Archivist note: This post is from an older recovered archive.
==Initial Post==
((Posted by Scottie Melnik on July 13, 2010))
The Slenderman had been captured. Through a combined effort and several acts of bravery it had been returned to the graveyard and Mr. Footman had thrown the switch on the strange device which kept it contained. I’m proud to have been part of the effort; Miss Hienrichs drawing out the beast and defending herself as we attacked, Miss Hermit and her amazing skill with her sword, and of course Miss Anatra and her lightning gun that finally sent the thing back to the trap. It was an impressive sight to be sure and quite satisfying to run back to the graveyard and find the thing had dissipated.
Even as we lamented the displacement of the spirits within we also celebrated the safety (however relative and short-lived that may be) of Babbage. We were warned to keep away from the field the machine created and a sign was posted at the entrance. Mr. Footman didn’t really know what would happen to the living should they come in contact with the field and no one wanted to take that chance.
While I had been kept my habit of checking the graveyard from my roof I have to admit I only gave it a passing glances. I felt as long as the machine was active we were all safe and I slept better than I have in many nights. The weekend was incredible with the bustle burning (which I understand has been stopped now) and the charity efforts and successes of Babbage. It seemed things were getting back to normal, for Babbage anyway. But alas, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And it certainly was so in this case.
There had been reports of Mr. Pocket having gone missing. I had rarely seen him out of the Gangplank but he had attended the bustle burning at the incinerator Miss Maggie just a few nights before. The rumors began to circulate that he had been seen and rescued at the graveyard. I went out to check and ran into Miss Macbain there. She was obviously quite worried about him but after having with no sign of Mr. Pocket she assumed that perhaps he and Maggie had finally run off to America like they had been planning.
I thought it odd that they wouldn’t have at least said goodbye to her, of all people, but I dismissed it. I assured her that if I saw them I’d make sure she knew. Miss Ash then merged from her apartment at the Arms and joined the small group that had gathered in the form of Mr. Mornington and Mr. Rayna. Having nothing to witness and most having an uneasy feeling around the device the group dispersed. I stayed and continued a pleasant conversation with Miss. Ash about what she planned to do in town when suddenly Mr. Pocket appeared, lying motionless at the entrance of the graveyard!
Shaking my head and blinking rapidly it became clear that this was no illusion. Had he been there the whole time? Footman had claimed the effects on the living were unknown and I suppose it’s possible that the device had cloaked or displaced the little fellow somehow, but that would be an uneducated guess of the worst kind. All that was clear now was that he was in trouble. I kneeled beside him and felt for a pulse. For a maddening moment I couldn’t find one but finally my fingers stumbled across it, faint though it was. He didn’t respond to voice or the gentle shake I gave him and I looked up at Miss Ash and noticed Miss Netizen had arrived on the scene. I wasn’t sure if we should move him when Miss Netizen suggested some distance be made between him and the machine, maybe to the park.
Of course! How could I have been so dense? I gently picked Mr. Pocket up and carried him from the graveyard to the park, placing him upon a bench. Still, he didn’t stir a bit. We all stood there, trying to figure out our next move when Miss Anatra had joined us well. Miss Ash suggested smelling salts and even had some handy but to no avail. It seemed the doctor was away and we decided that the Clockwinder was Mr. Pocket’s best chance. Miss Netizen volunteered to find him with a lead from Miss Anatra that he had been last seen in Academy. With that Miss Netizen made haste.
The remainder of us kicked around a few ideas and I patted the little man’s face gently when Miss Maggie walked by. Calling out to her she ran up and knelt by Mr. Pocket, leaning in close and shouting at him. Filling her in quickly on finding him and what we were doing she confirmed that the Clockwinder was the right choice for help. She then asked if we had tried clapping.
At first I don’t think any of us knew how to take that suggestion. She clapped her hands together and we all joined in, rather skeptically, but why not? I’d seen stranger things and I was trying to keep positive. Miss Netizen rejoined the group and promptly followed suit, clapping with the rest of us saying that she couldn’t find the Clockwinder. Miss Maggie waved at us to stop and leaned over him, begging him to wake up. I’d never felt so helpless.
Miss Ash looked like she had an idea, then shook her head, then mentioned it anyway. “Perhaps a kiss, Miss Maggie… Stories tell of a kiss from their love might wake sleepers…” It was obvious we were all grasping at straws and Miss Maggie agreed to give it a try. But she wouldn’t do it. At the time I didn’t understand. We were watching for any signs that this would work when all others had failed. She turned to look at us and simply said, “No.”
Later I was informed she didn’t want a crowd watching her. That realization was like being hit on the head with an anvil. Of course such a tender moment shouldn’t be witnessed by crowd, even if it was purely out of concern for Mr. Pocket. There are times I think my density knows no bounds. Then there are times I know that to be a fact. This was one of those times.
Miss Maggie asked if I could lift him and I assured her I could, scooping him up once more and wondering where we were going. She requested that I take him to Mr. Tenk’s house and I followed her to the elevator within City Hall. I took a seat with the little man and rode up to the small abode high above. Sure enough the Clockwinder was there. Had he always been or was it that he just seemed to be where he was needed most? Sometimes I wonder…
Surprised though he may have been to see Mr. Pocket the Clockwinder was all business as agreed to place Mr. Pocket in the hammock and began with the questions. I filled him in on the events so far when Maggie arrived in the elevator. He looked concerned as Miss Maggie walked over to Mr. Pocket and she requested we both leave. The Clockwinder made mention that it wasn’t fair and he had some papers ready when, in that forceful and unconditional voice that only a woman has, she commanded, “Go!”
I immediately departed using the only exit I knew of, the elevator. Miss Ash and Miss Anatra had been waiting for word but I had none to give. Miss Ash excused herself Miss Anatra and I stood for what seemed like hours but in reality was roughly 15 minutes.
Finally the elevator came to life and rose, then promptly descended with Miss Maggie on board. She emerged from the cage and I looked at her hopefully, but she simply shook her head. I don’t know why my mind went to the worst possible scenario, but it did. Miss Anatra closed her eyes as mine widened, quietly whispering, “No…”
Maggie sighed and I stepped forward, kneeling and still have to look down at her, “I’m so very sorry, miss.”
She looked firm as she said, “He’ll wake up eventually. Just needs sleep, I guess”. She sniffled and it was obvious she was fighting back the tears. As it was, where my mind had just been, I was rather relieved to hear that he was still alive. I offered our help but she shook her head, noting he’d be safe in the Clockwinder’s care. She said she was going to gather their things. At first I assumed she was going to move them into the small house so I rose and offered my assistance in any way I could. Once again I was wrong. It seemed to be a theme with me in this town…
“Mr. Tenk thinks there’ll be some way to help him if’n we takes him to another city.” That pieces of news was stunning. Miss Maggie looked from Miss Anatra to me, “Will ya let the Misses know?” We both nodded at her, but I cocked my head and had to ask, “Just… any city? Out of Babbage? Or one in particular?”
She shrugged hopelessly, “Pocket a’wanted to go to America, Mr. Tenk has friends there wot may be able to help.”
Miss Anatra said, “Good. Maybe they’ll be able to do something.” I followed that with a feeble smile, “America’s a whole new world full of life. I’m sure that’s just what he needs.”
Miss Maggie tried to smile, but it was rather unconvincing. I once again extended the offer to assist in any way and she rubbed her eyes, saying that was going to go be with her Pocket, maybe try to get some sleep. I guess that packing could wait and understandably so. Miss Anatra and I agreed that it had been a long night but I mentioned I was going to grab a drink first. And then Miss Maggie thanked us for what us for what we’d done.
It was almost more than I could bear. For all the good that it had done the Pocket was still unconscious and showed no signs of waking. Miss Maggie dismissed that sentiment said that staying within the machine’s grasp may have killed him. Miss Anatra and I offered a few words of hope and Miss Maggie said the machine needed to be destroyed. I told her to take care of Pocket first and with that she departed. I sighed and said I was going to get a drink and Miss Anatra supposed she’d have one too. We left separately, her leaving through the back and I through the front of City Hall. I didn’t want to see the graveyard now nor retrace the steps that brought us all here.
I made my way to the Gangplank alone, hoping to catch Miss Macbain. She wasn’t there so I grabbed a bottle of absinthe and plunked down money for the entire thing. The Gangplank seemed a little colder tonight, a little emptier. Of course, it was empty and the fire was down to embers, but that’s not really what I mean. I had quite a bit of the bottle put away before Miss Anatra finally arrived.
Apparently Mr. Footman contained the Slenderman in some portable apparatus and the machine had been deactivated. “Rather violently”, as she put it. I was a bit heady by now and I smiled bitterly at that. We could both agree that it wasn’t soon enough. I upended the bottle and set it back on the bar, dropping a few more coins and excusing myself.
* * *
The fresh, if sooty, air helped sober me up a bit and I made my way home from the Gangplank. I nearly bumped into Miss Macbain as my eyes adjusted to the night. I pardoned myself I just looked at her for a moment, attempting to put into words the events of the night. Finally it came tumbling out, the long rambling story of finding Mr. Pocket by the graveyard and our unsuccessful attempts at awakening him. Her eyes grew wide as I told her where he was and that both Miss Maggie and Mr. Pocket were realizing their goal of actually leaving Babbage once and for all. She stood in utter shock, internalizing (and possibly decoding a few slurs) before she thanked me sweetly and took off into the night with a speed and grace I’ve rarely seen before. Once again I sighed and made my way to the lab, collapsing on the couch and letting sleep take me.
==Comments==
*Comment by Stargirl Macbain on July 14, 2010 at 12:48am
((marvelous post!)) Thank you so much for bringing me the news,Scott, I think I’ll try to see them before they go. Perhaps I can help in some way?
*Comment by Scottie Melnik on July 14, 2010 at 1:42am
You’re quite welcome, Star. And I’m know they’d love to see you. And who knows, perhaps you can help them out. *fingers crossed*
*Comment by Ashai Kohime on July 14, 2010 at 3:49pm
You have such an eloquent way with words Mr. Melnik. You have a rare talent to be able to draw the reader into your tale as if they were experiencing it first hand. For me, it was like reliving the experience all over again. Very well done! I look forward to reading more of your work in the future. I am sorry to hear that the "kiss" did not work to revive Mr. Pocket but perhaps they will find what they need in America.
