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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ************************** INSTALLED: 5 MAY 78 ***********************
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 Sorting on the part of mendicants must be interdicted.
21 *******************************************************
22
23 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (before I leave)
24
25 Heartbeats tolled the passing of time. In the drizzle of the misty
26 spring rain stands a small crowd of people lost from this world we know
27 only as Inisfal. A distance from Inisfal Proper is where I now kneel.
28 This is my story, and it is past due to finish that which I have started.
29 To some I am known only as the Guardian; that is not important, I have
30 lapsed in that duty for some two years now. Yet I am the Guardian.
31
32 I am kneeling in a secluded glen. The trees that surround this
33 opening are thin and scattered widely, though it is their great number that
34 separates us from the world. The dampness of the forest floor seeps
35 through my leggings, I have been here so long and I am sore. The glen is
36 quiet and I remain motionless.
37
38 There stands before me a young man, his back is turned on me. Hands
39 have been turned to fists, rage swells within him over a matter he does not
40 understand. His eyes are not open, within his consciousness is only aware
41 that I am behind him, a symbol of failure in that I hold his brother --
42 shot with my arrow. To him I am dead, yet still a burden on his mind.
43
44 "I hate you for what you have done, and nothing will change that,"
45 come the words to me as they drift over his shoulder.
46
47 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian (125:08)
48
49 And now I leave this wonderful town for the week. Upon my return I dearly
50 hope to have more to the conclusion of my story. Until my trek is over,
51 fare thee well stout travelers.
52 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (125:xx)
53
54 And in the back corner of the Inn sits a bemused student of the Arcane,
55 watching and listening and occasionally chuckling into her alemug...
56 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/Luingil\/\/\/\/\/\/(lurkmodeAgain)\/\/
57
58 (%#()_($@!)$(!)$*_)*_)$^*)^*)_*@+%*_!@*)%_@#^*@_^*@)(@#_)%*!__)~*_$*_)$*_)%*@_)
59 Mikey: A question. What ever became of the computer order? Answer where
60 apropos.
61 Guardian: Good to see you again. Believe me, I would give my eye-tooth to fare
62 a taxi on my nose this week.
63 Luingil: Another visitor from the South? What is the occasion? Welcome none-the-
64 less. And here's an ale on my tab...
65 %*#$%_@#)%_)%*_)*%@_&^_!%_#!)%&)_* L'homme sans Parity *%_*%@#_)%*!)%*!)!)%*!%!
66 ____05/05/87__________________JD 2446921.6159_________19:46:58_PDT_________
67 :::::=====:::::=====
68 Innkeeper: If my aid is not welcome, I will not feel hurt. I would just like
69 to know. I can understand your hesitation, but not knowing makes it
70 even worse. One need only say that they do not want me, perhaps they might
71 give a little reason why. I want to try to improve, but it is difficult when
72 I am not able to help the story and show my improvments. As you can see, for
73 the most part I have eliminated the annoying characters that jhkept getting
74 into the works. (I hope.) Occasional typos nonwithstanding, the line noise
75 is gone. Perhaps, if I may, I could try to write something, but I am unsure.
76 I want to explore, to know that someone actually thinks about what I write.
77 Even that little gesture that tells me "No." in a simple message would be
78 enough. Or, even better, that little gesture that says "Yes." though, from
79 past experience, I doubt that there are any who are willing to let me try
80 again. I''m just asking, but if there are no people here who feel I can
81 do better given the chance, then that is perfectly fine with me, and I am
82 sorry for taking up the space on the board for the good writers.
83 :::::=====:::::=====:::::=====:::::==Zephyr::=====:::::=====:::::=====:::::=====
84 Hay, does anyone have the Game Grid
85 number, because I lost it, and really
86 need it! Please leave a message here!
87
88 Thanks!
89
90 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
91 mike, nothing explains the EXIT command. what does that do, knock me into
92 send/recieve mode? i noticed everything went dead when i typed it in
93 (thinking it was like OFF), & i noticed that when i hung up (down?) the phone,
94 & called back, it was busy... what's that CoMmanD doing there?
95 max confusion with no explaination.
96 once again i ask, where do you get those phrases you put at the top? it would
97 be nice to have the complete works, to digest & puzzle over.
98
also, your diskwriter is not giving me carriage returns when i am in enter
99
mode.
100
friar: flattxry? what arx you talking about? all i wantxd was thx phrasxs.
101
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
102 oops. forgot to sign this.
103 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
104 sign in front of a restaurant:
105 anyone seen smoking in this room will be assumed to be on fire, and
106 appropriate action will be taken.
107 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
108 complete the following phrase:
109 knock, knock
110 who's there?
111 _________________
112 _________________ who?
113 ____________________________________
114 .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
115 IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION?
116 YESSSSS
117 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
118 J.M.- Flattery ? I didn't say anything about flattery,
119 at least to the best of my recollection.
120
121 I had wandxrxd outsidx for a whilx, and camx to thx pond.
122 I nqtpcxd a mashxd patch qf grass, and a strpp qf clqthpng
123 that was of the same type worn by the old hag and then
124 by the dancer. Very curious.
125 [][][][][][][][][][] Friar [][][][][][][][][][][][]
126
127
128
129
130 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
131 Zephyr: Maybe you should write your own story first, as an exersize
132 for writing style. This could be an example to those that you
133 want to write with. Maybe if they see that you're capable of a
134 lucid story on your own, they'll acknowledge you.
135 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>..!psu-cs!nelsons
136 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
137 Dreams and visions assaulted me, but I no longer felt the small pain in my
138 back. Instead, scenes flowed into view, then drained away leaving a dark
139 grey universe around me.
140 I saw a place of chaos, in which the Innkeeper pounded upon a door. Before I
141 could call out, he and the door vanished, leaving the chaos only.
142 I saw the common room of the Inn, with dozens of merry Inngoers ingaged in talk
143 and storytelling. The view was from a position in the room approximating that
144 of the mysterious door. This scene faded out just as the other had.
145 I saw a jigsaw, a large puzzle which lay complete except for a solitary piece,
146 which was located nearby. Somehow, the piece did not seem to fit into the
147 space it was intended for. As I watched, the piece slowly changed shape,
148 approaching the form required to fit into the jigsaw. Its progress was slow,
149 but nonetheless constant. The puzzle faded from view as had the others.
150 From far off I heard someone calling to me, as if whispering my name softly.
151 The visions caught me and I could make no response. I strove to locate the
152 voice, but to no avail.
153 The chaos withdrew, and left me again in the grey universe. Then a stinging
154 slap brought me from the roaming of strange planes.
155 Moments later I rediscovered my eyelids, and opened them to gaze upon those
156 people around me.
157 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar +++++++++++ May 6, 1987 at 6:15pm +++++++
158 Bard was startled as the 'window' collapsed. Turning towards the
159 others, he saw the reason. Milchar was slumped on the floor, his cards
160 spilling from his hand.
161 Cragmore was already kneeling beside him. It was just as well.
162 Bard was all too well aware of his lack of knowledge when it came to the
163 care of mages. He turned to the device that was still attached to the
164 door.
165 In a matter of moments, he had more than Milchar to worry about.
166 The readings made no sense whatsoever. The persona lock had confirmed that
167 it was indeed the Innkeeper, but he'd been too busy to do more than set
168 all sensors on record.
169 The readings for the area up to the door were about as he expected
170 some odd readings, but nothing extraordinary. And as usual, the door itself
171 didn't exist as far as the sensors were concerned. At least that was the
172 case before they'd started.
173 The door still didn't *really* register, but it's effects on the
174 energies directed at it did! Unfortunately, that wasn't much help without
175 much better gear than he had any hopes of getting to.
176 The "other side" was the real surprise. Except for the readings
177 that registered the Innkeeper's "aura" (soul?, ka?, no one had ever really
178 figured out what a persona detector detected, just that it was unique to
179 a given individual), the readings were best described as sheer chaos.
180 No readings, impossible readings, contradictory readings.
181 All at the same time. As if there wasn't really anything there? Or perhaps
182 as if something was *trying* to be there...
183 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BARD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
184 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~geebardyoustolemymarker~~~~~~~~~~5~6~87~~23~50~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
185
186 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
187 The man in the dark suit with the red flower in the lapel stood up. He
188 was even more elegant standing; he was wiry and graceful and looked at
189 Hammond with merry brown eyes. "I am Feril," he said. "You come with
190 me now." He smiled widely and bowed at the waist.
191 Hammond was charmed by his mannerly guest. "Greetings, Feril. I am de-
192 lighted to make your acquaintance." Hamm thrust out his hand and the
193 stranger took it, still smiling. "But, alas, my financial committee
194 awaits in the board room. Let's reschedule at a more convenient..."
195 The handshake strengthened into a hard grip and the dark eyes turned
196 melancholy. "You come with me now." In his other hand was a knife
197 whose sharp sinuously curved blade was covered with ornate carving. Hamm
198 could see some kind of gems set into the handle. "Turkish?" He was so
199 intrigued by its medieval appearance that he reached for it and Feril
200 neatly slashed the buttons from his cuff. "Greek, maybe," he murmured
201 putting his hand in his pocket. How the devil had he gotten in? Prob-
202 ably charmed security. Hamm made a mental note to tighten up on Inter-
203 marine National Security (whose logo, "I.N. Security" was almost as
204 good as his own, "HA!"). Feril released him from the captive handshake
205 but kept his curious weapon pointed just under the ribs. He had filled
206 Hamm's backpack and now thrust it at him. "You come with me now." He
207 was all business. As they left by the back, Feril thrust a small alarm
208 clock, several ballpoint pens, and a mechanical pencil into the pack.
209 Halfway down the stairs he paused and broke into a smile again. "I am
210 Feril!" he asserted happily.
211 Hamm was to learn that this was the extent of his English, but his son
212 the driver of the ancient International step-van waiting below knew
213 considerably more. "'Allo,'Allo, you are Hammond Armour the car man.
214 Don't forget your bike." He chattered at Feril in a language unrecogni-
215 zable to Hamm and Feril hoisted the old black bike easily into the van.
216 "I am Lapo, Feril's son." He smiled and trained an enormous pistol on
217 Hammond. "Please to relax. But don't go away. We will explain."
218 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
219
220 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
221
222 friar:if it wasn't you, then it must be an imposter. i wonder who said
223
224
"flattery will get you NOWHERE!" at me? they put it right under your message with
225 no borders...
226
down with imposters! blah! blah!
227
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
228 2. Corresponding to whom? - 'Boredom' amongst the young is a relatively
229 new concept, of course, and nothing whatsoever to do with Punk, which in a sencewas a
230 !@@#$@$#^%&(&&&*(*%^!!!
231
232
233
234 so with praise with phrase!!!!!!!!!
235 HOW CLEVER!
236 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5~7~87~~22~40~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
237 __________________05/08/87 ____________JD ???????? (not at my machine)
238 ____05/09/87__________________JD 2446925.6593_________20:49:23_PDT_________
239 :::::=====:::::=====
240 Innkeeper Mikey: Someone suggested I try my hand at writing something of my
241 own to show my stuff, and that then perhaps I could get into the multi-
242 author style of writing again, if my work was worthy enough. Is this a
243 possibility? Should I?
244 :::::=====:::::=====:::::=====:::::==Zephyr::=====:::::======::::=====:::::=====
245 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+-
246 At the moment I'm hoping for flattery to get me as far as I can get. <sigh>
247 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -JUGGLER- -+- -+- -+- -+-
248
249 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (notes)
250 Unnamed One: Don't worry, once I've finished my tale, the Guardian shall
251 disappear for good -- ever only to be seen on *NIX machines.
252 M. Parity: I defy you! I take my glove from your hand and throw it in
253 your face! What is this, profanity? Listen here lad, just
254 because you've done quite a bit of growing in the last year
255 or two does not allow for the use of such stark terminology.
256 Besides, why raise the ire of a rare visitor?
257 Luingil: (did I get it right this year?) How go the classes in Moo
258 Town? I trust the climate, courses and companions are
259 more than adequate for such an important time in your life.
260 Is it so... Dr. What?
261 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian (130:01)
262
263 (* IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIX (*) IXVIIIVIIVIVIVIIIIII *)
264 Guardian: I think that the profanity was written by a very unmerry
265 prankster. I hope that you keep writing. When I called on Friday the
266 system said "All Is Allowed" or something like that, which I think
267 means that somebody figured out some of the secret commands and
268 started messing with the first few entries. But, in keeping with the
269 childishness of the "dirty words", the person's attention span was
270 short because they soon stopped.
271
272 Green Eyes (05/10/87)
273
274 (* IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIX (*) IXVIIIVIIVIVIVIIIIII *)
275 ____05/10/87__________________JD 2446926.3229_________12:44:57_PDT_________
276 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
277 Zephyr - Stop fishing.
278
279 It had apparently been some time since I came out of the Inn, for a
280 new dawn was breaking. I turned my face to the new sun and saw a
281 playful cat in the clouds. The thought struck me that this was
282 somehow connected to the current problem I was researching. I
283 didn't know how, but it was related.
284
285 [][][][][][][][][][][][][] Friar [][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
286 *@#%*!_*!_*_!)*_!*$_)$*@!!@+%!%*&!_%*!_)*~+(@$(!%*#%&!)*!@+#@%&*#@)*@%@#%*@%_
287 Guardian: Eh? What's this about growth and profanity? Methinks I have been
288 insulted. As Robin Leach would say... "I don't know why."
289 *%_)#*_*_)$%*_)%*%**%_)&_)@&_^ L'homme sans Parity *%_#%**%_)*%!%*!_)*%_!%**%
290 THE DIGITAL ARENA IS 655xxxx AND IT IS NOT AN AE BOARD.
291 <o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o> Samantha <o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o>
292 The Inn's door opened slightly. A draft of hot air slipped in
293 seeking out the cool corners and sheltered cracks. A fluttering of
294 brightly coloured cloth followed the hot draft quickly closing the
295 aged door. Were there anyone there to see they would have thought
296 that she seemed out of place.
297 The flashing colours of her flowing robes seemed odd for one
298 who hid in shadows and searched out a place where others could not
299 readily see her. But there were few to see her, and those that were
300 present paid no attention to her as she quietly moved to a small
301 booth with a table.
302 She laid a bag whose material matched that of her clothing on
303 the table and began to search inside. After a short moment her hand
304 withdrew holding a small packet of cards. No expression betrayed her
305 as she began to shuffle the cards...in...out...in...out...in...out...
306 She looked over her left shoulder at the door in the rear where
307 the others were at. It was the reason they did not see her enter.
308 There was much concern and fear eminating from all of them. All of
309 it directed at the glowing door and something beyond. One mentioned
310 something about an Innkeeper.
311 It was the immense energy outpourings from the people and from
312 this Inn itself that brought her here. Something was happening and
313 she needed to know what. Looking one more time at the strangely
314 glowing door, she turned back to her cards which she had laid out as
315 she watched the door and those around it.
316 The cards had been laid in a particular pattern familar to
317 those who knew of such things. She looked at the first card...
318 great upheaval...great change showed on the face of that card. The
319 next card showed loss, and the next destruction. Each card in its
320 turn showed grave danger, and impending doom.
321 She had been avoiding it until now, but she now looked at the
322 final and telling card...
323 A quick intake of breath, her hand came up to her throat in a
324 defensive gester, and the colour drained from her face. Even the
325 bright colours in hers clothes seemed to fade slightly.
326 That card should not be there. She had taken it out of the deck
327 long ago for fear that it might some day be drawn and she would have
328 to face it. Yet there it was in the primary position. The reading
329 she had always feared.
330 For a moment she only looked at the card eyes wide in gathering
331 fear. Then she was up, running for the door, leaving her few
332 belongings on the table behind. She threw the door open and raced
333 outside, not bothing to take the time to close it. Running on down
334 the path and across a small foot bridge.
335 Racing as quickly as she could down the rutted packed dirt
336 road. Trying to outrun it even as she knew that she could not, for
337 the reading had shown what she had always feared. The end was at
338 hand. Not just the end of an individual, not the end of many, or
339 even the world, but the end of life itself, of the universe. The end
340 of everything. And she could not outrun it, no one could, but she
341 ran on anyway, dwindling into a small flashing red spot in the
342 distance.
343 <o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o> Samantha <o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o><o>
344 (* IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIX (*) IXVIIIVIIVIVIVIIIIII *)
345 T'Chree and the Dancer were quick to settle the details of their
346 business arrangement. Both were anxious to leave the Inn, though for
347 very different reasons. T'Chree had been on her search for several
348 months and wanted to return to her home and family. The Dancer was
349 still uneasy about the suspicious interest being shown by some of the
350 Inn patrons into her connections with the old Crone, and the old
351 woman's disappearance--to say nothing about the man she had been
352 running from when she arrived at the Inn the first time. She had not
353 seen him, but that was no guarantee that he had given up his pursuit.
354 T'Chree gathered together her belongings. She gently awoke her
355 young servant, Yuan, who had been sleeping, nestled in her cloak. He
356 got up and stood leaning sleepily against the bench, eyes barely open.
357 "Here, let me carry him," offered the Dancer. She picked him up,
358 surprised by how little he weighed. He snuggled close, wrapped his
359 arms around her, and promptly went back to sleep. Trusting little
360 soul, aren't you? the Dancer thought with a smile, and brushed the top
361 of his feathered head with her cheek. She nodded at T'Chree to show
362 she was ready to leave. The Princess led the way out of the Inn--
363 their departure unnoticed by the rowdy Inn patrons who were watching
364 some goings-on at the back of the room.
365 A short distance from the Inn, concealed by mooncast shadows,
366 T'Chree stopped. "This spot is as good as any." she told the Dancer.
367 The Dancer looked around for some vehicle or other means of
368 transportation but could see nothing. When she turned back again to
369 T'Chree, she saw the woman removing a small packet from the bodice of
370 her tunic. Opening the packet, she removed a small, dark feather
371 which glistened even in the darkness.
372 Holding the feather up so that the Dancer could see it clearly,
373 T'Chree said, "This is another element of the old life of my people
374 which is becoming forgotten--the Wise Ones. The Wise Ones were our
375 rulers before the change. They had many great and subtle powers which
376 they used to better the lives of our people. Their orders were obeyed
377 without question for the people knew that the Wise Ones would never
378 harm them."
379 "You said they were being forgotten." the Dancer responded. "Do
380 you mean that they died when the change occurred?"
381 "No," answered T'Chree. "They foresaw the growth that my people
382 would undergo, the increased intelligence and independence which would
383 develop. They felt that their absolute control would only hold us
384 back--keep us from achieving the ability to make our own decisions,
385 and to learn by the mistakes we would make. They waited until the
386 evolution process had progressed to a point where we had a degree of
387 autonomy and the ability to survive as a society, then they just left-
388 -disappeared into the unknown. Someday we hope that they will
389 return." She stared wistfully at the feather she was twisting slowly
390 between her fingers.
391 "That however is a quest for the future. Right now, we must
392 complete the one we are on, with the assistance of this gift from the
393 Wise Ones. This feather allows travel between planets, and
394 dimensions, and probably to and from other things which we haven't
395 even discovered yet. The Wise Ones left several to be "found" when we
396 had progressed sufficiently. The feathers are only a few of the
397 "gifts" left us by the Wise Ones, but you will learn of the others in
398 due time.
399 Now, take my hand, and we will make the brief journey to Aviana.
400 Oh, by the way, do you have a name?" T'Chree looked questioningly at
401 the woman standing beside her. "It would be a bit awkward to
402 introduce you to the King as merely 'Dancer'."
403 "While I am visiting your world," replied the Dancer, "you may
404 call me Ahmryaba."
405
406 Green Eyes (05/11/87)
407 (* IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIX (*) IXVIIIVIIVIVIVIIIIII *)
408 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5~11~87~~12~33~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
409 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
410 I was walking back to the Inn, puzzling over the image of a cat
411 that had appeared in the sky, knowing that it was somehow related
412 to the dancer, the old hag, and now that overbearing pompous
413 thing that called herself T'Chree.
414 "Silly name", I thought to myself, "It sounds like a screech a
415 bird would make."
416 I was wandering across the bridge in my revery, when I was nearly
417 knocked into the water by a woman in a very bright costume.
418 "Umph", was my only response, but she kept right on running, as
419 though the devil himself were after her.
420 As I sat feeling a little put out about the rudeness of some people,
421 I saw that dancer and that creature step out of the doorway and
422 head for the woods. I made my way to follow them, quietly
423 going around the back, and into the woods.
424 [][][][][][][][][][] Friar [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
425 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+-
426 I suggest no one spend nights at the Inn these nights..
427 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -J- -+-
428 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
429 Green Eyes- Could you please contact me on
430 Blue Parrot. My number is 39. I will be leaving
431 you a message as soon as I can get past the busy
432 signal.
433 [][][][][][][] Friar [][][][][][][][][][]
434 WHO CARES?
435 :::::=====:::::=====
436 Friar: If you mean fishing for compliments, then I'm not fishing for them.
437 I am fishing for a chance. It was a chance I was never given, as most of
438 my work was originally ignored, and I
439 have not been able to show my work for some time. Now, I ask for a chance,
440 and only a chance.
441 Someone suggested I write my own work first. Very well.
442 :::::=====:::::=====
443 After the encounter with Zeb (a different Zeb than Piper's, to be
444 sure), Focusing and Magnifying had been Zephuryr's life, and, more importantly,
445 his only current livlihood. That was why he had offered to help those who
446 stood at the mtysterious doorway. The scent of adventure had filled his
447 still-sensitive nostrils, nbut alas, the assembled group had been too busy
448 speaking amongst themselves to take notice of his offer of service.
449 He pulled his hat down over his head and sat back at his table. W
450 Obviously, his first attempt at simple human-human conversations had not
451 worked as planned. Having only been human for a very short while, Zephyr
452 only expected as much. In time, perhaps, but not now.
453 Now he had more important things to worry about. It looked as though
454 tthose at the Inn were beginning to filter out. Friar had vanished, and
455 a lovely young woman wearing very bright clothing had come and gone in an
456 instant. Zephyr hadbeen painfully aware of her presence, with the power
457 of Focusing working subconciously, he did not like the magnified colors very much.
458 Then there were those at the door, but they had ignored his presence.
459 As he looked at them, they seemed to stanfd like immobile statues. He felt
460 like a twig on a log about to be swept away by the breeze standing so near
461 them. Somehow, he knew that they were the nexus of this place that he had
462 always sensed byut had never been able to research.
463 Magnifying the meal he had purchased into four, he pcarefully packed them
464 away in his leatx`her pouch and had two glasses of ale, after magnifying one.
465 Fortunately, he could avoid Focusing the affects of the alcohol on his
466 system. He needed no repeats of the night he had lost control of his
467 abilities due to foreign substances.
468 This world definitely didn't need eighteen moons.
469 :::::=====:::::=====:::::=====:::::==Zephyr::=====:::::=====:::::=====:::::=====
470 ____05/11/87__________________JD 2446927.6140_________19:44:14_PDT_________
471 <<:**********************just passin' through************:>>
472 All right, Zephyr, keep going. The eighteen moon was a good twist.
473 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
474 does anyone out there have a public-domain c compiler or interpreter for
475 cp/m-80 based systems (kaypro II)? the one i have is quite bogified.
476 jim michaels 231-xxxx
477 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
478 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
479 If you don't mind a 10 minute wait for "hello world" to compile, I've
480 got a copy of Small-C. However, I wouldn't recommend it...
481 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>...!psu-cs!nelsons
482 BEASTIE BOYS ROCK!
483 so does bon jovi, big deal?
484 HEY, FOLKS. A NEW FAD. EVERYONE SIGN WITH THEIR USENET ADDRESS!
485 ---
486 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
487 I came upon them in a clearing, talking quietly about an object T'Chree
488 was holding. It looked like a bird feather.
489 "I thought she looked and talked a little flighty", I chuckled to myself
490 at the pun. "Flighty ? They are going to try to get out of here! And
491 after murduring, or who knows what, the old hag."
492 "You there, hold !", I shouted. "You aren't going anywhere."
493 I ran into the clearing, and jumped, trying to catch both of them. I
494 tripped on a branch, and fell. When I looked up, they were gone. I don't
495 know how, just gone.
496 "Damn."
497 I picked myself up and headed back for the Inn. Maybe the other crew was
498 having better luck. Or maybe my friend the Philosopher had thought of a
499 new tack I should take.
500 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Friar [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
501 WHO CARES?
502 CARES WXO?
503 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5~12~87~~14~05~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
504 -+- -+-
505 Cares me.
506 -+- -+-
507 ____05/12/87__________________JD 2446928.6032_________19:28:42_PDT_________
508 Cares nobody.
509
510 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
511 no, i don't mind a 10-minute compile time. as long as it works!
512 as long as it's not version 1 by ron cain, i'll be fine. i already have that.
513 so tell me !psu-cs!nelsons... do you have a random number generator for C?
514 jim michaels 231-xxxx
515 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
516 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
517 Guardian: Sorry to steal your border. I'll start using little v's
518 as above, OK? -----Hammwriter
519 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
520 TO:BAX
521 there is pizza here for you tonite till 9 am (05/14/87/01:25am)
522 the keep
523 ..............................................................
524 BAX this is a up date
525 it is geting worse
526 ...................................n.keep....................
527 I was told i had to do something! SOMETHING (THERE LEONARD HOW'S THAT?
528 they won't let me mess with the fancy stuff, who knows what havoc i wols
529 wreak, if i got turned loose (just look at the end of the last line and
530 you get the general idea) whats fun to do on this planet anyway?
531
532 Yoshi
533 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
534 Veeerry interesting. hmmmmmm....
535 ____05/14/87__________Leonard_JD 2446930.6641_________20:56:24_PDT_____
536
537 I happen to look out of the front window and saw a man walking towards
538 the Inn carrying a sign that read "Repent! The end is near!" First the
539 gypsy lady and now a religous nut. What next???
540 [@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@][@]
541 Well, I don't like the looks of that door, it is glowing again, and
542 now there are sparks coming from it. Do you suppose those people know
543 something we don't? I'm starting to get a bit worried here. Is the
544 end really at hand? What's going on around here.
545 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
546
547 UMOR HAS IT THAT BWMS WILL BE TAKEN OFF THE AIR THIS SATURDAY.
548 IS THAT TRUE???? PLEASE MIKEY SAY IT ISN'T TRUE!
549 BWMS HAS BEEN LIKE A FRIEND TO ME, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
550 DON'T PULL THE PLUG. A FRIEND.
551 ------------------------------------------------------------------
552 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
553 My, my, my. Rumors of the death of BW? An "end is near" sign in our
554 front yard? Dragons flying around the room (tell me, Gildor, does this
555 'lizard' of yours have a tatoo of '666' on its head?). And a strange
556 door that continues to confound the greatest members of our midst. Just
557 what is really happening???? (tune in next week, same Bat time, same
558 Bat channel!)
559 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>...!psu-cs!nelsons
560 WHO CARES?
561 That was a cold and heartless thing, Who Cares indeed!!!!!! I care!
562 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
563 As Bard stood by the glowing door, he realized that he could 'hear'
564 a tune in the back of his mind. With a start he realized that it was the
565 first song he'd ever sung in the Inn....
566 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
567 Time Winds Tavern (words: Teri Lee, music : "Those were the Days")
568
569 Once upon the time winds was a tavern
570 Where strange folk could have a drink or two,
571 Reminding us of their immortal wonder,
572 I saw a unicorn there, didn't you?
573 CHORUS: Those days are gone, my friend;
574 The need is at an end
575 Of all those strange and mystic beasts of yore.
576 The dragon's gone tonight; he went without a fight
577 And left us here with science evermore.
578 Unicorns sat perched upon the bar stools,
579 Dragons parked their tankards on the floor,
580 Orcs and griffins fought for lovely maidens,
581 While imps and demons traded arcane lore.
582 Chorus
583 Witches once worked spells upon the tavern
584 To guard it from the sight of human eyes,
585 For mortals must not seek to know their betters;
586 What man can know the future and not cry?
587 Chorus
588 In the dark alone I sit and wonder,
589 Will they come and drink with us again?
590 The tavern waits in sawdust covered splendor
591 To be filled with laughing creatures, who knows when?
592 Chorus
593 ~~~~~~~~~~
594 ... somehow he had the feeling that his subconcious was trying to
595 tell him something.
596 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BARD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
597 to:!psu-cs!nelsons
598 unless you have a phone number, i can't get that small-c compiler thru
599 with just your name. so... call me anytime from 11am-10:30pm & i will
600 get my modem going. (kermit or xmodem?)
601 jim michaels 231-xxxx (answering machine sometimes)
602 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
603 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
604 I went through the door into the Inn. Things seemed awry. The bard
605 was looking pensive, and there seemed to be a mood of lethargy about
606 the place. I sat down at my usual table and waited. What was going
607 to happen?
608 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Friar ]
609 there is nothing to rhyme with purple
610 except for maybe cow and whirpool
611 turn your heads to finer things
612 rounded breasts and diamond rings
613
614 to the moon i saw you dance
615 of bright and cheery circumstance
616 all the angels sent to you
617 found out what to do
618 into heaven they were sent
619 seeing fit to raise the rent
620
621 -----------------------------------guama------------------------------
622 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
623 As I stirred, strange forces assaulted my senses. The door had changed...
624 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++ At the bottom, May 16, 1987 ++++++++
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