Editing Carl Ellis July 1928 - Diary

Jump to: navigation, search

Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.

The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision Your text
Line 35: Line 35:
 
In the next week or so I shall begin my own experiments in perception.  If I can learn to feel my self more intimately I may be able to ascertain what happens during one of the visions.  At the least I shall have learned something about myself!<br><br>
 
In the next week or so I shall begin my own experiments in perception.  If I can learn to feel my self more intimately I may be able to ascertain what happens during one of the visions.  At the least I shall have learned something about myself!<br><br>
 
And Maddy, I think, is ready to Cross the Veil.  At least, she is ready to think long and hard upon the choice it offers and the responsibility it partners.  I think it will be a good thing for her -- I think she is prepared.  But will she?  It is in her hands now.<br><br>
 
And Maddy, I think, is ready to Cross the Veil.  At least, she is ready to think long and hard upon the choice it offers and the responsibility it partners.  I think it will be a good thing for her -- I think she is prepared.  But will she?  It is in her hands now.<br><br>
'''''Monday, 16 July 1928. ''''' <br><br>
+
''Monday, 16 July 1928. '' <br><br>
 
Tony has called again.  He and Franklin Scott are California-bound with a cargo, if I understand correctly, of highly important people that must be hidden.  Who they are I do not know; why they are suddenly running, and from whom; these things too are unclear.  But they are coming here, and we shall see what is to be.<br><br>
 
Tony has called again.  He and Franklin Scott are California-bound with a cargo, if I understand correctly, of highly important people that must be hidden.  Who they are I do not know; why they are suddenly running, and from whom; these things too are unclear.  But they are coming here, and we shall see what is to be.<br><br>
 
Carl says he will stay until their arrival. I am frankly glad, though it means that Julian and I have less time alone.  If Tony is bringing me an enigma I wish to be as prepared for it as possible.  Emerson is valuable that way. <br><br>
 
Carl says he will stay until their arrival. I am frankly glad, though it means that Julian and I have less time alone.  If Tony is bringing me an enigma I wish to be as prepared for it as possible.  Emerson is valuable that way. <br><br>
Line 44: Line 44:
 
A bitter taste, that.  Must it be?  Man ''is'' an animal, after all.  Are we really nothing but a religion with our God in our pockets?  <br><br>
 
A bitter taste, that.  Must it be?  Man ''is'' an animal, after all.  Are we really nothing but a religion with our God in our pockets?  <br><br>
 
Sacrilege?  Interesting word.<br><br>
 
Sacrilege?  Interesting word.<br><br>
'''''Saturday, 20 July 1928. ''''' <br><br>
+
''Saturday, 20 July 1928. '' <br><br>
 
Spent most of the day in town today with Julian.  In the morning we went down to the river to watch the ships unload; the afternoon we spent in a park down by the grocers.  This town is growing fast, and is much larger than it appears from our house.  They are deepening the river between here and the Bay; in another year or two this is going to be a huge seaport, I am old.<br><br>
 
Spent most of the day in town today with Julian.  In the morning we went down to the river to watch the ships unload; the afternoon we spent in a park down by the grocers.  This town is growing fast, and is much larger than it appears from our house.  They are deepening the river between here and the Bay; in another year or two this is going to be a huge seaport, I am old.<br><br>
 
Perhaps by then it will be time to move on.<br><br>
 
Perhaps by then it will be time to move on.<br><br>
Line 54: Line 54:
 
I suppose this means that I have finally begun to accept maturity.  Hmm.<br><br>
 
I suppose this means that I have finally begun to accept maturity.  Hmm.<br><br>
 
At the least, I am not alone.<br><br>
 
At the least, I am not alone.<br><br>
'''''Sunday, 21 July 1928 – ''''' <br><br>
+
''Sunday, 21 July 1928 – '' <br><br>
 
Another call from Tony.  He and his mystery guests are up noth somewhere; they should be here in a few days.  Tony says they are "like Julian."  Emerson and I can only take that to mean that somewhere, somehow, Tony has made contact with another batch of Islanders!  Why they are on the run remains a mystery to us; but the eager imagination can create a hundred fascinating tales of secret struggles between the branches of a powerful family.<br><br>
 
Another call from Tony.  He and his mystery guests are up noth somewhere; they should be here in a few days.  Tony says they are "like Julian."  Emerson and I can only take that to mean that somewhere, somehow, Tony has made contact with another batch of Islanders!  Why they are on the run remains a mystery to us; but the eager imagination can create a hundred fascinating tales of secret struggles between the branches of a powerful family.<br><br>
 
I do not think I want them here -- especially with Julian present.  They are highly explosive and, I suspect, unpredictable.  Nonetheless, if it proves necessary we shall accommodate them. I shall begin preparing the other guest rooms for visitors.<br><br>
 
I do not think I want them here -- especially with Julian present.  They are highly explosive and, I suspect, unpredictable.  Nonetheless, if it proves necessary we shall accommodate them. I shall begin preparing the other guest rooms for visitors.<br><br>
Line 72: Line 72:
 
I think I shall spend another week here, communing with my orchard friends, and then begin to try to observe the world of mankind.<br><br>
 
I think I shall spend another week here, communing with my orchard friends, and then begin to try to observe the world of mankind.<br><br>
 
Will it be a wonder, or a nightmare?  I wonder.<br><br>  
 
Will it be a wonder, or a nightmare?  I wonder.<br><br>  
'''''23 July 1928 – Monday afternoon;''''' <br><br>
+
''23 July 1928 – Monday afternoon;'' <br><br>
 
A letter from Arc today.  Unfortunately very brief; merely a bit of chitchat about the Estate.  Seems we can use it any time after August.  Sure wish Tony would get here: we need to discuss the Gathering.<br><br>
 
A letter from Arc today.  Unfortunately very brief; merely a bit of chitchat about the Estate.  Seems we can use it any time after August.  Sure wish Tony would get here: we need to discuss the Gathering.<br><br>
 
I have had a lot of earnest and interesting letters the past week or so, including a heartfelt "count-me-in!" note from LTH (''note: Laszlo Hollyfeld''), and a strange, evocative text from Zigfried which contains some interesting hints about the Islanders but mostly struggles to free itself from the mists of dream.<br><br>
 
I have had a lot of earnest and interesting letters the past week or so, including a heartfelt "count-me-in!" note from LTH (''note: Laszlo Hollyfeld''), and a strange, evocative text from Zigfried which contains some interesting hints about the Islanders but mostly struggles to free itself from the mists of dream.<br><br>
'''''24 July 1928 – Tuesday; On the Train.''''' <br><br>
+
''24 July 1928 – Tuesday; On the Train.'' <br><br>
 
Tony is in Oakland, with his charges.  Emerson and I are going there to interview them.  There are five.  Five.  Where on Earth have they been hiding, that they were find-able by Tony?  Soon we shall know.<br><br>
 
Tony is in Oakland, with his charges.  Emerson and I are going there to interview them.  There are five.  Five.  Where on Earth have they been hiding, that they were find-able by Tony?  Soon we shall know.<br><br>
'''''Wednesday, 25 July 1928 – Oakland;''''' <br><br>
+
''Wednesday, 25 July 1928 – Oakland;'' <br><br>
 
I was wrong.  Carl and I have met the Children, and they are different than we expected.  <br><br>
 
I was wrong.  Carl and I have met the Children, and they are different than we expected.  <br><br>
 
Not Islanders, these.  But "Like Julian."  Yes.  Like her -- her companions; her classmates; her fellow trained slaves from early years.  One or two of them even ''remember'' her.<br><br>
 
Not Islanders, these.  But "Like Julian."  Yes.  Like her -- her companions; her classmates; her fellow trained slaves from early years.  One or two of them even ''remember'' her.<br><br>
Line 87: Line 87:
 
''Rachel'':  Maybe 13.  Brand-new.  Very young, silent, scared.  Supposed to become a General, not no Talent, yet.  Fresh from the hands of the torturers.<br><br>
 
''Rachel'':  Maybe 13.  Brand-new.  Very young, silent, scared.  Supposed to become a General, not no Talent, yet.  Fresh from the hands of the torturers.<br><br>
 
These kids were raised for Eveling; trained by a mysterious dark-haired man -- the same as Julian's teacher -- and kept in seclusion in Madisonville to fight Eveling's psychic battles.<br><br>
 
These kids were raised for Eveling; trained by a mysterious dark-haired man -- the same as Julian's teacher -- and kept in seclusion in Madisonville to fight Eveling's psychic battles.<br><br>
'''''Wednesday, 25 July 1928 – Oakland, CA (continued)''''' <br><br>
+
''Wednesday, 25 July 1928 – Oakland, CA (continued)'' <br><br>
 
So it seems I was right all along. There were more of the Children, and now they have been found. <br><br>
 
So it seems I was right all along. There were more of the Children, and now they have been found. <br><br>
 
I cannot say I am entirely pleased!<br><br>
 
I cannot say I am entirely pleased!<br><br>
Line 110: Line 110:
 
Tony will bring the Children to our house on Saturday. What will they say when they once again meet their lost Martha? What will she say? I must prepare her; it will be difficult, I am sure, to meet these strangers who claim they know you. Will it help her? Will it jog her memory? I hope so, but I cannot predict. Whatever she shut away so long ago cannot have been small or trivial.<br><br>
 
Tony will bring the Children to our house on Saturday. What will they say when they once again meet their lost Martha? What will she say? I must prepare her; it will be difficult, I am sure, to meet these strangers who claim they know you. Will it help her? Will it jog her memory? I hope so, but I cannot predict. Whatever she shut away so long ago cannot have been small or trivial.<br><br>
 
Good luck, my very dear. God keep you close.<br><br>
 
Good luck, my very dear. God keep you close.<br><br>
'''''Thursday, 26 July 1928 – At home'''''<br><br>
+
''Thursday, 26 July 1928 – At home''<br><br>
 
They are due to arrive in an hour or so; I thought I would jot down these words before they come. There will likely be more later. <br><br>
 
They are due to arrive in an hour or so; I thought I would jot down these words before they come. There will likely be more later. <br><br>
 
Julian is interested in meeting these newcomers; and a bit worried too; but I think I am more fretful than she! It is tough to explain why it was so difficult to tell her who they were. I fear that, in part, it was simply that our time here has been special; that I think of myself as the only one who truly knows her; and that I expect things to change at the meeting. Ah, well. Greed is in every man. <br><br>
 
Julian is interested in meeting these newcomers; and a bit worried too; but I think I am more fretful than she! It is tough to explain why it was so difficult to tell her who they were. I fear that, in part, it was simply that our time here has been special; that I think of myself as the only one who truly knows her; and that I expect things to change at the meeting. Ah, well. Greed is in every man. <br><br>
 
This is going to be fascinating! <br><br>
 
This is going to be fascinating! <br><br>
'''''Friday, 27 July 1928; Sometime before dinner.''''' <br><br>
+
''Friday, 27 July 1928; Sometime before dinner.'' <br><br>
 
The worst is over; and things will settle down now, I hope! But it has been pretty hectic here. <br><br>
 
The worst is over; and things will settle down now, I hope! But it has been pretty hectic here. <br><br>
 
The arrival of the Children did NOT produce the results I expected! No, indeed!! They came; we let them in, Julian took one look at Samuel and Rebecca; and the screaming began; and she fainted dead away. <br><br>
 
The arrival of the Children did NOT produce the results I expected! No, indeed!! They came; we let them in, Julian took one look at Samuel and Rebecca; and the screaming began; and she fainted dead away. <br><br>
Line 132: Line 132:
 
I am tired. So much, all at once; and it is only beginning. Still, I think it will begin to underline the fact that the White Men will not come and take them away! Thank heavens for Emerson – he is running the household while I flounder. <br><br>
 
I am tired. So much, all at once; and it is only beginning. Still, I think it will begin to underline the fact that the White Men will not come and take them away! Thank heavens for Emerson – he is running the household while I flounder. <br><br>
 
Up again; I shall do a few more chores then take a rest; then spend some time with Adam. Poor lad. <br><br>
 
Up again; I shall do a few more chores then take a rest; then spend some time with Adam. Poor lad. <br><br>
'''''Saturday, 28 July 1928; 4 PM or so'''''<br><br>
+
''Saturday, 28 July 1928; 4 PM or so''<br><br>
 
Tony is gone, Rebecca’s gone too; and already the world is beginning to change shape. <br><br>
 
Tony is gone, Rebecca’s gone too; and already the world is beginning to change shape. <br><br>
 
Julian does remember. Remembers everything; and with a depth and clarity that is astonishing. Unbelievable, actually; I must conclude that she has some kind of Talent or Skill that allows her such vivid recall. <br><br>
 
Julian does remember. Remembers everything; and with a depth and clarity that is astonishing. Unbelievable, actually; I must conclude that she has some kind of Talent or Skill that allows her such vivid recall. <br><br>
Line 164: Line 164:
 
So much to do, and we only two. Have we TIME? <br><br>
 
So much to do, and we only two. Have we TIME? <br><br>
 
I wish that there were more laughter. <br><br>
 
I wish that there were more laughter. <br><br>
'''''Monday, 30 July 1928; 11:30 AM''''' <br><br>
+
''Monday, 30 July 1928; 11:30 AM'' <br><br>
 
The morning chores are done and it is time for a little quiet thought. We still have no real idea of the pattern our lives will fall into in the next week or two…<br><br>
 
The morning chores are done and it is time for a little quiet thought. We still have no real idea of the pattern our lives will fall into in the next week or two…<br><br>
 
Julian is with Rachel again. Adam is moping in the orchard. I went out to speak to him a little while ago, but he was resentfully withdrawn; and I could think of nothing to say that would reach him. How familiar he seems … and how far away! <br><br>
 
Julian is with Rachel again. Adam is moping in the orchard. I went out to speak to him a little while ago, but he was resentfully withdrawn; and I could think of nothing to say that would reach him. How familiar he seems … and how far away! <br><br>

Please note that all contributions to RPGnet may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see RPGnet:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!

Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)