by Tom Hendricks

Quest. Part two

Next day.
On the way to Risama.

I: Screen who was this 3J?

S: 3J was an old soul of a woman who fell in love with music in her early, weaning years. She had a major idol in the music of a popular composer/performer named Foxle. In documenting his work, she also documented those composers that were favorites of Foxle.

I: Screen what does 3 J write about Booklet?

S: In a collection of Ozykawt music bios called "All Together Now", she writes a short entry on composer book-let, of the tragedy of a promise of great talent cut short. She lists her achievements and collects her sheet music/recordings. She is believed to have all or most all of booklet's 46 musical pieces -all but 2 or 3 of her juvenalia. 3J lamented that even though these lost pieces were derivative and unimportant to her later more important work, they would have allowed for closure on the entire collection. She was left with the irritant of a not-quite-complete collection.

I: I know this collection of Booklets work is not catalogued - unless the system did it in these last few days? ...

S: It did not and has not.

I: Then I want to ask if we even know I own a copy of it.

S: Unclear - and don't forget you may have 2 or more copies. The 3 places to look are 1. The uncatalogued books of Ozykawt. You were there yesterday and stopped looking suddenly. 2. The works of 3J at her home planet Risama, or 3. one of the warehouses of unsorted books for all libraries.

I: Rocket take me to the front gate of the Risama Library.

S: So far away! (Blueprints appear on the screen). I suggest over drive.

I: Agreed. (The rocket lifts up to above the stacks and hovers) Rocket: Bundle up complete.

It takes off and shifts to triple speed. The libraries below become a blur.

* * *

A fourth of the way there.

I: Screen, that garden smell was exhilarating. I had forgotten how much I enjoy that rich complex fragrance. I miss it already. Can we bring some of that smell into my air mix?

S: Yes in non book areas where you are. You can raise or lower it many millions of microns either way. It's in the center position now.

I: Put it up a notch.

S: Done

Halfway there

I: Screen do you have any photos of Booklet?

S: None for certain. There is one group photo of contemporary artists on a hike celebration. This is it (b/w image forms on the screen).

I saw a circle of people with packs on their backs - many with flutes sticking out. Others were toting guitar shaped instruments. They were holding hands as others were coming into the open spot in the circle (much like a smaller version of the mural in the giant screen in Ozykawt).

S: All of those facing the photographer have been identified. Of those others with their backs to the camera most have not. One of the unidentified others may be book-let. I'll remove those who have been identified. (wrrr) The chance of one of the rest being her is reasonable to likely.

I could now see the backs of 3 women in the circle. Two were small in stature. Both had dark shoulder length hair. Hmmmm.

I: Screen remember this photo please. Keep it on the front burner.

S: beep (yes. Two beeps = no)

Two more hours later.

There was a stretch coming up - one of 3 on the planet - that was a 100 mile long, half mile wide skylight. It was the size of a river.

S: Skylight Main-1 is coming. Would you like to follow it?

I: Yes. Rocket take the skylight way please.

It shifted a few degrees and leaned into a turn to the right. We curved and straightened out 50 feet under the glass, and began to follow it.

I: Slow down please

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

It was night outside. The atmosphere was thin here. It held in only some blue during the day and none at night. The stars were everywhere and bright. Constellations abounded with not a finger joint between them.

I pulled back by hand, unsquinted my eyes,...
and thought to myself,

'What marvels are heaped on this world...What imagination designed that sky and filled it end to end with such wonder, and my soul with such awe?

Light, light, light - coming out of the nothingness - organizing into everything that exists. From nothing came light, from light came everything. The music of the spheres plays tonight.

Ah Booklet, do you hear this music too. I feel you are by my side. I see in this empty seat - you.'

* * *

The Quest. Part Three.

Somewhere along that road, I slept and awoke in the parked rocket at the entrance of the library of 3J's planet, Risama. Then a few more hours sleep.

I awoke refreshed and prepared for the day not knowing what awaited me. The rocket was parked in front of a somewhat small gate.

S: These are the portals that are the sole entrance to the Risama library- Canyon #2, that you requested.

On either side was a high narrow grey brick square column with stone finials at the top in the shape of a planets. Between these were a pair of heavy, rust red, iron gates with some strange writing on them. They opened out upon my touch and stayed open.

Once inside I followed a 10 yard claustrophobic, torch lit, cave-like path that ended at an open cul de sac, a small arena like area with no discernable ceiling high high above. On all sides were canyon walls mimicking in miniature the typography of the planet Risama.

S: This is one of 5 book canyons. It is the 2nd highest and first biggest. You are in the lobby.

I stood in a narrow oblong shaped empty floor with sand on the ground and a small rippling fountain at the far end. From all sides level after level of books rose up around me like free form cliffs, or rugged pueblo style houses without the square angles, but with the ladders leading from one level up to the next.

The small planet Risama is a planet of deep gorges. Life began at the trickling small rivulets at the bottom of these canyon walls. Weather here in the lower levels was consistently warm and mild. The top of the canyons or the 'table lands' were a turgid zone of constant storms that pummeled the planet with sudden and erratic shifting weather. Burning hot heat swept in, followed by freezing cold winds - both pulverizing anything not a dust particle size or smaller. Volcanoes would rise up over night, but days after they had stopped spewing hot lava, they would be reduced to flattened mole hills by the gale force winds.

The endless storms were a reaction to the planets tectonics and that a reaction to multiple shifting gravity pulls on its orbit. Risama was a small planet caught in a herd of 'Big Brothers" - other planets each tugging on it - each with more taut gravity waves.

The result was 5 great fissures in the rock lasting billions of years. Life began at the trickling small rivers at the bottom. As it evolved, beings moved up the canyon walls. Selection was on burrowing, crawling, climbing, and flying up into unpopulated niches.

As civilization advanced, cave building advanced until they honeycombed the rocks. The cave and fissure environment led to a cave psychology in the Risamans. And the planet character or élan was that of cataloguers - a race that could well deal with assorted paths branching from the main cave and it from one of 5 great fissure complexes. The library was a reflection of all that history.

I looked up and saw hundreds of caves, rooms, niches, leading off from the rock hewn balconies with stairs, bridges, walkways, balconies, and ladders connecting the levels.

S: Some caves are cat. The one book by 3J that we know of for sure, is in Cave 31, cove E. The top caves are empty. Some of the uncatalogued books are in caves 12-36. All caves 37-40 are uncatalogued, and perhaps 41. The coves (the rooms in each cave) are not arranged in chronological order. Note: their religion suggests that cave depth is related to depth of feeling, morality, and importance to the lives of the Risamans. The farther inside a cave, the farther inside the soul of the race. So, the most religious texts, and those most valued by the race, are lodged the deepest in the caves. In the case of caves that connect two fissures - the most valued are those that lay the farthest distance from the entrances.

I: Booklet, let's try something. (I got into the rocket). Rocket ascend slowly. When I direct you...

Rocket: buckle tether (clicked) tether secure.

I:... to stop, stop and hover. Screen when I point to a cave, activate all music/audio files in that cave.

Booklet, I'm going to search the caves. I'm going to use this transfer wand. When I point it at a specific cave, then all the music/audio books there will be activated and start playing in that room. You may not recognize your own music or any single musical piece, but you should be able to recognize your era of music. That is a start and we will eliminate all but that cave. Let me know when you hear something, and we'll explore it and find the correct cove.

I looked up and spotted movement. High above Booklet was running from one cave to the next.

I: Rocket up ... hold.

The first row had 8 caves. I waved the wand at that level to see how well it worked. A grand symphonic march began blaring out of cave #3

S: National anthem.

It was followed by some speeches.

I: OK it seems to work. Now up to level 31. Let's take a look at the 3J book we know we have.

The rocket stopped at floor level 31 cave 20. I opened the gate-latch and walked across the rocket's safety plank onto the balcony, and entered the cave.

I: Is 'E' the fifth cave back.

S: Yes.

The cave had a small prayer room, niche a few feet in from the entrance with candles perpetually burning. 20 yards further there was a curve in the wall that lead to 3 rooms with their doorways clustered together - Cove B,C,D juncture.

I: Mental note. I want to explore these - come back to these - spend a day in here - camp out in here.

Further on the curved wall curved back like an 's' joint. 25 yards further lead me to Cove E - our X-spot.

I entered into a large, mostly empty round room. A video image of the home planet covered the entire ceiling except for a narrow border of space all around it. The camera sending the images must have been on a nearby moon!

The only books in the room were in high bookcases along the sides in a continuous circle of 20 foot high bookcases. Painted on the floor in the center, was a map showing the 5 main fissures, rivers, canyons - centers of civilization.

I: Screen, tell me about this room.

S: It is the 2nd largest cove of the Risama Library. It is the science/art cove. The ceiling shows the sunny side of the planet as it looked 6 years ago when this light left it. The floor map shows the terrestrial terrain of the planet and the major points of interest. You are welcome to walk across and through it. It's well protected.

The books, papers, records, stacked along the wall cover general interest art and science.

I: find me the 3J bio, "All Together Now".

The screen highlighted the book by raising the light on that bookstand and dimming it on the bookstands on either side of it.

I walked across the planet map, skipping over the fissures, with the screen flying behind me and saying,
S: Shelf 7 up. It's the only book there. It's laying flat. His works fill shelves 6-10.

I reached up and pulled down a heavy tome with a porcelain cover and a yellow linen rope wrapped numerous times around it and tied. At the end of the rope was a lock.

I: Screen how do I open it.

S: I'm activating a key drawer - stand back a bit. (A thin 3" high and 27" deep drawer with assorted keys silently slid forward from a completely hidden slot between the shelves). Use key 7aa.

I pulled out a 4" long key in the shape of a half cross, with ridges on one side, and fitted it into the lock on the chord. The book opened. The rope was a flawless illusion, a masterful bit of trompe loeil!

This drawer alone is worth the price I paid for this entire planet, thought I. How marvelous this one drawer and its assortment of 60 keys.

S: This is a hover book. It will stay flat and open in mid air up to 10 feet away from its shelf..

I opened the book chest high and slowly pulled away my hands. It stuck, floating without support, rigid in place.

Oh to spend pages here describing just the bookmaking art of this one volume, the care and devotion the bookmakers took on illustrations, end papers, the cover, the spine, the title page, the content pages, the index, the... But I digress.

I leafed through it and found 3J's comments on Booklet:
I: I've found "All together Now" Booklet. I'm reading this out loud - the part about you...

I looked around to see if I could spot her. No.....

After rereading what the screen had told me before, I noticed a footnote, something I had missed the first time through.

"See Booklet works "Eb and 45 more, by 3J. Published 4 so-so-so. 3 printings. 2,300 copies."

I looked through the rest of the book and found no more about her. To myself I said, "OK now we have a title to look for. If I knew how long each composition was I would know how long 46 works were and I could guess the size of the...

a brush of a hand across my shoulder like a butterfly bumping into me... I looked down and saw her standing beside me looking up. How demure and small she looked. I towered over her by 2 feet.

B: Each piece is 2-3 pages long plus a 5 page introduction, if I remember correctly. That's a thin 100-150 pages. (Then she smiled a quick smile and dropped it) We're getting closer. Thanks sir. (And she vanished.)

'Good', confirmed I. 'Next we'll go to the uncat books - some on levels 12-36, all of 37-40, and perhaps 41.'

But first: I took the 3J book and repositioned it in an empty display case near the center of the room. I opened it to Booklet's page with the key laying along side it. I sealed the display case. Now it was highlighted. The screen noted the change of location in its database with a quiet wrrrrr

The Quest. Part Four

Out of the cave and back on the rocket.

I: Up.... for levels 12-36...

Screen what categories are on these floors?

S: 12-25 Cooking. 26-33 Flying. 34-36 Child care..

I: OK let's skip those and go to level 37.

At 37, 9 caves - after a pass of the wand, nothing - no music.
At 38, 6 caves, nothing but quiet.
At 39, 14 caves, some speeches.

"Only 2 floors left", I sighed.

At 40, 13 caves. Out of the thin, quiet, settled air a blast of a hundred thousand songs, symphonies, ditties, operas, liturgies, folk music, roared - all mixed into a cacophonous blast.

"3,2,1...", I yelled over the noise! "Zero zone, Miss Booklet! Let's find the slates that are playing your notes."

I checked off the audio wand and let the echoes settle. I'll need Booklet for the next step, I thought to myself.

"I plan to...', I said as I addressed invisible air all around me, "go cave by cave through the 13 and narrow it down." I raised my voice. "But I truly don't know what I'm listening for or when I'm hot or cold or when what I've found is it." Pause - nothing. Quiet echoed back."

I: Rocket, floor 40 - Cave 1.

I walked off the plank (long way down!) and into the tunnel. But before the sound of my heels died down, I heard over my shoulder, "Cave 8 sir. Cave 8."

I back tracked out of Cave 1, circled around the balcony, and over a clay cross bridge to Cave 8.

S: cave 8, 26 coves or rooms. All are filled from front to back. Normal procedure here is to catalogue and display in reverse order - from back to front.

I: So, somewhere toward the front.

Cove one - wand on - music - fast rugged rhythmic masculine music with a strong beat. Dynamic and quick - wand off.

Cove two - wand on - more of the same - wand off.

Cove three - wand on - more of the same - wand off.

Cove four - wand on -slower more refined, feminine and melodic music - wand off.

Cove five - wand on - more of the same - wand off.

A flash of light zipped by me and entered the next cove. I was only slightly used to that streak of light by then. I followed it into Six. (Floor 40 - Cave 8 - Cove 6). The only sound was my boots. I walked into an airy room with low undulating ceilings; yet the incredible acoustics seemed to swallow up any sounds or overtones like a sponge.

Assorted walls stood in front of me, of 10 foot high glass cabinets that seemed to be set in a maze of rows like a large convoluted warehouse of see through lockers. But unlike most straight book rows, these aisles zig zagged through the room like a streak of lightning.

Each section of the book shelves housed a stack of two foot square lockers . They in turn contained stacks of, almost weightless, slightly opaque, thin, unbendable and amazingly strong sheets of glass? plastic? mica? frozen jelly?

I picked one up from the top of an open stack and the mica sheet turned to a picture of a parchment with what looked like music notation of some kind and a small light blue dot the size of a small thumb print on the right upper corner. I touched it and the sheet begins to play a harp piece. After a short instrumental introduction a sweet voice oozed into the melody.

I put it back and it stopped playing and turned opaque again. Instead of echoes bouncing across the room, the last notes ended with a wind chime arpeggio that slowly turned to a sound of buzzing that promptly faded away.

B: Here sir! Here!

I didn't see her but I walked toward the sound of her voice and passed the music wand on alternate stacks. Each came alive with a few seconds of 100's of songs activated all at once. I enjoyed t he cacophony of it all and the power of the wand.

I turned a jagged corner to the next row and suddenly saw only a floating arm reaching open palmed, up to a shelf slightly beyond its grasp. I saw 2 sheets on the shelf that it was stretching toward. I reached for both, brought them down and placed them into the hand of the floating arm.

The arm retracted , brought the plates down to waist level, and placed them side by side in a slight 'v' shape like the wings of a bird. They hung in mid air.

The one on the left lit up. A pleasing woman's voice spoke and text appeared. I saw the signature of 3J at the end.

It shut off. The glass on the right lit up. A list of 40+ titles appeared. I heard a laugh, sigh, and a gasp in the air beside me. The sheet ran through the list playing a snippet of each. Song 1, then 5, then 27,28,39 (Eb), 40, 44, 45, and then shut off (play music here).

B: Found them!

Walking Across The Bridge #8

Days later I am roped back in my arm chair at home base opposite the back of the mirror. Booklets image was flickering in front of me. But this time I saw a woman at peace - contented - constant up turned lips and relaxed eyes casually pushing her longer hair back behind her blushing red ears. I turned to the screen beside me to examine my itinerary for Library Planet.

I: I have 85 requests for book research teams. One of these is your kith and kin prodigy. (She nods and brushes back her black hair again).

Her team wants to investigate the Ozykawt Library, both the catalogued and uncatalogued. It's a 20 day request.

There are 3 women and 2 men in the team. They are: Team Research Leader (female) Aka 62, Secretary #1 (male) Fen-lip, Secretary #2 (female) Blinka Binke...

B: That's her sir. (I looked up into her eyes).

I: Ok. Screen underscore her name and spotlight the team's request. (I switch back to looking at Booklet) And my job, as I understand it, is to allow them visit visas and while they're here to get them, especially Blinka, to hear your music somehow discreetly (She smiles). And discover, preferably on their own, that you are related to Blinka.

B: Yes. I would be around for it but I'm toooooooo sleepy, contentedly relaxed, sliding-on-ice happy now.

Sir I see a bridge beyond you and beyond this place . It's coming nearer, clear as sunlight.

Before I go I salute you as a sailor salutes his family before boarding for leave... I sing for the past. I feel released.... The plank leads up to the crow's nest... My first glimpse of an endless sea and a farther land - how wonderful. Goodbye, goodbye..., goodbye.

She saluted with two fingers and was gone.

The Resolution #9

Little could I read with concentration in the weeks ahead. I was animated and anxious to see this Booklet ancestor. Was she a real life waif, short and dissapearable like her grand relative? What features remained in the lineage, what were lost, which were tampered with, which were perfected?

The day of their arrival was a dust storm, a howling gale that raised the wind to a constant rushing roar and filled the air with more particles than gas - a quick sand in the air!

I watched on the screen as the rocket ship entered the cloud zone and glided tentatively through the hazy dark grey soupy atmosphere. The rocket landed on its side and careened off the tarmac's edge into the sand banks.

Ship Captain: Sir, Street And Smith, are you there? Captain Hargraves here.

I: Yes Captain. You've managed to bring your rocket down in one of our worst storms. Well done. Everyone on board safe?

C: Thank you sir. Yes, a few passengers shaken up a bit, but fine. How do we get in?

I: How many people and cargo?

C: 5 passengers, myself and crew member Dana, plus one carry on, and one big bag each.

I: I have a personnel cruiser for just such storms. It'll come along side, pick you up and get you and your cargo inside safely. Over and out.

30 minutes later I stood at the end of the supply portal door. The crewman opened the door and the Captain and his passengers entered in single file. My Robot Band of shiny human shaped metal machine men played a brisk welcome song and an all aboard salvo.

I: Come in. Come in. My planet's your planet. And I see you're wearing some of it already. Brush it off as best you can and... Welcome to the Library Planet....

Who have we got here Captain?

C: I'm Captain Hargraves. My assistant at the end of the line in silver fatigues is cabin mate Dana, and the rest are the Ozykawt Book Research Team.

Aka 62: My name is Aka 62. I'm the team leader. This is my secretary Fen-lip, 2nd secretary Blinka Binke, master translator Car-col and finally intern and Blinka' cousin, Cous Binke.

Fen-lip: On behalf of the crew, I thank you Sir Street and Smith for allowing our visit. It is with deep humbleness that we accept such an outstanding kindness from you to allows us to be that rare visitor team to walk the hallowed halls of the venerable Library Planet... Though we've traveled far ....

As he was going through the protocol, I was looking at Blinka; but, for some reason my eyes were more attracted to Cous, her cousin.

Blinka was medium height (tall for an Ozykawt), with straw-like black hair ,a strong chin, but soft blue eyes. She casually brushed the hair from her face to the back of her pinkish ear. It grew thick and low on her forehead - like her grand dame before her. I smiled.

But Cous was the beauty. Young, pale white skin, shorter than her cousin , small hands with long graceful fingers, more blue eyes, full pink lips, flat small nose - yes well formed lips - nice shape under her tunic - playful smile...

F:... We as a group salute you. (They clapped in unison)

I: I welcome you too.

F: And we present something for you that you do not need, book presents. Here is the very best of our new Ozykawt literary groups. (He placed a large suitcase on a table, opened it up to show two satchels full of works. I gazed at all the wonders.

I: How marvelous! Well we'll find room somewhere. (They all laughed). Seriously this is splendid... and my weakness! (I took a deep breath and then in lower tones said) Thank you all. It's very kind of you.

Now, tomorrow you'll start your tour of the library. But first: food, sleep, relaxation, and such. Let me lead you to your quarters. The robots will answer your questions.

I shook all their hands in my customary handshake - I put my left in their right and my right in their left, both at the same time; then squeezed gently. Next I drove them, their luggage, and research equipment on the train cart to one of the last dorms nearby.

* * *

That night alone in bed I thought to myself, "This is fun."

* * *

Next morning after breakfast, I addressed them all much less formally.

I: I see by your research requisite that you are interested in the Ozykawt library. I have many books of theirs uncatalogued, so you're sure to find unique treasures never documented and seldom seen in hundreds of years. I found one that I treasure and wanted to share with you before you leave. Gather round.

I brought out the 2 sheets of Booklet's music from a portable secure -pak as they circled around me.

I: This is a songbook by a native Ozykawt, but collected by a Risama cataloguer who fell in love with your planet's music.

F: I am a Risama cataloguer.

I: Is that so? (said I as subtly as I could). Though this is not yet catalogued, the music is by a composer I discovered somewhat by accident. I've grown found of it. Here look and listen. (I handed it to them and watched Aka take it and animate the intro, then the first song).

I: Play that Eb one. (She pressed 39 and it began to play).

F: Who is it by?

Screen: It is the most well known composition of book-let.

I: Unusual name.

A: Oh sir, not to us. That's a common form of an Ozykawt name, though I've never heard of her specifically.

Translator: It's just a coincidence that it also has a meaning of 'small book' in your native language.

A: The music is very nice.

Cous: It sounds a bit like what you write Blinka.

The others: That's true,,,, yes a bit,,,, I can see the resemblance too.

I: What's this? A composer in our midst?

A: Yes, Blinka is a native Ozykawt and has composed some.

T: She plays and sings like a songbird. (All laugh. She blushes.)

F: The Ozykawt race ran into a gene bottleneck a couple of centuries ago. Almost everyone alive today is related to that founder pop. of survivors.

A: Perhaps Blinka we are listening to a relative of yours.

T: It's highly likely

Blinka: It is quite beautiful. May I study it, Sir?

A: We'd all like that Sir.

I: I thought you all might. I'll leave this copy with you and in turn you must tell me if you discover anything more about this composer.

I: Now for the next 30 days you are about to embark on adventure, discovery, and a tour-de-force of Library Planet. Here is your itinerary. You will begin in 2 hours to circle the globe in the opposite direction and end up, not too far from here at the Ozykawt Library. There is a dorm 3 miles away from its front door. Questions?

There were none but Cous hesitated as if she had something to say, ask, tell; but she thought better of it and left with the group.

They climbed aboard one of my passenger rockets and soundlessly raised up and, three feet above the ground, began to putt through the stacks till the ship merged into distant books, then out of sight.

* * *

Denouement #10

After they left, I went to my screen and studied up on Cous - her background, security check, lineage charts, everything. She annoyed me with her beauty...

Cous: You never told me that Street. And what's this 'annoyed'? Is that the best term, the mot juste?

I: Dear, you're reading over my shoulder again. Editing will come later. (Back to my manuscript)

C: But this is my favorite part.

I: Mine too beloved - so hush!

.. Denouement - "the clearing up at the end of a play or story of the complications of the plot - the outcome of a tangled sequence" says the OAD. A web, says I.

I have read a million other stories and their denouements. Now we come to the one for my tale. And though this story was certainly the most exciting one of my life: it is the denouement, the quickest told part, the final chapter , that brings me the greatest pleasure.

Perhaps not so for you my reader. You like the ghost stories, specially the true ones like this one eh? Ah everyone enjoys different things don't they?

Anyway, that week after the planet wide tour, the team settled down to studying the lit of Ozykawt. A hundred boxes were opened and catalogued over the next - not one - but two months.

Blinka, being immersed in the best of her own culture, got wrapped up in it like the latest fashion cape. The works of her ancestors before and after the great bottleneck event, swelled her up with pride. It gave her the impetus to follow through on the idea she had after first hearing Booklet's Eb piece - that being to compose variations on Booklet's theme.

Every night after supper, while the others rested, read, or played games; she would unroll her keyboard cloth, and score variations on the Eb theme. She stopped at 37 - a notable number for research.

I for one eyewitness listener, can vouch for these being inventive and fresh (as I thought the original work was too - though the two were generations apart)

Three days into the cataloguing process, Fen found the lineage plates on the lower levels. He quickly comprehended their significance for his party. Blinka was a direct descendent of composer Booklet... and so too was Cous, 1 branch removed.

C: Your reader doesn't know I'm your wife yet. That came later. You may be mixing things up.

I: Indeed my fresh faced shoulder spy. As my new wife says, we are married and that came later. How easy it was to win her...

C: You fix that nonsense now.

I: How non-easy it was to win her?

C: Newspeak is it? Well we'll edit that little bit out later. (The last typed word will be mine!)

I: Anyway the better truth is that she loved this place and expressed to me and the group a light hearted wish not to leave. (Though knowing full well my reputation for solitariation, she thought little would come of it.)

C: Correct.

I: And I surprised her by asking her to stay over for a month, then 2, then ....

After romantic dinners and rocket rides in and out side these walls; plus afternoon tete-a-tetes over Blue tea, I won her heart.

C: Come to think of it, I wasn't that non easy was I (giggle).

I: Just right for me. (We kiss)

And together - I, rough draft, she, revised version - are writing our own book for this library - a report on the history of Booklet's quest on Library Planet.

We plan to publish 4 copies. One copy will go to the Ozykawt library. One copy we'll put in our personal favorites library. One copy will be reserved for the reader's mind. And finally, the last copy will be for our hearts - mine and my wife's.

C: That is well said and well written my dear.

The End.

* * *

Addenda
by Cous

1. The Ozykawts are also known for matchmaking skills

2. While researching this story we, Street and I, went back to the place he first saw book-let's ghost. As he was retelling me the story, I saw on the floor, a bolt.

"Street", I told him. "This was probably the noise you heard. This bolt must have fallen...." We both looked around and found the shelf that was missing the bolt. "This random event, in a bizarre twist must have happened at the very same moment in time and place that Booklet was standing here, visible, running her hands across the spines of the books."

We looked at each other and laughed and said together, "Well maybe, maybe not!"

The noise or 'nok'-
not her, but a bolt
that fell from the bookcase
with a jolt.

* * *

Library Planet is © Tom Hendricks 2004.
It is an excerpt from a longer work in progress titled Writings In Science Back to The Main Page