the ethereal

Christopher laid out the contents of his suitcase carefully on the bed, checking each item off a list to make sure nothing had been mislaid in transit. You never could tell the trouble lost items might bring.

1. Phone #1 (public use)
2. Phone #2 (private use)
3. Laptop #1 (unlocked, innocent)
4. Laptop #2 (locked, encrypted, incriminating)
5. Printer
6. Laminator
7. Wireless Listening Devices #1-#7
8. Passive Listening Devices #1-#4
9. Notebook (in code)
10. Pens (various colours)
11. Camera #1 (conspicuous, innocent)
12. Camera #2 (inconspicuous, deniable)
13. Camera #3 (concealable, beyond legal and moral bounds)
14. Credit/Debit Cards #1-#6 (various names)
15. Voice Modulator (still in box)
16. Cables (knotted bundle)

__________

Notes:

1. Written on (date lost)
2. But probably in the first half of 2022
3. Or maybe late 2021

Tales From The Town #62: Weather Report

There was rain enough for weeks in little more than an hour. Lightning struck the grass until half the lawn was made of glass. The wind blew the salt off the sea straight into your eyes, then blew the tears in your eyes straight back out over the ocean.

None of this, of course, had anything to do with the arrival of the lodger. None of this had anything to do with anything except itself. But still it was talked about for quite some time after as if perhaps it did.

__________

Notes:

1. Written on May 11th, 2022