AM I JUST BEING PARANOID ?)  A LINE STATING RUBBLE ET.C THAT THE 
467 STREETS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SUPRISINGLY FREE OF SEAMES TO
468 HAVE ALREADY EVAPORATED.
469 I KNOW YOU (MIKEY) MIGHT WANT TO COMPACT THINGS A BIT.  JUST TRY NOT TO
470 COMPLETELY DELETE THE CONCEPTUAL ESSENTIALS UNTIL BARD, L'HOMME AND VOYER 
471 GET TO SEE THIS AND TELL ME WHAT THEY THINK.
472 THAT GOES DOUBBLE FOR HAWTHORN
473 (I'M NOT ACCUSING, JUST PLESE DON'T! 
474 TNX DREAMTOUCHER.
475 ALSO DID ANYONE NOTICE ABOUT OLD RELIABLE NOT ANSWERING THE PHONE
476 TODAY?  ANYBODY KNOW HOW COME?
477 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
478   NO I DID NOT DECIDE TO BECOME EVEN LESSER LIKABLE AND DESTROY ANY AND ALL LEG-
479 IBILITY IN DREAMTOUCHER'S LATEST ENTRANT.I JUST REMOVED SOME OLD STUFF THAT HAS
480 BEEN SCORNED BY OTHERS.I AM NOT A VANDAL,NOR SOMEONE WHO DIRELY FEELS THE NEED
481 TO DECIMATE OTHERS FOR THE SIMPL E REASON THAT THEY ARE DISGUSTE D WITH HIM/HER/
482 FREV/GANT/RETGE/CARIL.AS YOU SEE OR MIGHT IN ANY CASE THERE ARE NO MORE SANITY
483 SAVING MESSAGES ON THIS DISK.AND NOW ALL CISTOP MIKEY HAS TO DO IS DESTROY THEM
484 PERMANENTLY AND THAT IS ALL.
485   THE FORMER WAS ALMOST DONE IN A REGENERATION.NOT THE ACT OF BE ING AN ACTUAL
486 MOUND OF BLOBBULAR SLOP.HE HAD,A T LEAST AS FAR AS I KNEW NOT EV ENHAVING OF THE
487 STRENGTH NECESSARY TO FIANY ONE IF HE HAD TO,BUT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES?C'MON!
488 IN ANY CASE I AM NOT GOING TO   TAKE ANY MORE OH SO PRECIOUS SPA CE FOR FRIVOLUS
489 STUFF LIKE MESSAGES,OR THAT SORT OF STUFF.I WONT EVEN SIGN MNA ME.DOES THAT MAKE
490 YOU HAPPY?
491 
492 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
493   The dawn awoke the piper and he reluctantly unwound the thread that bound
494 him to the inn from his finger.  It had been long since he had looked in on
495 the inn, and saw several new inhabitants as well as several old friends.  Ah,
496 if it were just possible to spend more time, he would like to talk to them all,
497 hoist a few glasses and learn what adventures had befallen in his absence.
498   He sighed, took a lump of waybread from his sporran and made a hasty breakfast
499 washed down with a handful of water from the stream.  He shook the dew from 
500 his plaid, pleated it, then wrapped the end around his chest and fastened the
501 trailing end with a large silver brooch.
502   The first rays of light struck his face, and he looked up at what rose.  
503 Averting his eyes, he shuddered.  He knew he had come a long way, but this
504 was nearly too much to bear!  Longing for the simple light of a sun, he gathered
505 several of the lightly luminous strands in his hands, picked up the wrapped 
506 bagpipes, and took a step away from the meadow now illuminated by a horror that
507 brought the gorge to the back of his throat.  Pulling on the threads as on a
508 lifeline, his steps brought him to the main path and started the air around
509 him flickering like the scales of a gigantic fish.
510 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
511 Hello all, I won't be able to contribute every day as in the past, but I smay
512 be able to keep current now.  If so, I'll try to drop in on someone when I 
513 find out what's goint on.   --piper--
514 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
515 
516 ################################################################################
517      WHY IS EVERYONE PICKING ON POOR HAWTHORNE? HE SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A GUY WHO 
518 IS BASICALLY ALONE AND LONELY. WHY IS EVERONE ALWAYS ON HIS CASE? WHAT HAS HE 
519 REALLY DONE TO ANYONE?
520      OH SURE, I'LL ADMIT THAT HAWTHORNE'S SOCIAL SKILLS COULD USE A BIT OF 
521 POLISHING, BUT DOESN'T IT OCCUR TO YOU THAT THAT'S WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO. I'VE 
522 GOTTEN THE IMPRESSION THE GUY'S REALLY TRYING TO FIT IN. HE'S TRIED TO LEARN THE
523  RULES AND GO BY THEM. I THOUGHT HE WAS DOING PRETTY GOOD.
524      ONE OF CHARMS OF BACKWATER IS THAT IT IS A REFUGE FOR ODDBALLS. I DON'T SEE
525  THAT HAWTHORNE'S ANY STRANGER THAN MOST OF YOU (WELL MAYBE A LITTLE) AND I 
526 THINK HE DESERVES A BIT MORE RESPECT. AFTER ALL, HE'S HARMLESS, HE DOESN'T 
527 VERBALLY ABUSE ANYBODY, AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT HE'S 
528 INTO VANDALIZING THE SYSTEM. SINCE BACKWATER DOESN'T REALLY NEED A SCAPEGOAT WHY
529 DON'T WE GIVE HIM A BREAK?  MAX
530 ################################################################################
531 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
532     First this stranger comes up to me, asks me VERY pointed questions, and
533 now he wants to talk about 'arrangements'.  It's about time to say farewell
534 once again.  Wait a sec, is that a drink being pushed my way?  My type of
535 guy.  But it's time to set a few things straight.  "I'm mostly a go-between
536 lately.  I get orders for transportation and selling of goods, and then
537 collect a fat commission."  He looked at my clothes and said "You don't look
538 much like a successful bussness man to me."    "How often do you think people
539 will buy my type of stuff from a guy who dresses good enough to be an agent?"
540     Must be fairly new to this sort of thing.  The questions before giving
541 me his identity gives that away.  Oh well, drinks come seldom my way.  I may
542 as well drink slowly and enjoy it.
543                         Fast Fred                        BSAL
544 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
545 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
546 I WILL WRITE ON MY OWN SLAT 400 TIMES I WILL NOT PICK ON HAWTHORNE!
547 REALY I THINK THE UNEXPECTED SUN MUST HAVE FRIED MY NEURAL CIRCUITS.
548 I KNOW THATS A POOR EXCUSE.  IF ANYONE NEEDS TO APPOLOGISE ITS ME BUT
549 ITS JUST THAT THE COST OF ANYTHING EVEN REMOTLY RESEMBLING SPONTENIETY
550 FOR ME SEEMS TO BE THE RISK OF MAKING SOMTHING OFFENSIVE OF MYSELF.
551 THERE I GO MAKING EXCUSES AGAIN.  WHAT I'M REALY TRYING TO SAY IS 
552 HAWTHORNE COME BACK.
553 I'D SWEAR I SAW A LINE DISSAPPEAR IN FRONT OF MY EYES THOUGH, OR MAYBE JUST GET SKIPPED BY
554 THIS TERMMINAL.  I REALIZE YOU COULDN'T HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
555 AND WHILE I'M WASTING EVERYONES TIME AND SPACE WITH PUBLIC APPOLOGIES, I 
556 HAD NO IDEA CAR HAD ALREADY PULLED INTO A 'STATION'.  DONT KNOW
557 HOW I COULD HAVE MISSED THAT, I THOUGHT I HAD LOOKED. OH WELL.
558 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*DREAMTOUCHER*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
559 MIG: I FINALLY GOT ON THIS SYSTEM AND AM
560 REALLY ENJOYING READING THE VARIETY OF
561 MSGS THAT COME ON THIS BOARD. TTYL,
562                STING
563 OK...THE NEW ONE APPEARS. 
564 THERE IS A TALL, DARK FIGURE SITTING IN THE CORNER OF THE INN.
565 HE SITS UP SIPPING AN ALE AND LOOKS OVER AT WISPER. HE IS INTERESTED AND COMES 
566 TO GET AQUAINTED. HE IS ALMOST DRESSED IN BLACK AND HAS A VERY DEEP VOICE. HE
567 ASKS WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
568 ----------------------------------------

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