text:
"I'm stressed," he finally exclaimed, slicing through the silent air that threatened to suffocate him. Ther room was adorned with plain, unpainted walls and occupied only by a television, a video game system which sat on standby, a bed, a dresser, and two teenage boys. They carried all the self-assurance that two scrawny sixteen-year-olds could muster. One, he who had spoken, bespectacled and mop-headed, fell onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling, his eyes tracing the elliptical orbit of the ceiling fan blades ad infinitum.

"I've got too much work." He said out loud, looking at nothing and yet seeming to notice everything. "It's not like I can't keep up with it all. That's not what's wrong. I just--I have no time, anymore. I wake up late. I rush to get ready for school. I relax for five minutes and eat breakfast. I'm dragged through my school day because of this stupid seven-period schedule. Then I get out, help you with your math work, go home, get my three hours of computer time--sometimes I get a chance to mess around, sometimes I don't even finish all my assignments--oh, and I haven't even mentioned the stress from virtual school--then I study until I pass out from exhaustion and the cycle begins again."

The other boy, a quiet, short curly-haired lad with forlorn eyes, looked over at his friend. "I think a lot of students deal with that kind of stuff. The good ones, anyway. And you've got straight A's, right? So what's the problem?"

The bespectacled boy rose to sit on the edge of the bed such that he could make eye contact with the other one. "It's not like I don't understand a B is good--you're a B student  and you do pretty well--but, I mean, I'm a good student. B's are like failing to me. I've got college to think about, soon, and I'll never get in with the GPA I have right now. It's a three point two. A three point two! All because of that crap I had to deal with in middle school that ended up getting me stuck taking all virtual classes freshman year. And now I have to do all this just to get into a decent college. On top of that, I barely know what I want to do when I'm growing up. This... this is it, pal. We're almost out and we need to make the best of the time we have left."

"We've got time," the other reminded him, breaking eye contact and glancing at the enticing patterns in the carpet.

"Not enough! They always tell you every year that this is the most important school year if you want to get anywhere. You need to finish school with a twelve point oh and then graduate from a top college and get a high-paying job in order to be happy and if you misstep once you're utterly screwed!"

The boy's voice had transformed from bitter mockery to flooding desperation. He fell back and a loud thud accompanied his descent as his head crashed into the wall behind him.

"You okay?" the other boy asked in reaction to the noise.

"Fine," he answered through clenched teeth, making no attempt to hide his teary eyes.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence. The two sat there observing their respective mediums--the bespectacled boy the ceiling and the quiet boy the carpet. Finally, after a few moments, they both opened their mouths at the same time and a garbled combination of syllables escaped.

"What was that?" the quiet one asked.

"Just more of the same," the stressed one answered. "Yours?"

After a few more moments of expectant emptiness, words began to fill the void.

"I knew this kid in middle school--a prodigy, a genius. They all said he was as smart as Einstein, or... something. The mistake he made was," he paused, pensive, for a moment, "forgetting to be a kid. He was so focused on the future and getting good grades that he let it become his life. All the other kids at the school would always bully him and he didn't really have any friends except for himself. He was so focused on his work all the time that he forgot. He forgot to live life and just relax once in a while. He was in my gym class. He always came in every day and had some excuse note signed by his parents--he always had a sore throat or a bad cold or something. And the teacher would just wave him over to the sidelines and he would sit on the bench all class, playing his Game Boy or doing homework. I remember this one day he did bad on a test or something--I think that was it, he got a C--and his parents exploded on him. They wouldn't let him out of the house for a few days and he had a lot of work to make up when he finally came back to school."

There was a pause in the story. The bespectacled boy's mind was whirring, trying to assimilate the tale into his own situation. Then the other child continued.

"I guess the stress was just too much for him. One day, while his parents were out, he went into his mom's room. I guess he knew just where to look. He removed the shoe box from under the bed and he pulled out a gun and he killed himself."

The silence, this time, was dreadful.

"He got a small article in the paper. They never made an announcement at school or anything. They never even mentioned his name in the obituary, I think."

The fan blades, their centrifuge slightly askew, and the cranking of the gears in the boys' minds reverberated throughout the room.

"What was his name?"

The quiet boy looked up as the question pierced his eardrum, seeming to have not expected that. He struggled to pull a name from his memory but finally responded dismally.

"I... can't remember."

The other boy nodded. The silence, returning, enveloped them, caressed them.

"What do you think happens when you die?" the quiet one inquired, finally, his eyes directed at the wall, staring through them into the realms beyond.

"I don't really know. I don't think we, as humans, are meant to know something like that. What about you?"

He sat in trance for a moment. Finally, he spoke.

"I think... I think, whether you were shot in the heart with a pistol, or poisoned by an enemy, or--or offed by old age, when they mention your name and nobody can remember you--your face, your voice, your words, your actions--that... is when you are truly dead."

"What if you remember his actions but not his name?"

"Screw you."

title: This is Our Autobiography

question: When does the short curly haired lad think you are really dead?

answer: When they mention your name and nobody can remember you--your face, your voice, your words, your actions--that... is when you are truly dead.

question: What does the straight-A student consider the real tragedy in this story?

answer: He tells the tragic story of a boy who was in his class in middle school. He was so focused on the future he forgot to live his life. One day the stress became too much and found his mother's gun and shot himself. the boy who tells the story can't even remember his name.


split: test

text:
CURRY COUNTY is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, its population was 48,376.[1] Its county seat is Clovis.[2] The county is named in honor of George Curry, territorial governor of New Mexico from 1907 to 1910.

Curry County comprises the Clovis, New Mexico micropolitan statistical area, which is also included in the Clovis–Portales combined statistical area. It is located on the far eastern state line, adjacent to Texas, forming part of the region of Eastern New Mexico.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which are land and (0.2%) are covered by water.[3] It is the fourth-smallest county in New Mexico by area.

Adjacent counties

-   Quay County - northwest
-   Roosevelt County - southwest
-   Bailey County, Texas - southeast
-   Parmer County, Texas - east
-   Deaf Smith County, Texas - northeast

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, 48,376 people, 18,015 households, and 12,341 families were living in the county.[4] The population density was . The 20,062 housing units averaged .[5] The racial makeup of the county was 69.7% white, 6.3% African American, 1.3% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 17.2% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 39.5% of the population.[6] In terms of ancestry, 11.2% were German, 11.0% were American, 8.0% were Irish, and 6.7% were English.[7]

Of the 18,015 households, 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.5% were not families, and 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.63, and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 31.5 years.[8]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,090 and for a family was $48,933. Males had a median income of $35,743 versus $26,585 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,925. About 15.5% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.9% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.[9]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[10] 45,044 people, 16,766 households, and 11,870 families were living in the county. The population density was 32 people per sq mi (12/km²). The 19,212 housing units averagedf 14 per sqmi (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.40% White, 6.86% frican American, 1.00% Native American, 1.78% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 14.08% from other races, and 3.75% from two or more races. About 30.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 16,766 households, 38.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were not families. About 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62, and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the age distribution was 30.10% under 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 18.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,917, and for a family was $33,900. Males had a median income of $25,086 versus $19,523 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,049. About 15.50% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.10% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

[St. Vrain Post Office] [Bellview Post office] [Grier grain elevator]

Cities

-   Clovis (county seat)
-   Texico

Villages

-   Grady
-   Melrose

Census-designated place

-   Cannon AFB

Unincorporated communities

-   Bellview
-   Broadview
-   Gallaher
-   Pleasant Hill
-   Portair
-   Ranchvale
-   St. Vrain

Politics

  Year                               Republican                                          Democratic                                         Third parties
  ---------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- ---------------
  style=“text-align:center;” |2016   style=“text-align:center;” |'''67.6% ''' _9,035_    style=“text-align:center;” |23.3% _3,121_          9.1% _1,214_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2012   style=“text-align:center;” |'''67.9% ''' _9,251_    style=“text-align:center;” |29.5% _4,022_          2.6% _352_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2008   style=“text-align:center;” |'''66.5% ''' _9,599_    style=“text-align:center;” |32.4% _4,670_          1.2% _169_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2004   style=“text-align:center;” |'''74.5% ''' _10,649_   style=“text-align:center;” |24.8% _3,541_          0.7% _96_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2000   style=“text-align:center;” |'''69.4% ''' _8,301_    style=“text-align:center;” |29.0% _3,471_          1.7% _197_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1996   style=“text-align:center;” |'''59.3% ''' _7,378_    style=“text-align:center;” |33.1% _4,116_          7.7% _953_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1992   style=“text-align:center;” |'''54.1% ''' _6,831_    style=“text-align:center;” |29.3% _3,699_          16.6% _2,103_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1988   style=“text-align:center;” |'''66.2% ''' _8,032_    style=“text-align:center;” |32.9% _3,995_          0.9% _111_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1984   style=“text-align:center;” |'''74.0% ''' _9,188_    style=“text-align:center;” |25.0% _3,108_          1.0% _119_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1980   style=“text-align:center;” |'''67.4% ''' _8,132_    style=“text-align:center;” |30.0% _3,622_          2.6% _316_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1976   style=“text-align:center;” |'''54.9% ''' _6,232_    style=“text-align:center;” |44.1% _5,004_          1.1% _122_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1972   style=“text-align:center;” |'''75.9% ''' _8,392_    style=“text-align:center;” |21.8% _2,416_          2.3% _256_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1968   style=“text-align:center;” |'''54.0% ''' _5,562_    style=“text-align:center;” |28.3% _2,915_          17.7% _1,825_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1964   style=“text-align:center;” |49.3% _5,120_           style=“text-align:center;” |'''50.4% ''' _5,228_   0.3% _30_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1960   style=“text-align:center;” |'''63.8% ''' _6,153_    style=“text-align:center;” |35.5% _3,421_          0.7% _65_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1956   style=“text-align:center;” |'''57.3% ''' _4,826_    style=“text-align:center;” |42.1% _3,545_          0.7% _56_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1952   style=“text-align:center;” |'''59.4% ''' _5,023_    style=“text-align:center;” |40.5% _3,422_          0.2% _14_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1948   style=“text-align:center;” |26.9% _2,132_           style=“text-align:center;” |'''72.5% ''' _5,759_   0.6% _50_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1944   style=“text-align:center;” |41.5% _2,326_           style=“text-align:center;” |'''58.3% ''' _3,271_   0.2% _12_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1940   style=“text-align:center;” |25.8% _1,629_           style=“text-align:center;” |'''73.9% ''' _4,670_   0.3% _20_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1936   style=“text-align:center;” |17.7% _1,023_           style=“text-align:center;” |'''80.9% ''' _4,689_   1.5% _85_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1932   style=“text-align:center;” |18.4% _932_             style=“text-align:center;” |'''73.6% ''' _3,738_   8.1% _409_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1928   style=“text-align:center;” |'''56.2% ''' _1,968_    style=“text-align:center;” |43.7% _1,530_          0.2% _6_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1924   style=“text-align:center;” |20.6% _669_             style=“text-align:center;” |'''53.4% ''' _1,738_   26.1% _848_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1920   style=“text-align:center;” |27.8% _884_             style=“text-align:center;” |'''67.4% ''' _2,143_   4.8% _152_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1916   style=“text-align:center;” |19.1% _355_             style=“text-align:center;” |'''63.3% ''' _1,175_   17.5% _325_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1912   style=“text-align:center;” |10.2% _123_             style=“text-align:center;” |'''52.7% ''' _634_     37.1% _447_

  : PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS[11]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

title: Curry County, New Mexico

question: Summarize the 2010 census in Curry County, New Mexico.

answer:
In the 2010 census, the report showed that 48,376 people lived in Curry County. Out of that number were 18,015 households and 12,341 families. The whites predominated Curry County's population in 2010, followed by the Latinos and Hispanics. Other races occupied Curry County, including African Americans, Asians, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders, and out of that number, they had people of German, American, Irish, and English descent. In the 18,015 households, the majority were married couples living together. Followed closely were those with minors living with them. The rest of the other households recorded were those of unmarried females and other individuals.

Additionally, the average income earned by families was significantly more than individuals'. The same applied to the genders; men earned more money than women. The county's per capita income was $19,925, and a portion of their population, including families, were living below the poverty line. Those under 18 were poorer than those over 65.

question: What does the text say about Curry County's geography?

answer: Curry County is located in New Mexico. The county has a total area of 1,408square miles, mostly land and 0.2% water. It is the fourth-smallest county in New Mexico by area. Furthermore, it is adjacent to Quay County, Roosevelt County, Bailey County, Texas, Parmer County, Texas, and Deaf Smith County, Texas.


text:
The SCOTTISH NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY (SNLA), nicknamed the _Tartan Terrorists_, was a militant group which aims to bring about Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. The SNLA has been condemned by the UK government.[1] The group was reportedly founded by Adam Busby, a former soldier from Paisley after the 1979 devolution referendum, which the organisation claims was fixed.[2]

There have been claims that the SNLA is a false flag organisation, designed to blacken the name of Scottish independence.[3] This theory is based on the fact that certain UK government security documents relating to the SNP in the 1970s have been sealed for over 50 years.[4]

Activity

In 1983 letter bombs were sent to Diana, Princess of Wales and to the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. The device sent to Thatcher was active and was opened by parliamentarian Robert Key: there was no explosion. Busby fled to Dublin in 1983 after the letter-bombing campaign; he was jailed in connection with that campaign in 1997.[5]

In 1993 Andrew McIntosh was jailed for 12 years for conspiring to coerce the government into setting up a separate government in Scotland. The High Court in Aberdeen heard McIntosh had masterminded a campaign of disruption and fear which included placing bombs outside oil industry offices and sending letter bombs to the Scottish Office in Edinburgh. McIntosh served six years and was released in 1999. He died in 2004 after being arrested on firearms charges.[6]

In 2002 Cherie Blair became a target of a renewed campaign by the SNLA when she was sent an anonymous parcel containing a vial that was crudely labelled as containing 'Massage Oil', but which on investigation actually proved to contain caustic acid. In addition a renewed letter bomb campaign was waged against Scottish politicians, parcels were recovered after a man claiming to be from the SNLA made an anonymous phone call to the police at London's Scotland Yard. Professor Paul Wilkinson opined at the time: “The SNLA has surfaced from time to time.”[7] Meanwhile, in 2006 it was reported that Busby may be targeted for extradition to the United States to face terror charges following a series of e-mails to the country about how to contaminate US water supplies.[8]

In February 2007 SNLA involvement was claimed in the fatal Grayrigg derailment of a Virgin train traveling from London to Glasgow. A points failure was later found to be responsible. Preliminary investigation indicated that there was probably no sabotage.[9]

In January 2008 two men, Wayne Cook and Steven Robinson were convicted in Manchester of sending miniature bottles of vodka contaminated with caustic soda and threatening to kill English people 'with no hesitation or compunction' by poisoning the country's water supply, echoing a previous threat in 2006. The accompanying letters were signed 'SNLA'. Cook and Robinson were each sentenced to six years for these offences.[10]

In June 2009, Adam Busby Jr., the son of the SNLA founder, was jailed for 6 years for sending a total of 6 packages to various political figures, including First Minister Alex Salmond, Liberal Democrats MSP Mike Rumbles and Glasgow City Council. The packages contained shotgun cartridges and threatening notes. Police linked the crimes to Busby after calls made to journalists claiming SNLA responsibility for the actions were traced to his mobile phone.[11]

In July 2010 Adam Busby Sr. was sentenced by an Irish court to four years in jail after being convicted in June 2010 of making hoax bomb threats against transatlantic flights.[12]

Associated organisations

The SCOTTISH FREEDOM PARTY (SFP) has been described as the political wing of the SNLA. The SFP and John MacLean Society were formed in 1995 by former members and supporters of the SNLA. Both groups want to reverse English immigration into Scotland and promote Scottish Gaelic as the country's national language.[13]

[1] SNLA threat to poison water supply by Mark Macaskill and Jason Allardyce, _The Sunday Times Scotland_, 10 September 2006

[2] Who are the 'tartan terrorists'? BBC News Website, 2 March 2002

[3] 'Sad individuals' behind toxic mail BBC News Website, 2 March 2002

[4]

[5]

[6] Firearms charge man dies in jail BBC News Website, 18 October 2004

[7] Politicians on alert over mail scare BBC News Website, 2 March 2002

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11] Six years for 'tartan terrorist' BBC News Website, 18 June 2009

[12]

[13]

title: Scottish National Liberation Army

question: What does the text say about the connection between the SNLA and the IRA?

question: What does the text say about the Scottish National Liberation Army?

answer: The Scottish National Liberation Army (SNLA) was a militant group that aimed to bring Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. Nicknamed the "Tartan Terrorists," the SNLA was allegedly founded by Adam Busby, a former soldier from Paisley after the 1979 devolution referendum, which the group said was fixed. While the UK government has condemned the actions of the SNLA, there have been claims that the SNLA is a false flag organization designed to blacken the name of Scottish Independence. This theory is based on the fact that UK government security documents relating to the SNP in the 1970s have been sealed for over 50 years. The Scottish Freedom Party (SFP) has been described as the political wing of the SNLA and was formed in 1995 by former members and supporters of the SNLA.

question: Summarize the terrorist activities of the SNLA.

answer: The SNLA sent letter bombs to Diana, Princess of Wales, and to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1983. Andrew McIntosh was jailed in 1993 after he masterminded a campaign that placed bombs outside oil industry offices and sent letter bombs to the Scottish Office in Edinburgh. In 2002, the SNLA sent Cherie Blair an anonymous parcel containing a vial of caustic acid, part of a renewed letter bomb campaign waged against Scottish politicians. In 2006, Busby was targeted for extradition to the United States for terror charges following emails on how to contaminate U.S. water supplies. In 2008, Wayne Cook and Steven Robinson were convicted of sending miniature bottles of vodka contaminated with caustic soda and threatening to kill English people by poisoning the country's water supply. In 2009, Adam Busby Jr. was convicted of sending 6 packages to political figures and the Glasgow City Council. In 2010, Adam Busby Sr. was sentenced to four years in jail by an Irish court for making hoax bomb threats against transatlantic flights.


text:
“What’s wrong with you? Stop calling me, Gwen. Just STOP.” The breakup was a week ago, the text was three hours old, and her response was already percolating.

An agitated Gwen Lundgren shuffled through design printouts next to her laptop as she waited for a Skype call scheduled for 9:30 Minneapolis time, 3:30 London time. After several seconds, the ruddy, smiling face of Tykon’s International Marketing Director Erick DeMint flittered up on the screen. He was a personable, handsome thirty-something with vibrant hazel eyes and an unruly shock of straw-colored hair. And although she had never seen the entire man from head to toe, that didn’t stop her from fantasizing. There was something different about the background today.

“Gwen? How are you?”

His accent made her shift positions in her chair. “Erick, I’m great. Happy Friday. Where are you?”

“Took a day off. Can you believe it? So I’m working from home. This is my lovely office. Out that window is my lovely yard where I plan to spend the rest of the afternoon. And later my brother Timothy is coming over for dinner. Oh, and tomorrow morning my wife and I and Samantha are going north to spend the week at a country inn we love near Northampton.”

The mention of his wife and daughter grated what she hoped was an imperceptible degree of enthusiasm off her voice. “You’re a busy person. Sounds great. How old is Samantha again?”

“Nine, but of course she thinks she’s nineteen. Had the nerve to ask us if she could get her eyebrow pierced the other day. Nine years old.”

“My sister is going through the same thing with her two girls. They both want to be Miley Cyrus when they grow up.”

Genuine laughter. “God, no. Tell her we feel her pain.”

“I’m sure you’re a great father.”

“Oh, I have my days, but thanks. What about your weekend? Taking the boyfriend out on the town?”

“Unfortunately there’s no one special in my life right now. Well, there was, but….I don’t know. Not the luckiest person in the world when it comes to relationships.”

“An attractive young woman like you? That’s hard to believe. Stay positive. You’ll find someone or someone will find you.”

“Thanks. Well, so, should we go over the concepts I sent? You’re making me feel guilty about talking business on your day off.”

“Don’t worry about it. This was on my calendar long before I decided to…” Erick turned in his chair and then turned back. “Sorry. Thought I heard something. Anyway, back to the concepts. Okay. I really liked number three. Nice work. I felt it captured what we were trying to….” He turned again. “There. Did you hear it that time?”

“Sorry. Is anyone home?”

“No. Kara’s at work and Samantha doesn’t get home… I apologize, but let me go check. I’ll just be a second.”

“Not a problem.”

One of life’s great mysteries was solved as Erick stood up and walked to the office door. He was trim with a very cute butt, just as she had imagined. She could hear his footsteps as he walked through rooms in the house and conjured up an image of him coming out of the bathroom wearing only a small white towel and a tender smile, approaching the bed and…Erick popped back into the room shaking his head.

“It’s an older home,” he said, sitting down. “I know it doesn’t sound very macho, but sometimes I get a little freaked out when I’m here by myself. Okay, where was…I was commenting on design number three and why I was really drawn to this one.”

Although her attention was focused on Erick’s face as he talked, Gwen caught a glimpse of a quickly moving shadow cross the window over Erick’s right shoulder. Most likely….obviously a bird, she concluded, and chose not to say anything. She really didn’t want to be distracted from the praise he was lavishing on her design, her abilities to capture just the right tone, how clever she was to distill a complex concept into a few beautiful images. She was wading in his warm words.

There was a distant clang, as if something metal like a pan had fallen to the hardwood floor.

“I heard it that time,” she said.

Erick’s expression became one of concern and he turned around several times. “I…I think someone’s in the house. I can hear footsteps.”

“You’re sure your wife didn’t come home early?”

“Duh. That’s probably it. Like I said, I get a bit spooked here sometimes.” He turned and called out. “Kara? Hey, is that you?” There was a muffled but discernable “Yes,” from another room in the house. Erick’s body relaxed and he smiled nervously. “Sorry about all the drama. I’m just going to see what’s going with my wife and then we can finish up here. Hold on.”

As much as she enjoyed her conversations with Erick, this was taking longer than she had planned and it was bumping into another meeting that was about to start. Gwen leaned back in her chair and toyed with a pen while waiting. A shadow moved across the hallway beyond the office threshold followed by a murmur of voices and then two loud thumps, which sounded like someone pounding a fist on a countertop. She leaned forward, eyes now zeroing in on the hallway. There was another flitter of a shadow and then a door closed somewhere in the house. This was followed by unnerving silence.

“Erick? Hey, what’s going on? Erick. Are you okay?” Gwen took in a breath and held it. Someone sneezed in a nearby cube and her muscles clenched up as if she’d been stuck with a pin. “Erick?”“No. I’m okay. Everything is fine.” It was Erick’s voice coming from somewhere in the house. “Made a mess I need to clean up.”

She waited a minute, her heart racing, then called Erick’s name several more times, but there was no response, no movement in the house at all. Do I call 911, she wondered? What’s 911 in London? Maybe he just decided to go…no. He didn’t…he wouldn’t just leave me hanging. Would he?

A passing cube mate made the un-asked for observation that she looked pale and asked if she was okay. Distracted, Gwen nodded and then, part hurt, part still concerned, terminated the call. The screen went dark and there was only her own vague image floating in the blackness of the monitor. An hour passed, then another. Too unnerved to work, she began making inquiries as best she could from another country. She was finally able to track down Erick’s boss at Tykon, who said he’d gone on holiday with his wife, which was actually a plausible explanation after what he’d told her, but still….

Three weeks passed. Gwen emailed and called Erick every day, but received only “out-of-office” replies or was dropped into voicemail. Her time at home was spent checking London newspapers online for any crime that might relate to Erick or his family. She knew that something was not right with Erick’s sudden disappearance, that possibly a crime had been committed, but she had no evidence and could not find anything concrete on which to base her feelings. She called his boss again and was told Erick had taken a brief leave of absence for personal reasons. Personal reasons? Like being dead?

It was a chilly late fall afternoon as Gwen strode along Nicolette Mall in downtown Minneapolis in the direction of the Dakota when she heard a familiar voice rise above the din of traffic and call out her name.

“Gwen.”

She spun around and to her astonishment saw Erick walking across the mall in her direction smiling and waving. He was wearing a long black coat with a red scarf around his neck and his hair was shorter, but she knew it was him from the instant their eyes met. Stunned, she stood like a boulder in a river of pedestrians flowing by, her attention fixated on the approaching man.

“Oh, thank God I found you,” he said, putting his arms around her and squeezing tight.

For a moment, she was too shocked to react, but then quickly wrapped her arms around him and pulled him even closer. “My God, Erick. What the—“ Before she could finish he put his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. She responded without hesitation. Several moments later they separated, and Gwen tried to formulate a coherent question from the dozens that were swirling around in her head.

“What’s going on, Erick? Why are you here? What about Kara?”

“There’s plenty of time to talk about all of that. Right now, however, I would like to take you to my hotel room.”

Two hours later Gwen sat on the edge of a bed, a sheet draped over her naked body, pleasantly exhausted, but still shell-shocked. The sex had been loud and satisfying, but perhaps lacking a degree of…intimacy. She looked toward the bathroom door where Erick was taking a shower and tried to imagine various scenarios that ended with Erick coming to Minneapolis from England alone to find her after having disappeared for three weeks. None of them made any sense.

Wearing only a white towel and a wicked grin, Erick set down on the bed next to Gwen and kissed her cheek.

“That was unbelievable,” he whispered.

Gwen blushed, but remained guarded. “Can we talk about what’s going on, Erick?”

“Over dinner. I promise. Let me get dressed and we’ll have a quick drink from the mini bar and then go downstairs. I’ll tell you everything. Promise.” Eyeing him sideways, Gwen got up to dress.

The bored waiter set their entrees in front of them and walked away without a glance. “Bloody moron isn’t very interested in a tip, is he?” said Erick just a bit too loud. “How’s your martini?”

“Too good. I might have to order another one. So….”

“So. Well, it’s not really all that complicated, although it is rather depressing.” His expression darkened. “That day of the call—“

“The video call?”

“Right, video call, Kara came home early, as you know, and then confessed to me she’d been seeing another man for several months and that she wanted a divorce. That was, of course, a huge shock. I felt like I’d been run over by a tram, but the part of her story that sent me entirely over the edge was that the other man was my brother. The…bitch had been screwing my brother. Well, I was in complete and utter insanity mode. It’s horrible to say, but I wanted to kill them both. Honestly, I had no idea this was going on. Call me stupid or blind or whatever, it came as a total shock. Anyway, I simply couldn’t deal with it and left the house immediately. I’m so sorry, Gwen. I’ve just been in a state of absolute inner turmoil the past few weeks, I can’t even tell you. But then I thought about you and the feelings I had felt whenever we talked and realized it was the perfect opportunity to get out of London for a while and see if my intuitions about you were correct. And it seems they were.”

“Wow. So where’s your daughter?”

“Samantha's with my Mum until I get back..

Gwen looked down at her salmon and shook her head not quite sure that all the dots connected, but considering the man of her dreams was sitting across the table from her, she swept her doubts into a dark corner of her mind and looked up, meeting Erick’s piercing eyes. “I’m terribly sorry for everything. It must be a nightmare.”

“It was,” he said. “Until now.”

Staggering and laughing arm in arm down the hallway of her apartment complex, Gwen and Erick made up lyrics to “The First Cut is the Deepest,” which had been playing in the elevator on the way up. “The first cup is the cheapest….” A wobbly Gwen apologized for the mess as she led Erick through her apartment to the living room. She dimmed the lights, poured them both a glass of wine and joined him on the couch, curling up next to him and nuzzling his neck.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“That I’m so glad I found you,” he said.

They talked for another half hour until Gwen heard a familiar ping coming from her bedroom.

“Sorry,” she said, gently brushing the back of her hand across his cheek. “Need to use the bathroom. Would you pour us another glass?”

Erick smiled. “I’d like nothing better.”

Not sure why she thought she needed a subterfuge to check her computer, she slipped into the bedroom, sat at her desk and tapped the space bar. The screen quickly brightened and up popped a news alert. She opened the email and scanned several recent headlines from The Telegraph. One caught her eye.

Murdered Family Members Identified

London — Scotland Yard was finally able to positively identify the remains of three family

members brutally murdered in their Hampstead residence three weeks ago. The victims were 35

year old Erick DeMint, 34-year old Kara DeMint and their daughter, 9-year old Samantha DeMint.

The police still have no solid leads…

A shadow enveloped Gwen from behind.

“Don’t turn around.

“Erick? What’s going on?” she asked with a growing sense of alarm.

“Remember several weeks ago during your little teleconference or video call or whatever you call it when I said I had a mess to clean up.

“Yes?”

“Well, I’m taking care of that now.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Erick told you he had a brother. What I think he failed to mention was that he has…had an identical twin brother.”

The razor-edged knife slid effortlessly through Gwen’s neck muscles in a long red arch, releasing a burbling cascade of blood that flowed down her chest like warm red honey. Grasping a handful of her hair, Timothy held her head back until the spasms ended.

“Erick was quite fond of you, Gwen. I’m so sorry, but I’m afraid you had a crush on the wrong man.”

title: Unlucky in Love

question: Summarize the conversation between Gwen and Erick.

answer: Gwen gets on a video call with Erick, who's in London. He mentions that he's working from home and that he's going to Northampton with his wife and daughter, Samantha. Gwen is taken aback and talks about her sister and her kids. She then talks about how she isn't seeing anyone currently and has broken up. Gwen finally diverts the topic to the concepts she had sent to Erick.

question: Summarize Gwen's feelings about Erick.

answer: Gwen seems to have a crush on Erick and has always wanted to see how he looks. Finally, when he gets up to check his home, while on video, she gets to see his body. She sees his slender figure and butt and imagines him with nothing but a towel on.

question: Summarize what Gwen sees on video.

answer: Gwen sees a shadow move across the video in the background. She then hears a thud and later a clanking sound. Erick then goes to check and calls out Kara, his wife. Gwen then hears some sounds and gets worried but Erick comes and says that he made a mess that needs some cleaning. However, after that, he doesn't return to the call and Gwen has to cut it.

question: Summarize Erick's story when he meets Gwen.

answer: Erick has sex with Gwen and then explains his story to her over dinner. He says that his wife, Kara, was seeing his brother and wanted a divorce. He then explains how he was angry and wanted to kill both his wife and brother but left his home and then was in a state of inner turmoil. He then thought of his feelings for Gwen and decided to come to Minneapolis to meet her.

question: Summarize the climax of the story.

answer: Post dinner, Gwen and Erick head back to the apartment. They then snuggle in the living room and Gwen says that she'd like to use the washroom. Instead, she goes to her computer to check if anything has popped up in the news. That's when she reads a report in The Telegraph that Erick, Kara, and Samantha have been murdered. Erick walks in behind Gwen and tells her that he's taking care of the mess that he had made on the video call — that was Gwen seeing him and Erick. It's revealed that he's Timothy, the identical twin of Erick, and he kills Gwen with a knife.

question: Summarize how Timothy murdered Erick's family.


text:
The latest _Wall Street Journal_/NBC News poll shows President Trump’s job approval rating at a near record high and unaffected by the news about Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen.

A poll taken by WSJ/NBC before the news broke about the conviction of Trump’s one time campaign chair Paul Manafort and the guilty plea from Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen, had the president sitting with 46 percent approval and 51 percent disapproval.

These same pollsters went back to the well in the days immediately following the Manafort/Cohen news, those days where the media screamed “impeachment” hundreds of time, and found only statistical noise; no real shift against Trump: 44 percent approve/52 percent disapprove.

That is only a total move of three points, which is well within the poll’s margin of error.

In fact, that 46 percent approval number is a record high for Trump in this particular poll, which means that despite a media jihad that began last month with the fabricated controversy over separating illegal alien adults and children (something practiced by the Obama administration), the president is in superb shape.

The _WSJ/_NBC poll is also not an outlier. According to the Real Clear Politics poll of polls, Trump enjoys a fairly healthy job approval rating of 44 percent — which is more than two points higher than it was in early June.

Rasmussen, one of the most accurate pollsters in the country, also has Trump at 46 percent approval, which is exactly where President Obama was at this point in his own presidency.

On the 2020 front, participants in an online betting site are shrugging off the media attacks and favor Trump to win a second term more than all of his potential challengers combined.

Judging by the steadiness of his poll numbers and the fact that more people in the real world are placing bets on Trump to win in 2020 than on all of his rivals combined, it would appear as though the public is simply not listening to or moved by the establishment media’s latest pronouncement that this time they really got Trump.

_FOLLOW JOHN NOLTE ON TWITTER_ _@NOLTENC_. _FOLLOW HIS FACEBOOK PAGE_ _HERE__._

question: What is President Trump's approval rating?

answer: A poll from the Wall Street Journal/NBC News has President Trump's approval rating at 46 percent.

question: What is President Trump's disapproval rating?

answer: According to the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, Trump's disapproval rating is 52%.

question: What happened that would affect President Trump's approval rating?

answer: Trump's campaign chair Paul Manafort was convicted, and Trump's former former attorney pled guilty.

question: Who are people betting on to win the 2020 election?

answer: They are betting on Trump to win a second term.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Despite news about Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen being convicted and pleading guilty, respectively, President Trump's approval rating is still relatively high, at 46%.


text:
STATUS: ABANDONED

In game programming we often want to work with x,y coordinates and transform them in various ways. This article covers:

-   Cartesian coordinates: x, y, for placing things on the screen
-   Translate operation: x + Δx, y + Δy, for 2D game cameras
-   Scale operation: x * k, y * k, for zooming
-   World coordinates vs. view coordinates
-   Chaining operations together, for converting world coordinates to screen coordinates
-   Reversing operations, for converting mouse clicks to world coordinates
-   Rotate operation, for rotating objects and also isometric views
-   Shear operation, another way to make isometric and other views
-   Matrices, a way to represent chains of operations

Coordinates#

introduce: x,y (use pixel coordinates)In most systems, 0,0 is on the top left, but some systems, 0,0 is on the bottom left

Camera pan

introduce: translation
A translation in geometry slides the coordinates left, right, up, down. For example, if we want to make 0,0 the center of the screen we can slide the map down and right:

world → translate(      ,      ) → screen

The code for this is simple:

    screen.x = world.x +
    screen.y = world.y +

World and view coordinates

There can be more than one coordinate system in a game. Here there are _world_ x-coordinates in blue and _screen_ x-coordinates in red. They’re the same until you scroll the map:

For any position world.x in the world we can calculate the position on the screen:

    world.x =
    screen.x = world.x +

Camera scrolling with player

Here’s an example with a player:

As before, for any world position world.x we can calculate the position on the screen:

    screen.x = world.x +
    screen.y = world.y

The interesting thing here is that when the player moves _right_, the world moves to the _left_. Why is this?

When the camera follows the player, the player’s _screen position_ will remain the same. In this case I want the screen position of the player to be at 250. Let’s work through the math:

    screen.x = 250
    screen.x = world.x +

    # therefore
    world.x = 250 -  =

Notice the minus sign? When you move the _player_ to the right, that means world.x is increasing. We know screen.x is fixed at 250. { not sure how to explain this yet } WHEN THE WORLD MOVES TO THE RIGHT, THE PLAYER MOVES TO THE LEFT!

This is tricky so let’s pause. {another example?}

{ "natural" scrolling on ipad vs the traditional scrolling on Windows reflects this difference -- are you moving the world or the view? will minimap help explain this? }
{minimap would be a reason to use “view” instead of “screen” -- or maybe we introduce view vs screen somewhere else -- whereas regular view is all of the view coordinates and a part of the world coordinates, the minimap shows all of the world coordinates and part of the screen is the view coordinates}

The fundamental relationship between the two is: VIEW + CAMERA = WORLD. You can also express this as view = world - camera. In this demo, the camera is centered on the player character.

{ should the narrative introduce scrolling first, and then camera pan / recentering? } { is this a good time to introduce reversing a transform? } { separate diagram to focus on camera object? maybe better in the minimap }

Camera zoom

introduce: scale
world → scale(      ) → screen

    screen.x = world.x *
    screen.y = world.y *

{ addition becomes translate() for geometry; multiplication becomes scale() for geometry }

Object coordinates

May be useful to show translate, rotate, scale for an object on the map, or the player sprite

World and view coordinates, again

introduce: chaining
world → translate(      ,      ) → r → scale(      ) → screen

    r.x = world.x +
    r.y = world.y +
    screen.x = r.x *
    screen.y = r.y *

order matters! {show the other order}

Mouse clicks

introduce: reversal; reinforce: chaining
world ← translate(      ,      ) ← r ← scale(      ) ← screen

The last thing we did (scale) is the first thing we undo; the first thing we did is the last thing we undo. The order is reversed.

Object zoom#

reinforce: scaling, chaining

Camera rotation#

introduce: rotate
world → rotate(      ) → screen
{ but we might want to rotate around the center of the screen → let’s translate first } → reinforce chaining

    q.x = p.x * cos() + p.y * sin()
    q.y = p.y * cos() - p.x * sin()

{ How about reversal? }

Object rotation

reinforce: rotation, chaining

Oblique projection#

introduce: skew
world → skew(      ) → screen

    screen.x = world.x + world.y * tan()
    screen.y = world.y

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_projection
(NOTE: it’s unclear to me exactly what the difference between skew and shear is but I’m guessing that skew is expressed as angles and shear is expressed with the tangent of the angle, and they become the same thing in the end.)

Isometric projection

reinforce: shearing, rotation, chaining, reversal;
world → rotate(   45°   ) → r → scaleY(      ) → screen

    r.x = world.x * cos(45°) + world.y * sin(45°)
    r.y = world.y * cos(45°) - world.x * sin(45°)
    screen.x = r.x
    screen.y = r.y *

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axonometric_projection

Aspect ratio

With a wide variety of screen aspect ratios, how do you make your game world fit?

{Cover extending world, black bars, and inner/outer boundaries. Show them all visually}

Aspect ratio#

Especially for mobile games, your aspect ratio may not be the same as the aspect ratio of the screen (or window). You can either _preserve_ the aspect ratio by adding black bars to the top/bottom (“letterboxing[1]” in movies) or left/right (“pillarboxing[2]). Alternatively, you can scale your content.

OpenGL coordinates#

OpenGL sets up the coordinate system to be -1 to +1 along both axes. Your screen/window likely isn’t square. How should we think about this?

OpenGL is applying a transform to the coordinates you give to it. It applies both SCALE and TRANSLATE.

{ show the transform }
You need to take into account what OpenGL is doing to your coordinates. If you draw a square, it won’t look square on the screen because OpenGL is scaling your coordinates. You will want to scale your own coordinates first before passing them to OpenGL. { work through the math }

Hexagonal grids

All of these operations chain together. If you’re using hex grids, you can use a hex-to-cartesian operation (and its inverse, cartesian-to-hex) along with any of the others listed above. For example, if you want isometric hex grids, you would chain hex-to-cartesian with the isometric operations (rotate and scaleY). Mouse clicks would be processed in reverse: invert scaleY, then invert rotate, then invert hex-to-cartesian (by using cartesian-to-hex).

Matrices

motivation: pattern for all of the transformations; introduce: matrix
Matrices aren’t transforms. Matrices are _representations_ of transforms.

Matrices allow you to optimize a bit. A chain of transforms might be q = f(g(h(p))). In math we can “compose” functions. We can combine f, g, h ahead of time into q = (f o g o h)(p). We don’t have a way to compose functions at run time in most programming languages we use.

All of our transforms happen to be representable as matrix multiplies, q = F * G * H * p. Matrix multiply is associative so F * (G * (H * p)) = ((F * G) * H) * p. By representing our functions as matrix operations, we can compose them ahead of time. Instead of applying a long chain of 8 operations to every point p, we can first combine those 8 operations into 1, and then apply that to p. This is common in 3D programming, and there is both CPU and GPU acceleration for 4x4 matrix operations.

u,v vectors; show how they are transformed; show how they are in the matrix; show a unit circle too
More reading on matrices:

-   http://ncase.me/matrix/
-   http://franklinta.com/2014/09/08/computing-css-matrix3d-transforms/
-   http://maxgoldste.in/invitation-to-another-dimension/

question: Summarize how you can pan the camera.

answer: You can use the codes - screen.x = world.x + and screen.y = world.y +

question: How do object coordinates help?

answer: They help by showing translation, rotation, the scale for an object on the map, or the player sprite.

question: Explain the minus sign in the code for camera scrolling.

answer: A fundamental relationship is - view + camera = world. Hence when the world moves to the right, the player moves to the left.


text:
Passing all of the road signs I’ve failed to notice. Hitting the bumps where new pavement was laid. All of the trees I’ve glanced at, but never remembered. Every store, restaurant, boulder or shrub planted in the median of the highway; everything I’ve looked at but never actually seen. All present to me now, even more to miss. Funny, how we tune out the little components in life until we find a reason to look back. I look out the window at all of the scenery that I’ve glanced passed in the past. I take out the coin, one side a bronze steer-skull, with a backdrop of Texas painted in glossy red. On the back side, a sheriff star. The coin was given to me by my uncle. An agent in the Secret Service; he gave it to me right before he moved from his location in Arlington, to D.C. How the irony is strong. He gave me this coin and said to bring it wherever I might feel frightened. I’ve never felt so frightened in my entire life than in this rusty, dirt caked white 99 Taurus. Two Berretta PX4 Storms lay in the trunk, in a useless gun case that I will never get to use again. I have never been one to cry, one to cower, one to fight. The driver, dressed completely in black, face completely covered with what seem like night vision goggles, sped down the highway, almost there. I flipped the coin once more.” Heads”. If nobody can beat the coin toss, then why is it so hard to beat now? My motives are clear. I have grown tired of all of the unnecessary competition, the bragging, the dominance. The coin toss is fair game. Nobody is better at flipping the coin than the next clown in line. I flip again, for good fortune, maybe this time things will change. “Heads”. I really didn’t want it to come to this. I’ve never been violent in my past, always looking for the best in people. I flip.” Heads”. Looking at the steer, I tremble. Thirty heads, zero tails. The irony is that my uncle gave me this coin, under the impression that it would give me the motivation to do something great, to make a change, to do something great. Here I am, in some car with a driver I found in the abyss of craigslist. Things are going to change. “Heads”.
	The end glows to a deep orange, air forces the smoke through the half ashed 7/11 cigar. Fresh is a funny word isn’t it? Two dollars for a two pack of “fresh” computer paper quality smokes. But I roached the first and the second is getting there, no?  The thick, almost yellow smoke left my mouth in whisps, not evaporating because of the strong, skin moistening humidity. Only seven thirty in the morning and already the temperature is 80 very common for an early September day, condensation blinding every stationary car in sight. Waiting for the bus, students start crowding the street corner. Sweating profusely, the batwing starts to form, beads drip off of the forehead and upper lip. I put the second roach in the storm drain. The yellow, “flat-nosed” bus becomes visible from around the end of the 4th street down; chugging, the bus struggles to a stop, time to board. I get to my spot, although only being a sophomore, I sit in the back seat, all alone. No hierarchy in here. Kids from all cliques climb in. I see’em all, from the worms to the scoundrels and every group in between. I guess you could say I’m in my own clique, I stand back and observe all; I know just about everything that happens in this school. A wallflower, a wallflower I would best describe myself as. I’m no shut in freak show, and I’m no charisma- filled hyper fuck. I don’t like the way this place is governed. I agree that to stay in the “uppers” of this place you need to compete for your place. I disagree with the execution of the competition. I’ve seen a male junior, no taller than 5’0 bring a 6’7 senior to his knees beg for forgiveness over cutting in the lunch line. The vicious become the uppers, and the weak sweep the floor they walk on. It’s completely unnecessary, and it shows that these people have no self control. I’m not from around here, so I guess one might say that any cents I have to chip in are chump. I come from a small town, settled in the early 1700’s by the Dutch. The sleepy little place rests no more than seven thousand and lies less than half an hour from Quebec, and ten minutes from Burlington, by ferry. Things were different in New York. One of the first times I had my encounter with an upper, he asked of my name. I told him “Jamie, Jamie Brooksted”. He asked if I was new; I told him I had transferred from the special education building to the main building this year because of my improvement. I had given the bait and he bit. He laughed with an arrogant chuckle, as if asserting the alpha status he was visibly lacking. This lovely young man was named Peter Falls, although I never see the purpose of naming animals. He was a walking cesspool to me now; he is 5’7 and can weigh no more than 150 pounds, his hair is long and a faded brown, most likely the cause of over washing. As I walked away, the laughter trailing my ears was heard for the remainder of the hallway. I used similar “trials” to other uppers for the entire first week of my being in the school. Of course I was subtle, although, I have discovered the absence of brain use within the upper group.  On my 5th day at the school, I approached a group of upper females. There were 4, all seniors. I asked if one could give me a ride home, I made myself seem panicked, distraught, hysterical. As much as I wanted a positive reaction, I wanted to look down on these girls. On the outside, I wanted them to feel sympathy for a “handicapped” sophomore, but in the back of my mind, I wished for nothing more than to despise these filthy, filthy creatures. They glared after my antics had ended, I had somehow brought myself to tears, and I was on the verge of begging these females for a lift to my home. They spit at my feet, pushed me in the dirt and poured the sticky soda they were drinking. I had been so put down by these horrible people, and it brought a bit of euphoria into my life. I, for one time in my life, feel like I’m better than somebody; I feel like I am looking down on the people others look up to in fear. I have become the quiet king of this school, I might say. Over the course of the year, the uppers stopped with the disgusting looks, the tripping, and the spitting. Instead, they began to leave my life. Wherever I went, the uppers didn’t. They soon discovered I wasn’t handicapped and began to show submissiveness even. Had I become one of the uppers? I have kept to myself for most of the year, I had been a wallflower; what did I do to become engulfed in a clique? I needed clarity, so I did what any reasonable person would do at that point. I am going to take action.
	May 23rd, 2012. The man on the other end is brief; I can only assume at this point that he knows full and well what he is getting wrapped into. I find him on craigslist, his name, although most likely an alias is Charlie. He is a fairly well known driver around this part of Minnesota; he has never been caught during a drive and his identity is still secret. He tells me that the rendezvous is at 8 o clock am, I wait in the empty parking lot of the Super 8, waiting while  becoming irritable, I hear a faint hum of an engine. It doesn’t sound like a factory engine, it has been modified; I’m not much of a savant when cars come into play, but the sound of altercation coming from the Ford Taurus can be heard by even the most un keen of ears. I put my tan potato sack of supplies into the trunk, the driver doesn’t get out of the car, but I had the feeling his eyes never left me. I couldn’t see his face, but at that point, it didn’t matter to me. I told him to drive me to the High School; which would take about 45 minutes. I got in the rear passenger seat and we slowly pulled out of a place I would never see in this life. 10 minutes in, and my perception of all around me began to morph. I took out the coin given to me by my uncle and began to flip. I had been flipping all morning, in a way; I had this whole day planned out by a coin “heads”. I was flipping because of my pure indecisiveness, and the coin had it all planned out. I begin to stare out the rear window; looking back at all I would soon leave behind. My mind has been made up, I would be taking revenge against all who have looked up to any group or individual as dominant. Nobody is dominant, and soon I hope everybody learns this. “Heads”. Approaching the school, my world spins; I unload my two pistols into my back pack and walk into school. Head held high, back straight, confidence raced through my body. I walk into the school and bolt to the restroom. A rush overcame me, I go into an empty stall and dry heave until the acid from my stomach burns the end of my throat. I walk in front of the mirror, eyes resembling red branches of lightning surrounding a pool of blue. I take one gun from the back pack, completely forgetting the other, and open the bathroom door. I walk to the commons and fire, straight up to the ceiling. The sound is deafening, The only thing I hear are faint screams and an intense ringing. I run back to the bathroom taking one student with me. I throw him against the air dryer, and slam against the mirror, cracking it. I look down on the student; Peter Falls. He is in a position close to a fetus, and crying. Loudly weeping and broken out into a cold sweat, and from the smell, he has pissed himself as well. An interesting take on the saying “revenge is best served cold” I place the gun in between his eyes and fire 4 times. The sound brings pain to us both. I had only used blanks. He screams and begs me to stop. I slide down the wall into a slouched over position and place my face into my hands. I begin to cry; “Why? Why is it so hard, to do something I’ve waited so long to do against people I feel so little for?” I walk out of the bathroom facing the colossal wall of windows. I see blue and red lights for what seem like miles and I have guns drawn on me. I put the gun down and walk to the center of the window wall. I am tackled to the ground by the school officer and the coin falls out of the back of my pocket. Clarity. I came in looking to get revenge on the weak, and on the arrogant but have done nothing but proven to myself, that it is I who needed to learn the lesson. Everything moves in slow motion. The coin flies from my back pocket into the air as I am dragged out of the school in cuffs. The coin I used to take my chances with beat me. It has shown me that this happened so that I would learn that I have become the weak, by looking down on the dominant. I am nothing but another upper, looking down on everybody else.”Tails”.

title: The finished High school revenge story. Tell me what you think.

question: What is the narrator's perspective on humans in general?

answer: He believes the strong exists to prey on the weak.

question: What does the narrator really think of the "uppers", those with power?

answer: He believes they lack discernment, intelligence, and are unnecessarily cruel.


text:
JONES COUNTY is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 10,153,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Trenton.[2]

Jones County is part of the New Bern, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area..

History

The county was formed in 1779 from the southwestern part of Craven County. It was named for Willie Jones,[3] a planter, slaveholder, Revolutionary leader and president of the North Carolina Committee of Safety during the war. He opposed state ratification of the United States Constitution.

The rural Low Country county was originally developed for plantations, which were dependent on the labor of enslaved African Americans.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

-   Craven County - northeast
-   Carteret County - southeast
-   Onslow County - south
-   Duplin County - west
-   Lenoir County - northwest

National protected area

-   Croatan National Forest (part)

Major highways

-   -   -   -   -

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,061 households, and 2,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 4,679 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.97% White, 35.87% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.70% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,061 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,882, and the median income for a family was $35,180. Males had a median income of $28,662 versus $19,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,916. About 14.20% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Jones County is a member of the regional Eastern Carolina Council of Governments. The Jones County Government relies entirely upon an all volunteer (non-paid) fire department force segregated by geographic location(s). The Law Enforcement structure consists of one paid Pollocksville Police Chief, one paid Maysville Police Chief, and an elected Sheriff with a small (less than 25 person force) to handle law enforcement, detention, and emergency communications. The county government relies heavily on volunteer deputization. Emergency ambulance services consist of one full-time medical unit dispatched from the town of Trenton and relies heavily on other volunteer EMS personnel geographically scattered around the county to assist with a medical emergency. Additional EMS transportation vehicles are subsidized by EMS services provided by adjacent counties or private enterprises. There is no animal control unit. The County Detention Facility is a 21-bed (3 female) facility located in the basement of the county courthouse and the detention staff double up as the communications/911 emergency communications staff. Prisoner Meals are provided by contract through licensed restaurants.

Politics

  Year                               REPUBLICAN                                  DEMOCRATIC                                  THIRD PARTIES
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
  style=“text-align:center;” |2016   style=“text-align:center;” |57.9% _2,974_   style=“text-align:center;” |40.2% _2,065_   1.9% _96_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2012   style=“text-align:center;” |54.2% _2,837_   style=“text-align:center;” |45.0% _2,352_   0.8% _41_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2008   style=“text-align:center;” |53.9% _2,817_   style=“text-align:center;” |45.5% _2,378_   0.6% _32_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2004   style=“text-align:center;” |57.8% _2,607_   style=“text-align:center;” |42.0% _1,893_   0.3% _13_
  style=“text-align:center;” |2000   style=“text-align:center;” |53.3% _2,114_   style=“text-align:center;” |46.0% _1,822_   0.7% _28_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1996   style=“text-align:center;” |45.3% _1,682_   style=“text-align:center;” |49.2% _1,829_   5.5% _204_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1992   style=“text-align:center;” |37.4% _1,438_   style=“text-align:center;” |51.0% _1,962_   11.6% _446_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1988   style=“text-align:center;” |45.8% _1,649_   style=“text-align:center;” |54.0% _1,946_   0.2% _7_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1984   style=“text-align:center;” |50.3% _2,062_   style=“text-align:center;” |49.4% _2,025_   0.3% _12_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1980   style=“text-align:center;” |38.6% _1,401_   style=“text-align:center;” |60.6% _2,198_   0.9% _31_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1976   style=“text-align:center;” |31.5% _948_     style=“text-align:center;” |67.0% _2,016_   1.6% _47_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1972   style=“text-align:center;” |58.9% _1,650_   style=“text-align:center;” |39.0% _1,093_   2.0% _57_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1968   style=“text-align:center;” |10.7% _361_     style=“text-align:center;” |36.4% _1,225_   52.9% _1,780_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1964   style=“text-align:center;” |26.7% _776_     style=“text-align:center;” |73.3% _2,129_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1960   style=“text-align:center;” |23.4% _585_     style=“text-align:center;” |76.7% _1,920_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1956   style=“text-align:center;” |17.5% _415_     style=“text-align:center;” |82.5% _1,952_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1952   style=“text-align:center;” |16.5% _331_     style=“text-align:center;” |83.5% _1,673_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1948   style=“text-align:center;” |8.0% _113_      style=“text-align:center;” |88.1% _1,238_   3.9% _55_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1944   style=“text-align:center;” |14.7% _211_     style=“text-align:center;” |85.3% _1,221_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1940   style=“text-align:center;” |14.5% _233_     style=“text-align:center;” |85.5% _1,371_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1936   style=“text-align:center;” |10.7% _188_     style=“text-align:center;” |89.3% _1,563_   style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1932   style=“text-align:center;” |8.3% _132_      style=“text-align:center;” |91.4% _1,449_   0.3% _4_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1928   style=“text-align:center;” |57.5% _658_     style=“text-align:center;” |42.5% _486_     style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1924   style=“text-align:center;” |20.5% _179_     style=“text-align:center;” |79.3% _692_     0.2% _2_
  style=“text-align:center;” |1920   style=“text-align:center;” |28.5% _385_     style=“text-align:center;” |71.5% _964_     style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1916   style=“text-align:center;” |24.7% _233_     style=“text-align:center;” |75.3% _712_     style="text-align:center;|
  style=“text-align:center;” |1912   style=“text-align:center;” |4.4% _35_       style=“text-align:center;” |79.9% _635_     15.7% _125_

  : PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS[6]

Recreation

Jones County lies west of the Atlantic Ocean but the only waterfront areas in the county are along the Trent and White Oak rivers. Part of the Great Dover Swamp also lies within the county lines. Many enjoy boating and fishing activities as well as camping at the 17 Family Campground along Highway 17 north in Maysville. The Croatan National Forest offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing and the wide open spaces of fields and forests are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Communities

[Map of Jones County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels]

Towns

-   Maysville
-   Pollocksville
-   Trenton (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

-   Comfort
-   Oak Grove

Townships

The county is divided into seven townships, which are both numbered and named:

-   1 (White Oak)
-   2 (Pollocksville)
-   3 (Trenton)
-   4 (Cypress Creek)
-   5 (Tuckahoe)
-   6 (Chinquapin)
-   7 (Beaver Creek)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

title: Jones County, North Carolina

question: Summarize the history of Jones County.

answer: The county was formed in 1779 from a part of Craven County.

question: Why does the county government rely heavily on volunteers?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: State a few places to visit in and around the county.

answer: The county is home to the Great Dover Swamp and the Croatan National Forest.


text:
He stands there looking at this church that is resting on top of a cliff overlooking the town nestled in a small valley in northern japan. The church stands there almost like a castle overlooking the rest of the town that is out of place. Old stone with architecture mimicking the churches in that of England and Ireland. As he looks the the church he doesn't understand how it could be here and now but he doesn't care all that much he's tired and cold from the walk up to the church. He looks behind him and looks at his boot prints in the snow that seems to disappear after ten steps or so  due to the heaviness of the snow fall. He thinks of why he took this long walk on an extremely cold Tuesday afternoon, images of work that needs to be done around his house the broken door that is hard to open, the leaky faucet that keeps him up at night with the drip drip every few minutes that drills into his head, his job and that small stack of files that needs to be done but is annoying simple work but is just too mundane to bare. He may get enough sleep but he is just tired every single day he is tired, so he took a nice long walk to the church that no one ever goes to that looks over the small urban town. He finally takes another step forward after all these things flash in his mind.

The man reaches the doors and enters into the old stone church that not many people go to on Sundays. As he walks in he can see no one but there are some candles lit near the entrance and at the far end of the church. Its much smaller than he thought it would have been only large enough for about five or six pews on each side. When he starts to walk towards the altar he can hear someone walking from behind him that slows walk up right next to him. The man looks over his shoulder and sees a man dressed all in back with his hands behind him slows walking towards him while looking around the church. The man in black looks at him and says “What can I do for you today sir?” and man responds and says “Not too sure just kinda wanted to walk so I came here.” With a soft voice almost as if it was snow itself the man in black says “Well you chose a good destination. If you have any questions or need something just call.” The man says “thank you” and then finds a seat on the right side of the church in the sixth pew. He sits down rests his head back and looks at the beautifully ornate ceiling and closes his eyes and catches his breath for a quick moment and almost unwillingly falls asleep and it's a deep sleep  one that he hasn't felt in a very long time. A sleep that release him from all of the stresses of life no more busted door, no more leaky faucet, no more paper work, just calming restful relaxing sleep.

He opens his eyes to find himself in his house with that damned faucet dripping  the busted door getting harder and harder to open knowing he has to get ready for work to head to that stupid stack of papers. He close his eyes and takes a deep breath and get out from the covers to a blistering hot apartment in the middle of summer in southern japan and steps into the shower to start it all over again just like yesterday and just like tomorrow.

       First story I have ever fully written any advice would be fully appreciated. This story just came to me by listing to some music to calm myself down from some stress.
P.S. If there are any grammar mistake sorry.

title: [RF] The Mans Dream

question: Describe the church.

answer: The church is made of old stone, with achitecture mimicking the churches in England and Ireland. It is only large enough for about five or six pews on each side.

question: Where does the man wake up?

answer: He wakes up in his blistering hot apartment in southern Japan.

question: What does the man do inside the church?

answer: He sits down in one of the pews and rests his head back, staring at the ornate ceiling. He closes his eyes and catches his breath.

question: Why is the man stressed out?

answer: He has a busted door, a leaky faucet, and loads of paperwork to fill out.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: A man stands before an old stone church in a small valley in northern Japan. He enters the church and sits in the pews, taking a moment to close his eyes and catch his breath. He wakes up in his apartment, where he's faced with the stress of a busted door, a leaky faucet, and loads of paperwork.


text:
ESTHER 8 is the eighth chapter of the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, The author of the book is unknown and modern scholars have established that the final stage of the Hebrew text would have been formed by the second century BCE. Chapters 3 to 8 contain the nine scenes that form the complication in the book. This chapter contains the effort to deal with the irreversible decree against the Jews now that Haman is dead and Mordecai is elevated to the position of prime minister.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and since the 16th century is divided into 17 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008).

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; 𝔊B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: 𝔊S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; 𝔊A; 5th century).

Esther saves the Jews (8:1–8)

The death of Haman does not change the fact that the irreversible decree to destroy the Jews, written in the king's name and sealed with his ring (), still stands. The king gave Haman's household to Esther and gave Mordecai Haman's signet ring, but he refused to regard it as his problem, even as Esther tearfully begged the king to “avert the evil design of Haman the Agagite” (). Thus, Mordecai and Esther together had to come up with a solution, after receiving the king's permission to “write whatever (they) like about the Jews” (verse 8).

Verse 1

    _On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her._[1]

The king may see the giving of Haman's house to Esther as suitable compensation because Haman has wronged her in two ways:

1.  plotting her death, along with the death of her people
2.  attacking her person in the second banquet.

Verse 2

    _And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai._
    _And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman._[2]

The second part of verse 2 displays a shift of the focus to Esther, as she is now the one who makes decisions.

Verse 3

    _Then Esther spoke again to the king and fell down at his feet and begged him with tears to avert the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme that he had devised against the Jews._[3]

The change of tone of Esther's petition before the king indicates her awareness that the gift of Haman's house to her and the signet ring to Mordecai won't do any good after the thirteenth of Adar as long as the decree to annihilate the Jews still stands. Esther only mentioned Haman as the sole enemy of the Jews (cf. ) and avoided implicating the king in this plot.[4]

Verse 6

    _For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?_[5]

Esther used the same two terms — 'people' and 'kindred' as she reversed the act of concealing her identity previously in , when she entered the harem.

Verse 8

    _Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse._[6]

-   “As it liketh you”: from Hebrew: “as is good in your eyes.”[7]

Mordecai's balancing act (8:9–17)

The narrative starts with an elaborate description of the system to dispatch the letters conveying the solutions (verses 9–10), then of the content which reveals Mordecai's ingenious ploy: a second decree without contradicting the first one but effectively annulling it by authorizing the Jews to defend themselves against those executing the first decree (verse 11). Both Jews and non-Jews throughout the empire saw the second decree as a bloodless victory for the Jewish cause and the Jews were clearly perceived to have the upper hand that many non-Jews spontaneously converted to Judaism (verse 17).

Verse 9

    _So the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language._[8]

-   “The month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day”: Two months and ten days since Haman’s edict to wipe out the Jews (cf. ).[9]

Verse 11

    _By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to gather together and protect their lives—to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions,_[10]

This second edict can be compared and contrasted to the first one as recorded in :

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Esther 3:13                       | Esther 8:11                       |
+===================================+===================================+
| First edict                       | Second edict                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| _Order_ to                        | _Permission_ to                   |
| to destroy, kill, and annihilate  | to destroy, kill, and annihilate  |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Undisguised aggression            | Self-defense                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Violence against                  | Violence in response to           |
| general Jewish population         | “any armed force ...that might    |
|                                   | attack” the Jewish population     |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Verse 15

    _And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad._[11]

-   “Shushan”: or “Susa”.[12]

Verse 17

    _And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them._[13]

This verse can be compared and contrasted to :

  Bible verse          Esther 3:15                            Esther 8:17
  -------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  After the issue of   First edict                            Second edict
  Celebration          The king and Haman sat down to drink   The Jews had … a feast and a good day
  Confusion            The city of Susa was in uproar         Many people of the land became Jews

[1]  ESV

[2]  ESV

[3]  MEV

[4] Note [b] on Esther 8:3 in NET.

[5]  KJV

[6]  KJV

[7] Note [a] on Esther 8:8 in NKJV.

[8]  NKJV

[9] Note [b] on Esther 8:9 in NET.

[10]  NKJV

[11]  KJV

[12] Note [b] on Esther 8:15 in NKJV

[13]  KJV

title: Esther 8

question: What does the text say about Esther?

answer: The Book of Esther is a book in the Hebrew Bible (or the Old Testament). The article is about the eighth chapter of it when Esther and Mordecai are trying to deal with the irreversible decree against the Jews after Haman's death. Esther is given Haman's estate, and she puts Mordecai as the head of the house of Haman. Esther begs the emperor to revert the decree, and the Emperor gives them the right to issue another decree. Mordecai comes up with the plan of giving permission to the Jews to defend themselves from aggressors, which ends up scaring the potential aggressors. Many people convert to Judaism after this.

question: What does the text say about Agamemnon?


text:
Air left her nostrils it short, sad bursts. Water poured from her eyes like a river, streaking back and forth across her cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away, yet my hand remained frozen to my side. My own eyes began to cloud as I blinked them back inside. Remaining strong was my only option at this point, there was no turning back.

Her fingers gripped her hair like she was ripping a flower from its roots, knuckles whitened from the grasp. Mouth agape, she attempted at words, but none came to her. Her sighs came heavy and quickened as her closed eyes spewed tears. Lips quivered as she muttered a single syllable, "Why..."

I didn't quite know at the time. At this point, I don't know if I ever will. One of the last words I heard from her was a word of despair, a word I couldn't even fathom a response to.

My gaze was locked upon her, she was beautiful, even in this moment of despair. It's you, it's me, it didn't matter who, or what, or why, or how. No one knew the answer to any of these questions, least of all me. I swallowed the knot in my throat one more time and looked up at the door behind her. Scratches at the bottom from where her dog had begged for freedom, paint scraped from the egg shell white wood left a softer yellow look.

Time slowed as I got up and made my way across the room. Her sighs became screams, and from despair grew anger. I heard the screech of the chair as she turned to me, "What the fuck is wrong with me!" Her shouting sent shivers down my spine, but not from fear. Regret wouldn't describe it either, because I don't regret it, it was a shiver of understanding the feeling of not knowing where you belong in this world.

I didn't answer, there was no answer.

I left.

title: (RF) Finding me

question: Who was crying?

answer: The narrator's lover.

question: Who is the narrator?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: Was the narrator leaving her?

answer: It may be implied that he was leaving her, for reasons unknown.

question: What relationship did the narrator share with the lady?

answer: It may be implied that the narrator and the lady were lovers.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer:
Watching the woman cry, the narrator's eyes got teary. Her fingers gripped her hair as she asks him why he was leaving her. The narrator had no answer and still does not.
He looks at her one last time before leaving, she looked beautiful. As he leaves, she screams asking what is wrong with her. He had no answer.


text:
Hi! I was trying to make this neither a poem or a short story, or maybe both at the same time? I'm obviously not very skilled. This is my first draft and I would love some tips if you've got a moment. Thanks.

~           ~             ~

Deep within the city of Piraeus the moon glowed with soft light. Merchants from Athens sold their wares free from the heat, and that comfort gave them much delight. Then appeared a young girl holding a basket no more than twelve. She walked up to a herbalist, and pointed to a shelve. The lass' red riding cloak fluttered softly in a breeze, and after the wind stopped it settled down around her knees. “Take this thyme, and your grandma will be just fine, now don't you dare offer me money, I wouldn't accept a dime.” Said a women to the girl. As quickly as she came, she was off in a whirl. Nearby atop a stone brick bathhouse a fowl and terrible creature perched. It's eyes darted back and forth like it was conducting research.

The young girl walked down a brick path and scanned dark corners for trouble. There were footsteps behind her so she picked up her pace on the double. The footsteps quickened like a downhill rolling boulder. The girl in the red cloak gasped as a hand latched down on to her shoulder. “Stay away!” yelled the girl in fear. From the shadows wearing a guard uniform the hand's owned appeared. “Little Red, what are you doing this late and all alone?” Asked the guard to the girl in a melodious tone. “I was at the market, getting something for my grandmother!” Quipped the girl to the guard without even a stutter. “Fine take your leave!” Spoke the guard like thunder. “But don't cry to me, when a mugger rips you asunder.”

Off strolled the mysterious girl clad in red. Unfortunately she wasn't aware of the beast that wanted her dead. Near the edge of the city was her home, it looked tranquil only at night when few stirred. Little Red spotted a cat, and smiled when he purred. She scratched behind his ears and he huffed acting lazy and fat. The sound was like music for an eavesdropping rat. Moving on, the girl took her basket and went inside. Waiting in the darkness the creature did hide.

The little girl approached her sick grandmother's bed. She had words in her mind but despite her best efforts they remained unsaid. In the dim light of the room the girl felt something was wrong. It's smelled as if something just didn't belong. She starred at her grandmother and saw a glow in her eyes. “I have medicine now, you'll be better by sunrise.” Just then it occurred to the girl she was in danger. “Grandma your eyes oh my, well I've never...”

“All the better for seeing you, my dear.” Growled a voice mired and queer.“Your tone. What happened?” Little Red said austere. “Just the flu sweet child, come closer” She said as she  gestured. “Your teeth grandmother. They've gone and festered.”
“All the better for eating you, my dear.” Little Red's eyes widen in panic, and she was filled with fear.

Just then wood splintered and crashed. The guard from earlier reappeared in a flash. The creature turned and it attacked. It's claws were menacing and it's aim was exact. Everything ended with a spear to it's chest. The creature was slain and later put to rest. Little Red thanked the guard, and then cried for her grandma. Only when she spotted her basket from earlier, did her expression change from sad to awe. She reached inside and withdrew a small green plant. “May this thyme grant me courage now that my grandmother can't,”  said the twelve year old girl, quietly in her head. Little Red pondered who her surrogate family could be, and came up with only despair and dread.

title: Once Upon Some Thyme

question: What does the story say about the seven dwarves?

question: What does the story say about Little Red?

answer: Little Red is the protagonist of the story. She is a young girl of twelve wearing a red cloak and carrying a basket. She goes to town alone to get some medicine (thyme) from a herbalist for her sick grandmother. Little Red's only family seems to be her grandma, but she was killed by the creature. She pondered who her surrogate family could be, and felt despair because she had no one.

question: Summarize the plot of the story.

answer: Little Red goes to the town herbalist to buy some medicine for her sick grandmother. The herbalist gives Red some thyme for free. On her way home, the guard asks why Little Red is out late at night and warns her about muggers. Unbeknownst to Little Red, a foul and terrible creature was stalking her for its next meal. It was able to beat Little Red to her grandmother's house. The creature kills grandma and takes her place in an effort to trick Little Red into coming closer so it can pounce on her. Red arrives and comments on "grandma's" eyes, voice, and teeth. The creature was about to harm Red when the guard from town breaks down the door and spears the creature in the chest, killing it. Without her grandma, Little Red is now alone and has no family.