MULTIPLY Time for Yourself #2: Washing Night

Using the washing machines in an apartment block at night had one big advantage. You could wash until your heart was content. You were alone and nobody saw what was going into the machine. Mable Andrews was glad about this. She wanted to keep her private life to herself and there was nothing worse than having unwanted noses poking into the details of your underwear.

This evening was a special washing evening, not only because of the private wash, but she had changed the sheets on the bed and that was particularly private. She opened the glass door of the machine and started to push the sheets in, carefully one after the other to make sure that they would wash properly. She hated stains and these sheets did have a few stains that had to be removed. It was then that she heard a noise; someone was descending the stairs to the cellar. Now this was something she could do without. She hurriedly pushed the remains of the wash into the machine, the pillow covers, and slammed the glass door.

“Evening Mrs. Andrews” said a deep male voice and Donald Doom entered the washing room. “Making use of the cheaper electricity rates with the night washing?”

Mable thought to herself it was none of his business, but decided to give a friendly answer. She really did not want give Mr. Doom a negative impression at this time in the evening.

“Well it is certainly an advantage Mr. Doom. I see you also have quite a bit of washing to do so late in the evening.”

“One of the disadvantages of having small children; since little Jimmy arrived a month ago, we have baby wash again: diapers, bibs and all that babies need during the day. Sometimes our little Jimmy gets through three baby pyjamas in one day. The other two children are just as bad, so I help the missus out with the washing now and again. Having a growing family, we are glad to save on the electricity where we can.”

Mable knew too well the noisy Doom family. The crying of the baby, the screaming of the other children and the shouts of the parents, coupled with the loud laughing she sometimes heard from their apartment. “People like that should be sterilised at birth” she thought to herself. “I will be glad when I am out of here.” No, Mable was not a happy person.

She put the washing powder into her machine, switched it on and the washing drum started filling with water and churning. It would be a long wash, more than an hour, but it was the strongest wash you could apply which was necessary. Mable had other things to do in her apartment while the machine was running.

“Have a nice evening Mr. Doom” she said and returned to her apartment.

She was glad to get home again as there was work to do. She decided first of all to clean up the bedroom. It was then that she noticed the stain on the mattress, so she got some hot soapy water from the kitchen and a brush and started scrubbing. Luckily the stain was fresh so she managed to remove it, although she had to work on it at least half an hour. Of course the mattress was now damp and a night’s sleep here was out of the question, but that did not really bother her. If she ever did sleep this night, she would move out into the living room and sleep on the settee.

Now she really had to get down to work. Her husband’s corpse still had to be removed. She had distributed it in a few large plastic bags and decided to put them in the containers outside of the building where she lived. She hoped in the meanwhile that Donald Doom had returned to his apartment as that was the last person she wanted to meet. After a few journeys to the elevator everything was removed. Mable was a woman on the heavier side, some might say she had weight problems, but she was convinced she was just heavy built. She was glad that her late husband, Cedric, was on the slim side. It made things a lot easier when disposing of his remains.

It was just too stupid that he did not die immediately. She saw a film once where a murder was done with a baseball bat, so she decided that would be the best method. She could burn the weapon afterwards in the furnace in the basement and there would be no evidence. It was just bad luck that he awoke from his sleep and grabbed her necklace with his hand as a last effort to fight back. It was then that she gave the last blow but the necklace was torn from her neck and was held firmly in his fist. She tried, she really tried to release it from his clutches, but it was just not possible. There was no other choice but to get the garden scissors and remove the fingers that were holding it in their grasp. At last she retrieved the necklace. You never know. If the body parts are found, that would be definite proof that Mable would be responsible.

Mable now began with the heavy work and after an hour everything was removed from the apartment. The next day was the garbage collection, and Cedric would no longer exist. His remains would be in various different places. She would tell people that he was visiting his mother who lived in another part of the country. With time she would move and would drift into the anonymity that surrounded such travellers as herself. Why did she do it? She did not really know and it did not interest her. It seemed that after a time she was bored with routine and wanted to start anew.

Mable was just settling down to her well deserved sleep when she heard the noise of fire engines. “Was there a fire somewhere?” She looked out of the window and saw the vehicles arrive at her building, but there was no smoke. They were not unpacking their hoses, but were organising their pump. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she decided to explore and met Donald Doom and his wife at the entrance to the building.

“Has something happened?” Mable asked.

“It certainly has” answered Donald. “I went to the washing room to see how the washing was going and the place was flooded. It seems that the drain taking the water from the machines was blocked. I had to call the fire department and now they are working on the case.”

Mable descended the stairs to see how it looked. It was not a pretty site; the washing room had at least half an inch of red water covering the floor. Mable was very concerned about this, but she could perhaps blame it onto the Dooms and their children who had probably been painting with their finger paints and rubbed it off onto their clothes.

With this excuse she might have got away with it all, if they had not found that the cause of the blockage in the draining system was the top part of a finger which had once belonged to Cedric Andrews.

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MULTIPLY The Dare - Local Bus

In the small village where I live we have no bus, but just a local train that runs parallel to the road. The next town is one kilometer down the main road, Solothurn, and here they have a bus system that also extends to some of the surrounding villages. Here is one of the main squares of the town, the large building in the background "Amthaus 2" is the local law court. This is one of the longer busses. We also have the normal bus length.

I am at home in two towns really, although I live in Switzerland, I grew up in London, so here is a London bus which most people probably recognise.

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Our New Supermarket

It is not really new in that sense. The building itself has been there many years and originally was a factory belonging to the watch making industry. It was taken over by the largest Swiss supermarket chain, Migros, and turned into a supermarket. Even this became somewhat out of date with modern needs and so it was decided to rebuild this Migros making it bigger and better. There was some trouble with parking space. We have an organisation now in Switzerland that lives in the belief that everyone should travel by bike keeping pollution down to a minimum and putting goods in some sort of small trailing container fixed to the bike. Ridiculous of course, but they had their followers. This lead to the result that you just cannot expand your parking space any more, and a reduction is even necessary. So first problem, we have a new supermarket with less parking spaces. Super: this lead to the fact that the parking has also been rebuilt, a section being propped up on a higher level to reduce the parking. It looks like this.

Sort of white elefant island. You would have thought it would have been made hollow to contain perhaps more space for the bycycles to be parked underneath, but is seems no-one really uses their bike to complete their week-end shopping. Of course no-one is leaving their car at home, and for those like myself that cannot ride a bike anyhow, finding a parking space is becoming very difficult. So now let us enter this new temple of shopping.

Here we are in the vegetable department. The assortment is now twice as large, and the space as well. Today was the first time that my husband and I tackled the week-end shopping. Yes we did lose each other at least twice. At one point it got so bad that I called him on my mobile. He naturally had the voice messenger on, but I soon got a return call and we met again in the middle of the diary produce. We decided that on future shopping excursions in this new supermarket we must have a meeting point, so we settled on the fish department as it is never as crowded as other places. It was really a magical mystery tour today, just ask the assistant if you do not find what you are looking for. They are very helpful, but you just get the feeling that they are not so sure where everything is either. Note the orange signs hanging from the celing declaring that today (yesterday and tomorrow as well) you get 10% reduction on everything you buy. More encouragement for the masses to flock to the opening.

Somehow I did get a bit of a guilt complex. More than half of the world do not know where the next meal is coming from and we are surrounded in abundance with so much, it would be impossible to eat it all. I just wonder how much is thrown away from the goods that cannot be kept. This shows a small part of the vegetable selection. The meat department was not much different and now they have everything separated in all food departments. You can buy biological or normal. I think some countries understand biological produce as being on the farmer's market, sort of letting the vegetables grow together with the bugs and whatever; much more healthy and a nature lesson for the children to go with it. Nothing against biological but much more expensive, and as much as I want to give my family healthy food, my purse just stops at that point.

This new development is enormous. They rebuilt the top floor where the furniture used to be. Now it is just food. In the old shop you were always confronted with customers moving in the opposite direction, and you even spoke to complete strangers, excusing yourself for getting in the way. Now it is completely anonymous and no more confrontations with strange people. You can nicely isolate yourself. We then approached the cash desks which had also doubled in amounts.

So after our first adventure my husband and I were still talking to each other, but both shared a sort of "could not care less" sydrome at the end of the hunting session and were glad to arrive back home. We discovered we needed half an hour more to do what we usually do on Friday. It seems that when the complete renovation is finished there will be a bill of seventy million swiss francs to pay.

Did I mention that Mr. Swiss did say if I wanted to take photos he would wait outside, and I was fixing this memorable day in pictures. As we left this food emporium we noticed that even the skies had been conquered by the new development. What a morning shopping expedition that was.

MULTIPLY United Friends Challenge #168: She was just misunderstood

Qwith's Challenge

From Barbara DeMarco Barrett's book "Pen on Fire" - Chapter 101 Compassion p. 160

1) Pick someone to write about who really bothers you, - perhaps someone who makes a nuisance of themselves--a brash teenager who speeds down your block playing (loud) music...,your next-door neighbor whose cigar smoke wafts through your open window, a woman in your condo...who lavishes attention on her cats, but just about runs you down if you happen to cross in front of her car.

**Keep in mind these are examples only.**

Write a description of this person and

2) Do it without turning them into a caricature. Look beyond the surface. You could try writing from their point of view, if you like.

I think some people are just doomed to misunderstandings throughout their life, no matter how hard they try. I am convinced that Mrs. Grey was one of these cases. People love spreading rumours, and there were enough reasons to spread them as far as Mrs. Grey was concerned. Her reputation had already preceded her before she moved to her new bought apartment. She was the owner of a house and lived there together with her husband and son. She moved because her husband had bought her a new apartment. That was the first rumour. Actually he had no intention of moving with her as he wanted to fit his new bride-to-be into the house with him. Unfortunately his untimely death brought this plan to an end. Apart from this gun threats to her previous neighbour also made headlines before she moved. This had long been forgotten and is also not so important any more, but she did threaten her neighbour with a gun and it was reported to the police that were called to smooth out the differences. Poor Mrs. Grey, she had no chance before she moved to her new apartment.

So there she was alone with her son surrounded by new neighbours who only meant it well with her. After all the events that happened in her old place of habitation were things of the past, and probably very much exaggerated.

She was a wealthy widow in some ways, had wonderful woven genuine woollen carpets. Now how was this known; probably because she threw them over the railings of the balcony every day to beat the dust out with the explanation that the hoover made them kaput. Unfortunately this did present a problem with the neighbours living direct under her balcony on the ground floor, as they had to sweep the dust away from their patio quite often. Wanting to keep the peace, these neighbours said nothing. After all Mrs. Grey was used to living in a house for herself and had to learn that she was now sharing certain things where she was living.

So time went on and it was noticed now and again that her son was more at home than at work. Then came the day when her son decided to move in with his friends and leave his mother. This was known by all who lived in the area, as many words were exchanged outside on the path on the day that the son left, quite loudly and mother was not happy. It was even reported that Mrs. Grey shouted at her son and shed a few angry tears; yet again a misunderstanding, a family misunderstanding this time. Another rumour circulated that the son was starting his own business with his colleagues. After a few months it seemed that this business endeavour was no success and the son returned home. He was more or less at home, but seemed to spend a lot of time on the streets of the town smoking strange cigarettes and was once even warned by the police for lighting a fire in a park and roasting sausages. The things that you hear and so we would perhaps feel sorry for Mrs. Grey if the following had not happened.

Unfortunately the cellars in the apartment block were flooded due to heavy rain falls and building errors. This meant that some items of furniture had to dry out. The neighbours that had already been bothered by the dust from the carpets had to find somewhere for a few articles and put them in the washing space to dry in the small corridor shared by all. Unfortunately Mrs. Grey had decided some time ago that two old chairs she had would look nice in this corridor. This was a problem as they had to be put on one side to accommodate the damp furniture. Mrs. Grey was just overstrained with this decision and even insulted as her wonderful furniture was pushed on one side. A discussion arose in the cellar where it was mentioned that Mrs. Grey should at last leave those nice people alone and after all it was just some damp furniture which would be removed as soon as it was dry. It was then that Mrs. Grey’s son arrived on the scene and decided to threaten the nice neighbours with the damp furniture by showing his fist. What did Mrs. Grey do? The poor woman was so surprised that she patted her son on the head and congratulated him for supporting his mother. Probably she had lived through so many disappointments that she was grateful at last for this positive sign. The neighbour was not very pleased and when the son decided to threaten another neighbour that had come to help, the misunderstanding was complete. Rumour had it that every time the son met the neighbours involved he would shake their fist at them. As well as these warlike signs, he also removed the damp furniture and kicked it around, causing slight damage.

So where do we go from here? You go to the police and file a complaint. “Who” they said “ah, Mrs. Grey, oh yes that case is known to us”; strange how things happen.

Eventually the complaint was dropped as Mrs. Grey through her uncertainty would have been capable of financially dragging the whole case through the courts causing a lot of expense and trouble to everyone concerned and who knows? It was after all rumoured that she did once threaten a neighbour with a gun..

In the meanwhile the son disappeared once again. It was known that he had fallen victim to smoking certain tobacco and mixing with people having a criminal reputation. Eventually he was removed from the streets and looked after in a place of correction and Mrs. Grey was left on her own to combat the trials in her life. Things did quieten down. Now and again she would shake her expensive carpets over the balcony just to prove that she had a right to do this, but words of greeting were never heard again between her and certain neighbours.

One positive result was that the son in questions seems to have become a non-smoker, helping his mother where he can and no longer seen to show his fists when seeing certain neighbours.

Now and again Mrs. Grey decides to go on a long holiday far away and peace has returned to the place where she lives, all neighbours hoping that one day she will decide to perhaps move.

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MULTIPLY What to do? What to do? It is now week 42

Let’s go shopping, no I’m not stopping
Buying the food, I am being very shrewd
Looking for some fresh stuff, money is not always enough
I don’t want old, it might have mould
Here is some fruit, now this is a hoot
Four Apples and three pears, some bananas so who cares
I will take them all, be careful not to fall
Now it’s time for veg, I am really on the edge
I think I’ll have some meat, I’m tired so take a seat
Let’s go and have a drink, must sit down and think
My quest is now complete, go home and rest my feet
Where did I park the car? It cannot be too far
I found it, now for home, why do women have to roam
Now if I was a man, I would have it in the can
Stay at home no fear, just drink a glass of beer
Wait for wife to arrive, so that he can survive
Tomorrow it’s the same, shopping is not a game

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MULTIPLY RRC #33: The Room

“Breathe in, breathe out, this is wonderful. Back in this room again after so many years, but this time alone. I just wonder how Jim and I fitted into this bed, but we were then younger and the pounds were less; anyhow the closer the better in those days. Now I am back again and am spending another night on this wonderful bed. We always found the view from the window so romantic; or was it the window we found romantic. Oh Jim, I wish you were here again, just to see that nothing has changed.

The rafters supporting the roof and tracing its outlines arising to a peak with their heavy beams in the middle; I always knew if I wanted to die somewhere, then it would be here. The lady looked at me with a strange face when I told her I only needed the room for a night, they were probably used to people staying at least at week, as Jim and I did in the days far gone. Her reaction when I told her I only had a small bag with me was also strange. Who reserves a room in a hotel with just one small bag, but I did not need more. Just my nightdress is enough. When they find me I want them to find something peaceful and relaxed. I even bought the nightdress for the occasion. Not transparent, but white and silky, and not a fabric that creases. No, I do not want to be found creased and cheap as if I was something thrown away from life. Jim said his goodbyes to me last week and said this time you cannot come with me. It is a journey I am making alone. That was easy for Jim to say, but being without Jim was being without part of my life.

Meeting Jim Brannigan was the most wonderful day of my life, we both knew we were meant for each other. We had spent all our days together sharing moments never to be forgotten. When Jack was born, he was so small, those tiny fingers and toes that seemed to have a life of their own. I think it was the first and only moment I saw Jim with tears in his eyes as he held our baby in his arms for the first time. I never forgot that moment in life. Jim taking Jack to the football games, playing with him in the yard and both of us sharing the moment when Jack broke his leg and had to go to hospital. Sitting outside the ward, Jim with his arms around my shoulder and telling me everything would be all right.

Now everything is no longer all right. Jim left so quickly and I just do not feel all right anymore, so I will join him. I am glad I found this place again and nothing has changed. The evening is drawing in and it is getting darker, although looking out of the window I can still see the yellow ears of corn shining in the light of the moon; time to bring some light into the room. They still have the same old fashioned lamps here, but they fit so well and how they illuminate everything, looks almost magical.

Is death magical? Jim looked so relaxed when he left me for the last time. He held my hand and smiled and then he was gone, shrouded in a shining light that spent peace everywhere. Will it be like that when I go?

Now it is really getting dark, even the lamps no longer feed the room with the light it needs. Wait Jim I will be coming soon, just wait. A flash, a blinding flash, Jim is this the way it was. No, wait a minute, I am not ready for this. Another flash, and it hurts, Jim where are you, please take me to where you are.”

“How is she doctor?”

“Mr. Brannigan she was very lucky, we nearly lost her. The impact of the car crash killed your father instantly, but your mother was thrown clear of the car. She was in a bad way, and her heart stopped beating, but we managed to bring her back and she has been in a coma since the operation, but she should pull through.”

“Doctor, I think Mrs. Brannigan is waking up”

“Thank you nurse. Ok, Mr. Brannigan you heard the good news. Your mother is awake.”

“Can I see her doctor?”

“You certainly can, I think seeing her son at a time like this would be part of the best medicine.”

Jack Brannigan entered the ward, and thought his mother to be so small in comparison to the machinery humming around her bed.

“Don’t worry Mr. Brannigan” said the doctor “the tubes are helping her to breathe better. It is just routine at the moment. The operation was a success and we managed to stop the internal bleeding, it is just a matter of time and she should recover.”

“Did you hear that mum, the doctor said you will soon be on your feet.”

“Jack, what are you doing here, did you book a room in at the hotel as well? Did you come on this journey with me?”

“Mum, I don’t know what you mean. Just relax and take it easy. The doctor said you will be ok.”

And with time Mrs. Brannigan was ok. It surprised Jack how well she took the news that his father was killed in the accident; as if she knew he was no longer there. They say that time heals all wounds and with time Mrs. Brannigan was back on her feet. She then decided to make a journey to the hotel where she was so happy with Jim, where they had spent their honeymoon. Her son and his family came with her, in the meanwhile his wife had given birth to a son, Jimmy, that Mrs. Brannigan was sure looked exactly like her departed husband Jim. The visit to the hotel was a disappointment. It was still there, but had been renovated. The wonderful half moon window on the top floor had been replaced by one of those large square glass windows spoiling the atmosphere completely as far as she was concerned. No, it was not the same anymore, but then she realised that this was right. Things were not the same anymore and she must get on with her life.

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MULTIPLY Creative Challenge #64: Mirage

You said you build castles in the air for me
That was a wrong, you had a new girl
You lied to me and broke your promise
The mirage of love took a whirl

You would love me forever, come what may
How long is forever, a day or a year?
Where are you now? with another?
This is not my mirage, but just plain fear

I saw you with her in the park, bodies entwined
Your promise to love me now forgotten
I no longer mean anything to you
The mirage is transparent like cotton

After the kiss you walked away
as if you were in a dream
I knew then that you were finished with me
Love was now a mirage stream

Where is my castle in the air?
Destroyed by a love betrayed
I cannot forgive you for what you have done
A mirage has now been made

I plunged a knife into your heart
It was real and you are dead
You really thought that I was joking
This is no mirage I said

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MUTIPLY United Friends Challenge #167: The Trial

Sumax's Challenge

Write a short scenario about your Day in Court. Include the charge.

It can be written from the perspective of the judge, a lawyer, a member of the jury, the accused, or any other person who attended Court that day … that’s up to you. I’m not looking for the whole case here, just a short snippet or taster of one aspect or piece of evidence.

You may use whichever genre you wish.

The courtroom was ready for the trial. In the accused section I, Aedes Aegypti, sat alone, not looking as Egyptian as the name would lead you to believe. My wings lay flat on my body, flying was forbidden and my head was hanging down waiting for things to begin.

There was only one witness, who was also the victim, Homo Sapiens also of the female variety. She looked tired and kept scratching the skin irritations she had received from me. The court official, a heron, clapped with its beak and called all to stand up to receive the judge, a large green frog that croaked now and again seeming to look in all directions at once with his revolving eyes. He called for silence from all and the proceedings began.

“We have a clear case here of sleep disturbance. Homo Sapiens Feminina has not been able to obtain the amount of sleep that her species deserves due to disturbance by Aedes Aegypti. I ask you Aedes Aegypti guilty or not guilty of disturbance of the peace by night.”

I had my answer ready “Your honour, I plead not guilty.”

“In this case” said the frog “I call Homo Sapiens Feminina into the witness box to hear her version of the events.”

There was a sound in the courtroom of feathers being ruffled by the birds, croaks from the toads and frogs and buzzing from members of the mosquito family.

“Silence in court” called the Heron, “Silence”.

“One more such disturbance and I will clear the courtroom, remaining only myself and the lawyers and our jury.” croaked Judge Frog.

Mr. Human stepped forward, the lawyer of the victim.

“Homo Sapiens Femina please explain the details of the criminal act brought about by Aedes Aegypti”.

Homo Sapiens Femina spoke.
“I went to bed as usual around ten o’clock in the evening. It was a warm sultry night and the window was open to allow for fresh air.”

“There you have it” said my lawyer who was a masculine mosquito. “The so-called victim sent an open invitation to my client to enter the bedroom.”

“I object” said Mr. Human, lawyer of Homo Sapiens Femina. “The lawyer of the accused has no right to intervene before my client has explained the details of the attack by Aedes Aegypti.”

“Objection granted” croaked Judge Frog. “Please continue Homo Sapiens Femina.”

“As I said I prepared to sleep and made sure that my bedroom window was open. As I was gradually drifting away I heard an annoying sound and realised that an attack was planned by a mosquito, here known as Aedes Aegypti. The sound suddenly ceased and I believed myself to be safe from any further attack. I did not realise that the attack was then being carried out by Aedes Aegypti and she had already found an entrance to my body. I then noticed an annoying feeling on my finger. It was itching.”

“Objection Judge Frog” said Mr. Mosquito, my lawyer. “It is to be proved that the feeling was annoying, we mosquitoes would not find such a feeling as annoying, and the word attack should be removed from the minutes. We mosquitoes do not consider this an attack.”

“I would call the two lawyers to my desk. I think we have to exchange a few words.” It was then that my lawyer and the human’s lawyer approached the judge.

“Mr. Mosquito and Mr. Human I expect a certain amount of understanding in my court. The needs of a mosquito life and the needs of a human life are somewhat different and we are here today to find a solution to our common problems. The interruptions caused by yourselves are not helping us in any way. Mr. Mosquito I need only one swipe of my tongue and your existence is finished in this world and Mr. Human if one of my cousins from the South American Jungle, known as Dart Frog, would brush past your body, your minutes would also be numbered in this world. Under these circumstances I would ask for a fair trial.”

Homo Sapiens Femina continued “as I said I was attacked by this Aedes Aegypti and whilst I was trying to sooth the pain and unpleasant feeling on my finger. I heard the buzzing sound again and I tried to find the cause, but it was dark in the room. I put the light on and then saw Aedes Aegypti. She was sitting on my arm of all places and once again I had the feeling of being tickled by a thousand feathers. In the meanwhile I had a swollen finger where the first sting was injected.”

“Sting, indeed” I said “I was insuring the survival of my eggs for our future generation.”

“Mr. Mosquito, tell your client again to be silent, her turn will come.” This judge really had no understanding.

The human’s lawyer then spoke “I think the court has heard enough from my client. The crime was committed by Aedes Aegypti and there is no more to be said.”

Judge Frog spoke “Mr. Mosquito you may begin your cross examination.”

“Thank you your Frogship. Homo Sapiens Femina, do you open your window every night in the bedroom?”

“Well, yes, I have to have some fresh air.”

“And was this the first time that you were subjected to an attack by Aedes Aegypti?”

“No, it was not. Every time I sleep with an open window the same thing happens. I threatened Aedes Aegypti and told her that my patience was running out with these attacks, but to no result. The attacks continued every night.”

“What steps did you take to avoid these attacks?”

“I don’t understand. What steps do you take against a mosquito that is looking for fresh blood?”

“A ha, that is the core of the matter. Although these so-called “attacks” were repeated every night, you did nothing to counteract them. Aedes Aegypti was doing her duty in securing the existence of her family. I am sure the members of the jury would find this agreeable.”

Mr. Mosquito now stood in front of the jury, composed of 6 pigs and 6 cows all nodding their heads to his last remark.

“I object” said Mr. Human.

“Mr. Human you will have your chance” said Judge Frog and called me into the witness stand.

“Aedes Aegypti will you please explain the course of events on the said evening?”

Now I had my chance to explain.
“Well I felt it was time to heat up my system to be able to incubate my eggs. I was flying around as usual looking for a suitable place and suddenly smelt fresh blood. There was an open window so I entered and the so-called victim was lying on her bed sleeping. I dived down and found a warm finger just at the right temperature. I entered her skin, with the usual saliva lubrication, and took what I needed. The victim then started moving and attacking me. She quietened down and in the meanwhile I had found an agreeable place on her arm.”

“I object” your Frogship said Mr. Human “This is just plain assassination with no excuse.”

“I was just following the call of my nature” I said.

“Objection overruled” said Judge Frog. Please continue Mr. Human
“I would ask my client what would have happened had she not acquired the necessary blood.”

“The further existence of my children would have been endangered.” And I shed a few tears just for the effect.

Mr. Mosquito looked at the jury and with a smile on his face. “I am sure this is understood by the jury members. I rest my defence. What more can I prove that the existence of my client and her family was endangered. Mr. Human you may continue your cross examination.”

“Aedes Aegypti did you realise that you were an annoyance, to say the least, to the victim Homo Sapiens Femina?”

“I found that if the victim had not left her window open I would not have even thought about an attack. And there are some Homo Sapien homes that I don’t even think of entering even if their windows are open.”

“Can you perhaps explain your last remark” said Mr. Human with a smirk of his face, not expecting any reason for a mosquito not to enter.

“That is quite clear, Mr. Human. Many homo sapiens buy things.”

“What is meant by “things”?”

“Well being a poor little desperate pregnant mosquito I cannot explain so exact, but humans have shops where things are sold that we mosquitoes do not like. Certain scents or vibrations that really give us a headache and make us feel unwell. They are places we would not dream of entering.”

“Is this so?” Judge Frog asked the victim reminding her that she was still under oath.

“Well, I suppose so, but I don’t expect to be attacked by a mosquito at night.”

“Mrs. Homo Sapiens Femina I would remind you that in daily life we all have our problems to overcome. I really find that a little help on your side would avoid such a court case as today. I have now heard all the evidence I need, the jury can retire to arrive at their verdict.”

The cows and pigs left the courtroom but arrived just 30 minutes later with their verdict.

“Have the jury reached a decision?” asked Judge Frog

The Leader of the Jury, a Holstein cow, stood up on her four legs.
“We have your honour, we find the accused Not Guilty of any crime whatsoever.”

“I thank you for your verdict. I would now like to say a few words to the victim. It seems that you were very careless with the life of Aedes Aegypti. There are means and ways of avoiding such unpleasant situations but you have shown carelessness. The court requests the victim to take steps in organising the necessary items to avoid any future occurrence of such unpleasantries. I order a search to be made of the premises of Homo Sapiens Femina in one month’s time to see that she holds herself to this court ruling. She should look the stinging reality in the face. Cows and pigs are subject to the sting of the mosquito all the time, but have no problems. When will these Homo Sapiens learn to deal with such problems in a sensible way.”

Of course I was happy with the result of my trial and am now the proud mother of a mosquito family. At the moment the babies are still swimming in the pond, but as soon as the late Summer warm nights arrive and the windows are open, then beware, we will attack

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MULTIPLY The Horror of It All #1: Give me a Helping Hand

„Ok, Mr. Granger, I think that will be all for now. I have explained how the generator works for the electricity and don’t forget from nine in the evening there is no electricity, but only candlelight. The cottage is so old that it wasn’t possible to make a better connection” and with that last comment Reggie Makepeace left the Grangers on their own and returned to the farmhouse where he and his wife lived.

He met his wife busy preparing lunch in the kitchen.

“Smells good Mary, what’s for lunch?”

“Today it’s a stew with dumplings, just the way you like them Reggie; by the way how are the Grangers settling in at the cottage?”

“Fine Mary, they seem to have the hang of the generator and the fact that they have no electric in the evening doesn’t seem to bother them.”

“Did you tell them about.....”

“Mary, don’t start getting worried. They will be ok in the cottage. Mr. Granger wanted somewhere where he can finish writing his book and his wife is happy to be in the country taking in the fresh air. They live in the town and are glad to have a change of scenery.”

“You mean you didn’t tell them.”

“There is nothing to tell Mary. I am sure they will enjoy the next couple of weeks living in the cottage with no problems.”

“Yes, but you remember what happened the last time we rented the cottage.”

“Nothing happened Mary. They were just a couple that did not like life out in the country. Why his wife did a jump every time she saw a spider. Now where do you find a cottage here without spiders? No, I think this time the Grangers will enjoy their stay here. And now, I am hungry, so where’s dinner?”

Mary Makepeace had finished cooking the meal and her and her husband sat down to lunch, although she still had some doubtful thoughts.

Meanwhile back at the cottage Margaret and Clive Granger were unpacking and making themselves at home in the cottage.

“We were really lucky to find this cottage Clive, it was so reasonable and in such a nice place. When you look out of the window you just see miles of farmland, not a house in sight.”

“I suppose you are right Margaret, but we are really isolated here. If anything happened we would need at least ten minutes to get to the farmhouse where Mr. and Mrs. Makepeace live.”

“But just think Clive, at last you have the peace and quiet you need to finish your book and I can catch up on some knitting and reading. This is really a good place to relax. At last a few weeks away from the noise and stress of the town.”

It seems that everyone was happy. Even the electric problem did not bother them too much. There were enough candles inthe cottage and Margaret thought how romantic it would be in the evening, her reading by candlelight and Clive writing even if he was using the computer, but with the battieries. She did not even mind being without the generator in the evening. The noise went unnoticed during the day, but she was sure it would be an annoyance at night. At the point of nine in the evening the generator noise ceased and all was silent in the cottage.

“Clive can you give me a match to light the candle” and a hand reached out to Margaret with a match.

“Thank you Clive” she said

“For what Margaret?” was the answer

“Why for the match of course dear.”

“I didn’t give you a match. As a matter of fact I was on the toilet if you must know.”

“Well someone gave me a match. Although it was a bit dark in here I definitely saw a hand giving me a match.

“Must be imagining things Margaret; been reading those mystery books again?"

Margaret decided to say no more. She was sure that Clive had handed her a match, but on the other hand she was tired as it had been a long day.

“Clive I think I will go to bed. Can you give me that candle that I can find my way up the stairs to the bedroom?”

“No problem dear, and she had the lit candle in the holder and carried it up to the bedroom.”

“Just a minute dear, where did you get that candle from?”

“Now you really are dreaming Clive, you gave it to me” and so Clive had to think things over a bit. He did not remember giving Margaret the candle but was too was tired, the light on the computer was not so strong when it was running on the storage battery. His eyes were burning and he decided it was really time for a sleep.

They were both exhausted and as soon as their heads hit the pillow they were both asleep; at least they slept for an hour and then it started. Margaret felt her cover being pulled from the bed and managed to retrieve it before it uncovered her completely.

“Clive what are you doing. I thought we both decided we were too tired for doing anything except for sleep tonight, tomorrow is another day.”

“What are you saying Margaret. Now I'm awake. What’s the problem?”

“The problem is you Clive not being able to keep your hands away from the bed cover and me.”

“Come on Margaret, there was I in a deep sleep and you say I am up to all sorts of tricks. At the moment the flesh is willing but the mind is weak if you must know.”

“But Clive look my bed cover is moving away and you are pulling it.”

“No, just a minute, look Margaret. Here are my hands, each one with ten fingers and they are attached to my arms on the bed cover.”

and it was then that Margaret screamed. A very loud scream and Clive jumped out of bed.

“What is the matter Margaret?”

“Clive, look, my bed cover.”

“Yes will it does look a bit strange sort of being dragged across the floor by an unseen hand. Let’s light a candle to see what is going on.”

Clive took the candle and was searching for the matches when a lighted match was placed in his hand.

“Margaret, you are on the other side of the room.”

“Yes Clive, and I am not moving until you tell me why my bed cover is being dragged over the floor by a hand.”

“Then you did not give me the lighted match for the candle.”

“No Clive, I gave you nothing, I was too busy screaming.”

Needless to say Clive and Margaret spent the rest of the night in their car which was parked on the road leading to the cottage.

The next morning Reggie and Mary Makepeace heard a knock at their door. When they opened it they saw Clive and Margaret Granger standing there.

“Good morning Mr. Makepeace” Clive said “I am afraid my wife and I will have to leave your cottage and return to town.”

“No problems with the cottage I hope Mr. Granger.”

“No, no.... it’s just that my wife’s mother is in hospital and we must return immediately.”

“I hope nothing serious Mrs. Granger.”

Margaret answered that it was an inflamed appendix and her mother had to have it removed. Nothing dramatic, but she would rather be at her mother’s side for such a problem. Actually Margaret’s mother had died ten years ago, but Mr. and Mrs. Makepeace did not have to know that and so the Grangers left.

“I told you Reggie” said Mary Makepeace “they found it out.”

“Found what out woman?”

“What all the others found out that stayed in the cottage before and left on the next day.”

“Forget it Mary. We have now got the money for two weeks rent again and I am sure they won’t ask for a refund. No-one ever does.”

“Yes Reggie, but it’s not right really, is it?”

Reggie supposed not, but you do not have to say everything. Of course if people knew that the cottage had been built by the original owner of the farm Geoffrey Makepeace, an ancestor of Reggie Makepeace, as a place for his son Jonas to live, things might have been clearer, but there are some things that should be kept as a secret. Jonas was born without hands. Now how can you have an heir without hands? In those days it was a disgrace; so Jonas was hidden in the cottage. If Clive and Margaret Granger had taken the effort to go to the local library and read in the old newspapers of the last century they would have read of the unexplained disappearance of young men and male children at the time of Jonas’s childhood and if someone had done some digging in the shed where the generator was they might have found some skeletons with the hand bones missing. If someone had dug further then a casket would have been brought to light with the bones of the missing hands. Yes, Geoffrey Makepeace never did find out how to attach the hands on Jack’s arms.

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MULTIPLY Pictures and Words Week 10 - The Princess and the Bird

Photo Credit: Mark Richards

She sits dreaming of her loved one
of where he is, she is full of hope
A forbidden love, she is princess
But with him she wants to elope

The king, her father, tracked him down
But her lover, he ran away
She prayed that he would never be found
Their love was not for a day

In this land so very far away
There was magic in the air
The princess had a witch as aunt
And for true love she did care

She took the lover into her house
and together they made a choice
The lover was changed into a bird
Who sung with a beautiful voice

He flew to the palace to see his love
and perched upon her hand
He sung of his love and eternal faith
And with her his life was planned

This singing bird gave the princess a peck
and then the spell was cast
She turned into a beautiful dove
And they both flew away very fast

The passed over mountains very high
And flew over oceans deep
In the meanwhile the witch cast another spell
And the King was in a deep sleep

It was then that the birds flew back to the land
Where their love was not allowed
They sung together in unison
To wake the King so proud

The two love birds watched the King awake
He was so very sad
If only my daughter was with me again
I would not act so bad

I would grant her the wish to marry her lover
I made so many mistakes
If only I could turn things round
That my heart would not so ache

It was then that the spell was taken back
And the lovebirds regained their form
The King was happy to see his daughter
He decided not to storm

This happened many years ago
The princess has now become Queen
Her husband is now King of the land
Are the happiest pair ever seen

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MULTIPLY MM 1: My Own Thing

It seems that Gator is redesigning his boat somewhere in a swamp in Savannah and that the monochrome Monday thing is dying a slow death, to be brought to life now and again by some good colleagues, so I have joined them. Now and again will post some photographic experiments of mine.

Here is the monochrome thing I did for this week.

I have been spending some time in the garden lately taking photos of all sorts of creatures that fly, creep and slime their way through life. This ladybird decided to pose for a photo so here she is. If you want to seen the full size of the photo then click here.
So what did I do with this photo. Well the usual thing. I did it in Piknik and changed it into monochrome, twiddling a bit at the contrasts and then brought the red of the ladybird back. I think I even enhanced the red a bit with a lomoic thing, but just cannot remember. Anyhow I decided a sort of black frame with a hint of red would be ok which I did in Piknik and here is the result.

Click here for larger photo

I decided now to play around with a couple of photos I took during the week.

Click here for larger version of sunflower

Click here for larger version of clock

I put both photos in Photoshop CS3. I removed the background from the sunflower and did a few duplications of the flower inserting one layer after the other on the flower. I then replaced the clock face with the sunflower. I then removed the background from the clock and put the clock on the original sunflower photo, squeezing it into the space. The frame is a mirror frame from Piknik and here is the result.

Click here for larger size

Perhaps some are wondering why the clock only goes up to 11 instead of 12. There is a reason. This clock hangs on a wall in the town of Solothurn, near where I live and was made especially for the town. The number eleven occurs so much in Solothurn, that it is known as the Solothurn number. We have 11 fountains and the steps to the cathederal are divisible by 11. There are also other 11 things, but I don't know them all. Anyhow we are probably the only place in the world that has a clock with eleven hours. It even chimes the hours.

MULTIPLY Images and Words #13: Red

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