Okay. Christ. I still can't believe it.

Yesterday, after classes, I went out to see the town, for those of you who don't know, I'm at the Tehran facility. The Middle East is a dream come true, I've always fantasized about living here, and so despite some warnings, I hit the streets. It was a bad move. A Really, really, *really* bad move.

I don't want to seem un-PC here, or like a prick, but I'm pretty sure I was about to be sold into slavery. They came at me, fast, all dressed in black, like some Iranian Ninjas. The first few seemed to only be attacking me physically, and since I'm a big guy, but not that much of a fighter, I went down, until I remembered something from my History of Mysticisim in Monotheism class, and from those few times I went to that Sufi Mosque back home, so, I said it, "La ilaha illa 'llah", there is but one God.

They seemed frightened by it, and for a moment, I swear, I felt my "Exponential Will" manifesting for the first time. They backed off, quickly, I don't remember much else, except for fire...or lightening, or something, then I was back here, at the labs, bleeding out of my ear. I haven't reported this to anyone at the school yet, but they'll read it here. Anyways, I'm freaked out. What the hell happened?


 

2000-10-22   UbermenschEdger

Okay. So, now that I've talked to the whatevers here about my near abduction, most of the faculty has been looking at me weird, like I did something really wrong. Anyways, whatever, like, I wish I knew Arabic better, if I did, I'd be able to socialize more, as it stands, I'm kinda alone, and there aren't many exchange students here other than me, especially American exchange students.

So, let me see. After hurting myself repeatedly this week, I've come to the realization that attempting to transcend Eucledian Geometry and Meditation just do not mix. Nope, they don't. Anyone have any clue on how to meditate on spacial disturbances without totally giving yourself a ringing headache?

By the by, is anyone else on this board at Tehran other than me? Just curious, it's a big school, and I haven't met many people yet.

"My Lord Hurls the Truth
fully percieving all the secrets"
-The Qur'an, Sheba 48
 

2000-10-27   UbermenschEdger

The depression is starting to kick in again.

Jesus.

You'd think that someone with enough
"latent exponential will" to frighten off Iranian Ninjas wouldn't be vulnerable to seasonal depression of all things, but here I am, in one of the deepest funks of my life, and to add to it I'm away from all my friends and family, I have only a rudimentary grasp on the language, and I'm a foreigner here.

God. This sucks, this is lame as all hell, beyond all belief.

By the by, I went for a walk around the complex, nothing special, especially after my last night on the town. I was near one of the service entrances when I swear to *god* I saw a black van pulling away. It's probably nothing, but still...I've seen other posts here...

"There's no easy way to stop the sadness."
-NoFx, "Total Bummer."
 

2000-10-29   Goli

I am an Iranian student. At the Tehran facility. Goli is not my name.


I was very surprised to find this link on our intranet (the PsIran). It was certainly buried deep. After reading the entries however I understand perhaps why it is made so difficult to find. Though we are a very progressive school for our country, that doesn't mean we all feel the need to put ourselves on television.

I see the American boy has discovered this site. It certainly does seem like his 'kind of thing.'

someone is coming
 

2000-11-13   UbermenschEdger

Witness my triumphant return.

Raaar.

Okay, it's been a...funny...month. Let me see, lesson's I've learned.

Lesson #1, Americans, when abroad, are major asses: So, I decided to check out some Mosques, to enjoy the architecture, pass some time on my own, feel a little at peace, whatever. I'm heading into one near the school, and I see this guy with this *horrible* "Hick" accent and a brush cut laughing really loudly, hanging over various pedestrians. I don't pay him any mind, probably some Military idiot. Anyways, so I continue into the mosque, cleansing my feet, hands, removing my shoes, preparing myself to enter in respect, and the guy comes in, shoes on, hollering. He spots me, and begins to ask if I'm American, when I nod, he starts to slobber all over me like I'm his best pal, talking about how much he misses his hometown, some backwater muckhole in the deep south, and about how much he hates "A-Rabs." There are two things that I hate. I mean, really, *really* hate beyond irritation (Wiccans irritate me, but I don't hate 'em.) I hate drunks, and I hate ignorant people. This guy fills both slots, and he also says he's with a "Unit," so, I'm guessing he's some sort of Military guy. Another mark against him. I try to usher him out, while he hollers, and I do, easily enough, and just before I get to beating the living hell out of him, a whole bunch of his automaton friends decide to show up, and thank me for finding him. Of course, I'm not going to face down a crowd of angry, drunk rednecks with a thing for push ups. So I just smile, swallow my pride, and hand him off. God. No wonder everyone hates Americans.

Lesson #2, the midterms here made me crack, literally: I think I had an undiagnosed bout of sociopathy or schizophrenia while studying for my midterms. Satori might be a better word for it, but, whatever, needless to say, after cramming on The Tao of Physics, St. Augustine's Confessions, the Noble Qur'an, and Transcendental Magic, I swear to god I was a member of the walking wounded. My brain felt like it was bleeding. In a good way though. So, the day of the exams, I downed about half a bottle of Gingko biloba, got hopped up, and aced *all* of my tests. I swear, my brain has stretch marks on it now, or something.

Lesson #3, I am a paranoid bastard: Okay, remember those Iranian Ninjas? I swear to *god* I saw a few the other night. I was coming back from my monthly dinner out, which furthered my loathing of tourists even more, American, English, French, whatever, pasty, obnoxious, and loud white people are starting to piss me off. Anyways, so, dinner on the town, I decided to skip over my usual film, and head back to the dorms. On my way back, I saw a kid from school, Goli, I think his name is, and waved at him. He waved back. The Iranian kids from school don't go out much after curfew, that I know of, so that was worth noting. Aaaaaaaanyways, I swear, I saw one of those Iranian Ninjas standing at the mouth of an Alleyway for a second, and by the time I did a doubletake, nothing was there. God. Okay, I'm freaked out, so, I'm going to shut up now.

Now, there was one of the "Witchey-poos" taking issue to my dislike of their psuedo-belief system that's an affront to any *real* religion as it's like spirituality lite. Cutting my ranting short, I am not a "Psy" student, I am what you would call a "Mystic" student, but, I take serious issue with Wiccans merely because they take the things that I, and others, treat with great respect and try to make them "Cool" or "Accessible" without bothering to think about how serious those practices, rituals, rites, songs, whatevers are to those who originally used them. Okay. End Rant. So there.

"The Odds are astronomically against us,
Only moron or genius would fight a losing battle against the superego, when giving in is so damn comforting, and so we go on with our lives, we know the truth, but prefer lies, lies are simple, simple is bliss, why go against Tradition when we can, admit defeat, live in decline, be the victims of our designs?"
-NoFx, "The Decline."

The Uber strikes back.
 

2000-11-13   UbermenschEdger

((Argh, hate to break character, but Uber here saw one of the kids from school, Goli, and waved to him, but didn't know he was Goli. Correction there. Erp.))
 

2000-11-13   Goli

I see the American Boy, this 'Ubermencher,' continues to be a shining example of his people.

For example, if he had been paying the slightest attention to his studies and his host country he would realize that Goli is a woman's name. It is not my given name, but the name I have used when I have traveled via ancient teleportation techniques to English speaking countries. I use Goli as it is easy to pronounce and translates roughly as 'Rose.'

Perhaps he has not yet noticed the women at school here because we do not show our mid-drift like Britany Spears. While most of us do not wear the chador, we still dress somewhat modestly in public. Undoubtedly we do not yet appear in Ubermench's 'no fly zone.'

Also, contrary to his still American-centric world view, there are no American G.I.'s in Tehran, and of this I am very glad. It is somewhat disconcerting, however, when one considers what kind of secret paramilitary unit may be keeping their eye on Ubermench.

And finaly, though such a rumor could be devestating to a student at our school, I wonder if Ubermench isn't perhaps smoking hashish whenever he mentions the Iranian karate experts he claims to see. This is pure madness. Tehran is a very modern city, and we do not have such folkloric bands roving our streets at night.

I realize this posting board is frequented most by students at American facilities, and please do not take my views as reactionary. In Iran we actually have a great tradition of discussion and openness and debate, despite how we have come to be viewed in the United States. When the time comes perhaps I will introduce myself to Ubermench. In the meantime, I cannot help but observe his misadventures.
 

2000-11-14   UbermenschEdger

Okay, I stand corrected. As my schoolmate said, there are no US troops stationed in Iran, I found that out earlier this morning when I called up the closest military installation I could find to ask that they keep a tighter leash on their automatons, of course, I made a total idiot of myself by asking about "Any troops stationed in Iran." God. So, I guess maybe they were stationed in Israel, and felt like going for a drive. It's kind of a long drive, but it's the only logical explanation I can think of for their presence, beyond Goli's "Theory."

Anyways, thanks to Goli's post, I now know why I've been getting strange looks in the hallways, but, whatever, I know what I saw, I know that those Iranian Ninja-people are real, and if no one will believe, then, whatever.

"Enough is enough is enough, Why don't you just ease off?"
-Operation Ivy, "Take Warning"

UbermenschEdger, the only 'Edger at any Psyhigh campus to his knowledge.
 

2000-11-23   UbermenschEdger

The depression is back. It's funny, really, how it comes in waves. I think it's mostly tied to a late night call I made back to the states. I don't really want to get into that though, suffice to say that as of now, my personal life is even deeper in hell than it was before.

I've got little social contact here, people in the school avoid me, avoid eye contact, etc., I think it's because of those...'dunno what to call them.

God, I'm too listless to write more. I'm going to sleep, maybe everything will be better tomorrow.

I don't have the energy for a cool quote today. Sorry.
 

2000-11-25   goli

I realize that my friends and I have perhaps not been the best of hosts to Ubermenschedger, and I would like to apologize. I know that it can be difficult to acclimate to a new culture, especially if the members of that culture are not exactly welcoming. While as women it would not be appropriate for myself or my friends to approach him directly, I will make sure he is invited to a Shab e Cheleh celebration next month (December 21st on the Western calendar).

Also, I have given further thought to what Ubermenchedger thinks he has seen (his 'Iranian Ninjas') and at first wondered if he had only seen women in chador at night. However, I will give him the benefit of the doubt that even he could not be so easily misled.

So, I was drawn to another idea, from the part of Iran my family comes from. We have lived in the northern mountains, the Elburz, for generations. This of course is the same region in which the ancient fortress of Alamut is situated. My family even claims some level of ancestory to Hasan Bin Sabbah himself, though it is only whispered of.
Though everyone knows the culture of Alamut was completely and utterly destroyed centuries ago, Ubermenscher's descriptions have been stirring up memories of the bedtime stories of assassins and spies my father used to tell.

Now I must prepare for my transcontinental teleportation exam.
 

2000-11-28   UbermenschEdger

It's amusing how fast things get weird here. I'm sitting in the computer lab right now, wrapped in a blanket, my hair is a mess, and I have huge bags under my eyes. I also, just by happenstance, don't have any clue where I've been for the past three days, and, I feel like I have the worst hang over ever, and I don't drink.

God.

Okay, um, I'm gonna use this post to help me sort out the past 72 hours. Um, I was in the city on...sunday night, yeah. Tehran is really cool, 'cos there's all these cafes that stay open fairly late, and you can get kickass coffee there. Anyways, I remember...I had my Koss headphones on, I was listening to...something Emo...Jets to Brazil, maybe. I know it was emo because I was feeling bad about that call from home (And, the words, "I can't handle a long term relationship"), and I like Emo when I'm feeling cruddy. I was reading too, um...something about empiricisim and faith, that I can't clearly remember.

And, that's it. That's all I can remember. I'm kind of spooked by that, jesus.

Okay, so, I'm going to try to work it out on my own, but, for now, I'll just leave that as a blank space of time, I mean, at least I didn't wake up with a new tattoo or anything.

So, I'm not going to go to classes today, not until I fix the mess that is my head at this moment. And, I need to touch up the X's on my hands, they're fading a bit.

I'd like to thank my schoolmate for her invitation to the Winter celebration, I'll be there, um, is there anything I should do/bring?

"The United States government will not allow any opposition to the underlying facisim of it's domestic and foreign policies. And when that opposition becomes too strong, they deny us the rights to stand up against the status quo. Our government understands that we have the full capacity to take back the power, and that frightens them to death."
-Unknown.

Much love,
UbermenschXer, Revolutionary since 1983
 

2000-12-21   Goli

Happy Shab e Cheleh!

Yesterday was the solstice. In Iran today, it is not an extravagant festival, but at Psychic High School Tehran it is celebrated in the ancient fashion. It is good the walls of the school compound are so high, because our merriment would not be viewed in good taste by today's standards.

We celebrate a combination of the oldest traditions, with a Zoroastrian influence. There are fires to defeat of the forces of Ahriman. There are feasts for Mithra. And it is also the time when the teachers become students and the students become teachers, the girls become boys and the boys become girls, and dogs become cats. That part is actualy Babylonian in origin, representing the chaos before the first creation, which ends at dawn the following morning - Havangah.

These rituals must be done in secret in my country, as the traditions of Psychic High School Tehran are rather eccentric and could easily be misunderstood by the public. I do not mind the secrecy. Much of what we do depends on it.



 

2000-12-22   UbermenschEdger

I went to Shab e Cheleh.

Anything I could say would just cheapen it. I feel...I feel...aflame. I can't say anything more.

I love Iran.
 

2000-12-31   UbermenschEdger

I still loathe Wiccans.

That simple.

I'm still depressed, actually more so than I've ever been. I guess you could say that it's affecting the very way that I use my "Extensions" (Which, by the way is bullshit, tools are tools, not crutches, an opinion voiced by many of my instructors). I'm taking time these days, I'm deliberate, slow, I rarely ever do anything focusing on the more active Humors and Elemental, hell, I rarely perform anything but my daily meditations and prayers these days, I don't have the drive. Anyone have an idea as to what I should do to get over this malaise, something non-Magical. God, maybe that's it. Maybe I need to have a "Satori of life", shake my brain up a bit, move it outside of my comfort zone...but...how remains an entirely diffrent question.

That blank space I talked about, still hasen't come back to me, I should be worried, but, I've got more important things to do.

Finally, I found the word "Schultstaffell, '43" scratched into the lower part of my headboard, it's German, but, I've got no clue what it means.

Anyways, that's it, my life isn't shitty these days, just, really unmotivated, slow-moving, and so forth.

I hope the world finds you folks better, peace upon you all.

UbermenschXer.

"I could not believe in a God who couldn't dance."



 

2001-1-7   eteathumans

To Ubermenschedger and Goli:

Was interesting to read of your posts/experiences in Iran..

I myself was born in Tehran and was found as a baby in a jube by an orphanage. An Iranian couple later tried to adopt me but returned me because I didn't talk (hey!..maybe I just had food in my mouth?..haha). Then a Swedish couple tried to adopt me but the school staff/officials refused to grant their request..for whatever reason. It was an American couple with 3 children of their own that were successful in adopting me. My foster dad must've had some connections or friends in "high places" to have been able to pull it off according to my mom..because normally Iranian officials will grant adoption requests to their own nationals over foreigners.

So at about age 3 (my real birthday is unknown) I was officially adopted and at age 10 became an American citizen.

I haven't returned to Iran since, but would like to visit just to see how the land lays after so many years..and I know I'd fit in just fine..that is, until I open my mouth.

Anyway..enough about me.

To Goli and Uber...how did you go about applying for admission to the Tehran school? Also, what prerequisites, if any, are needed? Thanks for any info you can provide!
 

2001-1-8   UbermenschEdger

Time for my weekly chance to make myself out to be an ass.

The week has gone by slowly, nothing really new to report. I had a nice evening friday, one of "Goli's" friends offered to take me to dinner at his parent's house. I had a good time, and tried my damndest to utilize the proto-language mantras I've been studying. It's simple, really, learn a few conjugates in the proto-language, and, things begin to fall back into place.

It was nice.

I still haven't met "Goli", that I know of, and she'll probably be on here saying how stupid I am as to have not noticed her, but, it's alright.

As for the person who was intrested in ending up in Iran, just apply to the Tehran campus. That simple. And, for the love of god, don't be an Iranian Mountain-Ninja plant.

In an oddly jubilant mood,
UbermenschXer.

"The most relaxing thing I do/
Hang halfway out a third floor window/
And look at rocks, if I fall out/
Maybe I'll fall hard/
Something tought to break me/
Something sharp to rip into my insides/
And bleed out all the pain."
-Alkaline Trio,
"Maybe I'll catch fire."
 

2001-1-8   Goli

For thousands of years, the Ass has been a very important beast of burden to the people of my country, and to the region as a whole. So please do not feel ashamed, Ubermenscher my American friend.

It is true we have not actually met as of yet, but things do not move as quickly here as they do in America. In fact, some plans can take hundereds of years to unfold. Recently I took a short trip to visit my family in the Elburz, to listen to the old stories, and it is my opinion that some ancient plans are still unfolding to this day, at times under our very noses....

I will be looking out for you, Ubermenschedger.

As for 'Teat,' entry into the Tehran school is based entirely on recommendations, and of course the entrance examination. I do not know about the transfer process.



 

2001-1-14   UbermenschEdger

My life is like a fucking melodrama, I swear it.

I got another long distance phonecall from a certain, weepy ex-"thang." I should feel good, I think, but, then, *she* was the one who dumped me, so, whatever. I still feel sort of bad for giving her the brush off this time, but, like I said she dumped me.

Anyways, the saga continues. I did some research on that carving I found behind my headboard. The Schultstaffel were a Nazi "Conspiracy" of Mystics who traveled about the world to collect artifacts that supported the existence of a historical, blond, blue-eyed Aryan over man race. It was bull, everyone knows the Aryans were from the Steppes, but, anyways, I can't find any connection between schultstaffel and Psyhigh.

Goli, mind fielding any questions about Iran during WWII?

Lemmesee now, beyond that, I did some more research on those Hashashins that Goli mentioned. Um...it's...intresting, weird, but...intresting. I've also found some mention of some ties to the Knights Templar, who in turn have ties to the Schultstaffel (anyone who thinks the Templars died out in the 1200s is wrong, waaaaay wrong). Um...mind boggling, I think I'm starting to get paranoid.

Anyways, class calls, I'll write more later, I think, but, for now, I need to go.

Love,

UbermenschXer.

"...As cranes trail off in flight, silent, wolves snarl over their kill. I brood on Our wars sleepless here and, to right a relentless heaven and earth, powerless."
-Du Fu, "Overnight at the Riverside Tower."
 

2001-1-22   Goli

My family does not speak of it, but during World War II my Grandfather's brothers were Communists. They were part of what became known as the Group of 53, and were imprisioned during the Nazi alliance with Iran. They were freed when the Allies invaded.

My own Grandfather, however, was only a toymaker. He created amazing self powered toys - dancing bears, tight rope walkers, life size windup dervishes. Even during the war he was busy traveling and selling them to wealthy clients.

The Shah who made the alliance with the Nazis was deposed (and replaced by his son with the help of the British) and the Nazis were run out. However, I now nothing of the connexion between the School and the Nazis. I find it disgusting we continue to use their furniture. Can it be forgiven as 'realpolitik'? The School has always played both sides.


 

2001-1-22   UbermenschEdger

Right, Goli, we actually posted within...like...seconds of each other.

So, there was an occupation of the Nazis of Iran. The school was standing then, so, it makes sense that the Schultstaffel would have found it, and maybe hit it up for occult knowledge. I wonder if there's a record of what they took or looked at in the library. I'll look tomorrow, and I may need help...want to meet in the flesh for the first time, Goli? If you aren't busy, I need help hitting up those massive racks of records in the library.

Alright, now, to go whimper off in pain again.

I'm nothing but a big, girl's blouse. Boo-frickin'-hoo.
 

2001-1-23   Goli

Ubermencher, I am afraid I have certain...prior commitments...that will prevent me from meeting you in the Library. However, the night librarian is a close friend of mine, and has offered to serve as my ambassador.

I can not believe the school's involvement with this Schultstaffel would have been completely involuntary. The school has always had very strong defenses against every kind of invader. They could not have merely walked in and taken what they wanted.

I am heading back to my family's home in the Elburz to pick up some things and will return next week. Good luck!
 

2001-2-6   Goli

I was concerned for Ubermenscher when I did not see him on campus. Futhermore, my librarian friend has been quite evasive and will not speak to me. Ubermenscher? Did you meet in the library as proposed?

However, I am not surprised by Ubermencher's courage in the recovery of his countryman. His purity of heart will be a great asset to him I am sure. I hope the recovered student will be alright.

Mentioning my Grandfather in my last posting reminded me of trunks he had put away, which I have brought back with me to school. They are full of toys! The wooden automatic toys he built himself. They are amazing! Mesmerizing! Enchanting! They are so lifelike as to be actually shocking, and I can easily understand how his handycraft was in high demand for so many years.

I will leave one for you in your room as a home warming present for you, Ubermenchser.


 

2001-2-20   UbermenschEdger

Home sweet effin' home.

Tehran, with all it's Iranian assasins, is such a welcome sight, it's scary. I got lost in the desert, I'm back now, but boy is my face red. Literally too.

I'm going to go sleep now. Yes. Sleep...good.
 

2001-3-6   UbermenschEdger

This is the way the world ends.

With an "Ow", not a boom.

Anyhow, I'm baaaaaaaaack, and have gotten *damn* gangbusters on my schoolwork, and am pimping my courses roundly and soundly. And, that's about all I've been doing. Iran is still Iran, but I haven't left the compound for a good while.

The good news is I've been brushing up on my conversational pharsee and arabic, so, my speaking abilities in the local language have thusly increased. I plan on getting a job soon.

Um...let me see...hey, Goli, want to do some of that elusive, in-person meeting over spring break while I continue my extracurricular "research."

"It's not me who's feeling insecure."
-DJ Keoki, "Caterpillar."


 

2001-3-8   Goli

Ubermenscher! You have been studying so hard lately, I wonder if you have been noticing how differently everyone has been looking at you: the story of your courageous journey to save your countryman has captured everyone's hearts. Perhaps it has played off the best parts of our American stereotypes - you are the good cowboy. More of us have seen Indiana Jones than you may realize.

I am wondering, however, if perhaps you have not run across the souvenir I left in your room? It was one of those little automatic toys handmade by my grandfather - the one I put in your room looks like a mouse. Actually, it is so lifelike and so automatic, I fear it may have run off. Perhaps it is living under your bed, or in your closet?

I deeply apologize, as if it has gotten loose it may begin chewing holes in your shoes or leaving its little automatic droppings under your bed. It should not be dangerous to you, as long as you do not sit on it or surprise it or make it feel cornered.

And welcome back!



 

2001-3-15   UbermenschEdger

Yes! The Mouse! I've almost forgotten about him, he's been my only companion through my ardous studies, I've named him Abba-Zabba, and said, many times as I've gazed at him lovingly, "Abba-Zabba, you're my only friend."

Okay, I'm tired.

Anyhow, yeah, I *did* notice the looks, and, they've sort of been freaking me out. I don't *want* to be a hero, or Indiana Jones, or the cowboy in the white hat (I *could* reference a Minor Threat song, but one in-joke is one too many). I just want to be me.

Mind you, if it can get me chicks.

I'm kidding.

Anyways, uh...yeah...bed...good...me...go...to it.
 

2001-6-8   Goli

My American boy has disappeared.

For a few weeks after his return from the Dead Sea I saw him around the compound. I was contemplating actually introducing myself, but then I stopped seeing him. Knowing Ubermenscher, I assumed he had taken sudden road trip to Mr Ararat or Mt Sinai to save the world (read Ubermencher's own journal to read about his trip).

But when he did not appear for more than 6 weeks I began to become concerned. His interest in the 'Schultstaffell' inscription and its Nazi occult implications had not waned and he had been spending more and more time in the library. It was the last place he was seen.

To investigate further, I have unpacked my secret weapon. Among the wonderful wooden automatic toys created by my grandfather, I discovered his masterpiece. It is a girl. A wooden girl, roughly my size, but wearing the chador. She moves and reacts as naturally as any of his wooden automatic animals. I have begun to send her on small missions around the compound, gathering sensory data remotely via virtual private psychic network.

I am still fine tuning her motor skills, and when she is ready we will take a look in Ubermenscher's room.


 

2001-7-13   Goli

I have become quite deft at operating my wooden automatic doppleganger around the campus. She can pick a flower in the garden, feed the pigeons, and even retrieve my mail from my box - getting her to manipulate the tiny key took weeks in itself.

Ubermenscher has still not reappeared, and no one in the registrar's or the foreign exchange student office has any light to shed (though I've been carefull not to appear too curious).

The next step it to look for clues in Ubermenscher's room. To facilitate that, I have been training my automatic double to pick locks. This is easy to do in the secrecy of my room. I am now timing her, and once she can pick our practice lock in under 4 seconds, I will send her on the mission.

I still hope each day that Ubermenscher will return and make my mission unnecessary, however.


 

2001-8-6   firey ted

The GV and the wooden girl are crossing a great suburban wasteland, camping out in abandoned ranch homes, stealing food from garage refrigerators, fending off wild dogs.

The few settlers that remain in this land of cracked asphalt and weeds are under continual police surveillance. Advances in the artificial intelligence and nanotechnology have made it possible to create one policeman for every citizen - a direct 1:1 ratio of authority to subject. The Automatic Policeman is the size of a bumble bee and shiny silver. It follows its assigned case 24 hours a day, never resting, always ready to report back on and if necesary intervene in the subject's behavior.

The GV and the wooden girl have fashioned chopper bicycles with enormous forks from abandoned bike impound lot, and ride them down the road along the empty irrigation ditch. The ditch runs behind the tract homes, and as the wooden girl and the GV ride on they spot the occasional resident mowing a dried brown yard or cleaning up dog poop.

The GV waves from his high backed banana seat chopper rod. An old settler looks up from his dead bush and raises his hand to shade his eyes to see better in the afternoon sun. Suddenly he begins to swat the air around him wildly, as if attacked by unseen wasps. Swatting madly, he races to the back door of his house and slams himself inside.

 

2001-12-24   Goli

It has been so long since I have posted, and I feel I have become a much older woman in the time that has passed.

After the disappearance of Ubermenscher, and of my wooden simulacra, I was asked to leave the school. That is, to leave the Tehran branch. I do not know if this was for nefarious reasons concerning some kind of cover up, or related to Ubermenscher's own researches into the Schultstaffell, or merely (as was stated to be the official reason) that my mind seemed not be in my studies. This was certainly the case.

So, with great sadness, and not without some shame before my family, I left the Terhan branch and spent the rest of the summer at home in the Elburz. I found I had no need for shame, and the time away was good for my mind as well as my grief.

This school year I have been attending in London, teleporting home for weekends occaisionally. I have been very diligent with my studies, and have chosen to make few friends.

But recently my mind has gone back to Ubermenscher, and it suddenly struck me that my wooden automatic mouse has also gone missing. This was a tiny piece of the same arcane technology my wooden dopleganger was created from, and it was loosed in Ubermenscher's room some time ago. Now Ubermenscher is gone, my automatic girl is gone, and I believe the wooden automatic mouse is gone too.
Perhaps it is loose in the walls of the Terhan branch. It can live indefinitely, drawing power from the consumption of small pieces of metal or glass, and can defend itself quite readily if need be. I do hope it causes no one any harm.

If anyone does happen to see it, a trap can easily be set using a small wad of tin foil as bait laid between 2 large washing machine magnets. The automatic mouse will not be able to sense the magnetic field until it is too late, and the metal in its tiny stomach (plus the small metal pins in its haunches) should be enough to render him helpless against the magnets.