Vignettes I

"We can find it, I know it."

"The only thing we will find is death."

"You are wrong, this... this is what I, we've been waiting for. I can feel it."

"How can you be so sure? I can't even make out most of what is scribbled on this page."

"That's because it's not ready to be seen. We haven't earned the rest yet."

"Not ready?  Talk like that makes me think you think this map is alive."

"Yes, it is. And that's why I know we will find the door. This beautiful creature is going to take us there."

I don't know how long I stood there, although by the time I finally moved, the shadows had grown across the room and two of my joints made a loud pop as I took another step inside. The sound ricocheted around the room startling me back to more of a semblance of myself.  I started to swallow and then realized my throat had gone dry. I confirmed this as I briefly licked my lips and they were dried and rough.  Trying to shake off the feeling that had wrapped around me when I walked in through the door, I walked to the couch, dropping my bag on the middle cushion, a bit of dust swirling up and curling around in the bits of light streaming onto the room, finding cracks in the curtains that attempted to cover the window.  As I moved, my eyes continued to focus on the framed picture hanging above the fireplace. It was opposite the main door and it seemed to have been placed at the right level to catch a person's gaze upon entry. It was indeed a proper mousetrap. And I was caught, held tight. There was no denying, this was the exact same cabin from my dreams. I had never been to this place, nor seen that drawing hanging on the wall before, well, not in the awake world. And yet, here it was. Here I was. And even though I might not want to be, I was awake. This was not one of my dreams??

This can be yours  for only $17,234!!!!!!!

That's right, we have finally opened up sales to the public and now you have a chance to own one of these little beauties. All for a whistle and a song.

Not convinced? Well, if you want to be one of the elite, if you want to have something that no one else in your neighborhood owns, then you will want to act now.

Still not on board? Well, this is a one time offer that has a limited number of available units, so you want to act now. Really, you should grab one of these units.

Oh, did we happen to mention that anyone without one, will die...

She opened the door to her balcony and stepped outside, closing the door behind her so her little fluffball would not try to sneak out.  She paused, taking a sip of her drink, enjoying the bitter lime taste of the cocktail, a TGIF celebratory splurge; she had survived her first month at her new job and this was one treat she deserved.

With a happy sigh, she moved to the railing, leaning on the support so she could watch the street below.  The vehicles and people moved along, ants getting from one place to another.

Closing her eyes, she took another sip, wriggling her shoulders to workout some of the tension, the sounds of the waves lapping against the nearby shore providing a relaxing rhythm.  She could faintly hear the organ bells of the chapel signalling the end of the day.

Shifting to the end of her balcony, she sat in one of the cushion chairs, leaning back so the speaker headrest could mold around her head and ears. She took another sip as she focused on the shimmering circle in the sky, ready to let it's flowing nature sooth the tension from the workday as the first song from her playlist started.

"What is so important that you had to drag me out of bed Dr. Wentlell."

"We managed to crack through the last layer, and well, just come and look for yourself."

"I still don't know why this warrants a 2 AM vis.... oh my god!"

silence stretches for a very long time

"Is this real Brigette? Is this... Am I being set-up? I swear if this is a joke..."

"Take a look at these readings Doctor... this parietal art dates over 5,000 years ago."

"Alright, we need to keep this hidden until we are sure this is real. Oh, get that woman who found this in here, that thief what was her name?"

"She prefers archival redistributor. And do not snort at me, if the university knew what we were doing..."

"Doing?  Why, we are resurrecting a god. "

"So, you really think this radio station is what we have been seeking?" 

"I think it's the linchpin Alice, it is going to finally give us the tool we need to move our group forward."

"Well, then I would recommend you try to adopt a hands off approach as much as possible. Let incompetence and perhaps some poor judgment and choices sink the ship. Adopt an anything goes as your slogan. Then, if your daughter does exceed your expectations, when you swoop in to take what you want, it will be completely unexpected. Completely, from left field."

"You have never steered me wrong, I'll do it. I will bite my tongue and sit on my hands."

"Good boy. Now then, come escort me home and tell me in the car about how you plan on sabotaging this little radio station. Making something fail... You know, this could be quite fun and new for you; virginal territory."

"There's a first time for everything. And not to worry; I'll leave some of the virgins for you to corrupt."

I've been here about an hour. And I've only creeped myself out even more, I knew I knew this place, even though I'd never been here before; and yes, I know that last sentence is borderline oxymoron. Anyways, as I stood there, part of me thinking I needed to bring in the rest of the supplies, another part thinking about making a fire in the fireplace, but it was the creeped out part of me that won out. I just had to test myself. So, I took a bandana from my bag, blindfolded myself and began just walking. I walked the cabin, I walked the area outside. I didn't trip a single time. I had every step down, every turn, every single spatial and geographical relationship. And that "knowledge" is what led me to the hidden room under the fireplace.  Which is where I am now. What the hell man, what the hell??!!??

"Those look like some symbol set from a 1950s bad sci-fi movie."

"Have you seen them before?"

"No, I have not... hmmm."

"Is that a good hmm or a bad hmm or a..."

"A shut up and let me think hmm."

"Well, you know the best way to shut me up is to keep my lips busy with other activities."

"I swear if I did not love you so much I would just... oh, oh, oh."

"Is that a good oh or a bad oh?"

"Alright Norah, let me get this straight. We are bringing a science fiction serial to the radio station."

"Yup."

"We are going to call it 'Robutts of Love."

"Yes."

"That's not a typo?"

"No, that's in line with the station's new branding."

"I am not sure I can find my motivation for this."

"I am sure you can knock this outta the park, just like you have always done for us. You are a professional, that's why we depend on you Sir Charles."

"Well... I am a consummate actor."

"Good, now, look over the script and be ready tomorrow for final run through."

"Final. we aren't going to have any other rehearsals?"

"We have five months left to make this radio station work. We don't have time."

A titulus pictus is an ancient Roman commercial inscription made on the surface of certain artefacts,  usually the neck of an amphora. Typically, these inscriptions were made in red or black paint.  The inscription specifies information such as origin, destination, type of product, and owner. (source wikpedia)  A “Titulus Pictus” is one of the very first historical examples of watermarking on ancient pottery. It was a commercial inscription made on the surface of clay that specified information about the product such as its origin, destination, and type. (source Google Play)

"This garum is pure and made from Mackerel." 

HIC IACET SEP

VLTVS INCLITVS

REX ARTVRIVS IN

INSVLA AVALO

NIA

"Can you smell that salt air Rory?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Would you rather I asked you how you are feeling?"

"About the same as 10 minutes ago when I was heaving over the side of this damned vessel. I told you this would be hell for me."

"Then why did you come?"

"To protect you from that cursed map."

"Really?"

"You believe it is alive and is going to lead us to some portal to another world. I am playing Pascal's wager."

"I don't understand."

" If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. So, I am here without hesitation."

"So you believe in the map?'

"No, I love you.  And unlike you, I have everything to lose."

"Who is it from?"

"Does not say."

"I thought you had to have a return address on a postcard."

"Guess not."

"Ok, so, what does it say?"

"Well, it's..."

"Give me that."

many minutes of silence creep about

"Why would someone send you this?"

"Don't know. Listen, why is this bothering you?"

"Someone sends my girlfriend a weird art postcard with the words, "I am coming for you." It kinda bothers me. Aren't you worried?"

"No, and, um, well, I don't know why, but it seems kinda familiar."

"Ok, now I am REALLY bothered."