|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 9, 2004 6:23:44 GMT
;D Ok chaps, I'll run with this one, although I int much with the written word. Morris Box, so called because that is what they found him in on the door step of one of the local orphanages. After 14 years he ran away due to mistreatment at the hands of the overbearing city farther in charge of the institution. After a few weeks on the cold streets he discovers the library and teaches himself math (thats how you in America say it, isn't it!), and lands himself a job with a small accountancy firm. Frequenting the local bar run by James.... MM Great! Glad you're joining in. I can't imagine why you'd doubt your literary talents. Your imagination seems quite vivid. We should have a great project going here. Zan, Dan. August, Susanne, Sheila, EM and the rest of them (corny I know ) we need you. Even just a line or two at a time. OK?
|
|
Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
|
Post by Sven Golly on Jan 9, 2004 6:36:14 GMT
Let's get it going.
|
|
|
Post by strabley on Jan 10, 2004 14:09:33 GMT
Must you insist!? Her name is Ruth Jarvis. She wanted to be a dancer but it didn't work out. She is 40 and having frequent breakdowns cuz she always wanted a husband and kids but she is a barfly wiith nothing but drunken dreams...
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 10, 2004 20:00:15 GMT
Good. I'm almost ready for the opening. Not too late for others to join in though!
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 11, 2004 5:27:57 GMT
Another Lifetime
Chapter One.
It is another great day for business. Dust and noise permeate the air ouside Calahan's pub. Construction worker's will be plenty thirsty after a hard week underground. Building the nation's first subway is a monumental undertaking. The year is 1897. James Calahan has just returned from an afternoon baseball game with business associate William Mcintosh. The 'Beaneaters' won in extra innings. More good news for James. His pub will be filled tonight with cheering Bostonians. "What do you say Bill?" James addresses his Spirits supplier in his office, "Looks like a hellava night coming up" Bill pulls a draw from his fat cuban cigar and replies. "Yeah for you, you tight bastard." "How much more you gonna cut my liquor for the weekend?" he asks as he exhales thick pungent smoke. He laughs as he gives James a burly one-armed hug. They continue to knock back one shot of whiskey after another.
A knock on the door interupts their bravado. "There's someone here to see you Mr Calahan sir"....
|
|
|
Post by ~ Rocket's Tail ~ on Jan 11, 2004 13:16:02 GMT
I'm late, I'm late!! But I would love to take part if I can still join?? If so, my character is called Ruby Baker. She is a 22-year-old prostitute who often haunts the bar, looking for 'punters.' So far, she has been quite unsuccessful, but with the bar becoming a favourite haunt for workers on the new subway, she chooses to frequent it more often. She has a 4-year-old son, whom she supports with her second job: a dancer in a day show at a nearby club. She regrets having to follow the sort of life she leads, but does so with the best intentions. The people in the city, however, only see her as trouble.
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 11, 2004 16:06:10 GMT
No it's not too late. In fact anyone can join in at anytime by first describing their character here. I'm going to move the story to another thread though for continuity. So this board is for story development, comments and ideas. We'll keep the story flowing on another thread. See CCW "Another Lifetime.-)
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 12, 2004 21:02:38 GMT
Now that the story has started, please use this thread to develop characters, make comments or discuss possible scenarios. I'd like opinions on the direction of the story line. I have something in mind; but it will now go wherever we take it. Do you want it to be a: * love story * dark drama or mystery * tragic comedy * science fiction There are some veiled Kate Bush references hidden in the opening paragraph. Does anyone notice them? Also the subway can be a character here too. It can be a metaphor for "another liifetime' or lifestyle. It could be a conduit to 'another lifetime' if we go the science fiction route. Lost love in another lifetime (growth or change) is a possibility) Or it could be a symbol of over vs under i.e.. power struggles with the under-class. I have purposely left it possible to persue any or all of these possibilities. 'Just my thoughts. What are yours?
|
|
|
Post by Neo Stella on Jan 12, 2004 23:31:14 GMT
Now that the story has started, please use this thread to develop characters, make comments or discuss possible scenarios. I'd like opinions on the direction of the story line. I have something in mind; but it will now go wherever we take it. Do you want it to be a: * love story * dark drama or mystery * tragic comedy * science fiction Personally Al, I think the story could contain all these elements. We certainly have the characters to fulfill a dark, mysterious Love story that is laced with tragic comedy, based in a world that has links to other dimensions. (Enter Ronald Kohl, eccentric german inventor) With imaginative licence, we could make it work.
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 13, 2004 2:11:55 GMT
I'm willing to let it go where it will. I've released my baby into the hands of you guys. My contributions will only come when my character is engaged or referenced. I would like to have discusion on the story here as we continue though. This may be slow in development; but, I'd like to see it through. Don't hesitate to contribute. Any sex, violence, or nudity must not be singularly gratuitous, or it must have redeeming artistic merit. Also please research the time line for historical and cultural accuracy - even if you include science fiction, be true to the period you describe. Make sure you stay in character unless an epiphany is dramatically called for as well.
|
|
Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
|
Post by Sven Golly on Jan 13, 2004 15:21:11 GMT
If science fiction is a possible genre to pursue, then I would suggest, (as I think you've hinted) that the subway would be used for time travel. If that's the case, I'd like to see my character travel to the future and back to e.g. bring steriods for boxers (his passion is bareknuckle fighting and gambling) and drugs to keep the underclass down. A project funded by the the government, whereas time travel is used to pad the pockets of crooked politicians is the impetus for the project. A few business owners around the subway who are known criminals are involved for use of their properties and enforcers. By chance Calahans pub is strategically located for an off shoot of the subway system. This tunnel and control center are accessed through the wine cellar in James Calahan's pub. Ronald Kohl is duped into providing the expertise. He had earlier propsed the project for humanitarian purposes such as bringing back medicines and technologies from the future. However the powers that be want to keep it secret and for themselves. In fact the birth of the subway was just a cover for this project in the first place. Does anyone else agree? Or is this too predictable? There is still room for love, dancers, prostitutes, comedy and drama.
|
|
Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
|
Post by Sven Golly on Jan 13, 2004 15:25:39 GMT
I'm also willing to go another direction if you guys don't like my idea. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Al Truest on Jan 14, 2004 2:00:03 GMT
I like the way this is unfolding. Can all of you fit your characters into this rough template? I'll wait for responses or posts on the story board. You do not need to get approval though. This, as I've said is just for bouncing ideas around and commenting. I would like to minimize the violence with any boxing scences (just me?) Also I would like the knowledge of time travel to be a deeply held secret until present day. The idea of time travel being only for the select few, with heavy regulation, would be a strong point about the injustice of power and ignorance in politics. Any creative ideas on the science that makes time travel possible? I think magnetic pulse energy combined with a swirling polar anamoly just off the coast line would provide the power and the hydro-magnetic energy to propel the pod in a spin (foward or reverse) to time travel. It is also low tech for the period's available resources. This technology could have been passed on to a trustworthy soul (Kohl) through pre-cognitive thoughts that have been assembled through dreams. (You're liking this Doug ) Kohl reveals the site of the polar anomoly in Boston Harbor to city leaders who ultimately conspire to build a 'golden goose'. More ideas are welcome. BTW 'Sto, if you can write your character into a time travelling opportunity, then your Sheryl Crow references would make sense. ............... People will ask if she is 'Indian'
|
|
Sven Golly
Moving
"In the night you hide from the madman you're longing to be"
Posts: 800
|
Post by Sven Golly on Jan 14, 2004 6:10:36 GMT
How about this. (expanding on your idea) The time travel pad is located under the ocean floor. The anomoly is directly above it. It is accessed by the underground tunnel connected to the control center outside Callahan's wine cellar.. The pod itself rotates but the passenger/s (2 or less) remain stationary like the center of a gyroscope. The rotation of the pod sends you foward or back depending on direction. The number of rotations determines how far foward you go, but you may go no further back than the first launch in 1897. A simple lever starts or stops the magnetic field. The calculations for the trips can only be done by Kohl or Morris Box. The evil element needs only one of them. There becomes a moral dilemma on the use of the technology. One or both of these honest men try to thwart their efforts before they can obtain computers and the expertise to operate the system from future developments. The phase of the moon however limits when the trips may take place. The travel is only possible during full moons. Also the industrial and technological boom of the 20th century was all made possible by this discovery. It all unfolds in the most profitable timeframe for the 'big business' interests that develop from this conspiracy. The markets are milked and the technology is only hindered by profit and availability of resources. You must determine who was responsible and if the outcome justified the means. Too complicated??
|
|
|