1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2 ************************* INSTALLED: 3 MAY 85 ********************** 3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator 4 ************************************************************ 5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION 6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM. 7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned 8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public. 9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is 10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which 11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be 12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved) 13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the 14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the 15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace 16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up. 17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system. 18 ************************************************************ 19 20 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 21 Another day, another disk, and for the first time in a long, long time 22 I find myself -- guess where? 23 Emotions have been running high for a while. How about another round of 24 "treat someone nice"? It's not really too hard -- we've done it before and 25 could do it again. Ignore the ASCII graphix, the sly cuts and innuendos, 26 and try to find someone to compliment for something. We'll always have those 27 who try to make themselves look big by cutting everyone else down. It's lots 28 more useful to make both yourself and another larger by giving someone else 29 a hand up. One person can only do so much. Give another a hand and you share 30 in his/her success. 31 32 /\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/ 33 I wasn't sure if the glass sheet, that was placed before me and 34 the world, was of my invention or was some trap fate had left hoping to 35 ensnare me in. It could be fate playing a hand in my life, trying to place 36 barriers between my goal and I. The achievement of all my desires and hopes 37 could be no more than fragments of a broken dream I'm trying to knit together. 38 It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that my efforts are futile attempts at 39 the bearing of life, my effort displays no significance in the final truth, 40 I play no hand in the craftmanship of my destiny. It would be as if the drawn 41 consequences of my actions are nothing in comparsion to the vastness of 42 everything beyond this body. It may not even be an evil force working against 43 me. It'd be no more than the universal laws that bar no exception, recognizing 44 no cruelty. 45 Equally so, it could be an unknown enemy of mine. A person wishing 46 power over another. I'm the subject of their superiority. They gain their 47 strength and confidence through my prevailing weakness. 48 The barrier could be of my own creation. Like a child who has a 49 mental block against learning certain things. Why would one want to inhibit 50 themselves? It comes from memories and influences from the past. The mental 51 blocks usually form as protection against pain or to shield the negativity 52 projected from others. Like everything else hidden in the crags of memory, 53 they are never forgotten, even when they're long out of use. 54 /\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/ eidolaz \\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\ 55 56 for those of you that have ultima II and are looking everyware for some- 57 thing called the ring. look no farther as you can recall there is a towne 58 called new sanantionel if you look by the aromery you can find two doors 59 well unlock them then there should be a sign that says atree look under it 60 and there should be a man. well offer him 500 gp. with offer cmd. and he 61 will say earn the ring if you do not have farther antos blessing with can be 62 found 63 64 This is a test, this is only a upad 65 test. Please excuse the wasted liner, 66 btt I `ad to check the timing... 67 68 69 This is a test, this isnly a upload 70 test. Please excuse the wasted lines, 71 but I had to check the timing... 72 73 74 This is a test, this is only a upload 75 test. Please excuse the wasted lines, 76 but I had to check the timing... 77 78 79 {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} 80 THE RUBBER PLANT 81 82 The rubber plant, which I call it (though perhaps it isn't) 83 Sways top-heavy towards the window light. 84 Vacant nodules mark based leaves, dried up and snapped off. 85 It makes me wonder about the previous year. 86 Here, this empty hole marks the leaf which had 87 Surrendered its life after the first argument with my new love. 88 We bought the plant the day we moved into the apartment. 89 I remember her reflection 4 leaves later; 90 "Everytime we are negative our plant loses another one." 91 "No," I countered. "Its simply not in the right spot." 92 Ahhh, rubber plant. You graph the memory well. 93 1, 2, 3, 4...8! 8 vacant sites 94 Signifying 8 heated fights. 95 Now she's moved on to Europe and I sit here alone 96 Before you rubber plant. 1, 2, 3, 4... 97 The irony! 8 again. 8 leaves remaining. 98 Each one a bit tainted with the fringed yellowing and browning 99 Of threatened irritation. But you've endured. 100 8 majestic broad leaves crowding the peak of your lean stalk, 101 Perhaps awaiting my next love. 102 {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{NEW POET}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} 103 104 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*Guru of Bliss*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 105 or by any other name... 106 piper: as we used to say; that WAS right-on. Anyone can find fault. Easiest 107 thing there is. No challange to it at all. Finding something good to say is 108 always worth the effort though not always rewarded immediatly. 109 That old 'paradox' about 'fate' vs 'free will' seams to have arisen once 110 more from its all too shallow grave. My two cents worth on that is neither 111 fish nor foul. Destiny is always influenced, never controled and almost never 112 totaly beyond some sort of affectability. 113 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* 114 =========================================================================== 115 THE BUMBLING BIGFOOT IS BACK...I SEE THAT SOMEONE OUT IN THE VAST 116 WILDERNESS STILL HAS SOME IMAGINATIVE THOUGHTS FLOWING LATELY... 117 THE NEW POET SEEMS TO BE DOING GOOD TODAY OR HAVE I DRANK TOO MUCH 118 OUT OF MY NEVER EMPTY TANKARD? NO MATTER, I STILL THINK IT IS GOOD 119 FOR THE HEART TO READ SUCH WRITING OUT OF ONE TOME OF THOUGHT... 120 TILL ANOTHER WRITING STIRS MY CONSCIOUS AWAKE...MAY THE GAMES 121 NEVER END... 122 ===========================================BIGFOOT========================= 123 [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] 124 Another vote for User Friendly Month. Do we get one per-personality? If 125 so there are a couple out there with a strong voting block. 126 [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] [/] A METALIC VOTER [/] [/] 127 128 =========================================================================== 129 TWAS A LONG JOUNERY TO END, A QUEST TO FIND A SAFE HAVEN FOR ONE MIND... 130 IT SEEMED TO BE ETERNITY SINCE I FOUND PEACE AND TRANQUILITY FOR MY 131 THOUGHTS...NAY MY THOUGHTS TOLD ME TO SEEK A QUIET SETTING, A SYLVAN 132 SETTING WHERE THE WATER WAS PURE AND WOULD WASH AWAY THE EVILNESS AND 133 FILTH ONE COULD COLLECT TRAVELING THE CROSSROADS OF SPACE AND TIME... 134 ONCE, I HAD HEARD OF A PLACE, A FAR AND DISTANT LAND, A LAND WHERE 135 FRIENDLYNESS AND PEACE WERE THE MAJOR PREREQUISITE FOR LIFE...AS I 136 TRAVELED TOWARD THIS FABLED CITY I HAVE SEEN THE EVILS CAST OUT AS 137 THEY DEEM TO ENTER AND CAUSE STRIFE, NAY THEY SEEM TO HAVE PROBLEMS 138 AS OTHER CITIES, BUT HARK, TO MY EYES DO I BEHOLD! THE SYLVAN SETTING 139 WAS A ILLUSION! I AM IN A DESERT TERRAIN, SIFTING DUNES, CAMELS AND 140 GREAT WELLS...SEEMING TO BE THIRSTY I APPROACH THE WELL TO REDEEM MY 141 THIRST BUT A ALERT GUARD BECOMES AWARE OF MY PRESENCE...'HOLD THERE 142 TALL ONE'...IN MY MIND I SEE THROUGH HIS EYES...A TALL AND HAIRY BEAST, 143 CLEAN BUT ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES, WARM EYES AND GENTLE MANNER BUT STILL 144 A BEAST. CAN HE NOT SEE THAT I MEAN NOW HARM? I DO NOT MOVE SO TO NOT 145 ATTRACT VIOLENCE FROM THE GUARD AT THE GATE...HE STARES DEEP INTO MY 146 EYES AND FINDS THAT I MEAN NO HARM, ALLOWING ME TO DRINK DEEP AT THE 147 WELL...THE WATER IS LIKE A FINE WINE, SOOTHING AND REFRESHING, FLOATING 148 THE BAD MEMORIES AWAY LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES IN A WINTER STREAM...AAAAHHHH!!! 149 GRASPING THE MAGIN TANKARD I STRIDE INTO THE MARKETPLACE, FILLED WITH 150 A MULTITUDE OF VARIED PEOPLE, EACH IN TURN ABOUT THIER BUSINESS... 151 LEANING AGAINST A MUD WALL, I PONDER WHAT WILL BECOME OF ME IN THIS 152 STRANGE AND EXCITING CITY, A CITY OF NO NAME AS OF YET...WILL A PASSERBY 153 REVEAL THIS TO ME...I DON'T KNOW...I DEEM TO CLOSE MY EYES AND REST 154 WILL PONDERING THIS... 155 ========================================================================== 156 ============================== BIGFOOT ================================== 157 ========================================================================== 158 159 =================================}=========================================== 160 I SHALL ENDEAVOR TO REWRITE THIS INTO TANIS WHERE IT BELONGS... 161 =================<====================================BIGFOOT================ 162 163 164 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (try to explain...) 165 The minutes that passed before the Guardian would speak his words to 166 the boy had elapsed into what felt like hours, even days. They were not 167 easy words for he did not like having to explain his follies in the 168 presence of a crowd, no matter how inconsequential their numbers. 169 "Sire, is my voice heard to you?" he asked of the young Master West. 170 His words carried only faintly in the air of the late afternoon. After he 171 made his way to the boys side he knelt to ease his pain having since 172 withdrawn te shaft from his side. Francis helped his brother to sit up so 173 as to hear what it was that the Guardian had to say, but said nothing 174 himself. Master West only nodded in responce. 175 "What I have to say may mean little to you, but it needs to be told." 176 In the Guardians hesitation he tried to take in a deep breath while comp- 177 osing his thoughts and was quickly reminded of the pain in doing so. 178 "For to understand what I have asked is to know that I have asked for the 179 impossible. A wise person would know the difference between what is and 180 what is not possible, and would not attempt to chase after that which is 181 impossible... I am not such a person." 182 Awullsu's shoulders raised as a person about to speak, but the Guardian 183 halted her words with the slow wave of his hand. "Oh, I may be knowing 184 in some manners that were before my years, but the aspects that would be 185 apparent are those of which I lack." As these words were being spoken the 186 young Master West released a small gasp, his body shivering in the shallow 187 breeze. As quickly he could, the Guardian removed the soiled cloak from 188 about his shoulders and wrapped the boy in it while shaking his head. 189 "Such simple things as the consideration of others... Forgive me." 190 ^^^^^ 191 It doesn't take the alchemist to ask, but I also would like to return 192 to another of those warm and happy days of non-hostility. 193 ^^^^^ 194 I think the story I have put in (above) has been siting around for too 195 long without having been posted. (Something like 112?) 196 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 124:03 197 198 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- 199 -+- Paper moon and cottonball clouds -+- 200 -+- Why I come here I don't know -+- 201 -+- The halls are empty but classrooms not so -+- 202 -+- Another night I'll take another pass -+- 203 -+- A dog walks by with a happy face -+- 204 -+- An attempt to make me smile -+- 205 -+- Well I guess it worked -+- 206 -+- An outstanding achievment from a simple mind -+- 207 -+- I came looking for a cat in truth -+- 208 -+- Electric black and shy strikingly calm -+- 209 -+- Once again I leave without a word -+- 210 -+- I think I just might leave another note -+- 211 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- 212 -+- If I could get some sort of instructions -+- 213 -+- I might finally meet you. -+- 214 -+- Or should I ask...? -+- 215 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- 216 -+- I think I'll try to forget that I was foolish -+- 217 -+- enough to put my foot in my mouth the way I did.-+- 218 -+- Even my apologies have no bearing, and are not -+- 219 -+- understood. The meaning has been lost. -+- 220 -+- -+- -+- -JUGGLER- -+- -goodbye- -+- -+- 221 222 ONE OF YOUR MESSAGES SAID TO COMPLIMENT PEOPLE, BUT I WOULD HAVE COMPLIMENTED 223 YOU EVEN IF IT HADN'T SAID TO. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND BBS THAT I HAVE CALLED, 224 AND IT IS GREAT!!! MY NAME IS JOHN NEUHARTH, AND YOU CAN CALL ME AT (503)- 225 636-4663. 226 227 228 229 \`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\ 230 After another pause the man a the head of the table looked over the material 231 covering the dark surface before him. 232 "How much time does this represent?" He asked. 233 There were glances between the other three men. They had known one another 234 for a long time, and it took only a moment for a pecking order to be estab- 235 lished. 236 The answer came from the man on the right. Adverage height, average build. 237 The only thing that made him unusual was his continual habit of checking a 238 small silver pocket watch that he kept in his vest pocket. He was just return- 239 ing it the fine chain making almost sounds against the low rumble of the fan, 240 as he spoke. "A little more than three weeks. Sir." The 'sir' had been added 241 a bit to late, as if at first it may have been overlooked. He looked at his 242 cigarette pack laying on the table, but made no move in its direction. 243 There was a flicker of expression from the head of the table. Unreadable. 244 The answer continued "The three of us, Mooreheade, MacDonald, and I were in 245 charge of the different teams. Mine actually started a week earlier, right 246 after the first incedent." 247 There was a grim smile from the head of the table. "Incedent? Is that what 248 happened? An incident?". Suddenly there was a look of fury in his eyes and he 249 leaned forward in his chair. "Did you know any of the people killed?" 250 "No sir. Bill, I mean William Booth the previous section head felt it would 251 be better to get people who could keep this all in perspective. Not get person- 252 ally involved, I mean. 253 "And you agree with that choice?" 254 "I, I'm not sure sir." 255 "Your not sure? Or is it that you just don't know how I will react to your 256 opinion?" 257 There was no answer to that. Again silence filled the room. 258 \`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\`\` the runner \`\`\`\`\`\`\ 259 12321232123212321232123212321232123212321232123212321232123212321232123212321232 260 I used to be a dinosaur. I mean, you'd think that the body of the largest 261 beast ever to walk the face of the earth would have a better destination than 262 this chick's floor. And I thought all those years in the desert with Arabs kill- 263 ing eachother over me weere bad.And that week in the melting pot, I really 264 thought I was going to die. 265 I'm a noble soul, I should have been a record- a Handle or Vivaldi. Yeah! But 266 wouldn't you know it? I'm a garbage can! 267 12321232123212321232123212321232123212321232123/First Person/1232123212321232123 268 !_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_!_+_! 269 Here's one for the truth is stranger that fiction department. 270 271 Last night I had three bald women in my bathroom. 272 273 I knew nobody would believe it. I had to say it anyway. 274 {*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}!!!isis!!!{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*} 275 The memories faded and Arthur again awoke to his surroundings. A 276 slight breeze wafted through his hair, and the smells of soil, grass 277 and trees filled his nostrils. The air was warm; a fine day in late 278 spring, judging from the angle of the sun. His heightened senses 279 were filled with it; birds singing, animals scurrying, hopping, 280 insects chirping and buzzing. A curious ant crawled up his arm and 281 expressed surprise at the greeting it received from Arthur. 282 Apparently the word had not yet reached the most distant workers that 283 Arthur was now about. Being industrious, however, the ant did not 284 spend much time but hurried on his way. Arthur was learning to focus 285 his thoughts; a thing he had not had to do in the quiet of the earth. 286 As Arthur revelled in the sights and sounds of his new world, he 287 began to sense anxiety amongst the creatures about him. Far off on 288 the horizon, a strange object was approaching in midair. Arthur 289 shrank in fear at the monster until he heard the "voice" of the 290 kindly old tree at his back. The tree explained that this was an 291 object that held men and took them places they wished to go. Once, 292 when it was a sapling, the tree had taken a trip in such an object to 293 be planted in its new home. Men had called the object a ship, but 294 the tree could attach no meaning to that word before the ride. It 295 had felt a gentle sense of movement for awhile, then the doors opened 296 on to a place entirely different than that which it had left. The 297 tree failed to grasp the full extent of its journey until it observed 298 the ship leap into the air on its departure. 299 To Arthur, this object bore no resemblance to the ships of his 300 youth; large wooden boats with slaves or sails, or both, that 301 floated on the water, not the air. This thing looked more like a 302 bird as it flew through the air. The sound it made could only be 303 compared to the pounding surf; a thunderous movement of air. Even 304 with the soothing words of the tree behind him, Arthur found it hard 305 to let go of the fear this "ship" wrought in him. It was then that 306 the full impact of his situation showed itself; he was sitting, 307 naked, in a foreign world he knew nothing of. If men could build 308 such as he had just seen, how could he impress them with the small 309 tricks Merlin had showed him! 310 Arthur's mind reeled in despair. His first impulse was to sink 311 back into the earth and live again as one with the soil. The 312 crystals had accepted him as one of their own, and had taught him 313 many wonderful things. Just then, the tree, as though it could read 314 his thoughts, began to rumble with a strong reply. 315 "Arthur, you are their only hope, and they are yours." 316 {*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}!!!isis!!!{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*} 317 _^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_ 318 "BLACKOUT" EPISODE 2 319 After what seemed like an eternity, he turned off the bell. "well thats that" 320 He said. She then heard a thud from the other side of the elevator. 321 Had he fainted? "Just making myself comfortable on the floor." He 322 looked at his watch using the dim watch light. "Damm," he said, "there 323 goes the 7:28 to Forest Grove. My wife's gonna be furious." 324 She suddenly felt foolish standing erect in the dark and she gingerly 325 lowered herself onto the floor. The vinyl felt good, cool against her 326 bare legs, for the air conditioning had died with the lights. She took 327 off her shoes, placed them atop herbriefcase. Catiously. SHe was totally 328 disoriented. They exchanges a few sentences. She was worried they might 329 suffocate. 330 "No," he sounded authoritive. "there's air coming in. These things 331 have to be ventilated--by law." 332 "You an engineer?" 333 "Bond salesman." 334 "I'm in mutual funds." 335 That subject seemed exhaused, and they spent the next minute in silence 336 Then.... 337 "Listen," his disembodied voice floated over to her. "I'm starved. 338 You wouldn't by any chance have something to eat on you." 339 "I think I've gat a Hershey bar." 340 "Do you mind?" he asked. "We could go halvesies." 341 "It's all yours." She fished around in her bag, found it, then groped 342 in the dark for his fingers, slid the bar carefully into awaiting palm"Thanks" h 343 foil. The chocolate smelled pungent. All her senses had been sharpened 344 by the darkness. 345 "Hey...umm. You don't happed to have the outher kind do you? The 346 kind that has the almonds in it." 347 "Where do you think you are?!" she snapped "In the A & P?" And 348 suddenly they both burst out laughing. 349 "Well, here we are," he said. "So what do you want to do till the 350 mounties come?" 351 Vicky considered. "We could play ward games. Ghost, maybe...or how 352 about twenty questions?" 353 He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, 354 *Let'sdo it.* 355 356 _^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^ 357 So there some mistakes.....everyone are allow some.... 358 Marc. 359 _^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^ 360 361 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 362 Salazar shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Rommel's Lear jet taxied 363 for take-off. Across from him sat the secretary, Anna. The old geezer 364 insisted that she come along. Salazar couldn't figure out why, but not 365 much in this case made sense, anyway. 366 "Have you heard from that Albanian yet?" Anna interrupted Salazar's 367 chain of thought. 368 "Er... no, not yet. But then Mohammed tends to do things in his own 369 way... in his own time. My office will contact us when he checks in. 370 What's in the box?" Salazar nodded his head at a large wooden crate 371 sitting at the rear of the passenger compartment. 372 "Just something we may need at our distination." 373 "What is our distination, by the way?" The conversation paused at the 374 Lear's jets screamed in preperation for take-off. Salazar's stomach 375 twitched at the aircraft thundered down the runway and lifted into the sky. 376 He wondered how he had gotten himself into this mess with a middle-aged 377 bleached blonde secretary as a partner. 378 "Oh, we'll get to that in a second," Anna said. "Here... hold this 379 will you." Salazar did a double-take as a platinum blonde wig landed in 380 his lap. 381 * * 382 On the other side of the world, Wassir closed his eyes in resignation 383 as the helicopter hurdled toward a desolate Afghan mountainside. The 384 Albanian wanted to die in battle, not like this... so far from home. 385 "I think I've got it," Ming said. Mohammed felt the descent stop. 386 He opened his eyes. They hovered a scant distance from the earth. Ming 387 labored at the controls. The helicopter began to weave through a field of 388 large boulders, skimming along the floor of the mountain pass. 389 "Er... can't you take it up a bit? We are very close to the ground." 390 Mohammed asked nervously. 391 "Hey, they didn't teach me how to climb very well. I must have missed 392 a lesson." Ming said, "Don't worry, I'll get us to Pakistan. No problem." 393 "There is one problem, my friend. I have a terrible affliction known 394 as motion sickness." Mohammed's face was a sickly shade of green. 395 "Wait! Not here.... Oh no!" 396 397 398 A few hours later, the helicopter handed at a Pakistani military base 399 outside of Peshawar. Mohammed kissed the earth as they stepped from the 400 copter. 401 "Look at me... this is terrible." Ming said. His clothes were 402 covered with.... er something. 403 "Serves you right. Montgomery Wards Flying School, indeed." 404 Both men curiously studied several jeeps heading in their direction. 405 The jeeps squealed to a stop before them. Armed men jumped out and pointed 406 weapons at our pair. 407 "Hey, wait a minute. We're good guys," Ming said. 408 "We are very aware of who you are." A Pakistani major said, "You will 409 come with us, and please no problems. These are difficult times and my men 410 have no sense of humor. Someone wants to speak with you." 411 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Valinor*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 412 413 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 414 Piper: Sorry I've not begun my fascinating tale of space and intrigue, but 415 I'm having upload problems. Should get it up by Monday or Tuesday. Anyway, 416 as I was saying, it seems there was a man who worked for Transcom... 417 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Walrus 000 418 And so I look out upon the barren, wasted landscape that has been 419 my home for so many years. Tears meander down my face and splatter on 420 And so I look out upon the barren, wasted landscape that has been 421 my home for so many years. Tears meander down my face and splatter on 422 the rotted wooden floor below me. A hot gust of acrid wind greets my 423 face and I fall away from the window gasping. The creature that I call 424 my dog half oozes, half crawls over to me. I look at my own rradiation- 425 blistered arms and ask myself: 426 WHY CAN'T THE WORLD BE PEACEFUL?? 427 WHY DOES MAN CRAVE DESTRUCTION?? 428 And I roll over on the floor, dead. 429 430 431 MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB, ITS FLEECE WAS WHITE AS SNOW AND EVERYWHERE THAT 432 MARY WENT THE LAMB WAS SURE TO GO. 433 ONE DAY THE LAMB FOLLOWED HER TO SCHOOL AND MARY WAS EXPELLED. 434 435 DUMPTY-HUMPTY SAT ON A WALL DUMPTY-HUMPTY WAS KNOCKED DOWN 436 ALL THE SYSOPS DOGS AND ALL HIS MEMBERS DUMPTY-HUMPTY BACK TOGETHER AGAIN 437 ('SNIFF') 438 439 440 441  THATS ALL FOLKS 442 ........................................................................... 443 Marc: good story so far! One minor point- (for your information, not as 444 criticism). The alarm Bell & any mechanical ventilation are ELECTRICAL... 445 Of course, most people have no idea how many things depend on 446 electricity. Even people who should know better take things for granted.. 447 Like the engineer who, when the 'Great Blackout' hit the Northeast, 448 proudly walked over to the emergency generating plant that the hospital 449 he worked for had just had installed the month before & pushed the start 450 button. Nothing happened. Seems that the generator had an ELECTRIC fuel 451 pump..... oooops... 452 _________________________________Leonard___________________________________ 453 454 It's as if sometimes everyone in the world is out to get you. I desperately 455 need a tutor in advanced algebra. Anyone? Sophomores in high school are 456 any of you? Are we alone on this planet reallly, or is there one single 457 computer running our lives? Questions, questions, questions. That is the 458 entire life. When do the answers come? Or do they? What is my purpose in 459 life?? I want a dress to wear and a chalet in the Austrian alps. I want tyo 460 sing. I was in Oklahoma! Just closed last week. Terribly fun ,yes. Prom 461 night tonight, home alone, can any relate? Oh well. Thats life. C'est la 462 vie. So ist das Leben. Tschuss, Tschuss,meine Damen und Herrn. Bis bald. 463 ======================================================================== 464 TIS A LOVELY WALK DOWN THE BOULEVARD OF DREAMS AS I MEANDER THRU THE 465 THRONG OF HAPPY SOULS STROLLING ABOUT THE SHOPS AND BAZAARS ON THE MARKET- 466 PLACE...IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THE MYRIAD OF INNS, TAVERNS AND OTHER 467 SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS THAT LAY BEFORE MY EYES...AS I WALK A APPROACH THE 468 DOORS OF AN INN WHICH EMINATES SWEET SMELLS OF DRINK AND SONG...SUCH AS 469 I HAVE RARELY FELT IN A RATHER LONG TIME. AS I ENTER THE PORTAL A WAVE 470 OF EMONTION WASHES OVER MY MIND...MANY ADVENTURES FLOW PAST AS I BASK IN 471 THE WAVES...THE BAR TENDER SIGNALS FOR ME TO SEAT MYSELF SO THAT OTHERS 472 MAY ENTER OR LEAVE (AS MY SIZE PROHIBITS THIS IN THE DOORWAY) "THERE IS 473 ROOM HERE FOR ALL, EVEN MOUNTAIN APES SUCH AS YOU..." HE SAYS IN A 474 FREINDLY MANNER...I SMILE AS A SIT IN A LARGE WELL WORN SEAT WHICH HAS 475 SEEN MANY YEARS OF USE. HE LEAVES ME AND RETURNS TO POURING ALE AND BEER 476 WILL I SIP DARK BEER OUT OF THE MAGIC TANKARD...IT SEEMS THAT APREHENSION, 477 NAY, MORE LIKE HOSILITY FLOATING IN THE SMOKE HOVING IN THE LARGE HALL 478 OF THE INN...TURNING TO SIGHT IT WITH MY INNER EYES I TRY BUT DO NOT 479 SUCCEED IN LOCATING IT. NO MATTER, IT SHALL BE CAST OUT WITH THE OTHER 480 TRASH IN THE MORNING I SUPPOSE. RETURNING TO MY DRINK I PONDER IF ANY 481 OTHER ADVENTURERS WILL MAKE MY ACQUAINTANCE...MAY THE TANKARD NEVER GO 482 DRY AND MAY THE THOUGHTS ALWAYS KEEP FLOWING... 483 ===============================BIGFOOT=================================== 484 485 NOTE TO SYSOP OF BWMS: THANKS FOR ONCE AGAIN RETURNING THE SYSTEM TO 486 'ALL ALLOWED'. IT HELPS TO CORRECT BADLY ENTERED LINES. I THINK THAT 487 I SPEAK FOR MOST WHEN I SAY 'THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!'. TIL THE NEXT 488 TANKARD OF PEACE OF TRANQUILITY... 489 ===================================BIGFOOT=============================== 490 491 ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] 492 "UNDER Financed: Part 4" 493 The "message received" indicator on the team's remote terminal glowed 494 softly, silently calling out to the operatives who had just unlocked the door. 495 "What'd I tell ya?", David said. "Piece o' cake." 496 "Hey, Tony," Elizabeth called back through the door at Arjusk. "I really 497 gotta hand it to you. You've picked a first-class establishment here. 498 Motel-6 always was one of my favorites." 499 "Elizabeth's right, first class here, Tony," David said as he collapsed 500 upon a bed with several large bags. 501 Arjusk knew that David's idea of a first-class motel was one without 502 roaches, and considered the compliment accordingly. He struggled with two 503 more bags, pulled them inside, then shut the door. The light upon the terminal 504 caught his eye. "Message in, Elizabeth. Could you get it, please?" 505 Operative Ryan set down her coat and approached the machine, pulling out 506 a rather odd-looking keycard from her pocket. Sliding the keycard along a 507 hidden slot caused the terminal to emit a short beep. 508 509 Elizabeth tapped out a long series of keys. 510 511 515 [PURGE] 516 517 [ACKNOWLEDGE: OHARAJOH] 518 519 [MONITOR] 520 521 Arjusk and Peterson emitted a low whistle. "Care to tell me about that 522 foreboding again, Tony?" Elizabeth said. 523 "Is it really necessary?" he replied. 524 "I suppose not. When do you think we should start, guys?" 525 "Let's get a good night's sleep first, Elizabeth. The keys to your 526 room are on the table. David and I are sharing this one." 527 "I don't want to share a room with you; you steal all of the blankets," 528 David whined. 529 "Shut up, David, just shut up." 530 [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ UNDERGROUND [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ 531 /|\ Relationships are too hard to deal with. One minute you flying high on 532 the top of the world. The next minute you are wallowing without understand- 533 ing. It's like a cold slap. A sudden realization that things aren't perfect. 534 Like a hot air baloon. It always pops. You'll find the remains lying in the 535 street. Maybe they aren't worth it. Maybe solitude is the only answer. 536 Even alone. There are those depressing times. Alone there are never the 537 real depression. It's always steamed from people. The punch comes from 538 someone you care about and love. Your lungs explode. They burst when the 539 fist hits. Maybe giving up would be best. Giving up wouldn't work. Because 540 the hurt won't go away. It will invade the solitude. Things aren't perfect. 541 I just have to learn that. I have to remember that the slightest thing is 542 not meant for pain. They're not meant as punches. It still hurts. Even 543 when I can rationalize it. It still hurts. /|\ 544 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 545 To the person needing a tutor in advanced algebra: If you seriously need 546 help, I'll be glad to try to help --the problem may be location. I 547 inhabit the mundane wilds of exurban Wilsonville. Let me know if you feel 548 inclined to converse further and we'll move to another bbs for private msgs. 549 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 550 <<:*********************************************************:>> 551 552 A VISIT FROM THE GRAND DRAGON MASTER 553 554 555 Dear Backwater Friends: 556 557 It seems a long time since I've managed a visit to the Inn. My 558 new job at Children's Services consumes a great deal of my time 559 and energy. I feel lucky if I manage to occassionally download 560 Backwater and scan it. Today I lucked out. I've actually got a 561 moment to chat. 562 563 I thought you might enjoy knowing about Frank. You remember ol' 564 Frank, don't you? Poor perverted Frank. 565 566 About two years ago I decided to try to get out of social 567 services work. I'd burned out on dealing with 568 arsonists, perverts, child molesters and their victums. I was 569 tired of tragedy. I was tired of violence. I was tired of the 570 constant stress of working with volatile and dangerous people. 571 I wanted to do something else. I wanted out. 572 573 I quit. I decided to make a full time effort of changing 574 careers. I was determined to get out of social services. 575 576 I was unemployed for a year and a half. It was a disaster. 577 This is a terrible economy to attempt changing careers in. I 578 had made a terrible miscalculation. 579 580 It was Backwater that saved my sanity. It gave me a creative 581 outlet to indulge my writing talents. It was my daily excape 582 from reality. It was stimulating to pit McKane Industries 583 against all comers. It kept my head together during a very 584 difficult time. 585 586 It became painfully obvious that there was no choice but to 587 return to social work. That was where my marketable skills 588 lay. But was I ready? I decided to use Backwater to put it to 589 the test. 590 591 Frank Jones was a character I created out of my experience 592 working with the victums of child molesters. I had Frank 593 display the thought processes and rationalizations I knew a 594 real molester might use. To entertain those of you who enjoy an 595 intellectual battle I made him intelligent. 596 597 Frank gave me a chance to re-examine the sleezy world I was 598 contemplating returning to. He got me to thinking about my old 599 career and helped me draw some conclusions. The bigest of those 600 conclusions being that I really do enjoy the challenge of 601 social work. It's the stress that blows me away. 602 603 I was seriously considering returning. Frank gave me the 604 opportunity to see if I was ready to return to the world where 605 the real Franks reside. I decided I was. 606 607 It's worked out well. My job at Children's Services is 608 interesting, challenging, and very satisfying. Sometimes I even 609 manage to have a bit of fun. 610 611 So in the long run everything worked out just fine. It was just 612 getting there that was so dreadful. 613 614 GRAND DRAGON MASTER 615 DRAGON HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL 616 617 <<:*********************************************************:>> 618 619 ***************************************** 620 gee, i guess you could call that a success story, ehh? 621 ********************kathyd****************************** 622 at the bottom... what a thrill!!! kd TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 622