LIST FILE ON MARGIN IS 76 STATUS: ALL ALLOWED NUMBER OF LINES: 629 1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask.... 2 ********************* REMOVED 16 JAN 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 older 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 22 I FEEL MUCH RELIEVED, SITTING IN THE INN, DRINKING A TEA OF SASSAFRAS 23 ROOT GIVEN ME BY A KIND YOUNG MAN. I FIND THAT IT HAS CALMED ME, AND GIVEN 24 ME A CLEARER HEAD FOR THINKING OVER WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HOPE THAT 25 YOUTHFUL APPRENTICE WILL COME IN TODAY, SO I MIGHT THANK HIM FOR HIS BENE- 26 VOLENT GESTURE. 27 28 I THOUGHT THAT THE SPECTRE'S NAME WAS MIDER, BUT I NOW KNOW THAT ONE 29 SUCH AS MIDER WOULD HAVE NO INTEREST IN ME, AT LEAST IN LIFE. I HAVE NOTH- 30 ING THAT WOULD TEMPT HIM FROM HIS HOME, NOR IS MY SPIRIT SO GREAT AS TO 31 ATTRACT HIM HERE. BESIDES, HIS POWER IS SUCH THAT HE COULD TAKE ME IF THAT 32 WERE HIS WISH. IT'S NOW CLEAR TO ME THAT MY SPECTRE IS NOTHING BUT A SIMPLE 33 BWBACHOD, PWCCA, OR EVEN AN MISCHEVOUS GAN CEANACH. SHE MERELY CHOSE THIS 34 TIME TO MAKE HERSELF KNOWN BECAUSE OF MY ILLNESS, AND HER TRICKS WERE NAUGHT 35 BUT ILLUSION. SO THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS TO MAKE OF HER A FRIEND. I CERTAINLY 36 CANNOT GET RID OF HER, NOR WOULD I WANT TO NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND WHO SHE IS. 37 THAT SHE WOULD FOLLOW ME HERE, AND ATTEMPT TO DRAW MY ATTENTION, IS QUITE A 38 COMPLIMENT, AND THE ONLY PROPER THING IS TO ATTEMPT TO RETURN THE FAVOUR, IF 39 I CAN. 40 41 "PAM?"...I COME OUT OF MY REVERIE TO SEE THE YOUNG APPRENTICE WHO RE- 42 CENTLY LEFT ME THIS MARVELOUS TEA! AS I LISTEN, I REALIZE THAT ONCE AGAIN, 43 MY GREAT FAILING OF COMMUNICATION HAS STRUCK AGAIN. MY WORDS COMPLIMENTING 44 YOU AND YOUR MASTER OF THE GENTLE WAYS REFERRED NOT TO THE WAYS OF HEALING, 45 BUT OF MANNERS AND GRACIOUSNESS, WHICH ARE STRANGERS TO SO MANY THESE DAYS. 46 PLEASE, SIT AND SPEAK WITH ME, I WOULD RELISH YOUR COMPANY! 47 48 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 The piper walked slowly down the bank of the small stream, fingers dancing 51 on the chanter of the handsom stand of pipes on his right shoulder. His eyes 52 were slightly abstracted, he had nearly entranced himself with playing. The 53 music formed a nearly visible bubble around him as he walked. Inside, was 54 the air slightly more invigorating? the sun brighter? did the glints from 55 dew laden branches have more and richer colors? 56 57 As he walked, he felt the barriers between this world and others thin. 58 Intrigued, he piped first closer to one world, then to another. He realized 59 that he needed some type of guide, and the only one available was his wits. 60 61 Wait-- had that been a flicker of movement in the shadow before him? He 62 let the sound of the pipes die and the feeling of being solidified. With a 63 smile on his lips, and a twinkle in his eyes he waited. If someone were here, 64 surely he or she would make it known if they wanted company. 65 ----------------------------------------the piper--------------------------- 66 67 Milady, I see that my master is correct once again. I must stop jumping to 68 conclusions. I fear I mis-read thy note. I do thank thee for the compliment 69 regarding my manners. 70 Wouldst thou tell me more regarding these 'spirits'? I thought one of the names 71 was faintly familiar. Is a PWCCA anything like a Pooka? I recall well the tale 72 told of one called 'Harvey'. 73 Thou might enjoy a tome I have oft perused. It is called either 74 "The Glass Harmonica" (in hardcover), or "The Book of Weird". It was written by 75 Barbara Ninde Byfield. It deals with witches, trolls, elves, dwarves, and many 76 other topics. I must also add that it contains the remedy that I sent 77 thee! 78 79 It is a most wondrous compendium of the strange, humorous, and bizarre. Yet it 80 is also the best single source for many details regarding everyday life in a 81 world such as this. 82 I await with great interest thy tales. 83 ........................at the hour of Tierce on this 12th day of January....... 84 ............................the apprentice...................................... 85 ######################################## 86 Sorry, but all that space left on drive 'A' just had to be used so I left my 87 88 contribution there today. Go DB: Ln 599 to read my recent wisdom. 89 90 #################C.Y.M.################################1/12/84 10/40am########## 91 Marck awoke in the dark with the sound of the rain beating on 92 the glass of the cockpit. Below, he could just make out the dark mass 93 of seemingly endless forest sliding slowly by beneath them. The forest! 94 Memories again flooded his mind of the Center, set in the middle of the 95 forest. Ben banked the craft and began his descent. Soon Marc could 96 see the low, wide buildings clustered together against the ageless 97 wood from which they were made. He would be home in moments. Marc 98 looked up at Ben and immediately noticed the change in his companion. 99 His face was stony, remote, completely devoid of emotion, unreadable 100 even to Marc's trained senses. 101 He was about to ask why when he was interrupted by the bump of the 102 speeder landing next to one of the larger buildings of the complex. 103 The doors hissed open against the pressure and they both climbed out. Ben 104 ran under the eaves of the building, and Marc stood beside the trees for 105 a moment, regaining his bearings. The forest was so alive! Before 106 it had seemed empty, but his increased empathy told him of all the 107 living things around him now. He was about to lose himself to the 108 draw of so many things pressing in all around when Ben called to him. 109 "Marcus! Come now. We must meet the others inside." Marc turned 110 and studied Ben's face. Still no hint as to what was going on inside. 111 He turned and followed after Ben into the building. It was almost as 112 if it were planned, Marc thought as he approached the lights at the end 113 of hallway, that it had rained last night for the first time in weeks 114 and cleaned him up a bit to meet the others. For the first time he 115 realized that he was dirty. And naked. 116 The room at the end of the hall was a gallery, with seven men 117 and women seated on the floor across the hall from him, and several 118 dozen more in the balcony above. In the center of the hall was a 119 large raised platform. There were no other furnishings to be seen. 120 Marc studied the people around him carefully, but they all exhibited the 121 same rock solid Nothing that ben was showing. Why? 122 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` daver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 123 124 ANOTHER REMINDER OF "BACKWATER INNCOUNTER" 9:00 PM 28 JANUARY 125 6:PM MEET TO HIT HYDROTUBES. GOODIES PROVIDED. CALL 642-xxxx MORE INFO 126 127 CONTREMON VALERIUS 128 *********************************************************************** 129 130 As he strolled down the long staircse, Contremon allowed himself 131 a quiet chuckle. The dwarf would save the Inspector, embroiling 132 McKane in yet another complication without seriously endangering 133 Contremon's own position. He fingered the gold key again, nervously. 134 After dinner there would be plenty of time, and then finally 135 they would pay for what they had done. 136 137 CV 138 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&"&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&. 139 140 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~! 141 He walked unseeing down the shabby corridor. Those who passed gave him 142 wide berth...a fierce gleam in his eyes diverted any who would speak with 143 him. The dark visions from the evening before had only strengthen his resolve 144 to get to the bottom of this case. He paused slightly at a doorway, a grim 145 smile on his lips. 146 As the Inspector entered the darkened room, he noted his aide off to the 147 side. A single bright lamp blazed on a man manacled in a straight-backed 148 chair in the center of the room. Bare to the waist...scars from old battles 149 criss-crossed his torso. It was evident he had felt the taste of both blade 150 and bullet and survived. His startling blue eyes shone with the glimmer of 151 fanaticism. 152 The Inspector spoke; "Mohammed, I see you're getting a little careless-- 153 two rookie patrolmen picking up the infamous Wassir. They both will 154 probably live. Now I'll get some answers...tell me of Natasha and her 155 murder." 156 A sneer came to Mohammed's lips; "Ah Salazar, you (expletive deleted) 157 You can take your answers and (deleted) and then (censored) sideways. As 158 for your mother, she is (deleted) (censored) (expletive deleted) . 159 And on top of that you're a crummy detective." 160 Salazar's open hand flashed out ... CRACK!!!... Wassir's head snapped 161 back. Slowly the Albanian broke into a bloody grin. Chuckling softly; 162 "I see my favorite enemy hasn't lost his touch. I will tell you a little 163 because it serves my ends. Perhaps the Ninja killed Natasha. How and why 164 you'll have to discover." 165 "Where is the Ninja now?" 166 "Try Marakesh, but beware death will stalk you there. Trust only the 167 dwarf and perhaps Serena if you should meet. You remember Serena?" 168 Salazar's mind flashed with images of the fair and deadly Serena... 169 his loins tightened. He spoke; "What of McKane? What does he have to do 170 with this?" 171 "Natasha meant much to LeRoy, but he did not kill her. He would destroy 172 her murderer himself, but he grapples with the Russian bear." 173 "Hm yes, Andropov." The inspector turned to his aide; "Release the 174 Albanian...We're off to Marakesh." 175 His aide stammered; "But what about the kidnapping of the Russian. 176 Shouldn't we interrogate him further on this matter?" 177 "We're policemen not spies. I fear I would strangle that Russian pig 178 myself if I was given the chance." Turning to Wassir, "Farewell old friend, 179 take care..." 180 Wassir smiled; "Farewell Inspector, but I'm sure we'll meet again before 181 this affair is finished." 182 183 !~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!Valinor!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~ 184 185 BEGIN TRANSMISSION: 186 Have dealt with the weasal. Am making preparations for Salizar. Have 187 retreated to Rat's Nest. Harikari prepared for failure. 188 L.TF. 189 END TRANSMISSION 190 ************************************************************** 191 192 CYM: 193 194 Whether paid or not American politicians are treated like 195 garbage. Politicians from small towns or counties, who receive 196 little or no pay, are as abused by the public as those getting 197 high salaries. 198 199 I prefer my politicians to get a fair paycheck as a reminder 200 whose interests they're working for. If I don't care enough to 201 pay for what I'm getting why shouldn't they turn to someone 202 who will? 203 204 I admit politicians don't always work in what I would consider 205 my best interest. But your theory seems to assume taking away 206 their paycheck will inspire them to altruism and self- 207 sacrifice. This is not the way I observe human nature to 208 work. But, then again, maybe I missed something. 209 210 Gary Olson 211 212 ************************************************************** 213 * 214 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- 215 THATS WHAT I WOULD CALL CREATIVE! 216 YOU ARE FINALLY USING YOUR IMAGINATIONS. THATS TERRIFIC!! 217 218 JUST THOUGHT I'D DROP BY THE INN. NOW THAT I SEE ALL IS AS I WISHED IT COULD 219 BE, I AM QUITE SATISFIED. 220 221 YOUR VERY OWN- 222 MERDDIN EMRYS 223 -:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 224 225 I personally feel that the best way to have a fairly good chance at 226 having honest politians in Washington it should be similar to jury 227 duty. If we are to be judged by our peers should we not be governed 228 by`our peers. 1 or 2 year terms with provisions that you are paid 229 the same amount that you would receive on your current position and 230 the guarentee that your job would be there when your term of duty 231 was complete. 232 233 The question would be if there are to minimum standards, who is to 234 decide what those standards are????? 235 236 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WES;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 237 PS if you use an accoustical coupler modem and want to have some 238 fun turn up Mahlers 4th in e flat and see what happens 239 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 240 But then again there are those who wouldn't be able to 241 work in the so called "jury duty office" simply because they 242 wouldn't know what to do at the job. I certainly wouldn't 243 want the responsibility. But then again maybe I, too, am 244 missing something. Would you really want to participate 245 in such a system? 246 Bo 247 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 248 :***********************************************************: 249 250 Big Bill: 251 252 Is there any truth to the rumors that Andropov is dead? That 253 McKane is in Argentina having plastic surgery to make himself 254 look like Andropov? That the US government is about to declare 255 war on Argentina as a result? 256 257 Monsieur d'Autun 258 259 :*************************************************************: 260 what the hell???? 261 I have not been on this system lately, and I am amazed to find that 262 the lunatics have excaped and taken over Backwater......ah, well, 263 at least they picked the right system........ 264 ********************the great gazorbawitz************************* 265 )()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()( 266 DIid you know that in the Soviet Union the american 267 O.K. sign is worse than our middle finger sign. 268 and 269 that it is considered vulger for a man to sit cross legged 270 or with legs spead appart? 271 conterary to popular thought the russians really aren't 272 all land grabing communits pigs? Most of the russian 273 people are more scared of the U.S than we are of the 274 Soviet Union!!! If you doubt my credibility, 275 I am a russian student, and am planing a month stay 276 in Lennin Grad , Kive , and mosscow. 277 since i cant type in russian on an english key board, 278 DOOS-VEE-DAN-YA 279 !!@#$%^&*()!@#$%^&*()_!@#$%^&*()_!@#$%^&*()_!@#$%^&*()_+ 280 If you are a Russian student then why can`t you spell Moscow? Theresa 281 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 282 283 WELL, APPRENTICE, THE PWCCA IS A POOKA, BUT OF WELSH RATHER THAN IRISH 284 EXTRACTION. BOTH ARE A BRANCH OF THE ELLYLLON, OR ELVES, AND ARE COMMON 285 THROUGHOUT THE LESS ANGLICIZED PORTIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN. I AT FIRST TENDED 286 TO THINK THE MISCHIEF MAKER WAS ONE OF THESE, SINCE THEY TEND TO ENJOY BOTH 287 CREATING MINOR PROBLEMS FOR THEIR HOST AND FREQUENTLY APPEAR TO SOMEONE JUST 288 RETURNING FROM TRAVELING. THEY PARTICULARLY ENJOY CREATING CONFUSION (WHICH 289 WAS CERTAINLY THE CASE) IN THEIR 290 HOST, AND TEND TO PICK ONE HOST AND REMAIN WITH THEM UNTIL THEY FEEL UNWEL- 291 COME. 292 THE GAN CEANACH IS ANOTHER IRISH ELF, WHO SPECIALIZES IN FILLING THE 293 EARS OF YOUNG WOMEN WITH PLEASANT FANCIES OR FRIGHTENING THOUGHTS, MOSTLY TO 294 THE PURPOSE OF KEEPING THEM FROM BEING BUSY WITH THEIR WORK. 295 THE OTHER I MENTIONED, THE BWBACHOD, IS A HOUSEHOLD SPRITE. I DOUBT IF 296 ANY OF THESE LITTLE CREATURES IS THE SOURCE OF MY RECENT ADVENTURE, AS THEY 297 TEND TO PICK A HOUSE, RATHER THAN A PERSON, TO OCCUPY, AND SPEND THEIR TIME 298 HIDING THINGS, AND THEN RETURNING THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE. I THINK I MAY HAVE 299 ONE OF THESE (MANY HOMES SEEM TO), BUT IF SO HE PROBABLY ISN'T THE SOURCE OF 300 IT ALL. 301 THERE ARE MANY OTHER SPRITES AND ELVES, BUT THESE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO 302 MIGHT BOTHER ME IN THIS FORM. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY HEADLESS RIDERS, SO IT IS 303 NOT A DULACHAN. I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINS RECENTLY, SO THAT RULES OUT 304 THE GWYLLION AND THE COBLYNAU, AND SO ON. I'LL CERTAINLY LOOK FOR THE TOME 305 YOU HAVE MENTIONED, IT MAY BE OF HELP TO ME IN DEALING WITH MY CONFRONTATION 306 TO COME. 307 308 THE HOUR IS LATE, AND THE LONG CONVERSATION WITH THE APPRENTICE HAS 309 BEEN BOTH FRUITFUL AND ENJOYABLE. HIS ADVICE HAS BEEN HELPFUL, AND HIS MAR- 310 VELOUS TEA HAS GIVEN ME THE STRENGTH FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD. AS I STAND AT THE 311 DOOR, I SEE THAT IT HAS GROWN COLD, AND THE WIND HAS RISEN AS IF IN GRAND 312 EXPECTATION OF THE COMING MEETING BETWEEN ME AND THE INVADER OF MY PEACE. 313 WRAPPING MY CLOAK TIGHTLY TO MY BODY, AND HUGGING THE WEAPONS OF MY CRAFT TO 314 ME, I BEGIN THE LONG WALK TO MY HOME. IT IS TO BE A WEARYSOME NIGHT, AND 315 CERTAINLY ONE OF SURPRISES IF THE HISTORY OF THE ELLYLLON IS TO BE A GUIDE. 316 317 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 319 I pass by the Inn but rarely, so I stopped to here the travelers tell 320 their stories of what is happening around. I listened to the tales, 321 drank of the beer, and moved on. On my Recorder I play to the beasts 322 of the woods, warning them of the dangers of man. They call back telling 323 me of what the other travelers would not say at the Inn, and warning me too 324 that I should stay away from men. But I can not, though the wood forever 325 would be my home, I must return to those of my kind to find from whence I came 326 and who I am. 327 Billy <><><> 328 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> 329 As I bid the good ladye Pam farewell, I think on what she has said. And more 330 importantly, on what she has NOT said. I finally decide that she can handle most 331 of the creatures we discussed. Even so, I will take what few precautions 332 are possible for one of my small talents (and lesser training). I will most 333 especially have to be sure that there is not a Ben Sidhe involved. 334 I smile as a snatch of song distracts me. The voice seems familiar. Can it be 335 my old acquaintance? 336 ..............By my hand, at the hour of Tierce, this 13th day of January....... 337 .............................the apprentice..................................... 338 I once heard a suggestion that may have some bearing on the current political 339 discussion. 340 "Anyone who WANTS political office should be automatically disqualified from 341 holding it." 342 ___________________________Leonard______________________________________________ 343 I must apologize for leaving out the title & copyright of the song I entered a 344 disk or so ago. The title is "The Queen of Air and Darkness" & it was written by 345 Poul Anderson. 346 If anyone is interested, I can tell you where to get songbooks with the various 347 songs I shall be leaving. Or, if too many people object, I shall take my 348 voice elsewhere. 349 350 Time Winds Tavern by Teri Lee (Those Were the Days) 351 352 Once upon the time winds was a tavern 353 Where strange folk could have a drink or two, 354 Reminding us of their immortal wonder. 355 I saw a unicorn there, didn't you? 356 (chorus) Those days are gone, my friend; 357 The need is at an end 358 Of all those strange and mystic beasts of yore. 359 The dragon's gone tonight, he went without a fight 360 And left us here with science evermore. 361 362 Unicorns sat perched among the bar stools, 363 Dragons parked their tankards on the floor, 364 Orcs and griffins fought for lovely maidens, 365 While imps and demons traded arcane lore. 366 chorus 367 Witches once worked spells upon the tavern 368 To guard it from the sight of human eyes, 369 For mortals must not seek to know their betters: 370 What man can know the future and not cry? 371 chorus 372 In the dark I sit alone and wonder, 373 Will they come and drink with us again? 374 The tavern waits in sawdust-covered splendor 375 To be filled with laughing creatures, who knows when? 376 chorus 377 378 ps to all concerned, I won't leave more than 2 songs per disk (more likely 1) 379 To the apprentice, was I the "snatch of song" you refered to? 380 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BARD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 381 ######################################## 382 The Jury duty basis is what I had in mind but for a period of probably six 383 years, staggered of course. Each State would still have the same number of 384 people representing them but there would be an election/selection every year 385 at the general election/selection time. If you were to serve you would be 386 guaranteed you position that you were fro would be there at the end of your 387 tenure. That is of course if you still want it. NO persons that are employed 388 by companies doing business with the Federal Gov. would be eligible to serve nor 389 could those companies hire anyone that has been associated with the government 390 for a period of at least five/six years this would insure that no hanky panky 391 between ex and present government reps goes on. No sneaky back scratching 392 allowed. There would also be a recall provision for the House and Senate. The 393 Cabinet would also be approved by the electorate not by the Congress. Advisors 394 would be recruited from the non-military private sector. Accadamia would be 395 probably the main source of advisors to the President, and Ambasadors also. 396 Well this is it for now. See what can be added to this (or subtracted). When 397 the debate is done I'll send hard copies to our present Lackies on the publik do 398 le!! 399 ################C.Y.M.###############################1/OhNo/84 11:00am########## 400 Sorry, CYM: Proposing that your "hallowed halls of learning" be the main source 401 of Federal advisors is IN ITSELF a contravention of your own condemnation of 402 back-scratching, self-interest, and questionable competence, isn't it? 403 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 404 And ... can a change of a Lady's name hide her face, or, for some, her voice? 405 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dave ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 406 I'm sorry too, Dave: But the acadamia I refer to is not the same as the rotten 407 public school system as we now kbnow it. There are many qualified types in the 408 Higher education system, not all are corrupt, If you read my message throughly 409 you will note that I have given final approval of the cabinet and advisors to 410 US the electorate! 411 412 oops; forgot my top margin: 413 ################C.Y.M.##############################Geeze twice in one day###### 414 CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM:CYM;CYM;CYM;CYM;CYM 415 416 WELL, AT LEAST YOU ARE PROPOSING SOME SORT OF SOLUTION RATHER THAN JUST 417 BELLYACHING. CONGRATS. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS AGREED WITH JEFFERSON THAT 418 THE LESS GOVERNMENT, THE BETTER, WITH MY CORROLARY THAT THE SIMPLER 419 THE GOVERNMENT THE BETTER. ALL OF THE COMPLICATIONS DERIVING FROM YOUR 420 427 THE PRESS THAT THE BAD ONES DO. AND PARTICULARLY, I FEEL THAT MOST 428 OF THEM ARE *UNDERPAID*. 429 430 GENERAL MACAIBO 431 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 432 PS. FROM THE ABOVE ALTEREGO, YOU MIGHT GET THE WRONG IDEA OF MY 433 MOTIVES. I AM NOT GOVERNMENT PAID, IN FACT CLOSE TO 50% OF MY CASH 434 THESE DAYS GOES TO OUR RICH UNCLE, WITH NOT TOO MANY COMPLAINTS. 435 %%%%%%%e%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 436 PAM: 437 THESE DAYS, I CAN ATTEST THAT THE BWBACHOD HAS BEEN REPLACED BY 438 THE HIGH-TECH GREEN CARPET. IF YOU DROP A NEEDED OBJECT ON THE 439 RUG, AND WATCH CAREFULLY, YOU'LL SEE IT FOLD OVER THE ITEM AND 440 EAT IT. NOTHING THERE. I HAVE YET TO PUZZLE OUT THE EXACT METHOD 441 OF EXCRETION WHICH PLACES THE ITEM SOMEWHERE ELSE, HOWEVER. 442 INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUING. GET WELL SOON. 443 888888888888888888888888888 DAVER 888888888888888888888888888888888 444 445 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 446 447 THE CLEARING HERE IN THE DEPTHS OF THE WOODS WILL DO. WIND CONTINUES 448 TO BLUSTER ABOUT ME, ITS FINGERS TEARING AT MY CLOAK IN EXPECTATION OF THE 449 RITES I WILL PERFORM. I HAD HOPED THAT I WOULD NEVER NEED TO DON THE MANTLE 450 OF THE WITCH, BUT IT SEEMS THAT TROUBLE HAS FOUND ME UNSOUGHT, AND NOW WILL 451 ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW ME OF ITS OWN ACCORD. WOULD THAT I HAD GIVEN MORE OF MY 452 ATTENTION TO MY DEAR GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE TRIED TO TEACH ME THESE WAYS, FOR 453 I THEN WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER PREPARED FOR MY CURRENT PREDICAMENT. 454 455 PRAISE THAT NONE OF MY FRIENDS FROM THE INN ARE HERE TO WATCH ME, FOR 456 WHAT MUST BE DONE NOW IS MUCH TOO PERSONAL, AND I WOULD BE TERRIBLY SHAMED 457 IF THEY SAW IT. REMOVING MY CLOTHING, AND RELEASING THE STAYS FROM MY HAIR, 458 I STAND NAKED TO THE WIND THAT NOW BLOWS WITH CONSTANT FORCE FROM THE EAST. 459 IT IS SO COLD, BUT THE RELEASE FROM COVERING IS NECESSARY, AND INVIGORATING. 460 I FEEL ALIVE, SO ALIVE, AND MY PULSE POUNDS WITH THE JOY OF THE CLOSENESS TO 461 NATURE! BUT I MUST BE ON WITH MY WORK...... 462 463 I PREPARE THE CAULDRON AND FIRE, AND PLACE THE MANDAL WHERE IT WILL BE 464 BEST. SEARCHING WITHIN MY WRAP ON THE GROUND, I REMOVE THE SMALL WAXEN DOLL. 465 IT IS MANLIKE, HAVING LIMBS AND BODY, BUT THE FACE IS BLANK. UPON THE FACE 466 OF THE DOLL I WRITE WITH MY FINGERNAIL (FOR ONLY SOMETHING FROM MY OWN BODY 467 WILL DO FOR THIS RITE) THE WORD: 468 469 "KASHSHAPTI" 470 471 AND THEN HOLD IT OVER THE FLAMING CAULDRON. NONE OF MY DEAR FRIENDS WOULD 472 RECOGNIZE THE SMALL, QUIET WOMAN THEY KNOW ME AS NOW, AS I SCREAM FIERCELY: 473 474 "ATTI MANNU KASHSHAPTU SHA TUYUB TA ENNI!" 475 476 AND THROW THE DOLL INTO THE FLAMES! THE WORLD MOVES DREAMLIKE ABOUT ME AS I 477 BEGIN TO SINK INTO THE TRANCE AND GAZE INTO THE BLACK SMOKE THAT RISES FROM 478 THE BURNING DOLL. SLOWLY, AS I KNEW IT WOULD, THE NAMES OF MY TORMENTER NOW 479 APPEAR WITHIN THE SMOKE: 480 481 "GAN CEANACH BARNEY" 482 483 "BARNEY?!" I EXCLAIM. I KNEW THAT IT MIGHT BE A GAN CEANACH, BUT ONE WITH 484 THE NAME "BARNEY"? IT SEEMS, SOMEHOW, ANTICLIMACTIC. NO MATTER, THE RITUAL 485 MUST CONTINUE, FOR IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO START SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND NOT 486 CARRY IT TO ITS PROPER CONCLUSION. 487 488 I PREPARE THE MANDAL, AND PLACE THE FIGURE OF ISHTAR UPON THE ROTTEN 489 STUMP THAT I NOW USE FOR AN ALTER. ONCE AGAIN, I STAND TALL (AS TALL AS MY 490 FRAME WILL ALLOW) AND BEGIN THE INCANTATION: 491 492 "I, BY THE COMMAND OF QUEEN ISHTAR 493 AM CLOTHED IN TERROR 494 AM ARMED IN FIERCESOMENESS 495 AM ARRAYED WITH MIGHT AND THE SWORD 496 I MAKE THEE TREMBLE 497 I MAKE THEE RUN AFRAID 498 I DRIVE THEE OUT 499 I SPY THEE OUT 500 I CAUSE THY NAME TO BE KNOWN AMOUNG MEN 501 I CAUSE THY HOUSE TO BE SEEN AMOUNG MEN 502 I CAUSE THY SPELLS TO BE HEARD AMOUNG MEN 503 I CAUSE THY EVIL PERFUMES TO BE SMELT AMOUNT MEN 504 I UNCLOTHE THY WICKEDNESS AND EVIL 505 AND BRING YOUR SORCERIES TO NAUGHT! 506 507 IT IS NOT I, BUT NANAKANISURRA 508 MISTRESS OF WITCHES 509 AND THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN ISHTAR 510 WHO COMMAND THEE!" 511 512 SINKING BACK, EXHAUSTED FROM THE SPELL, I KNOW THAT SOON I WILL BE CON- 513 FRONTED WITH THE CREATURE, AND I HOPE THAT I WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO WIN 514 OUT OVER IT. 515 516 "Now, that really wasn't very nice at all, honey." a voice laden with 517 sarcasm calls out. "Now ya gotta look at me too. But ya ain't gonna git 518 rid o' me that easy!" 519 AS I TURN TO FACE MY TORMENTER, MY THOUGHTS TURN TO OLD FRIENDS. WILL 520 I EVER HEAR THE VOICE OF d AGAIN? PERHAPS I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO 521 HAVE LEFT THINGS AS THEY WERE....... 522 523 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM.[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 524 525 526 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 527 528 As I strolled alone in the night of the woods, my thoughts were torn from me 529 as I heard screaming nearby. I ran as quickly to the source as the foliage 530 would allow me. Dancing light presented itself to me just beyond some tall 531 tree, in the middle of a small clearing. And what do my wondering eyes see 532 as I run past the last of the obstacles? A sight that causes me to retreat 533 to the safety of behind the trees. A totally naked woman is prancing around 534 muttering strange incantations that make no sense to my city dweller ears. 535 But I know a nice body when I see one, so I stay around and watch the show. 536 Suddenly the womenan gets up again, and begins talking to something called 537 Barney, which sees fit to not make itself visible to bystanders, just to 538 the woman who obviously has its ear. I take out my flask, swig a drink, 539 and settle back amoung the trees to watch the spectacle, unseen, unheard, 540 and unnoticed. 541 "This must be my lucky day", I say to myself. "We sure don't get 542 shows like this in town." 543 As the scene unfolds, my eyes can not believe what they are seeing. How 544 much more of this will go on. Wait until I tell the boys back in town... 545 But will they believe me...Then I remember the image device I bought from 546 that vagabond who approached my door that one windy night. 547 "You never know when you might come apon a scene you want to 548 remember for the rest of my life", he said, thrusting the device toward 549 me. "And the price it too good to pass up", he continued. I gave him what 550 he wanted as much to get rid of him and get back to the warm fire as I did 551 to try out the new device. 552 553 "This will really come in handy, I only hope it works.", I think to 554 myself as I remove the image device from its pouch... 555 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@the city dweller@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 556 ................................................................ 557 HAVE BEEN GONE A LONG TIME. BACKWATER HAS CHANGED ALOT. ANYONE CARE TO FILL ME IN? DOES ANYONE REMEMBER ME EVEN? 558 559 ....................................ANON/20................................................................................... 560 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 561 THIS IS FULL OF B.S. WHAT KIND OF GARBAGE ARE YOU GUYS PUTTING ON THE AIR? 562 I AM TRUELY AFFENDED! 563 -PRIMEMINISTER 564 ---------------------------------------------------- 565 A mournful cry breaks the still night air 566 Quickly does follow the soul wrenching sobs 567 And a cry of hopeless despair 568 See there on the hollow log the figure sits 569 Head bowed down in pain 570 For the pain and the cry of great distress 571 Comes from this poor wretched soul 572 A wind begins its stiring sounds 573 And echos the mournful wail 574 While the trees around observe without sound 575 The figure who's soul is layed bare 576 It's over and through 577 And there is nothing left to do 578 So the lonly figure silently walks away 579 580 B. H. 581 ------------------------------------------------- 582 *************************************************************** 583 RETURNING FROM A LATE NIGHTS WORK I BEGIN TO PREPARE 584 FOR MY SLEEP. LOOKING TO THE SIDE I NOTICE A DISCARDED 585 PEICE OF PAPER THROWN IN A TRASH BIN. STRANGE I THINK, 586 FOR I KNOW I HAD THROWN AWAY THE TRASH BEFORE I LEFT 587 I WONDER WHAT IT COULD BE? PICKING UP THE CRUMPLED 588 SHEET. I OPEN IT UP TO FIND A NOTE SCRAWLED FROM 589 A PATRON WHO HAD COME ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE WHILE I WAS 590 AWAY ON BUSINESS. THE NOTE SPEEKS OF THE TROUBLE STUMBLING 591 AND TRIPPING OVER THE CLUTTER THAT LAYS ABOUT THE INN. 592 I MUST SAY THAT I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF THIS PROBLEM, FOR 593 I HAD THOUGHT THAT IT WAS CLEANER THEN THAT. BUT ALASS 594 IF THE PROBLEM IS THERE I SUGGEST THAT YOU PICK UP YOUR 595 SKIRTS AND GINGERLY STEP OVER THE CLUTTER FOR NOW, AND 596 I WILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO. THE OBSTICAL THAT YOU SPOKE OF THAT 597 MADE YOU TRIP IS CALLED A CONTROL S. FOR NOW I WOULD RECOMMEND 598 THAT YOU RAISE YOUR SKIRTS BY USING THE CC N. AND I WILL SPEAK 599 TO PAM AND OTHERS TO PLEASE NOT USE THE CONTROL S IN THIER 600 LAYABOUT IN THE INN, FOR IT SEEMS TO CAUSE OUR LADY OF DRAGONS 601 SPELL TO THIS LAND TO BE BROKEN. IF YOU NEED THE TIME FOR 602 YOUR OWN SPELL WEAVING I SUGGEST A CONTROL Q OR NULL. 603 THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN CLEANING THIS MESS UP. 604 ********** CISTOP MIKEY INNKEEPER OF BWMS ********************** 605 606 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] 607 608 WHERE ONCE THERE WAS FULLNESS, THERE NOW IS EMPTYNESS. IN OTHER WORDS, 609 MIKEY DID A COMPRESS. NOW THERE IS SPACE FOR ME TO WRITE, THOUGH I DON'T 610 HAVE MUCH TO SAY. HAVING SO LITTLE SPACE IS A TRIFLE LIMITING, AS IT MUST 611 BE FILLED UP, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE SPACE IS SMALL AND IT IS HARD TO GET 612 A GOOD SUBJECT GOING HERE. 613 614 WELL, I HAVE ELIMINATED ALL MY AWFUL CONTROL S CHARACTERS. I THINK I 615 WILL USE CONTROL Q FROM HERE ON OUT, AS IT SEEMS TO BE THE BEST OPTION FOR 616 COMPLETE SAFETY. I DON'T PARTICULARLY CARE FOR NULLS, BUT I SUPPOSE IT'S 617 NOT A PROBLEM, SO NULL AWAY FOLKS! 618 619 WELL, d, ARE YOU STILL WITH US? I'M BEGINNING TO FEEL ALL ALONE HERE! 620 AARON HAS LEFT FOR PARTS UNKNOWN, ANON IS REMAINING ANONYMOUS, HROTHGAR HAS 621 HEADED FOR THE HILLS, AND YOU ARE BEING SO QUIET THAT I WONDER IF YOU ARE 622 STILL WITH US. DO YOU PLAN TO ENTER THE CURRENT FANTASY? IT REMINDS ME SO 623 MUCH OF EARLIER TIMES WHEN YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MANY, AND I HID BEHIND 624 THE TABLES FOR FEAR OF SPEAKING UP. NOW I YAMMER ON, BORING EVERYONE, AND 625 YOU ARE HIDING. I REALLY MISS YOUR PRESENCE! I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY 626 OTHER THINGS IN LIFE THAN THE INN AND ITS INHABITANTS, BUT IT IS A BIT OF 627 FUN. PLEASE RETURN! PLEASE? 628 629 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]PAM+[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] >