Magnetic Pages Article | 1998-03-08 | 87KB | 520 lines
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'Notes 31 Aug 1997: The first story is'called Dale's Detox in a series of'stories under the title called Junk'Fiction. The main character is called'Dale who finds himself in the cellar'(which just happens to be below'ground). In his journey to the'underworld of his subconscious, he'encounters a weird figure inside his'parent's wardrobe. The figure has four'heads which number his family: mon,'dad, brother and sister. And it is a'hediously disgusting figure which tells'him to shut the door. Now, is he'dreaming, hullucinating or sleep'walking? It is hard to say. A cryptic'sentence states the reason, that he is'there, is because of his feet. Say that'again? Because of his feet! Well, is it'because he is barefooted? (Need more
input. Data does not compute.)
'Anyway, "He was barefoot and wearing'only a pair of flimsy underpants and by'the time he'd realised that he was a'good few minutes away from reaching the'SHORES OF CONSCIOUSNESS" which I'believe refers to the subconscious of'the feminine watery element. Was he'going to wank? Hard to say. Apparently'he was not dreaming, as his dad gave'him a slap for being in the cellar.'Well, maybe he was going to wank. I
don't knowwww.
'Anyway, this guy's karma is krap. He is'born into a disfunctional family where'he feels abit out of place. He is'slender. They are all fat. He is'sensitive and intelligent. They are'crude...but not necessarily stupid.'When he said that he was talking to the'blob, his brother calls him a liar.'Well, maybe he is a liar, as the blob'may have been a red herring. That was'when his brother accused him of jerking
off.
'I am not sure what the symbolism of the'"egg" meant which seemed to be stressed'throughout the story. By definition, an'egg is laid by a female fish or bird'and contains the germ (yoke?) of a new'individual. Well, Dale saw himself as'the yoke which was thrown away by his'family who represented the white
portion...
'"Dale did not have many pleasant'feelings towards his brother. Nor his'mother. Nor even his father come to'think of it. Dale was the silky yoke in'family of egg-whites-bright, gleaming'yellow encapsulated by pale, blotchy'blubber. His trim figure made him a'magnet for his fat family's jibes and'put-downs, and his tendency to slip so'easily into the powerful POOL OF HIS'SUBCONSCIOUS often plunged breakfast'and mealtimes deep into the pits of the
gruesomely sarcastic."
'Yes, his karma was krap, because he is'a freak magnet that draws all manner of'freakish things to him. However the'above paragraph may help explain his'hallucination or whatever it was that
happened in the cellar.
'Then comes the bit on his brother's'Sacred Mayonnaise Jar which every day'he would eat until it was completely'empty. His brother would then leave the'jar at the front porch. Next morning'the jar would be found filled. Here the'symbolism seemed not to be consistent.'I would think that normally a health'conscious family would throw away the'yoke of the egg. Now mayonnaise is full'of whole eggs... For that reason, I'would think the fat brother would not'eat too much of it. But then who says'that people have to make sense in all
their doings. Right?
'"`Found out who's been refilling your'jar yet?' enquired Dale, in the hope of'changing the subject. He hated it when'Barry rambled on about wanking off and'coming; it was foul and embarrassing'and he'd do any- thing to avoid it.'Barry, now looking like he'd had a'vicious encounter with a tube of'toothpaste, shrugged, "Don't fuckin'care who fills it up, do I. What's it'matter anyway?" Maybe the story could'be considered a mystery rather than a'horror story. Now I was betting that it'was the little blob that was filling up
the jar.
'"Barry shrugged again, now drinking'from the Jar as though it were a pot of'runny yoghurt. 'Nah,' (He paused to'swallow.) 'Be some girl who fancies me,'that's all.'" That should have been the'tipoff, but...I was too slow. Darn, I
hate being slow.
'"Dale handed over his egg (to his'brother); there was something about the'lack of yoke in a boiled egg that he'found quite repulsive. Perhaps the'jelly-like whiteness which clung to the'interior of the shell (and which, once'scooped out, wobbled on his spoon in'the manner of a milky tongue) reminded'him of Barry's ghastly stomach, or the'sickening just-out-of-the-bath'flash-glance he'd once had of the boy's'epic arse cheeks." I am not sure what'the fixation over the "egg" is. Maybe'it is some kind of arse fixation? I
don't knowwww.
'Apparently Dale does the email thing.'He corresponds with Samantha @'wrinkle.co.uk. He tells her pretty much'everything that has happened to him'this day even the Sacred Mayonnaise'Jar. "It happens every night, now. He'stuffs himself stupid then puts the jar'out on the porch. It's full-up again'ready for breakfast without fail. He's'a greedy bastard. He doesn't seem to'care who's filling it up. I suppose a'lot of people are like that, though,
aren't they. Selfish..."
'Part of his disfunctional family is his'sister Tara who "was still enjoying a'multi-day hog of the bathroom." Anyway,'at first she was hogging the bathroom,'however "As for Tara, she's moved into'the bathroom. Don't ask me why. She'comes out for Mum and Dad, of course,'but only emerges for me and Barry when'one of us needs a shit. She won't let'us in for a piss so we have to go'outside and do it behind the'greenhouse. She says she's trying to'starve herself to death, which I'suppose isn't such a bad thing'considering the size of her, but Barry'keeps sticking slices of whole wheat'and cream crackers under the door and
they don't come back."
'Well, I do not know what to make of'this. He is either exaggerating or is a'damn liar. I am not sure what the'symbolism of the bathroom means. I'guess it is one of those absurd'situations that is blown up to a really
absurd level.
'Anyway, Dale was trying to get in touch'with Samatha in person, and soon'discovers that she lives very close'indeed. Now, Samatha is the one who'brings up the subject of De-tox, as I
guess she is health conscious.
'"The boils on my neck have gotten much'worse, I'm sorry to say. They have now'spread to my face - which currently'looks not unlike the surface of the'moon after a particularly bad meteor'storm. My own reflection disgusts me. I'look like a zombie from The Night of'the Living Dead. I have taken down all'the mirrors in the house and refuse to'go outdoors unless it is both pitch'dark and absolutely necessary. I have'also begun to order my week's groceries'from Tesco's on-line Shopping Mall to'save me the agony of going into town.'They charge five quid for front door'delivery, you know. This `blob' of'yours is most alarming. I should try,'if I were you, drinking a large amount'of water before you go to bed tonight.'Four pints at the very least. And take'off your socks. Right now, go on, take'them off. Now, s q u e e z e the fleshy'bit beneath your big toe. Go on,'squeeze very hard. Can you feel all'those little balls crunching around in'there like a beanbag? I bet you can,'can't you. Yucky aren't they? They're'your body's toxins, Dale, accumulated'over years of eating crap foods and'lazing about. And, believe it or not,'they're very likely to be the root'cause of your vivid dreams. Don't ask'me how it works. All I know is that'your foot's supposed to be like a small'map of your whole body and your big toe'represents your head (thus your brain,'thus your subconscious). I read about'it in an Indian Reflexology Manual. A'good foot massage helps, of that'there's no doubt, but water I think is
your best bet."
'AJC drew some interesting pictures at'the end of the emails. They were'actually well done. Dale drew some cute'tebby bears, and Samatha drew a large'cat. I suppose that if I had seen the'big cat I am not sure what I would have'made of that. I always tend to see cats'as looking very sinister and rarely as
cute.
'Anyway there is so much information in'her email, I am not sure where to'begin. Is she exaggerating or is she a'damn liar? If she is not exaggerating'or lying, then she has a serious'problem. If I were Dale, I would start'wondering why I draw such people to'myself. In other words, what is wronggg
with me?
'She compares the foot to the body, and'the big toe to the head or "soul". Now'we get back to the cryptic statement at'the beginning of the story, the reason'why he was in the cellar was his'"feet". It is rather interesting that'the word "soul" sounds exactly the same'as the the word "sole" of the foot, the'lowest and dirtiest part of the self at'least in the English language. She'implies that his soul is full of crap'accumulated over the years through'eating crap (soul) food (or'experiences) and laziness!! She then'suggests he clean his innerds with the'feminine element of water. All rather%esoteric in nature would not you say.
'The confusing part of the story is the'description of the experience in the'cellar. I compared it to a'hallucination, and she to a vivid'dream. I once referred to dreams in a'previous review as connected with%emotional body (or soul). This begs a$question. Why is Dale's subconscious&(emotional body or soul) so unhinged?
'"Dale arrived in the kitchen holding'four of his father's pint glasses only'to discover that the nozzle of the cold'water tap had been consumed by the end'of a luminous hose pipe." He is holding'four pint glasses for the four in his'family (mom, dad, brother and sister)'in order to cleanse his soul I suppose.
'As I have mentioned in a previous'review, the extroverted personality'believes that all causes come from'without. For that reason, I suspect'that he believes the causes (outward'causes) of his messed up unhinged soul'is his family members rather than'(inner causes), however I have my'suspicions. I tend to believe that'there is a reason why people are where'they are, and there may even be past
life reasons involved...
'Anyway he could not get water from the'kitchen and was forced to get water'from the bathroom which was heavily'restricted. The writer goes into a'funny piece on how Dale and his brother'try to get into the bathroom (both for'different reasons). It really was
funny.
'"That night, his stomach awash with'water, Dale decided that he was going'to remain awake until he'd at least'caught a glimpse of the person who was'responsible for the continuous'refilling of Barry's jar." Here has to'be the most disqusting part of them'all..."The figure - Dale could not yet'tell whether it was male or female'because it was wearing a dark, hooded'jacket - lingered at the foot of the'lawn, before casually strolling towards'Barry's Sacred Jar. When it crouched'down, Dale held his breath; when it'pulled back its hood, he stifled a'shriek of fright against the curtains.'Despite the awkward angle from which'Dale was forced to view the trespasser,'he could see quite clearly that it was'female, and that her face was'gruesomely deformed by lumps, sores and'boils. Alarming enough though this was,'especially under the silvery light of'the moon, nothing could have prepared'Dale for what was to happen next. After'glancing around - the way one might'expect a burglar to scan his or her'surroundings prior to breaking into a'car - the deformed woman picked up the'Sacred Jar, took off the lid, and held'it just an inch below her chin. She'then began to prod and squeeze her'infected flesh until the boils and'pustules popped or cracked open to'produce a liquid not unlike melted'cheese, and proceeded to skilfully'catch as much of this foulness in the'jar as she possibly could..." It just'goes on and on without stopping. Pretty'disqusting would not you agree. Maybe it was a horror story afterall.
'It is a good story when you end up'where you started. Is there a moral to'this story? Well, what can I say? Bad'things happen to selfish people. Or, if'you are selfish, you get what you'deserve. Don't talk to strangers on the'internet. Stay out of the cellar. I
just don't knowwww.
'Notes 2 Sep 1997: The next story is'called "The Island of Green" which'starts out in the house and in the'bedroom. The brother is sleeping and'the sister booby traps his bed in which'he is sleeping. Apparently he had been'trying to keep his sister out but'without success. Anyway, he woke up'drenched in water with the stereos'blasting in his ears. I keep thinking'that this girl had to be the most'rambunctious kid I had ever heard. My'brothers were, but my sisters never. I'was thinking that maybe she was the'worst kind of pankster imagineable,'however I had not met many women like'that. What followed was mayhem. He'chased, and she threw. "What're you'doing Michelle that's Mum's best."'However, I could not even guess what
caused all this mess.
'"'Luke, your Weetabix,' said my sister.'Groggily, I turned around to see a box'of Shredded Wheat go skidding across'the nearest worktop, one end alive with'smoke and flames. It bumped into the'breadbin, knocked off a packet of'creamcrackers and set that on fire,'too." Ok, my family was also pretty'wild but not enough to set the house on
fire.
'"You Jesus Christing cow." I realize'that in the past I may have said the'sacred name without thinking what I was'saying, but now I tend to wince, when I'hear it used in such a thoughtless
manner. Oh well.
'Apparently Michelle, his sister, is'fifteen, so it is not as if she is a'small little child. "Then, I picked up'the biscuit tin and threw it over my'shoulders. There was a clang and the'flutter of Hobnobs raining onto the'floor, followed by 'Argh... Bastard!'.'Michelle dropped the spinning machine'and slapped her hands against a'forehead as if trying to conceal a'vulgar tattoo. 'Shit,' she mumbled.''You've given me brain damage you'twat.'" She is abit fowl too. The'expression "vulgar tattoo" kind of'implies a biker slut. Now is that true,'Luke? Oh, that just happens to be his'name. (Don't talk about my sister in'that manner, as her name is sacred.- My'imagination is running off again.
Sorry, dear reader.)
'"Panting, she pushed her backside out'until it collided with my groin, tilted'her head and whispered, 'You gonna do'it then, eh? Come on Luke, try me. You'might be surprised. Try me. Go on.'"'Damn, now I am starting to understand'what that was all about. I was abit'shocked. My sisters may have been abit'boy happy, but they were never super'aggressive like that. Usually the boys'tend to be that way, as they have'testosterone coming out of their ears
at that age.
'Apparently, their parents had been gone'for THREE days, and she had been'putting the vibes on him all that time,'which explains why he locked himself in'his bedroom. Her attacks were due to'his rejection. I can actually believe'that, as I have experienced it myself.
'There had been women who had actually'tortured my ass on a daily basis. They'wanted to know all about my sex life,'and if I did oral sex. Of course, I'replied that I did not know what the'hell they were talking about. I asked'them to give me a map and a flash'light, as I was totally lost and in the'dark. One young lady actually'challenged me to eat her out. I swear I'kid you not. I begged her to give me a'break, then I just hid in the restroom'and splashed water in my face. I could'not believe that this was actually
happening.
'"'Oh God please spare me!' Michelle'laughed and folded her arms. 'My'beloved brother doesn't even know when'his own knob stands on end. Isn't that'pathetic.'" Now the taunting. Women
actually do do that.
'This reminds me of another experience.'One lady co-worker told me, "You are'afraid". "No I am not", I replied. We'keep going back and forth, when I'suddenly realized what the hell we were'talking about!! You know. Defense and'denial is weak, as it always sounds'like "yes, I am a wimp." It is much'better to counter-an-attack in positive'terms like "I am brave and strong, and
will swallow you whole."
'"Admittedly I was less aroused by this'apparent illusion than tremendously'worried, for here I was having erotic'thoughts about a girl I had grown up'with, gone to school and played games'with - hell, even, at one stage of my'life, shared the bath with. I had no'plans whatsoever of responding to her'incestuous invitations, no matter how'startling (or even exciting) the'exhibition." Well, we are forced to'make decisions on a daily basis. To do'or not to do. Yes or no. The'interesting part was the reference to'the "apparent illusion" of the event.'Illusion in what sense? That it was not'really happening or that it was
happening but not really...
'"Don't ignore me Luke! Stop acting'blind! I know what you want, you'bastard, you want to suck the hell out'of these and fuck my arse off!" Now why'do I feel that this statement is an'illusion, or is it maybe just a teenage
boy's wet dream?
'Then comes the bit about the small'grassy hill near their home. Well, the'season is spring which probably'explains the erotic atmosphere. Luke'compares the hill to his life, an'unspectacular mound remaining the same'every day and having a "meaningless"'existence. It's sole purpose is an'extended garden for those who live in'the neighbor hood. The view from the'mound was not too good either. "If the'hill were alive - if it were some'gigantic, green creature too fat to'move - I would discuss with it the'possibilities of self-destruction." I'guess he likes to meditate on the'mound, but his thoughts are negative.'Maybe because all that he "sees"
appears evil and without light.
'However today..."I was in the midst of'an erotic and surprisingly enjoyable'(but, I assure you, experimental)'daydream/fantasy when...". I can'actually believe that the main'character needed to get away from the'chaotic situation to sort things out in'his mind and feelings in a semi-
peaceful situation.
'He started to talk to this SIX year old'kid who intruded on his meditation. She'asked him if he was thinking about sex'and asked what was sex. It is rather'interesting how the writer may have'associated the number "six" (the number'of man) with "sex", just as the ancient'Romans did! I am not sure why this part'needed to be included in the story.'Well, she was curious about the subject'but basically ignorant about it. To me'kids seem to be growing up too quickly'now-a-days. "'Everyone's thinking about'sex though aren't they? Even I am.' She'yawned, then, as if to prove it, and'picked her nose, wiping her fingers on$the grass. 'Is that it, then? Sex?'"
'"Interestingly, I have never caught'Sonja gazing out across the DREARY'WORLD; she seems BLIND to the CHAOS'that surrounds her, has no desire to'know what lurks beyond the horizon,'chooses instead to focus on this small,'hump-backed island of green." Well, I'guess she represents the childhood of'blissful ignorance in the garden of'Eden. Once a person gets knowledge of'both good and evil, that person'overlooks the good and only sees the'evil, which seems to be the fate of
being man.
'He says that he is looking at "nothing"'with his eyes open, or rather he is'looking at something extremely'depressing, the whole miserable world.'Well, I believe that we tend to find'what we are looking for. If I look for'evil, I will certainly find evil or'maybe evil will find me. Take for
instance, the subject of sex...
'Why is sex considered so evil? Why is'it so degraded and so lacking in divine'qualities? I tend to believe in a'growing, expanding universe based on'the cosmic principle of sex. Obviously,'if sex were not so "good", this'universe would have died a long time'ago, and then there would have been
"nothingness".
'If sex were not divine, then why did'God see fit to base life and growth on'it? Apparently, "nature" or "mother'nature" appeared rather chaotic in the'beginning. She experimented with all'types of sex one of which was'considered asexual (cellular division),'yet everything was "good". In time,'"order" started to appear and with it'orderly relationships between the'sexes. However, the "life force" or'"sex" can not be stopped or suppressed,'for life will go on. (It is a cosmic'principle after all) Anyway, my point'is that sex is divine, even though it'is considered in "nature" and'regardless of what we many think of it.
'The other quality of sex is that it'gives man the power to move or act.'without it, nothing would be created or'done, and nothing would happen. There'is no action or production without it,'thus it is actually important if not in'fact divine. The sex force combined'with the emotion of hate can be quite'destructive. The sex force combined'with the emotion of love can be very'constructive. You know. This is
starting to bore me.
'"I mourned over the apparent'pointlessness of my existence so'regularly, so intensely, it was almost'as if I were scraping away my own life.'It was my fault - all of this'bleakness, this wasted time - just as'much as it was my fault that I was'here, now, on the hill. And do you'know, just before I decided to return'home, for the first time in the history'of my sitting and gazing from the top'of this mound, I actually began to'notice other, distant flecks of green'in the industrial ocean." Oh, I'heartedly agree with your realizations!
'The really sad part of the story is'that the sister tried to kill herself'by cutting her wrist. I suppose that'would show the kid had some emotional'problems unresolved. Who can say for'sure what they are as the story gives'no indications (otherthan the biker'slut analogy). Out of it all the story'seemed to indicate that the love'relationship remained intact despite'the surrounding chaos. It was a well
written story.
'Notes 7 Sep 1997: The next story is'called "Corruption". The first chapter'was called "Work". This young couple'were video taping the work. Craig was'the one who worked at this company and'was giving the tour. His girl friend,'Michelle, was holding the camera and'recording. Apparently the young lady'was unemployed and wanted to video tape'everything (almost as if this was her'job or her "work"). The recording is'being done in the evening, when
everyone is gone from work.
'Actually, AJC's conversations are the'best and very interesting. The story is'basically a dialog which probably would'have done very well as a play. However'the one part of the story would be'difficult to play. (There were unknown'people watching the events as they'occured or video recorded. I suppose'that is possible.) I guess that Craig'could be considered the narrator of the'story, for sure the main character. On'second thought, the story would have'made a good short movie (in a show like!One Step Beyond or Outer Limits).
'By the way, the Twilight Zone was'hughly popular, when it first started,'but was taken off the air, because it'made people think, which was'undesireable. They say that they do not'believe in censorship, but... (Actually my daughter told me this story.)
'[Steady picture. We can see a thin and'baggily-dressed young man standing in'the middle of what looks like a public'lavatory. He is holding a small, empty'drinking glass and staring undecidedly
at the camera.]
'"Okay... Well, I'm Craig Jones, only'everybody calls me Seejay, right, and'this is the upstairs bogs." "bog" is'Irish for a wet, spongy ground or small'marsh. Does it mean public lavatory
also?
'His relationship with the girl is abit'short tempered with some abusive'language. However her mouth is not'clean either, but she is agreeable at
least.
'[Flickering... Steady picture. We are'in the same room, but Craig is a little'bit further away from the camera than'he was before. He is still holding the'empty glass, but now looks relaxed and'considerably more intelligent.] Is he'more intelligible? I would not consider'him more intelligent or wise though.
For example...
'"Right. Hello. I'm Seejay. I'm in the'upstairs men's bogs in the Stone Bridge'Times building... That's like, the'local newspaper place, if you're from'somewhere else, okay? Anyway, right, if'you work up here and you need a piss or'a shit or somethin, then this is where'you come." OK, this bit is funny, but'what he was saying could not be'considered intelligent. However, it is
funny.
'Actually he is rather abusive in his'relationship with his girlfriend. I'guess you could say he may seem funny,
however at her expense.
'Does he mean that the unknown viewers'seem to be more intelligent? Does that'help indicate who they are? Well, not
really.
'"Look just bottle it, okay? We haven't'got time. Fuckin tapes'll be ejectin in'about two minutes." I think this is the'job that he is suppose to be doing, but%I am not sure what the tapes are for.
'Oh, I get it. The bogs is the toilets.'Well, now they are recording the'toilets. Have you ever noticed this'fixation on the toilets in many of'AJC's stories? What is the message'here? Well, I guess that going to the'bathroom is one of those dirty personal'things that people would prefer not to'talk about. (In fact, I do not even'like to talk to people in the public
lavatory let alone go to one!)
'"AM ZOOMIN IN, ALRIGHT, KEEP YOUR DICK
ON." That's Michelle.
'[We see that the white box is clean and'new and has the word `Rento- Kill''printed on both sides in thin, red'lettering. The camera remains'reasonably steady as Craig tells us his
thoughts.]
'Apparently the company has a rat'problem, however there is dried blood'and shit all over the place. I was told'that rats are hemophiliacs, and that if'they start bleeding, they will bleed to'death. Maybe the stuff causes internal'bleeding. Anyway, here is where the
weirdness begins...
'The area they work or tower was struck'by lightening around the 1970's. "Fried'all the wiring and stuff." The story!about the lightening comes later.
'"Anyway... Joo know summing, though,'I'll tell you this, right - Mary, one't'cleaners, downstairs, she said Mr'Jackson, Graham Jackson, right, fuckin'editor of't paper, okay? He's never'fuckin been up here. Never fuckin comes'up. S'a bit like when I was back at'school - fuckin head mistress, okay,'she'd never even been in to't fuckin'art room. Ever. S'fuckin stupid. How'can you own a place and not have been'in every room?" I have to admit that'the conversation is interesting (but'the language of the actors is so bad)'that I have to re-read several times to'get what they are saying. Otherthan
that, it is great.
'I guess this was a commentary on social'"segregation". Have you ever noticed'though that no matter how low a person'can be on the social ladder, there is'always someone even lower that can be'segregated. As an example, take the'relationship of CJ to Michelle. Because'she is apparently not as developed as'he, she is treated pretty much like
dirt.
'[Craig looks at us. He is thin and'pallid with a sprinkling of acne on'both cheeks. His hair - although mainly'hidden beneath his baseball cap - is'autumn-brown, lengthy and bushy, and'looks like it hasn't been washed for at'least a week. Craig's overall'appearance is one of carelessness,'tiredness and lack of direction. He'doesn't look at all happy to be'himself.] Commentary by the unknown'viewers. "Lack of direction" seemed to'me to be the key phrase here. The young'man lacked a soul purpose for being
here.
'"Right, listen. You've seen't bogs,'okay? Now get this. They're our bogs,'right, we use em, people like us. We'can't use the bogs downstairs, the posh'bogs, fuckin secretaries bogs, cos'we're not allowed, right. We're not'fuckin allowed. Member what happened to'you Michelle?" More commentary on%"segregation" of the classes I guess.
'Apparently she was kicked out the'secretaries' bogs. "I mean, s'fuckin'corrupt, innit? S'fuckin wrong with her'usin't downstairs bogs? S'not like'she's got fuckin dysentry or somethin.'Fuckin arseholes." More erudite'commentary...This was the first mention'of "corruption" which is the title of'the story. Do you have any idea how'difficult it is to prove that people'are corrupt or "evil" (with evil'purposes) at least in a court of law?'By the way, why was she downstairs in'the secretary's bogs? It came to me later...
'[We can see only Craig's mouth. His'lips look sore, his teeth, unhealthy.]'Over here, he would be described as a
person with a poor self image.
'This reminds me of another story. We'had one federal worker who could be'described as a street derelict. Twice'he had been sent home to take a bath.'Once he was not promoted for his lack'of hygiene. Once when he had the flu,'he started making these unearthly'gurgling sounds as if he was going to'cough up phlegm, but nothing seemed to'come up. The base was threatening to'tow away his car which had been there'for over a year and was a rats nest.'And, he said that if he were perfect,'he would be walking on water. Well, at
least he had a sense of humor.
'"Welcome to my office." Now he goes
into his real work.
'"Pan around, kay? Dote zoom in or owt,'just pan around." [The camera whips'quickly to Craig's face. He blinks,'startled.] "WHAT DOES `PAN' MEAN?"'"Turn, for fuck's sake. Arc the fuckin'camera around the room, show the viewer'what's in here." Kay is another'personality I guess. Whoops, I think it'means OK. Maybe CJ should have gotten'into communications, as it seems like'he studied it, and I guess that"explains why he is in a newspaper.
'[Craig, who doesn't seem to find'Michelle's lack of technical know ledge'in the least bit amusing, waves her'away...] As I mentioned earlier, he is'abit short tempered and intolerant.'Maybe he will see someday what it is'like, when someone does it to him. It&is not funny or pleasant in the least.
'"Get the tapes, Michelle." "WHATJOO
MEAN? PICK EM UP?"'"No, make sure yo recod em, make sure
you ca se em."'"CN SEE EM. WHATJOO THINK I'M POINTIN'T
FUCKIN CAMERA AT?"
'I do not know if he is using media'lingo, but I tend to agree that his'language is not too precise which is'not helping. No, he is not helping'here. I guess that is one of my own'beefs or complaints about'communications: people not expressing'their thoughts well enough to be'understood easily. I think this does
cause poor relationships.
'His mind or state of being is expressed'in his workplace which is a mess,'however he seems to be aware of this.'Apparently his job is to back up the'computer system which I guess is a'night job. He claims that he gets about'as much as the cleaners. Actually some'union cleaners make alot more money'than the stuckup office workers, but%get treated like lower class workers.
'"Yeh. Oh, Michelle's here, cos there's'hardly anyone in the buildin and the'job's kinda lonely and she's like,'unemployed." "AM HERE COS I'M YOUR'FUCKIN GIRLFRIEND, YOU DAFT SHIT." Yes,'he does seem to have relationship'problems with his girlfriend which is
again stressed by this bit:
'"EH? "Oh God, Michelle, you're as thick'as fuck. Switch the damned thing off,'okay. Just do it." "WHY AM I THICK?'WHATCHOO ON ABOUT?" "Turn it off."'"YEAH BUT WHY-" Well, he thinks she is
stupid. So what?
'The next chapter is called
"Investigation".
'"Okay listen, here's what's happenin,'right. On April 23, 1995 (well, it'either happened 2 or 20 years ago?), a'bolta lightnin struck this place, okay?'I was talkin to Mary, one't cleaners,'you know? she said it happened durin'the early evenin, okay, when people'were still here, and this bloke who was'workin up here, right here, in this'exact room (the computer room), got'struck. Turned him insane, or somethin,'or so she said, that's probably'bollocks like, but... you never know,'anyway he's dead now, died of cancer of'the bowels or infection of the'testicles or somethin, fuck knows.
Somethin like that."
'In my studies of the Illuminiti, there'is a belief that all strange and weird'happenings seem to be associated with'the number 23. The belief is hard to'prove. The weird events at best are
coincidental.
'The number 23 is consistent in that it'consistently "breaks-down" mental forms'that are no longer useful through the'mechanism of decision. Actually'"breakdown" seems to fit well with the'theme of the story in that someone,'some force or maybe even "fate" decided'that the mental form, in this case CJ,'was but is now no longer considered'useful. Either that, or his "mental'forms" or thoughts made him no longer'useful due to his bad decisions. The'number is also associated with the idea
of "sacrifice".
'The image of the "thunder stuck tower"'seems to correspond with the tarot'image. The principle is called the'"logical elimination" in that logic'(without emotion?) is used to build'mental forms (in this case may be the'thoughts of evil and corrupt people in'power, aliens, forces or whatever),'however this at the same time results'in the logical elimination or'"segregation" of all other forms (in
this case CJ and others).
'When certain life forms wish to exist,'the emotional body (soul) generates an'astral force (which means emotions or'dreams) which confirms their life'forms, while emotional force destroys'or "sacrifices" others eventually'(through a cosmic instrument called'Fatum or Fate) or through the reactions'or decisions of the others. This'complicated process is called the'"destroyed house of god" (man) or'"physical destruction". There were two'people in the story (with one in'authority) who wanted to stay at the'top (top of the tower), but some'counter force threw them down
symbolized by lightening.
'Now if anyone understood exactly what I'was trying to express in the previous'paragraph, please explain it to me, as'even I am having trouble making any'sense of it. Anyway, back to the story.
'They are now going to the archives.'"Fuckin hell, can't see owt in here!"'[We reach the blackened doorway and'come to a jerky halt. Craig turns the'camera sharply to face three light'switches. He flicks them all up in'turn: snap-snap-snap. The wall becomes'a jigsaw of TRIANGULAR light.] The'Triangle or Three implies sex, as the'father and mother produce a child'through sex. However, I am starting to'suspect that the triangle here could!also represent a "love triangle".
'Anyway, they are looking for the 23RD'of April 1995, which I guess implies'"investigation", and found an open copy'of the newspaper which contains the'front page headline `THUNDERSTORM'BRINGS CHAOS'. There is also a picture'of damage done to a cupboard-like door'with wires and pipes and metal coming
out of it.
'[Michelle zooms back a little as Craig'hurriedly turns the pages. He arrives'at `BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE SKY' and'underlines it with his finger...The'camera moves to `FREAK THUNDERSTORM?...'`MORE UNEXPLAINED SIGHTINGS OVER BLACK'HILL'.] "That's not forgettin all the'shit that was in the papers before the'storm, right. Fuckin UFO's and lights'and stuff, fuckin everybody was seein'em, weren't they... Say somethin about'the headlines, Michelle, go on, say'somethin... I always do the talkin."'This still does not explain who the'nameless, faceless life forms or forces
'Now enters the spidery-haired woman who'is perhaps in her late twenties, with'snow-white skin, a delicate face and'deep blue eyes. Her name is Mary, and'she is being interviewed by the two.'She apparently is a cleaning kid.'Entrance of the dangerous female into
the story.
'She is asked about the person who died.'"Why's it such a big deal? The bloke's'name was George Davies, old guy,'silverish hair. Nice pair of pants,'actually, didn't mind him." I think'"pants" is the same expression as'"suit" over here which refers to a man'up in the system, business or'government. They wanted to pin-down if'he went mad and what he died of. Well,'the cleaning lady thinks he died of
bowel cancer or something.
'Anyway the dangerous female starts a'fight between the couple, as she kept'calling AJ's girlfriend a pet. They'both leave, while the dangerous female'continues the interview without them.'Here is where Fate stepped in...for
Craig.
'"Alright Craig, you can phlay this back'later. We did phind something only it'wasn't a phuckin rodent, I'll tell you'that, sphweetheart. It was more like a'phuckin insect than a rat. Phiona'Morris phound it when we were cleanin'out the engineers room....If you want'the truth, kid, I don't reckon they'have a rat problem at the Times at all.'They've got somethin much worse than'rats. I've never seen no ratshit shaped'like a canoe and as long as a fuckin'marsbar, that's for sure. And ratbait?'In a place with more wires than a'fuckin cyborg's brain? If they had'rats, they'd fuckin know about it,'Craig. But listen... I didn't see the'thing. I never laid my eyes on it. Girl'that did? uh-huh, she's long gone. In'fact there's only me that stayed here'once tha news was aired. We may only be'cleaners, sweetheart, but we're not
fuckin stupid."
'Ok, maybe they do not have a rat'problem, because they are using'something to get rid of rats with all
the wires and stuff around.
'"On a more personal note, kid...'discard that thick bitch you're'screwing. She's as skinny as she is'daft, love. If you wanna good fuck,'darling, there's one or two women not'far off who'd like to show you a trick'or two... If you catch my meaning."'Exit of dangerous female. [Mary winks
at camera.]
'The next chapter is called "Entry". CJ'forces his way into the cupboard door'which had been damaged by the'lightening. Well, curiosity killed the'cat. I guess this is where Fate stepped'in again. Michelle even tries to stop'him from going in through her feminine'ways, but... After they made love, he'still goes in anyway. She walked off,'because he had recorded their love'making. (Apparently she knew who was'watching through the video camer.)'"Just be careful in there, alright?"'Apparently she cared for him. Oh, well.
That's fate.
'Anyway, it is really dark in there. He'slips and almost falls in a hole.'Apparently, he got bit by something.'That was when he caught by someone, and
was pulled out of there.
'The next chapter is called'"Corruption". Apparently the company'let him keep his camera and keep his'job, but gave him more work to keep out'of trouble. His leg hurts, but there is
no bit marks.
'And, Michelle has not come back. He'realizes that he does love her. Then he'remembers his ex-girlfriend who dumped'him, when she discovered (self-'inflicted cuts) on his arms. "You stop'a hundred lads- and lasses, okay, stop'a hundred of em, my age, okay, and'you'll find the same thing under their'sleeves. S'true man. Fuckin Michelle'knows it, she used to do it." I wonder'if that is true. I think that'psychology has a name for that'disorder. It is not much different than'burning yourself with cigarettes.'Anyway, in his delusional state he'believes everyone abuses themselves in'one way or another, which may be true
to a degree.
'(It's a phase, okay, it's a cure. It'just happens. I get stuck and I don't'know what to do and I blame myself and'it just happens, right, doesn't mean I'am fucked up, doesn't mean I am mad,'okay, it just means I am confused, I'like- I don't know what to do.) I'translated all the you's to I's. Saying'"I am" means taking responsibility for'being here. It really is not fair to'say "you", as personally I have never done this, thus it does not fit.
'He has been crying and he has not seen'Michelle for several days. He just'starts rambling garbage and goes abit'loony. He gets into the most darkish'mood imagineable. I am not sure if he
actually thought about suicide.
'Finally, she comes back to him, and he
is estatic.
'This next chapter is called "Shit".'Anyway, he is really unhappy with where'he is at except being with his'girlfriend. "There's other people like'me, doin jobs like this, that're maybe'even weaker than I am... I mean'weak-minded Shell, I don't mean... Like'physical strength....Joo know what I'mean though? People who maybe haven't'got much else in their lives, kinda...'People who're still livin at home and'maybe don't have so much goin for them'and have to stick with jobs like this,'you know? How do they do it? What... I'mean, like, what the fuck would a'perminent job like this turn me into if'there was nobody like you, Michelle,'you know? If you didn't hang around'with me and talk to me... Fuckin hell,'I'd lose my brains." Well, I guess that'there was a reason why she hung around
with him though.
'Anyway, he said that he felt sick.'Supposedly he looked like hell. He goes'to the restroom. Michelle followed him.'He said that they are all corrupt here.'His one example is that the boss has PC
porno files in his office.
'[Craig suddenly produces an echoing'shriek. The screen crackles and drops'as Michelle forgets about us, leaps up'to the door of the cubicle and bangs'her fist on it.] What does it mean that'she forgets about them? His stool was'full of blood. Apparently this happen'just when he was going to quit the
company.
'He seems to have gone even more loony,'as he wanted her to look up his ass'with the camera. He starts laughing
hysterically.
'Now for the "Finale". Craig breaks'again into the cupboard door which'now has a padlock. I guess he started'to realize that they were looking at
him all along.
'Well, I thought that this story was one'of AJC's better stories. It was pretty'much interesting from beginning to end.'I actually felt sad for about two days'after reading the story. It seems like'it could possibly have happened. It!fulfilled all my paranoid dreams.
'The last story is called "Waiting for'Miranda". You know. I am getting'somewhat tired now. The last story is'rather short but even more symbolic'than most of AJC's stuff. Apparently'the main character lives but lives'through machines and programs (for'immortality I suppose). Miranda'apparently is a machine. They really'only communicate in virtual reality.'The story is a rather scary view of the'future, however probably not far from'the truth. Even though the language is'more symbolic and poetical, it seemed
to fit this sci-fi story.
'Actually, I never did figure out the'reason for the title "Junk Fiction",'otherthan it is an interesting one.'Well, I would not call it junk though.'One thing that I did gleam from the'writing is that AJC may have a passing'interest in producing maybe a film or'at the least writing for films. I think'that this might be a good idea, as in'this industry good writers are rare. I'was particularly impressed with the'story "Corruption". I almost saw the'main character as a real person, and'felt for him as a tragical figure. Even'though I was clueless to exactly who'the corrupt individuals were or what'they were trying to accomplish, and'that was part of the mystery to the'story. Otherthan that, the story was'well thoughtout and consistent. As'usual I wish AJC well in all his
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