text:
BAHREN SHAARI is the current Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Singapore, a position he has held since February 2015.[1] Under his leadership, the bank's reach has expanded around the world and has offices in Singapore, Europe, Dubai and Hong Kong.[2][3][4]

Bahren was also touted to be a potential candidate from the private sector for Singapore Presidential Elections in 2017 by a number of Singapore media, following the changes in the eligibility criteria for elected president. He declined to not participate for the Singapore Presidential Elections in 2017.[5][6][7]

Early life and education

Bahren was born and educated in Singapore. He studied in Sembawang Primary School, Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School and Hwa Chong Junior College. He graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor's degree in Accountancy.[8]

Career

Bahren started his career as an auditor at Coopers and Lybrand. After two years, he moved to the financial industry. He joined American Express in 1988 before moving to UBS AG Wealth Management in 1996,[9] where he rose to become the Managing Director and Head of Southeast Asia and Australia team[10] He then joined ING Asia Private Bank as Senior Managing Director and Global Head for the Southeast Asia market.[11] In 2009 it was renamed Bank of Singapore after it was acquired by OCBC Bank in the same year.[12]

In September 2016, Bahren was among the six recipients of the Institute of Banking and Finance Distinguished Fellows award.[13]

External appointments and honours

Bahren was appointed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to serve on the Corporate Governance Advisory Committee in Feb 2019.[14]

In October 2018, he was named the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions to the community.[15] The award was given by Berita Harian, the sole Malay language broadsheet newspaper published in Singapore.

Following that, Bahren was one of 12 outstanding alumni honored at the NUS Business School Eminent Business Alumni Awards 2018.

In September 2016, Bahren was among the six recipients of the Institute of Banking and Finance Distinguished Fellows award, .[16]

He was appointed to the board of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in 2000, and stepped down in 2012.[17] He has been an independent director of the Singapore Press Holdings since April 2012.[18]

Bahren was conferred the Public Service Star Medal in 2018. He received the Public Service Medal by the President of Singapore in 2008.[19]

On 1 April 2017, Bahren was appointed as an alternate member to the Council of Presidential Advisers to serve a term of four years.[20][21] He was then appointed as a full member on 9 January 2020.

[22]

Private life

Bahren's wife, June Rusdon, is the founder of Learning Vision Group and Chief Executive of BusyBees Asia. They have three children.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]  The Institute of Banking and Finance|website=www.ibf.org.sg|language=en-SG|access-date=2017-04-03}}

[20]

[21]

[22]

title: Bahren Shaari

question: Who is Bahren Shaari?

answer: Bahren Shaari is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Singapore.

question: What accomplishment has he achieved during his time as CEO?

answer: Under his leadership the bank's reach has expanded around the world.

question: Which award did he receive in 2016?

answer: He was one of six recipients of the Institute of Banking and Finance Distinguished Fellows award.

question: In October of 2018, he received what recognition?

answer: He received the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Bahren Shaari is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Singapore. Under his leadership the bank's reach has expanded around the world.


split: train

text:
[Primary Logo for the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health]

The Mount Sinai SELIKOFF CENTERS FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH are a set of occupational and environmental health clinics that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of workplace injuries and illnesses.[1] Significant injuries and illnesses that are treated at the clinical centers include (yet are not limited to) occupational lung cancers,[2] manganese/silica/lead exposures, and asbestos-related illness,[3] which was the career-long research of Dr. Irving Selikoff, the centers' inaugural director. The Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health's multidisciplinary health care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, industrial hygienists, ergonomists, social workers, and benefits specialists, who are “leaders in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of workplace injuries and illnesses,”[4] and provide comprehensive patient-centered services in New York City and Lower Hudson Valley.[5] The clinical centers are located within the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai under the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health also partner with employers and unions to assess and reduce risk factors in all work environments.[6] Their aim is to establish comprehensive occupational health and safety programs designed to encourage a safe, healthful, and productive workplace.[7] The centers participate in and host events, both for national and international audiences, including the World Trade Health Program Symposium of 2016, an annual Manganese Conference, and the 25th Occupational Health Clinic Network to discuss international workplace health. With a focus on prevention, the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health strive to keep workers healthy and their workplaces safe.

The Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is also home to the New York and New Jersey Education and Research Center. The research center offers programs in Occupational Medicine, Industrial Hygiene, as well as continuing education, referring patients in need of treatment or services, and those of the general population interested in occupational health and safety, to the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health.

History

Dr. Irving Selikoff founded and became the director of the Environmental and Occupational Health Division of The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City in 1966, which at the time was the United States' first hospital division dedicated to the field of occupational health and safety.[8] His work on asbestos and the conditions workers were exposed to on their jobs also contributed to the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).[9] After Selikoff's death, the division expanded to include the “Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine,” which today is named the “Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health”.[10]

World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence

The Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health are also a designated “Clinical Center of Excellence” under the World Trade Center Health Program. This program was established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act) and is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) within the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Zadroga Act provides free medical monitoring, treatment, mental health services, and benefits counseling for 9/11 responders and volunteers. The Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health at The Mount Sinai Hospital (Manhattan) is home to the largest World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence (CCE) in the New York/New Jersey region.[11]

In 2015 the United States Congress passed a reformed version of the Zadroga Act, which provides lifetime health benefits for the 9/11 first responders and victims.[12]

Research conducted on 9/11 first responders continues to show the need for Medical Screening Programs in the event of disasters.[13]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

question: What are the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health?

answer: A set of occupational and environmental health clinics that focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of workplace injuries and illnesses.

question: What injuries are treated at the centers?

answer: Occupational lung cancers, manganese/silica/lead exposures, and asbestos-related illness.

question: Who founded the centers?

answer: Dr. Irving Selikoff.

question: Where are they located?

answer: New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article is about the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health, a group of clinics which treat workplace injuries and conditions in New York.


text:
The death throes of dying stars are the focus of a sweeping new survey using NASA’s Chandra X-ray satellite observatory.

More than two dozen astronomers have aligned their research goals to use Chandra to image a set of dying stars in the neighborhood of the Sun. The resulting X-ray images of these dying stars—called planetary nebulae—are shedding light on the violent “end game” of a Sun-like star’s life.

The research team, led by Joel Kastner from Rochester Institute of Technology, won seven days of observing time with Chandra in 2011–12 to survey and image nearly two dozen relatively nearby planetary nebulae, resulting in the most comprehensive X-ray survey to date for such objects.

The same team recently won an eight-day time award with Chandra to continue its observing program, and will begin collecting new X-ray data later this year.

Both the previous and upcoming series of observations are part of the Chandra X-ray Survey of Planetary Nebulae (ChanPlaNS). Leaders in planetary nebula astronomy from seven countries joined forces to win the large Chandra observing time awards.

A planetary nebula is a dying star (recently a “red giant”) that has cast off its outer layers. The newly exposed, hot core of the star (which will eventually become a “white dwarf” star) illuminates these ejected layers, while the core’s fast winds sculpt the material into a variety of shapes. The resulting dazzling objects, bearing names like Cat’s Eye, Lemon Slice and Blue Snowball, are favorite targets of optical and near-infrared telescopes.

“Planetary nebulae have provided astrophysicists with dying star ‘laboratories’ for more than a century,” Kastner says. “They provide test beds for theories of stellar evolution and give us insight into the origin of heavy elements in the universe and on Earth. Yet we still don’t fully understand why they take on such a dazzling variety of shapes.”

The widespread debate among astrophysicists concerning the planetary nebula shaping process led Kastner and postdoctoral fellow Rodolfo Montez Jr. to organize their colleagues to request a large allocation of X-ray satellite observing time to investigate the processes of stellar death and wind collisions in X-rays.

“An X-ray survey of this kind is completely uncharted territory in the planetary nebula world,” Kastner adds. “Astronomers working in this area agreed that we need large quantities of time to look at as many planetary nebulae as possible, specifically with Chandra.”

His team is using X-ray imaging to look “under the hood” of planetary nebulae. X-rays cut through the illuminated gas and dust, allowing astronomers to investigate the last tens of thousands of years of history of the dying star that threw off its outer sheaths.

“With Chandra’s exceptional ‘X-ray vision,’ we can detect the million-degree plasma inside the discarded shells and probe the energies of the stellar winds that shape them,” Kastner says.

In the initial phase of the project, the team collected data for 35 planetary nebulae—21 previously unobserved and 14 pulled from Chandra archival data—all within roughly 5,000 light years of the Sun. The recent award will bump the study to a total of 59 objects from among the roughly 120 planetary nebulae identified within this distance.

“Because they all just happen to lie relatively nearby, we think this group of objects is fairly representative of planetary nebulae in general,” Kastner says.

The findings will give theorists material to refine models describing mechanisms that shape planetary nebulae, especially the potential influence of a stellar or even a planetary companion to the dying star.

“The ChanPlaNS study provides fresh new insights into the last, dying gasps of stars like the Sun,” Kastner says. “We expect it will clarify what planetary nebulae can tell us about binary star astrophysics and stellar wind interactions.”

Early findings from the study include:

_•_ The collision of the fast wind from the exposed core with the ejected atmosphere causes shock waves that produce the diffuse X-ray emission seen in about 30% of the full sample (and in the four provided images). The Chandra survey data shows that most planetary nebulae with diffuse X-ray emission have sharp-rimmed shells that were ejected less than 5,000 years ago; these compact inner shells are surrounded by fainter halos of material ejected tens of thousands of years earlier.

_•_ About half of the planetary nebulas in the Chandra study show point-like X-ray sources at their central stars. Many of these point sources show high-energy X-rays that may emanate from a previously undetected companion to the central star. This supports theories asserting that double stars are responsible for the nonspherical shapes of many planetary nebulas.

These and other results from the initial phase of the project were reported in the August issue of The Astronomical Journal. Kastner and Montez are the lead authors of the paper, entitled “The Chandra X-ray Survey of Planetary Nebulae (CHANPLaNS): Probing Binarity, Magnetic Fields and Wind Collisions.” Montez, one of the first recipients of a Ph.D. from RIT’s Astrophysical Sciences and Technology, is now a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University.

question: What have two dozen astronomers aligned their research goals to use Chandra for?

answer: To image a set of dying stars in the neighborhood.

question: A dying star is also known as?

answer: Planetary nebula

question: What are names of some of the planetary nebulae?

answer: Cat's Eye, Lemon Slice, and Blue Snowball

question: Where does the X-Ray imaging used by Kastner look?

answer: The X-Ray imaging looks "under the hood" of planetary nebulae

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The origin of Nasa's X-ray satellite, Chandra, is discussed and what the X-ray looks at (planetary nebulae). The findings from the studies given by theorists are also discussed.


text:
She knew the day would not go her way from the sounds stirring up out of the garage. A few dings, a couple of bangs, that was typical. Not like this. This sounded like something gone wrong. Kat pushed up off the couch, wandered her way to the door connecting the house to the garage, and leaned in the frame of it.

There was Vincis, standing in front of a car; its hood was up and he was staring into it’s guts as if it had verbally accosted him, as if it had offended him, personally.

Kat frowned just a bit. She didn’t know who the car belonged to, but she did know it was some high roller, someone who could possibly make Vincis’ day a little less pleasant, if he so felt like it. And why not, right? Why not heap more issues on a guy that was already so high strung, they could use him for the telegraph?

Quietly, she stepped into the garage - but not quietly enough. This was, after all, Vincis’ domain, and nothing happened in here without his knowledge. She got about halfway to him when he turned his head, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. Impossibly bright and blue, eyes he got from his father, much to his dismay.

“H-Hey,” he said, a hint of a smile trying to make it across his features. It didn’t quite make it, but she noticed the attempt. It was enough in her book. “I’m s-sorry. Was I m-making t-too much noise?”

She smiled at him, shaking her head. “Nah, not too much.” Soon she was right beside him, and neatly checked him with her hip. “What are you working on?” And instantly, she could see the way Vincis’ features, which had just started to relax, tighten up again. He turned back forward, gesturing with his hand to the car before them, lips dipping into a frown.

“I c-can’t figure out wh-what’s wrong with it. I’ve tried everyth-thing.” Here, he reached up, running his hand through his hair - something Kat knew he only did, especially with greasy hands, when he was truly upset. Vincis tended to view cars as puzzles - and if he couldn’t fix one….well.

This was his talent. If he were incapable of fixing a car, he generally thought it to mean that he was incapable of performing and from there, things just went downhill. It was the little things that always bothered Vincis, not the big things. Launch an idea at him that might terrify another man, and he handled it like a champ. Give him a car he couldn’t fix?

He tended to take that poorly. Add in the fact that the car happened to belong to some big-wig, and Kat was pretty sure that all was not well upstairs.

The slim, delicate line of her hand reached out, long fingers coiling around his bicep. “How long do you have?” she asked, the dark line of her brow arching.

“Until the end of the w-week.”

And with that, she smiled. “You’ve got plenty of time, baby. You’re the best mechanic in town - you’ll figure it out.”

“But w-what if I’m not the b-best mechanic in town?” he suddenly snapped - and if his flinch was any sign, a little harder than he meant to. Kat wasn’t so much as phased, though.  She just smiled at him, that same lazy, easy smile, the one that had charmed his socks off from the start.

“Well, he doesn’t know that, now does he?” she asked. “And he can damn well wait, just like any other person can.” Vincis’ features crumpled a bit, looking from her to the car.

“I…I j-just don’t w-want to be a s-screwup. N-not in my w-work and…and n-not w-with you,” he muttered, gaze shifting downwards - only to be pulled around when she took his chin, turning his face to her.

“Hey…Vincis, I don’t love you because of the parts of you that I like.”

Briefly, the red-head looked completely, utterly baffled, totally not understanding just what the hell that was supposed to mean.

The ex-prostitute clarified it for him: “I love you for the parts about you I don’t like.”

title: [Short Story][Fiction] Flawed - 707 words

question: Summarize what made Kat thinks Vince might be upset about something?

answer: The frequent loud noises from the garage, the way Vincis looked at the car in front of him, and the way he ran his hands through his hair.

question: How did Kat and Vincis meet?

question: What are Vincis most obvious insecurities?

answer: Vincis believes he is not as good a mechanic as he thinks. He also frets about little things. Also, Vincis is scared to fail.

question: Does Vincis really think he is the best mechanic in town?

answer: Yes, he does - except for when he faces a really difficult task during which he starts to doubt himself.


text:
I can’t keep living like this. And it’s not your fault—it’s mine. I’m living for you when I should be living for myself, for evenings with friends and holidays with family. Because there isn’t a we. I have to live my own life.

And it isn’t you. I’ve been living in a fantasy, that’s the problem, a fantasy of you and me. I keep thinking that one day you’ll wake up and see me waiting here for you and everything will be like it’s supposed to. You’ll say hi and I’ll say hi and you’ll run your hand through your hair and the spikes will flip back up and I’ll laugh cause it’s cute and you’ll tell me I have a nice smile cause you like the way I squint and my freckles squish around my eyes. We’ll go to the docks, like we always do, and I’ll say the sea smells nice and you’ll say it looks a bit green like its sick and I’ll say that’s the way it’s supposed to look cause this isn’t Hawaii and you’ll say well it doesn’t look good for swimming and I’ll tell you of course it’s good for swimming and we should go sometime and you’ll promise we will someday. Someday isn’t going to come though. You’ll never get to read the notes or see the orange roses with the peeling petals I bought you. I wrote them every day, you know, little haikus and couplets. I thought you’d like that. They’re all stacked on the nightstand under the roses with wilting petals.

I guess we’re just not meant to be. I was so sure we were, yet here we are. Here I am, spilling my guts. Honestly, I can’t stand that we aren’t meant to be. It’s like losing faith. But I guess I have to let go of that the way I have to let go of you. You know, every day I dream about you and me. And you and me don’t exist. At least, not like that. I have to shake that out of my head. So it’s me. It’s my problem.

I can’t forget that time we stayed on the phone till two in the morning, just talking, and the way you laughed at my crappy jokes. That was wonderful. I won’t forget that. I was the most in love with you in those moments. Those were the moments you could have asked me to do anything for you and I would have said yes without hesitation. I was too afraid to tell you this before, but you left me breathless. I should have told you sooner. I guess I’m telling you now, though, and that must count for something. But I can’t help but feel like it’s too late. It’s so hard to find that place between too soon and too late. I’m not sure it exists, really, if there’s a right time to say I love you. I haven’t found it anyway. I know this is terrible timing but I have to tell you that I love you.

But I have to stop thinking about it, because it won’t bring you to me. So I’m going to try to forget how it felt when you smiled at me and how it felt when we spoke in unison. I have to move on, even if it’s without you, even if it hurts. I have to move on.

I’m sorry I’m telling you all this, but I feel like I should explain myself. I need to tell you why I can’t see you anymore. We’ll meet again someday, I’m sure, but at least for now I need to let you go. I don’t know if I can forgive myself for letting you go, but I have to try to live my own life. I hope you can forgive me.

I love you, but it’s not enough. Sometimes love doesn’t conquer. Sometimes it dies. And I’m going to let it, because we can’t save it. I can’t save it. So I’m going to let them unplug you now. They said you’ll stop breathing and your heart will stop beating and it will be slow, but you won’t feel a thing. I’m glad. I wonder if you can even feel this right now. If you can feel me leaving you. Well, in case you can, here’s the ring. I can’t keep it. Not if I’m going to keep going. Not if I’m going to live.

I’ve stayed with you through everything—rich and poor, sickness and health—but I can’t watch you die. I’m not going to stay, so this is goodbye. See you later, love.

title: Halcyon

question: Who does the narrator say should be living for?

answer: The narrator has to live for themselves, not for anyone else.

question: What problem is the main character dealing with?

answer: The main character is dealing with the fact that they cannot get around the fact that them and their love weren't meant to be.

question: How would you describe the overall theme of the story?

answer: This story can be described as heartfelt and empowering and filled with nostalgia.

question: What significant object is the main character giving away?

answer: The main character is giving back a ring.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This short story describes a painful breakup.


text:
CECILIA ELISABETH WÜRZER (d. 10 April 1761), was a Swedish (originally German) singer and member of the _Kungliga Hovkapellet_ in 1743-1761. She was one of five women to have been officially members of the Royal Orchestra in the age of liberty.

Würzer came to Sweden from Germany in 1743 as a member of the Musical company employed by Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden. She was one of only five women to be officially inducted in the Royal Orchestra during the age of liberty. However, unlike Judith Fischer, Sophia Schröder and Gustaviana Schröder, she and Hedvig Witte were in fact never paid from the funds of the royal orchestra; Witte was unofficially paid while Würzer was given her salary from the personal funds of Adolf Frederick.[1] Cecilia Elisabeth Würzer were particularly noted for her performance at the funeral of Frederick I of Sweden, when she sang a part written by Johan Helmich Roman with her colleague Eleonora Witte.[2]

[1] Gunhild Karle (2002). Kungl. Hovmusiken i Stockholm och dess utövare 1697-1771. Uppsala: TryckJouren.

[2] Anna Ivarsdotter Johnsson och Leif Jonsson: Musiken i Sverige. Frihetstiden och Gustaviansk tid 1720-1810

title: Cecilia Elisabeth Würzer

question: Was Würzer paid from the funds of the royal orchestra for being a member of the Royal Orchestra in the age of liberty?

answer: No, Würzer was unofficially paid from the personal funds of Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden.

question: What is Würzer most known for?

answer: Würzer is probably most known for her performance at the funeral of Frederick I of Sweden.

question: Where was Swedish singer Würzer originally from?

answer: Würzer was originally from Germany.

question: Was Würzer the only woman that was not paid from the funds of the Royal Orchestra for being its member?

answer: No, Judith Fischer, Sophia Schröder, and Gustaviana Schröder were paid from the funds of the Royal Orchestra.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Cecilia Elisabeth Würzer was a Swedish singer and member of the 'Kungliga Hovkapellet' in 1743-1761. She came to Sweden from Germany in 1743 as a member of the Musical company employed by Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden. She was one of only five women to be officially inducted into the Royal Orchestra during the age of liberty. However, she has never been paid from the funds of the royal orchestra but unofficially paid from the personal funds of Adolf Frederick.


text:
Hi, all! FTL is an awesome game, isn't it? So many different ships to play with, so many different weapons to try out, so many encounters.

But if you play it a lot, you may find yourself wanting to go beyond those limits. Wanting to make up your own ships, weapons, events. Fortunately, FTL is a very moddable game, thanks to some great tools the modding community have written.

I'm here to teach you how to create a ship for yourself. There's a handy utility called FTLEdit written by Darkfrost, and we're going to use that to do some of the work for us, but we'll still have to do quite a bit ourselves. (There's another editor too, called FTL Ship Creator and written by tazardar, but I haven't tried that one.)

If you instead want to create _enemy_ ships, to attack the player rather than for the player to use, then a lot of this guide will still apply, but bits of it won't. You'll have to explore a bit more.

Ready to create a new playable ship? Then let's get started.

Step 1: Install FTLEdit, GMM and a Mod

There are a couple of required steps before you actually start modding. There are certain conditions under which all FTL mods must be distributed, that basically mean using Grognak's Mod Manager (GMM) is a must. You're going to need to have GMM working if you ever want to distribute your mod, and it does some useful things to the data files too; not to mention it lets you try out every other mod in the FTL mods forum. So you'll need to install it. A couple of tips:

-   Download FTLEdit from here and GMM from here.
-   When you've unzipped GMM, put it in the same directory that ftlgame.exe is in. (You can find this by right-clicking the FTL shortcut to start the game, clicking Properties, and clicking Find Target or Open File Location. For Steam installs, look in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FTL Faster Than Light, or perhaps without the (x86).) When you find ftlgame.exe, I'll call that directory your FTL install directory. After you put the contents of the GMM zip there, this directory should contain modman.exe, ftlgame.exe, and a number of subdirectories including resources/ and mods/ .
-   I can't provide tech support for these utilities. For problems with GMM ask in the GMM thread.

When you've got them installed, check it's working. Run GMM, click "Beginning Scrap Advantage", click Patch. When GMM finishes, launch FTL (you may have to do it directly rather than letting GMM launch it for you), and start a new game: if you see a blue option saying "(Mod) Strip a near-by asteroid for scrap", the mod is installed!

Since you'll be creating a .ftl mod, and .ftl files are renamed .zip files, you'll also need a zip program installed. I recommend 7Zip, but WinZip will do fine as well.

Step 2: Design

Okay. With those preliminaries out of the way, time to move on to actual mod design!

The first step is: Figure out what you want your ship to do! Plan the image you're going to use for the ship, what weapons and crew and drones you want the ship to have, any augments, what systems you want to start off levelled-up or have absent entirely.

Step 3: Draw the Graphics

Obviously you'll need to draw the ship. Where "draw" may mean draw in a graphics program, or it may mean extract them from some other source. For my Starcraft mod, this meant loading the Starcraft editor, zooming in on one ship, taking a screenshot and then tidying it up in GIMP.

It's worth knowing what you're aiming for. If you look at the images for the built-in ships, they're all between 400x400 and about 700x400 pixels. (If you don't know where to find those images, they're in your FTL install directory, under resources/resources.dat-unpacked/img/ship . Take a look at all the images in this directory – it's pretty helpful and interesting.)

You'll also want at this point to give a little consideration to mount points: where do you want the weapons to appear on the outside of your ship?

Step 4: Floor Plan in FTLEdit

Now it's time to fire up FTLEdit. If you haven't launched it before, then once it loads you'll need to click Options and specify the path to where your FTL install is. If you've run GMM as I told you to, the resources directory ought to contain unpacked versions of data.dat and resources.dat. This is what you need to point FTLEdit at. There's no OK button in this dialog - just close it once you've filled in the directories. You'll know it's right if you can edit an existing ship successfully.

Now, edit one of the existing ships. You should choose the ship which you want to replace in the hangar with your new ship. (In order for your ship to be playable by the player, it has to replace one of the 18 ships that goes in the hangar.)

FTLEdit will open with the floor layout of that ship. Now do the following:

-   Click "Show floor" to remove the grey background to the rooms.
-   Click each room and door in turn and press the Delete key.
-   Click "Load base", and browse to the image you created earlier. Use "Move base" to position the ship image behind the grid.
-   Draw the rooms using "Add room". Click-and-drag to initially size a room; right-click-and-drag to resize. I recommend you first place all the rooms, and only then add all the doors using "Add door".
-   Add systems using the system icons for weapons, shields, etc. You need to specify which room will have a system even if you don't want the ship to _start_ with that system. If you leave any systems unplaced, the ship will be unable to _ever_ gain that system even if the player buys the system in a shop.

Step 5: Options in FTLEdit

Click FTLEdit's Options button. Drag the dialog to somewhere that isn't overlapping the main FTLEdit window. Now go through the options for crew, weapons, drones etc, adjusting them as you like. A few notes:

-   In the "Important ship settings" section, it's simplest if you set the "Img" and "Layout" to the same thing. For simplicity this should be all lower case and with no spaces (but underscores _ are fine).
-   Do not change the "ID" other than to one of the 18 ships in the hangar.

When you're done, click "Export Ship" and "Export the .ftl package". This will produce a first draft of the .ftl file that will form your mod. It's nowhere near finished, but it's a good first step. Copy the .ftl file over to your FTL install's mods/ directory. Make a backup copy of it somewhere else as well if you like.

Step 6: Unzip the .ftl file and Add Images

Right, it's time to fill in the gaps in what FTLEdit produced. Rename your .ftl file to instead end .zip, and unzip it to a directory somewhere. Go into that directory. This I'll call your mod root directory. It should contain two subdirectories, data/ and img/. The img/ directory needs to contain a subdirectory called ship/ with all your ship images in, but FTLEdit doesn't put them in there. So that's your first task: copy your ship image into your mod's img/ship directory. Give it the name [myship]_base.png , where [myship] is what you specified as the "Img" setting in FTLEdit's options.

You also need to add an image called [myship]_floor.png . For most mods this is just an empty transparent .png file, but if you feel like it you can draw a floor layout. If you don't have an easy way to create a transparent png, download this one and save it as myship_floor.png in the same directory, img/ship inside your mod directory.

Once you've done this, you ought to be able to zip up your mod into a .ftl file and try it out. It'll have a bunch of glitches that we'll fix in later stages, but it ought to be broadly playable. To turn your mod directory into a mod and install it, these are the steps:

-   Navigate to your mod's root directory in Windows Explorer. You should see two directories: img/ and data/ .
-   Select both img/ and data/ (e.g. by dragging a box around both of them). Right-click one of them and select "Add to zip file myship.zip" or similar.
-   When 7Zip finishes creating the archive, rename it to myship.ftl .
-   Move the .ftl file off into your FTL install's mods/ directory.
-   Run GMM. Select your mod and click Patch.
-   Launch FTL and take a look at your ship in the hangar!

It's best to do this regularly. For example, after each of the remaining steps, you could do this process to test out your work.

Incidentally, if you happen to have cygwin installed, you can do all the above with this one line:

pushd mods/myship ; zip -qr myship myship ; mv myship.zip ../myship.ftl ; popd ; ./modman.exe ; ./ftlgame.exe

Step 7: Edit the Blueprint and Add Weapon Mounts

Now, inside your mod's data/ directory is a key file called blueprints.xml.append. Open this file in a text editor (Notepad would do if you don't have anything else).

You ought to be able to see how the XML in this file matches up to what you defined in FTLEdit's options screen. The power levels, weapons and so on should all match what you set. If you want to change them, you can do that here.

In particular, if you want your ship to have fewer augments, weapons or drones than the one you were editing had, then you'll need to remove some lines here, because FTLEdit unfortunately leaves them in.

FTLEdit does now produce a layout xml file, including the offset, which is great as you don't have to do that yourself any more. (Make sure you have the latest version of FTLEdit, version 0.91 as of 31st December 2012, as that step is a real pain to do manually.) But you do still need to define weapon mount points: that is, the places where weapon images poke out from behind the ship.

This is pretty easy. Open the ship image in any image editor. Position your mouse cursor over the point where you want the rear corner of the first weapon to be. Now look at the editor's status bar for two numbers: these are the x and y coordinates of this mount point. Note down these numbers. Repeat for each mount point (you usually want 4). If your ship has the Artillery Beam as on the Federation Cruiser, do the same to get an extra pair of mount point coordinates for where the beam should fire from.

Edit the file called [myship].xml that's in the data/ directory of your mod root. For each mount point, add a line looking like this:

    <mount x="361" y="59" rotate="true" mirror="false" gib="1" slide="right"/>

The x and y numbers are the coordinates you noted earlier. "rotate" should usually be true: true means point to the right, false means point upwards. "mirror" should be true for weapons that poke up-and-right (usually on top of your ship) and false for weapons that poke down-and-right (on the bottom). "slide" indicates which direction the weapon slides out when you activate it.

_Troubleshooting_

If you have problems with your mod not working, the most common cause is some XML that's slightly wrong or not as FTL expects it. You need to very carefully check your XML in blueprints.xml.append and myship.xml, to make sure that every <tag> either ends with />, or is matched by a closing </tag>.

Step 8: Choose a Shield Image

You need to choose a shield image that's about the right size for your ship. Look at the existing shield images in your FTL install's img/ship/ subdirectory – everything ending in _shields1.png. They're all different sizes, and you want one that's big enough to enclose your whole ship. You don't have to use the same image that the base-game ships use, but you do need to use something that's an ellipse.

If you conclude that, say, the Zoltan Cruiser's 640x400 shield will do – the image energy_cruiser_shields1.png – then edit the blueprint to add

    <shieldImage>energy_cruiser</shieldImage>

(Note that you leave off "_shields1", because FTL adds that at the end.) If you're creating your own shield image file called myship_shields1.png , you don't need to add to the blueprint; just put the shield image in your mod's img/ship directory.

The second half of this task is to edit the ELLIPSE dimensions in the myship.txt file. This is important because if you don't change it, then no matter what the image looks like, the shield will only protect rooms within a 400x400px circle: outlying rooms can be hit even if your shields are up! You need to set the numbers after ELLIPSE to _half_ the width and _half_ the height of the shield image.

This would be a good time to rezip your mod and check it out again, following the same instructions as in step 6.

Step 9: Choose Room Images

You should choose or create images for the individual rooms in your ship. Go and look in resource.dat-unpacked/img/ship/interior . All those images are possibilities to appear in the rooms of your ship. This isn't just graphical polish, because you need to select which space of the crewable rooms is the one where the operator needs to go. By default, FTLEdit doesn't give sensible settings here. Room images come out very distorted, and some rooms can end up not crewable at all, which imposes a major gameplay penalty.

So what you need to do is bring up your ship, either in FTL with the mod installed, or in FTLEdit; simultaneously open the blueprint in a text editor; and also have a thumbnails view of img/ship/interior to hand. For each of the systems and subsystems on your ship - probably all eleven, unless you've deliberately omitted some - you need to do the following steps.

-   Note the room's size. For example, the weapons room in your ship might be width 2 and height 1.
-   Look in img/ship/interior for an image for that system of that size. Note that each square of a room is precisely 35x35 pixels: so in the example we're looking for a weapons system image that's 70px wide by 35px high. If you look in img/ship/interior you'll see that room_weapons_8.png is the only one of that size.
-   Edit the ship blueprint's line for that system to specify the image in question. E.g. you should update the <weapons> line to say img="room_weapons_8".
-   If the system is one of the four crewable systems – weapons, engines, shields or pilot – you need to look at the image you've chosen and see where the computer terminal is. Note which square is it in, counting from top-left starting at 0, and which wall the terminal's against, i.e. which direction crew should face when they're using it. The square numbers start counting at 0 and go in reading order, so the square numbers for a 3x2 room would be:

          0 1 2
          3 4 5

-   Now you need to change the blueprint lines for those crewable systems further. In our example, the weapons terminal is in the right-hand square of that 2x1 room, i.e. position 1 (because we start counting at 0), and on the top wall. Change the line which before said:

        <weapons power="[whatever]" room="[whatever]" start="true" img="room_weapons_8" />

    so that now it says:

        <weapons power="[whatever]" room="[whatever]" start="true" img="room_weapons_8">
          <slot>
            <number>1</number>
            <direction>up</direction>
          </slot>
        </weapons>

    Take particular note that the line used to end /> but now it ends >.

-   You also need to do this for the medbay. By default, one square of the medbay is not standable-in. The setting for the medbay specifies which slot is blocked by the med computer. (Don't use a <direction> parameter for this one.) E.g. for a 2x2 medbay whose bottom-left square is blocked, you'd say

        <medbay power="[whatever]" room="[whatever]" start="true" img="room_medbay_7">
          <slot>
              <number>2</number>
          </slot>
        </medbay>

    If you don't want any slot blocked – likely to be the case if your medbay is 2 spaces or smaller – then the magic code is to use slot _minus two_, i.e. <number>-2</number> .

-   What if none of the existing room images fit your room? Then you'll have to either redesign the room layout in FTLEdit to fit the available room images, or create a room image for your desired size. It's easy enough: just choose an image similar to the one you need, open it, expand the border to the size you want, and move bits of room image around until they're on the appropriate edges. Save it into your mod's img/ship/interior directory with a new name, like room_weapons_51.png. Then do the same with the three coloured glow images for the computer screen, with names room_weapons_51_glow1.png. (These should just need positioning correctly in the new border.) Then specify that new name in the blueprint: img="room_weapons_51"
-   If you're a stickler for making sure that none of the bits of cloaking system or shield system go in front of doors, you may need to edit images to move bits around for several other room images.
-   Any images you specify that AREN'T the right size will be stretched or shrunk to fit. This looks awful for rooms with computer terminals, but can be okay with some others, especially the sensors room.
-   For 1x1 system rooms, you may want to just use img="computer", a free-standing terminal without any accoutrements around it.

Step 10: Make a Cloak Image

This technically isn't required, but if you don't do this, whenever anyone in your ship cloaks they'll see a sudden black box appear behind the ship.

The image you create should be a version of the ship image, but with the edges highlighted in grey/white. Importantly, you also need to expand it away from the border by 10px in each direction: so the cloak image should be 20px larger than the ship image in both x and y. I found the following sequence of GIMP commands produced a reasonable cloak image, but you can produce one however you like.

-   Open the ship image
-   Layer -> Layer Size -> increase numbers by 20
-   Image -> Fit Canvas to Layers
-   Filter -> Edge Detect -> Laplace
-   Press Shift-O for the Select by Colour tool
-   Click a transparent bit of image
-   Selection -> Invert
-   Fill tool, set tool options to fill whole selection, fill selection with colour #f3f3f3
-   Layer -> Duplicate Layer
-   Page Down to select the lower layer
-   Selection -> Grow -> 1 pixel
-   Selection -> Feather -> 5 pixels
-   Fill whole selection with colour #57c8fd
-   Set lower layer opacity to 50%
-   Export image as myship_cloak.png into your mod's img/ship directory

Step 11: Make Miniship Images

We're nearly done. There's still one step you should do before releasing your mod, which is to create a thumbnail view of your ship for the Select Your Ship screen and the Highscores screen.

It's mainly a case of shrinking the ship image to 191 x 121 px and saving it in your mod's img/customizeUI directory. To fit the look of the base-game ships, you should probably add a small glow behind the thumbnail. You can do this in GIMP using feathered selection similar to how I described for creating a cloak image.

Note that in the hangar's Select Your Ship screen, only the primary versions (Type A) of each ship are shown. However, you should create thumbnails for any secondary versions (Type B) you overwrite too, so that they show up correctly in the highscores list.

Step 12: Gibs

This isn't necessary, and a lot of modders skip this step entirely. But if you want to make your ship looks nice when it explodes, then take a look at the existing ships' _gib1.png through to _gib6.png, and at the section of an existing ship's .xml file such as circle_cruiser.xml (in data.dat-unpacked), and make yourself some images for the different parts of the ship, and define the <explosion> to say which direction each of the gibs should fly off in. Note that gib1 will be on top of the rest, then gib2, and so on, down to your last gib (often gib6) which will be underneath all the others.

And Finally: Playtest!

Now you've got all the skills you need to make a ship every bit as good as the ships in the base game. But odds are, your first design will be missing the mark somewhere. It might be too strong, too weak, unbalanced in one way or another. The only way to find out is to playtest it, and then playtest it some more! Keep on trying changes until you're happy with the quality level, and then upload the .ftl file somewhere publicly accessible and go and post about it on the FTL Working Mods Forum!

This tutorial was written by alextfish, creator of the Starcraft mod. SDG.

question: What is FTL?

answer: It is a game with ships and different weapons.

question: What is the purpose of this post?

answer: The post is a tutorial for creating a new playable ship.

question: Who is the target audience for the post?

answer: The target audience is people who play FTL.

question: How many steps are in the tutorial?

answer: There are 12 steps in the tutorial.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This post is a tutorial for the game, FTL. The tutorial is 12 steps to help readers create a new, playable ship.


text:
The place was an oasis of quiet and levity in the dimly lit, humid, "dive", amidst the undulating bodies, crowds chatting, people waiting to have sex, and the hustle and she sidled up to him.
A crowded bar. She stood to his left, a brunettes with flowing locks. She sought a
drink. The gentleman noticed her, her liveliness, the delicate grace of her motions.
He gestured, he beckoned to her,  amidst the pleasantries they began to consume one another in conversation, they spoke a peculiar volume, a raucous whisper, loud enough to hear one another over the deep thunder of the base and the percussive lightning of the tweeters and drivers, quiet enough to go unheard by a surrounding soul punctuated only by their laughter and sighs, and the glances they would share.

title: Elixir

question: Where is the story taking place?

answer: A bar

question: Describe the main character(s):

answer: There is a gentleman and a long-haired, brunette woman.

question: What are the characters doing:

answer: The people in the story are chatting and ordering drinks.

question: What are the characters' names?

answer: More information is needed to answer the question.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The story describes a bar scene where two characters are meeting. They may have some romantic interest as well.


text:
ZAHIDUZZAMAN (born 3 July 1996) is a Bangladeshi cricketer.[1] He made his first-class debut for Dhaka Division in the 2016–17 National Cricket League on 25 September 2016.[2] He made his Twenty20 debut for Brothers Union in the 2018–19 Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League on 26 February 2019.[3] He made his List A debut for Brothers Union in the 2018–19 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on 20 March 2019.[4]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

title: Zahiduzzaman

question: Who is Zahiduzzaman?

answer: He is a Bangladeshi cricketer.

question: Is Zahiduzzaman a good cricket player?

answer: That information can't be found directly in the article.

question: What did Zahiduzzaman do on 20 March 2019?

answer: He made his List A debut for Brother Union in the 2018-19 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.

question: What is Brothers Union?

answer: That information isn't clear in the article, but it seems it could be a sort of team.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article discusses Zahiduzzaman and his history as a Bangladeshi cricket player.


text:
'''Jakob Ragaz ''' (29 September 1846 – 27 May 1922) was a Swiss architect.[1] He is best known for his work on a series of “grand hotels” built in connection with the Swiss tourism boom during the second half of the nineteenth century.[2]

Life

Jakob Ragaz was born into a family of craftsmen in Tamins, a village in the canton of Grisons, located a short distance to the west of Chur and close to the point where the “Hinterrhein” and “Vorderrhein” rivers join together and become the River Rhine. He attended the cantonal secondary school (_“Scola chantunala grischuna”_) in Chur and then moved on to study at polytechnical academies in Stuttgart and Munich. As a newly trained architect he received his first commission in the Engadin valley, where his father, Linhard Ragaz, had been employed as a carpenter in the 1840s. He took on project management for construction of the “Hotel Bernina” in Samedan, which the architect Johann Jakob Breitinger had abandoned in order to focus on a city planning scheme in his home city of Zürich.[3]

The Engadin valley was the focus of a construction surge. The growth in tourism reflected the rapid development of a newly prosperous middle class produced by dynamic industrial expansion in Germany and Britain. The resulting surge in building contracts led Ragaz to settle in Samedan where, together with his younger brother Georg Ragaz (1857–1909), he founded a building firm. Georg, as a master carpenter, took charge of the practical construction work while Jakob, trained as an architect, focused on design.[4]

Jakob Ragaz had a major influence on the rapid evolution of Pontresina from a farming village to a spa and tourism resort, with a succession of hotels and villas constructed between 1870 and 1890. Major commissions included the Hotel Saratz (today part of the Sporthotel Pontresina complex), Languard and Enderlin along with the Villas Ludwig and Gredig.[5] During the 1890s most of the Pontresina hotels were expanded in response to competition from neighbouring resorts – notably St. Moritz – and rising customer demand. The styles adopted were increasingly flamboyant manifestations of Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance. Of particular note is the expansion of the Hotel Kronenhof between 1896 and 1898 to its present “horseshoe-shaped three-winged” configuration.[6]

His brother Georg died in 1909 after which the building business was taken over by the Samedan firm, “Koch, Vonesch & Co”. Jakob Ragaz went back to Tamins where he died in 1922.[7]

His papers are held by the Cantonal Archive in Chur.[8]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

title: Jakob Ragaz

question: When was Ragaz born?

answer: September 29, 1846

question: Who was Ragaz's younger brother?

answer: Georg Ragaz, a master carpenter

question: What is Ragaz known for?

answer: Designing a series of "grand hotels" in connection with a Swiss tourism boom

question: Where are Ragaz's papers today?

answer: They are held by the Cantonal Archive in Chur

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Jakob Ragaz was a Swiss architect, known for designing a series of "grand hotels" in connection with a Swiss tourism boom in the second half of the nineteenth century. He worked with his younger brother, Georg Ragaz, a master carpenter, until Georg's death in 1909.


text:
grifting as a digital gangster will insure that you never become poor, so long as you lower your moral standards.

you will need:
a stolen paypal account that doesn't belong to me or a fellow dg
(stolen paypal accounts are fairly easy to come by - a lot of people use the same password for their email and their bank and their porn site, you fill in the blank on that one)
balls
sunglasses and a hat

first, find a thing you want on ebay being sold in a general locality you find yourself in that ends in a few days or is set buy it now by a private seller.

contact the seller and tell them that your brother's/sister's/cousin's/pastor's birthday is TOMORROW, and the thing that they have for sale is exactly what your brother/sister/cousin/pastor has been raving about and you can't find it anywhere. tell them you want to come over and check it out, and you will buy it immediately if they end the auction early for 20% above what the current bid is at (what do you care, it isn't your money) or if it is buy it now, just say you want to roll over and peep that lil whodi before you commit.

roll over to their crib in your "disguise" and check out the item. tell them you don't have the cash on you, but you have plenty of simoleans in your paypal account. ask to use their computer.

sign on to the stolen paypal from their computer and pay the seller some stolen money from their computer, giving them a firm handshake as you exit the premises.

ride off into the sunset like a boss. optional: if you bought a go-kart, ride off in that.

when the seller finally catches wind that he/she has been scammed, they will tell the police that some guy came over to their house, used their computer, and paid for their item using a stolen paypal.

likely story.

the officers take this statement from the seller but they aren't exactly buying the story. one policeman turns to his partner and gives him a slight nod, and the seller (let's assume the seller is male) gets arrested and rides in the squad car to the county jail.

in county, he has a couple visitors from family and friends, but no one wants to bail him out. you see, he had a history of alcoholism and generally treated his kids like shit, and most everyone in the neighborhood knew it. his wife is glad she is finally away from his verbal and physical abuse, and while she secretly believes his story is genuine, welcomes the fact that finally, some karmic balance has been restored to the world.

while awaiting trial, his wife (with the help of a local attorney) files divorce papers to dissolve their marriage of six years. he paces his jail cell and the common area, clutching his divorce papers, weeping softly, wondering if he had just been a slightly more attentive husband and went to his AA meetings regularly, if this whole mess ever would have happened.

at his trial, the judge reads aloud what he has been charged with, and if he has anything to say for himself.

"NO," he exclaims to the judge. "I AM NOT GUILTY!"

fighting back tears, he scans the courtroom - his friends and family are nowhere to be seen. the jury continues staring the defendant down with obvious contempt as the prosecution mounts their case. the prosecutor, a young, handsome hotshot, makes eye contact with the dumbfounded ebay seller. if there is one thing he learned in law school, it is that the face of this seller in particular is clearly showing no remorse for his actions.

following the conclusion of the defense's unconvincing, public-defender-esque argument, the judge bangs his gavel and the jury convenes to deliberate the case. no character witness has come forward to attest that deep down, our seller truly is a nice person, just misguided and damaged. his youth was marked with abuse, and he knew no better than to follow the same example in adulthood.

in no less than fifteen minutes, the jury returns. slowly, the dejected seller rises to his feet, fidgeting nervously.

"...we find the defendant guilty, " the jury foreman states with a hint of disdain in his voice.

sentenced to one year in prison, the seller begins writing a memoir detailing his experience as a child and the subsequent problems that followed. collect call after collect call, letter after letter, he continues to profess his innocence to his estranged ex-wife and children. after going through a series of substandard boyfriends, his ex-wife finally realizes that perhaps the seller is not such a bad guy after all, and the experience of jail has changed him for the better; she decides to contact a better lawyer and begin to mount an appeal to set her ex-husband free.

one day in the common area, a fight breaks out between the seller and a former gang member (who was incarcerated for a drug distribution charge) over a pair of stolen slippers. amidst the confusion, the seller accidentally stabs a correctional officer, severely wounding him. this effectively erased ALL of the good time the seller had accumulated (3 months) and he was sent to administrative segregation for his crime.

a judge finds the seller guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against a correctional officer and extends his prison sentence seven years. it would have been longer but his ex-wife, in a show of newfound love and respect, asked the judge for leniency in his case. she truly believed her former lover had turned over a new leaf, and had begun marking a calendar, counting the days until she could be with her husband again.

after fulfilling his debt to society (which actually began as your debt to society), the seller is released from prison, his memoirs now 800 pages thick. his children, once bright-eyed elementary school students, were now in high school. even though their father was in jail, it seems they turned out to be responsible young adults, making the honor roll and abstaining from drugs and alcohol use.

watching the news on a lazy sunday afternoon, you recognize your victim's mugshot as they tell his story and discuss his memoirs. realizing the error of your ways, you drive to his house in your stolen go-kart and ring the doorbell. the seller answers the door.

"hello seller," you quietly mumble. "you probably don't remember me, but i am the reason you went to jail many years ago."

after a few seconds of uneasy silence, the man replies.

"yes, i remember. for the longest time, i thought about nothing but getting revenge on you. you took my family away from me. you took my youth. you took my go-kart..."

a lump forms in your throat as his eyes well up with tears. he continues:

"if it wasn't for you, though, i never would have faced my past demons. since i've been out of jail, i have a boundless appreciation for life, my kids and my wife love me unconditionally, and i have been clean and sober for a long time. i owe it all to you."

"come on, " you say, putting your hand on the man's shoulder. "let's take a ride."

turn to page 127 if you drive the man to the bar and get him piss drunk, breaking his pledge of sobriety.
turn to page 120 if you email oprah to consider making him into a best-selling author with his memoirs.

*written by ytcracker*

title: How to get away with PayPal fraud in a few easy steps

question: Summarize everything the defendant had done wrong.

answer: He has a history of alcoholism. He was an abusive father and husband. He experienced abuse himself as a child. While in prison he writes a memoir about what he had experienced.

question: What happens when the scam artist confronts his victim?

answer: The victim claims he has forgiven the scam artist. He says that without the scam he would never have confronted his inner demons in prison. Then the reader has two options, as in a choose your own adventure story. They can choose the story where the scam artist gets the man drunk, breaking his sobriety pledge, or the one where he emails Oprah to make his memoirs a best-selling book. [This is not a physical document with pages and the choose your own adventure part is a punchline].

question: How does the scam artist originally get his victim?

answer: He steals a Paypal account. Then he persuades an Ebay seller that he wants a product they are selling tomorrow. He arrives at their house in a disguise, and persuades him to use his own computer to purchase it. Then when the seller goes to the police, they do not believe the story and he gets arrested.


text:
In spite of the distance and the obstacles in between, the man could still hear muffled voices coming from outside. The sounds reach through the door, having already gone past the thick blue curtain that he will soon pass. The man rubs his hands together, and mutters to himself, that he will not cry, he will not cry, he will not cry. He paces inside the waiting room. So quiet, but considering the walls, there must be thousands of them watching. He sits down on the small chair provided, then immediately gets up and resumes pacing. He knows some of the ones outside want to see him fail. He can imagine their cutting words- so casually cruel, they will grab hold of anything at all, his hair, his weight, whatever it takes to reduce him. So he says to himself: a giant attracts many stones.

There is a round mirror on the wall, in front of the man's inhaler, his lucky dice and the baseball cap he's worn to every game since he was thirteen years old. He tries to avoid his reflection. Even back when he was thirteen he took it more seriously than the others. Over a decade of people telling him he wasn't good enough. Countless memories of mockery and naysayers. Oh god what are they saying outside? He wonders if she's there- I mean no chance, he rebukes himself for daring to hope. Too late, the flame catches, and it's igniting- that enthusiastic voice inside himself says: She's there. She'll be watching, even if she doesn't understand. Besides they may mock him, sure, they always have. But they aren't up here. And also, some of them will cheer.

A lot of them will cheer.

The man punches his hand, once, twice, three times. The same old sweat on his forehead. Music plays inside his mind- old tunes, like the sound of horns. Battle songs. His heart is racing, chest bursting, the fear is cackling now. He goes towards the door of the trailer, puts one clammy hand on the steel knob and turns. Sound rushes past him, fills the empty place he's leaving. This is it, this is the point. This is everything he's ever wanted. He approaches the velvet wall. The curtain is there, soft beneath his clammy hand- big and blue, and behind that the spectators. He waits. He's got to wait for his turn now. The fear grabs at his gut, and pummels him with questions- what if's. What if you forget the build. What if you're too slow. What if you slip and what if you choke. There are no two ways around it, he either clenches hard, somewhere inside, and lets the doubts have their moment, or he finds some kind of inspiration to override the niggling fears. He is a samurai preparing for battle.

The voice that led him all the way here says: In order to win you must be prepared to die.

Everyone told him it was just a game. He always knew it wasn't just a game. It was The Game. He's died so many times, and he's always felt it. The man is prepared. Now, thousands of people outside sit on the edge of their plastic chairs, hoping or cursing him. And all smiling with anticipation. His name is called, through the velvet curtain. Not the name his parents gave him but the one he defined, the one he chose, the one that people know, even if they've never seen his face, when his name comes up on the screen they know. They call his name. The curtain begins to part so slowly, and for a moment the entire thing overwhelms him. He never dared to dream, as he spent so many sleepless nights training, that one day he would be here, at the top. A history of insults, of self-doubt, of tears that no one thought were worthy of shedding and finally....

Big bright white stars on his face. He resists the urge to bring up an arm. They told him during the rehearsal that there would be a glare. The what if's stop. The fear settles, coils, hardens into that adrenaline moment, that sheer edge. That's his blade- concentration, skill, and courage. He walks towards his seat. An ocean of cheers vibrate around him, flowing like a cape. All that he's worked for, and still, it isn't enough. He's not the best yet. Not unless he wins. He takes his seat in front of the computer. Puts on his headphones and gives his mouse a few clicks. He couldn't explain to most people how the game works.  The voice says: Just like cricket. Or ice hockey. Or shogi. The man couldn't easily explain about last hitting, or micro, or good opening strategy. He couldn't tell a layperson exactly what he was about to do- only someone that played might understand.

And yet as the crowd began to coil, into silence, and wait, he realized that right now, for these few minutes, he shared a moment with champions. With anyone that's ever had to contend with the exhilaration and the final challenge. For a moment he was kin to boxers, gladiators, olympians and chess masters. With anyone that has had to measure a lifetime against one opponent. The man's opponent takes his seat, receives his share of cheers. His opponent is the only reflection worth comparing himself to. The man imagines she's watching, and even if she does not understand the game, she'll understand what this is like- the moments before.

He nods, and types: GL HF.

The rules are different. The game is different. The feelings have always been the same.

He smiles, feeling the phantom hands of winners on his shoulder.

In front of thousands, with his headphones on he mouths:

Let's dance.

title: Another short story by me, on my unending quest to become a decent writer: "The Finalist"

question: Who is the narrator?

answer: He's a professional gamer.

question: Why are thousands of people watching him?

answer: It's the finals of a video game championship.

question: What are his niggling fears?

answer: He's afraid he'll forget the build, he's too slow, he'll slip and choke.

question: What is the man preparing to do?

answer: He's preparing to compete

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer: A professional gamer gets ready to play in the finals of a video game championship against another finalist. While waiting for his introduction to the main stage, he thinks about his life, how he got to where he is, his fears, and what drives him to succeed. He thinks about the crowd and how some would cheer while others would rebuke with pettiness. The gamer wishes his love interest was watching, even if she doesn't understand the game. His name is called and he steps into the glaring lights of the stage. He's ready.


text:
The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates

Bystanders watched in horror as a huge fire broke out at Battersea Arts Centre this afternoon.

The blaze sparked in the Grand Hall of the Grade II listed building just after 4.15pm today, the London Fire Brigade said.

More than 80 firefighters were sent to tackle the flames at the cultural hub in south London, which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound renovation.

Sharing a picture of blaze on Twitter, Richard Dufty, the Arts Centre's senior producer, tweeted: "Terrible news. @battersea_arts is on fire. The Grand Hall roof."

He later wrote: "Everyone @battersea_arts is ok. But still fighting fire. A lot of us in estate agent calling audience. Grand hall looks completely destroyed."

A spokesman for Battersea Arts Centre said everyone was safely evacuated from the building when the fire broke out.

  Terrible news. @battersea_arts is on fire. The Grand Hall roof pic.twitter.com/OH1tLVPfSy

  — Richard Dufty (@RichardDufty) March 13, 2015

He added that all performances at the centre this evening had subsequently been cancelled.

In a series on tweets, he said: "There is a fire in our building. Everyone is out safe and the fire brigade are working hard to get the fire under control. We'll update you.

Emergency call: smoke billows from the Arts Centre building (Picture: Katie Powell)

"We will not be running any performances this evening. If you've bought tickets for any show we'll be in contact about refunds or exchanges."

He added: "Thank you to everyone for the kind words & well wishes. Everyone is out. Everyone is safe.

"We will not be running any performances this evening and we have also cancelled the performance of Missing tomorrow evening."

Witnesses said that people at the scene were crying as the tower at the top of the Arts Centre collapsed amid the flames.

One Twitter user said: "Tower on the top of Battersea Arts Centre has just collapsed. People in tears. Police moving people back".

  Major fire happening at the Grand Hall of Battersea Arts Centre pic.twitter.com/WDjqvwFJwr

  — mike (@urban75) March 13, 2015

Katie Powell, who was at the nearby Fox and Hound pub when the fire started, said bystanders had spoken to her of their sadness after seeing the blaze.

Huge job: firefighters work to contain the blaze (Picture: Twitter/@jesscousins)

She said: "There are firefighters everywhere and police were closing off the roads. I was having a drink when I saw the smoke. Lots of people have been coming up to me and saying it is so sad. It is such an old building."

Other bystanders tweeted their horror at seeing the historic building on fire.

Sean Lawless, campaign organiser for Battersea Labour, said: "Absolutely tragic, huge fire at Battersea Arts Centre. Hope it doesn't spread too far through the building."

Firefighter John Snelgrove, who was at the scene, said: "This is a large, challenging fire and crews are working hard to bring it under control. We've got 12 fire engines at the scene, as well as an aerial appliance and an aerial ladder platform fighting the fire from above.

"Firefighters are working with a number of water jets around the building to contain the fire."

A fire brigade spokesman said: “We were called at 4.17 to reports of a fire in the roof at an art centre on Lavender Hill.

Blaze: fire crews were called to the scene in Battersea (Picture: Met Police / PC Ben Perkins)

"We are working hard to stop the fire from spreading. We have 12 fire engines and more than 80 firefighters at the scene".

Just after 8pm this evening, the spokesman said the fire was "under control" and its cause was being investigated.

Chris Hawkswell, an emergency planning officer for the London Ambulance Service, tweeted: "An ambulance crew, duty officer & @LAS_HART are attending a fire at #Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill with @LondonFire."

Smoke: a view of the fire in south London (Picture: Tom Dutton)

A London Ambulance service spokesman said: "We were called at 4.29pm to reports of a fire at an address on Lavender Hill.

"We sent an ambulance crew, a duty officer and the hazardous area response team to the scene. We remain on scene

Lavender Hill was closed both ways while fire crews and police were at the scene.

question: The grade is the listed building that was affected by the huge blaze that happened at the Battersea Arts Centre.

answer: Grade 2.

question: How many firefighters were sent to deal with the flames?

answer: More than 80 firefighters.

question: What anyone harmed during the incident?

answer: No one was harmed. All were evacuated in time.

question: What did the spokesman for the Battersea Arts Centre say after the fire was put out?

answer: He assured the public that no one was harmed and he promised refunds to those who have purchased tickets for upcoming events at the venue.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: A fire broke out at the Battersea Arts Centre where The Grand Hall, a Grade 2 listed building was affected. Over 80 firefighters were deployed to deal with the incident. Later in the day, the spokesperson for Battersea Arts Centre announced that no one was hurt in the fire and refunds will be made to those who have purchased tickets for events at the Grand Hall.


text:
Carter looked left and right, scanning the subway station for any potential threats.  He casually walked up to the turnstile, putting his hands on either side and hopped over the rotating bars.  A dexterous dismount followed by a smooth  landing proved that Carter had done this before. He had enough money for the $2.50 Metrocard but this was more fun.  He must've saved dozens of dollars over the years doing this, even with the fifty dollar ticket he once got in Brooklyn.
	Carter walked up to the platform, his heart beating from this petty crime.  He was always a bit unnerved by jumping the turnstile but the adrenaline rush was enough of a reward for him.  He waited for the local 6 train to bring him back to Grand Central.  There were plenty of benches available but Carter decided to stand; the possibility of having to make small talk with a stranger made him sick.  Carter observed his surroundings using his peripherals, he didn't want people to think he was staring at them.  The two girls to his far left were complaining about the heat in the underground station.  Carter often took solo trips to the city during his summer vacation and grew accustomed to the warm, uncomfortable atmosphere of the station.
	Finally he heard a train making its way to the platform.  He looked down the dark tunnel as it began to grow brighter and brighter.  The light continued to grow until a “4” was visible on the front of the train.  It didn't slow down.  The number 4 train made its way down the middle track, skipping the  unimportant stop at which Carter had found himself waiting.  Carter wished he was like that express train, skipping over all the places he didn't want to go.  Instead, he was a local train, work-bound, home-bound, and soon enough, school-bound once again.  Carter had a few more minutes to observe the other local trains standing near him until finally the long awaited 6 came to a halt.
	It was already 1:30 in the morning by the time the subway doors closed.  By now even the express  wouldn't get Carter back to Grand Central in time to make the last train home.  He took the  northbound subway anyway, he enjoyed the trip.  There were always people to observe, each one with a different story that Carter could compose.  His inspiration was limited tonight as only a few accompanied Carter on the late-night ride.  His eyes wondered over to the two girls he had overheard on the platform.  A mini-skirt accompanied by a short black dress is all Carter saw in the two girls.  They were discussing the intriguing, controversial issue of meeting guys at nightclubs versus meeting guys at bars.  Mini-Skirt made a persuasive argument for nightclubs while Short Black Dress was a strong proponent of bars.  The debate was heated, each girl unwilling to change her viewpoint.  These girls were living the express life.
	Finally the train stopped at its final destination, Grand Central.  Mini-Skirt and Short Black Dress stood up and got off the train, Carter following only a few feet behind them.  The girls seemed unaware that the last train out of the city had left almost ten minutes ago. With their high-heeled stiletto strut, Mini-Skirt and Short Black Dress continued onward to the main terminal.  Carter, all the wiser,  took the street exit.
	Nowhere to go, nothing to do, needed by no one: just the way Carter liked it.  Freedom overcame his senses as he strolled down 42nd street, allowing his arms to swing back and forth like pendulums.  He wasn't a local train, not even an express.  Carter was much more than that now.  He could walk around aimlessly until the 5:36 local arrived to bring him back to a place where such a freedom didn't exist.  He wasn't school-bound, work-bound, or home-bound.  He wasn't bound at all.

title: The Local

question: What would've changed if Carter hadn't jumped the turnstile?

answer: Nothing really-- He just wouldn't have gotten his quick little adrenaline boost, but it wouldn't have affected his actions in the story.

question: Why was Carter riding the train?

answer: He enjoyed the trip, and the sense of freedom that came with riding around without having a specific destination.

question: How does Carter feel when he's at home?

answer: Carter seems to feel bored/trapped at home, & at school (even though school doesn't start for a while for him).

question: Why did Carter not go into the main terminal?

answer: He didn't go to the main terminal because the last train out of the city had already left, and he was going to have to wait a few hours until he could get home.


text:
BO HULDT (24 April 1941 – 26 May 2015), was a Swedish historian and expert in foreign policy. He was director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies from 1992 to 1993.[1][2][3][4][5] During the years 1994–2001 he was employed at the National Defence University, where in 1996 he was made professor in security and strategy. For 1997 to 1998 he was at the National Defence College and director of the Institute for Higher National Defence Education.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

title: Bo Huldt

question: Who was Bo Huldt?

answer: Bo Huldt was a Swedish historian and expert in foreign policy.

question: Where was Huldt employed during the years 1994-2001?

answer: Huldt was employed at the National Defence University during that time period.

question: What job title did Huldt get in 1996?

answer: In 1996, Huldt made professor in security and strategy.

question: What was Huldt's career position in 1997-1998?

answer: Huldt was at the National Defence College and director of the Institute for Higher National Defence Education

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article discusses Bo Huldt, a Swedish historian and expert in foreign policy.


text:
I honestly don't know how long I've been sitting here, waiting. It's getting kinda cold but the sky's still blue, almost as blue as the ocean. I've only been there once, when I tried running away from home and I saw a sliver of it behind the buildings. Then my aunt found me and her tears washed the ocean away.

I check my watch. I don't remember when I got here. Let's guess a few hours. I've seen the same old man hobble by around five times. I don't know if he's trying to look at me or what.

My legs have fallen asleep. I shift my weight and ow, ow, ow, pain is shooting up my body. I know it'll fade in a couple minutes, but I'm almost in tears. It hurts.

The more I think about it, it's not about my legs. It's everything- something's come into my life and tinted it all gray. Even silver linings are pretty slim: my friends don't have time for me and I can't say I care too much for them either. At one point they just became background noise. Hung out without me, had conversations that left me out. Bang, bang, hey, I'm still here.

Got no talents, got no friends. Just this promise that I'm banking on and sore feet. I walked all the way here and now my legs have fallen asleep. Tears are sticking to my cheeks. Hell, I probably look a lot grubbier than I usually do. Dirty cheeks and hair, gold jewelry in my pocket. I can sell it if I have to, if he decides that we're running off somewhere. He's not the kind of guy to just drop everything and run off, though, while I'm kind of like that. Just run. Or drive.

I imagine he's talking to me. About the ocean, and the future. The future is this big, grim shadow looming over my head but when he talks about it, he's got it all planned out. It's simple. He'd say, "Hey, five seconds ago, when you came over, that was the past. And five seconds from now, it'll be the future and we're going to still be sitting together, right? The future'll become the present. That's not too scary, right? Too fast for you to even notice it."

Right. But he's not sitting next to me now and everything's gray. The future is scarier - will it go by so fast I'll miss it? Suddenly I'll be some hunched old crone, trying to remember, what happened at the bus stop that day? Or maybe I'll be sitting here forever.

Why didn't I bring my phone? I could really use some music right now. No lyrics are coming to mind; the whine of cars is too loud. I curl up on the bench and squeeze my eyes shut.

It's even darker under my eyelids. When I was little, I wasn't really scared of the dark; I wanted to know why the monsters under my bed didn't want to talk to me. I thought, why don't they like me either? We're supposed to be alone together.

Footsteps -- his car -- no, it isn't him. But he'll come. He's just running late, I know it. I've sat up so fast that my head is spinning.

He likes my hair. My face. He says I have funny arms. I don't get how you can have funny arms, so I told him he can't talk because he has a crooked nose. He'd shrugged. Loads of people have crooked noses according to him. It just makes him blend in more.

He says I'm smart for my age. He won't let me down, he wouldn't dare. I hope I'm smart enough to be right about this.

What did my sister say about him? I think she likes him. Actually I'm pretty sure she does. She's always turning red and speaking really, really softly when he's around. But there was something she'd said about him, something that was odd, twisted, and true - what is it?

This'll bother me all day. The cars speeding by are starting to blend together into this black streak. No red. Not even white.

At least it isn't gray. I can't remember if his eyes are blue or gray - or what the rest of his face looks like. Suddenly he's a blur just like everything else.

Is he just someone I've imagined? Am I waiting for someone who'll never show up? I don't even have my phone to see the words he's written me. But those could've been imagined too, maybe.

Everything's just one big maybe. Maybe he'll show up and maybe my aunt will be here too. Maybe she'll wash the ocean away again.

My sister. Cute little idiot. Where's she? Probably thinking I'm in a mood again.

One, two, three, four, five. I'm in the future. The present.

Whatever. He still isn't here.

title: no buses

question: What color are the eyes of the man with the crooked nose?

answer: blue or grey; the narrator cannot remember

question: Why is the narrator afraid of the future?

answer: The narrator is worried about becoming a lonely old crone.

question: Why don't the monsters under the narrator's bed talk to her?

answer: They are imaginary.

question: How old is the man with the crooked nose, relative to the narrator?

answer: The man with the crooked nose is older than the narrator.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: While waiting on the man with a crooked nose, the narrator is thinking about their loneliness. She does not feel connected with the people in their life, except for the man with a crooked nose. He never shows up; the narrator worries she may have imagined him.


text:
Footsteps echo in the long stone corridor. Small chains can also be heard. The man is panting, running towards a wooden door with golden engravings. He rams in the door, forgetting about the doorknob. The door hits the Jester, who then falls to the ground and breaks his nose. In the middle of the room, is the leader. Without wasting an instant, he yells

“Sire! We are under attack!” Yells the Subreddit knight.
“What?” Screams the leader, standing up
“Yes sire! Castle Repost is breaching our walls! It won't be long now!”
“What are they after?”
“The same thing as always, they wish to break Castle AdviceAnimal's walls and reach the Front Page fortress!”
“This shouldn't be a problem, our Downvote cannons are always charged! Tell me what happened!”
“They managed to outnumber us. They silently shot down our defenses with their Upvote Cannons. From that point, they burned the front gate and slowly walked in.”
“Where are they now?” Asks the Leader
“We managed to arm our comment guns and slow them down, but soon they will overpower us.” The knight explained
“Did you try calling on an ally Castle? Like Castle Funny or Castle Aww?”
“We did, but they said they could not arrive for a few days. We sent messages to Castle Atheist and Circle-Jerk, we have no response yet, but I'm sure they will refuse.”
“What about the citizens?”

A cannon shot is heard, then a smashing sound. Screams flood the air, followed by another explosion and screams of glory.

“We tried to make them leave by the secret tunnels, but many citizens took to arms and jumped into the fight. Many died and are still dying. The ones that decided to escape found that most of the tunnels were blocked. We lost many.” Explains the Knight, a hint of sadness in his voice.
“How many men do we have left?”
“When I left, a few were still standing. A few of our men have been captured and enslaved. The Fortress was still untouched, but, as we heard, that has changed.”
“Then follow me, we shall gather what few we have and craft some plan that might turn the table.” Commands the King.

The King opens the door. A few cats run away from the room. The Jester stands up and runs to the corridor, where a cannonball smashes through and hits him. The Knight goes first, but turns left. The King follows him. They walk through the stone corridors and passageways, on their way seeing the Castle Nobles running awry. The Scumbag Brain is hitting a door, trying to get in, while the Scumbag Steve and Stacy are pushing people aside, running in circles. As the Knight and King finally arrive to the armory, they realize that it's completely empty.

“Where are they all?” Asks the King
“At the walls, fighting off the enemy. We were lucky not to encounter them.”
More screams are heard, this time closer to them. Again, the same victory cries are heard.

“We don't have any time left. The enemy is here, searching for me. We have to act now.”
“All the weapons we have left are here. A few pounds of black powder, some swords and dagger and two shields.” Counts the Knight, as he locks the door.

The King walks and sits in a corner. As he does this, the door blasts open in a cloud of fire, smoke and blood. The King screams as portions of his newest friend splatters his robes. As the smoke dies down, an orange arrow smashes into the wall next to his head.

“So, you managed to outlive all of your little guards? No matter, you will join them soon enough.” A voice chuckles.
“So you are the new general that managed to recruit all of these newbies? You are new yourself, but competent.” Tells the King.
“Why thank you, but don't think complements will save you. I am here on a mission.” Exclaims the General
“You are competent, but still inexperienced. Exactly like your army.”  Explains the King
“And why is that?” Asks the General
“Because you didn't think this through. The worst place to be when you attack a Fortress, especially when you confront someone, is the armory.” Slowly says the King
“Explain.” Demands the General
“Let me show you.” The King says

The General and his army intensely stares at the King, while he reaches into his back pocket with his left hand. He slowly pulls out a gun.

“Downvote gun, one of the most powerful ever built” Says the King.
“Don't even think about shooting me or yourself.” Confidently says the General.

The King lets out a little laugh. He slowly points the muzzle to his left. The entire audience looks left, over to a pile of swords and daggers. As fast as he can, the King takes a shield and shoots to his right, on a pile of black powder. As the audience looks right, they see a large flash of light, then another ball of fire, smoke and blood fill the room. Screams are heard, but no victory cries are heard this time. When the smoke falls, the King uncurls from behind the shield and stands up.

“Time to rebuild, again... Will these attacks ever end?” He sighs

As he walks out of the room, he looks at all the damage done to the Fortress and the Kingdom. A cat walks to him and starts cuddling.

- “I really need a bath.” He whispers.

title: The attack of the Repost

question: Who is the leader of Castle AdviceAnimal?

answer: The King.

question: Who is leading Castle Repost?

answer: The General.

question: How will Castle AdviceAnimal defend themselves?

answer: Everyone follows the King while they craft a plan.

question: Describe the situation outside the castle.

answer: Many of the citizens have taken to arms and jumped into the fight instead of leaving by  secret tunnels.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Subreddit knight rushes to inform the King that Castle Repost has breached the walls of Castle AdviceAnimal. The King gathers everyone remaining and leads them as they formulate a plan. As his knight locks the door, it is blasted open by the General. The King pulls out a gun and shoots a nearby pile of gunpowder, stunning everyone in the room.


text:
"There's been a terrible, horrible, unavoidable accident. And I'm sorry but your lover..." The following words that escaped that persons lips were white noise. The phone dropped into the dishwater. A spark jumped, but I didn't flinch. Didn't blink. My eyes burned. Singed with passion and pain. I pawed the faucet and the running water stopped. My life... my life was dead. I closed my eyes and whimpered. Then I grabbed my moms car keys and ran to the van. Speeding. Speeding like the blood choked up in my heart. Speeding like the air choked up in my throat. I sped for life, love. I sped for pain. I sped blindly through green lights and red lights, stop signs, police patrols. I sped because his life was speeding away.

"His"? Who was He? He was the love of my life, my soul. I gave my womanhood to him, I gave my life. He gave me his. And now that he's leaving, he's taking me with him. Blue lights flicker in the rear-view mirror. I sped up. No lights can take him away. Not even a white one.

I pull over when I see a parade of trucks and sirens. I don't even let the car stop. I jump out. I race barefoot to him. my feet pounding the concrete.

Pounding.

Heart.

Blood.

Pain.

Love.

Tears.

Sweat.

Sweet gloss.

Metal.

Stench from burning rubber.

Heated joints.

I hear a wailing. A mother crying. An aunt pleading. A friend clawing at his own face to stop tears. And when I see... when I see... a lifeless body.. a soulless shell.. sprawled onto the concrete.... blood.. skin.. hair.. All goes silent. My knees break. My arm fail. My soul disconnects. I crawl over, scraping my knees beyond recognition. A cut up face. A cut up love. Cut. Burn. Bleed. Loss. Soul. Love. Hurt. My lovers face whispers to my heart and I can't breathe and the earth spins too fast.. So fast that my brain pukes. I touch his face.. and... I cry on his cuts. And I use my white shirt to clean him. And he's beautiful. As beautiful as his jaded eyes. And then I cover his face with my head. I know, it's weird. It's strange because his life was leaving quickly. I picked up his head and hugged his neck and kissed his hair. His blood and sweat dribbled onto my shirt. I didn't care. I swallowed my heart, and his with mine. And then I knew he was gone. I knew he left. Tonight he fell asleep and will not wake up. And no matter how many tears will spill, he will not return. I love you. And goodnight...

title: The Accident

question: What kind of accident does the title refer to?

answer: A car accident.

question: Is the narrator alive?

answer: Yes, though she compares the death of her lover to dying herself.

question: What are the major events of the story?

answer: A man dies in a car accident and his lover speeds to the scene after being informed by phone.

question: Who said, "There's been a terrible, horrible, unavoidable accident. And I'm sorry but your lover..."?

answer: Presumably a police officer, doctor, or paramedic at the scene of the crash. The person isn't identified.

question: What colors of lights are mentioned?

answer: Green, red, blue, white.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: A woman is informed of her lover's death in a car accident and races to the scene to hold his body, full of grief.


text:
"Wake up, Timothy.....Timothy, dear, wake up!"

“Ugh...what?”

“Wake up! We're leaving soon!”

	Timothy rose from his bead, still groggy. Beside him was his wife, already dressed. He glanced at his clock; 3:20 AM, it read.

“Margaret, what are you doing awake and dressed at three in the morning? Why are you waking me up?”, said Timothy, yawning.

“We're leaving soon!”

“Leaving where?”

“Oh...well, its a surprise, you'll just have to wait until Jeffery comes. Then we will leave!”, said Margaret. She seemed quite excited for this place they were going to.

“Who's Jeffery? Why do we have to wait for him?”

“Because he's the one taking us!”

“Margaret, I don't want to go anywhere. I want to sleep. I have work in the morning, how am I supposed to be on time if I don't get any sleep?”

“You don't need to worry about work, dear. Now get dressed! I'm going to go fix us some breakfast.”

	Margaret left the bedroom, and headed towards the kitchen. Timothy could hear her humming to herself happily as she prepared their food. As reluctant as he was, he got out of bed and dressed himself. He didn't want to go anywhere; but Margaret had been quite distant lately; not herself. This was the first time in weeks he had seen her happy. He decided he'd go along with it, for her sake. As he walked into the kitchen, Margaret stood at the stove smiling, frying some eggs.

“How would you like your eggs, dear?”

“Runny.”

	Timothy walked to the coffee maker, and began to make some coffee. He soon realized that Margaret had stopped humming; so he turned around. She was standing completely still, staring at him blankly.

“What are you looking at me like that for?”, he asked.

	No response.

“Margaret, what's wrong?”

“Oh, what?”, she said, as she snapped back into reality.

“You were staring at me.”

“Oh, sorry. Silly me, I guess I'm still a bit tired!” She resumed cooking the eggs and humming.

	Timothy finished brewing his coffee just as Margaret finished cooking the eggs. She prepared them plates, and they sat down to eat.

“So, where are we going?”, Timothy asked.

“I can't tell you, dear. Its a surprise.”

“What kind of surprise?”

“A special surprise, just for you.”

“A surprise? For me? It better be damn good if its at 3 AM in the morning. When are we leaving?”

“Oh, I don't know. As soon as Jeffery gets here.”

	About a half hour had passed, and they had both finished eating. Timothy was in the living room, fiddling with the T.V.. Margaret sat next to him, reading a book.

“Margaret, did you mess with the T.V.? Its just fuzzy white noise.”

“No dear, I didn't touch it.”

“Whatever. There's probably nothing good on, anyway. Can we leave yet?”

“No, not yet. We need to wait 'till Jeffery comes.”

“I think this Jeffery guy is a bit late.”, said Timothy, mildly annoyed.

	Another half hour passed, and at this point Timothy was laying on the floor, half asleep. His eyes became heavy, and soon the image of Margaret underneath the lamp had dimmed to blackness.

“Wake up, Timothy! Wake up! Timothy!”

	Timothy opened his eyes. He was back in his bed, with Margaret sitting on the bed next to him, with a worried look on her face.

“Timothy, you were talking in your sleep, and you're sweating.”

“What? How did I get in my bed? Is Jeffery here yet? He glanced at the clock; 5:48 AM.

“Who's Jeffery, Timothy?”

“Jeffery, Margaret. You know, he was going to take us to the surprise, remember? You woke me up at 3 AM!”

“What? I don't know a Jeffery, and I didn't wake you up. You must have been dreaming, that's probably why you were talking in your sleep.”

“Maybe...Margaret, I had a very strange dream. You woke me up, and we were going to go to my surprise, but you said we had to wait for Jeffery, and-”

“Oh, honey! You're cold!”

“I'm what?”, said Timothy, confused.

“You're cold! But you're sweating! I'm calling the doctor.”

Margaret left the bedroom, and he could soon hear her talking on the phone with the doctor. He touched his forehead; it was cold. Stone cold. So was his arm, and his leg, and the rest of his body. Ice cold. He shivered. The doorbell rang.

“Wow, that was fast!”, exclaimed Margaret.

Timothy could hear her answer the door.

“Who are you? You're not the doctor.”

“No, I'm not,” said a man with a raspy voice. “I'm here for Timothy.”

“He's in the bedroom...but who are you? What do you want?”

“I'm Jeffery,” he said, “The undertaker.”

title: Wait 'till Jeffery Comes

question: Why would Timothy go with Jeffrey even though he say he doesn't know Jeffrey?

answer: In his old age, Timothy might just follow what his wife says if he is unsure about trusting his own instincts, because he wants her to be happy.

question: Why didn't the television work?

answer: They were in Timothy's dream.

question: In what way was Timothy's dream a harbinger of his death?

answer: His wife told him Jeffrey was coming to fetch them in the dream, and then Jeffrey arrived, in real life.

question: Why doesn't the doctor come to take care of Timothy?

answer: Death precedes him.

question: What does an undertaker do?

answer: They escort a person or living creature to the afterlife.