Synchro
Balancing his day job with his extra-psychical brain-work was exhausting. Three months of ‘practice’ and nothing unusual had happened except brain drain. He was getting bored with it all and tired. He slept so soundly every night he was late leaving for work. He didn’t like hurrying to work. It unsettled his entire day.
At the start of the fourth month his sleep pattern changed. He bounced out of bed each morning full of energy. It lasted throughout the day. His twilight runs extended to double his usual distance. His body felt acutely aware of everything around him. His skin felt the dry atmosphere and sent a detailed evaluation to his brain. It was the same every day no matter what the weather. Sync felt atmospheric variations and deep inside him he sensed change was about to engulf him. He could handle physical changes but this consciousness change was unnerving. The thought excited him and terrified him.
It was the last day of the week. The weekend loomed. He slammed the front door of his flat behind him and started running. He passed people here and there and at first didn’t notice what he saw. Concentrating on his feet as he crossed at the corner where he avoided a series of pot-holes he paused letting a car go by. Off he went zigzagging through back streets racing himself. The air fiddled with his hair, the aroma of dinners cooking in houses he passed tantalised his nose. He stopped briefly, jogging on the spot as he turned around to re-trace his steps. A young man on his front lawn nodded as he picked up children’s toys.
Sync nodded back and watched for a moment. Oh, God! His brain ran in fast-forward. The puffing from his run stopped abruptly. He stood motionless and stared.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Episode 9: Decision Made.
Synchro
“I’ll do it,” he announced after he settled on Edith’s lounge-room couch. Oddly she made no discernable acknowledgement. He thought the old girl would gloat because she won. “How do I go about it?”
Edith took her time. She looked at him as if she was seeing something that no-one else had privy too. It wasn’t exactly staring. It was more like an appraisal of something Sync wasn’t aware he had. She’d done it many times before. It was creepy. She seemed to sense his discomfort and began speaking.
“You’ve been blocking it for a long time, since you were a child. You need practice and lots of it. Practice making your mind go blank.”
“How do I do that?”
“Start doing it as you drift off to sleep each night. See in your mind a blank slate, a clean page, a TV with the power turned off or something else you can relate to. First thing in the morning as you rouse out of sleep before your day begins, do it again.”
Her instructions went on and on.
His head was spinning as she walked him to the front door. On the top step Sync turned back to her.
“When will this perfect woman come into my life?”
She shook her head.
“Impatience won’t help,” she smiled. “You’ll know the first time you see her.”
Edith closed the door.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
“I’ll do it,” he announced after he settled on Edith’s lounge-room couch. Oddly she made no discernable acknowledgement. He thought the old girl would gloat because she won. “How do I go about it?”
Edith took her time. She looked at him as if she was seeing something that no-one else had privy too. It wasn’t exactly staring. It was more like an appraisal of something Sync wasn’t aware he had. She’d done it many times before. It was creepy. She seemed to sense his discomfort and began speaking.
“You’ve been blocking it for a long time, since you were a child. You need practice and lots of it. Practice making your mind go blank.”
“How do I do that?”
“Start doing it as you drift off to sleep each night. See in your mind a blank slate, a clean page, a TV with the power turned off or something else you can relate to. First thing in the morning as you rouse out of sleep before your day begins, do it again.”
Her instructions went on and on.
His head was spinning as she walked him to the front door. On the top step Sync turned back to her.
“When will this perfect woman come into my life?”
She shook her head.
“Impatience won’t help,” she smiled. “You’ll know the first time you see her.”
Edith closed the door.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Episode 8: Is it in the Family?
Synchro
“Hey Sis.” Synchro held the phone to his ear. “Um, do you believe in psychic stuff?”
The first thing he decided to do was test Edith’s words.
“As a matter of fact, yes I do,” said Mesh. “Why do you ask?”
“Edith was telling me about that stuff and reckons it runs in families, sometimes.” He wasn’t handling this at all well.
“You mean you’re psychic?”
“Not sure. Just wondering if you or Con were into it.”
“I do have intuitive moments. I don’t know about Con,” she added.
“What about Mum and Dad?”
“I don’t think so. But did you know that Grandma Reed read tea leaves and apparently was very accurate?” A pause lengthened. “Sync? Are you there?”
Edith was right. Maybe she’s right about everything.
“I didn’t know.”
“It’s one of the reasons that he would have nothing to do with her.”
“In that case better not tell them about this conversation.”
“OK.”
Sync walked in circles around his kitchenette running his hands through his hair. His mind re-ran his options. Stay a lonely woman loser and not have the burden of dealing with unwanted psychic stuff or let his unwanted psychic side emerge and find his life partner.
Something in his brain said, ‘Stop beating around the bush and bloody well decide.’
He slammed the front door behind him and marched to Edith’s place.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
“Hey Sis.” Synchro held the phone to his ear. “Um, do you believe in psychic stuff?”
The first thing he decided to do was test Edith’s words.
“As a matter of fact, yes I do,” said Mesh. “Why do you ask?”
“Edith was telling me about that stuff and reckons it runs in families, sometimes.” He wasn’t handling this at all well.
“You mean you’re psychic?”
“Not sure. Just wondering if you or Con were into it.”
“I do have intuitive moments. I don’t know about Con,” she added.
“What about Mum and Dad?”
“I don’t think so. But did you know that Grandma Reed read tea leaves and apparently was very accurate?” A pause lengthened. “Sync? Are you there?”
Edith was right. Maybe she’s right about everything.
“I didn’t know.”
“It’s one of the reasons that he would have nothing to do with her.”
“In that case better not tell them about this conversation.”
“OK.”
Sync walked in circles around his kitchenette running his hands through his hair. His mind re-ran his options. Stay a lonely woman loser and not have the burden of dealing with unwanted psychic stuff or let his unwanted psychic side emerge and find his life partner.
Something in his brain said, ‘Stop beating around the bush and bloody well decide.’
He slammed the front door behind him and marched to Edith’s place.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Monday, January 26, 2009
Episode 7: Thinking Time
Synchro
It had been a long day. The TV blared in his little flat. He didn’t hear it. He lay on the couch staring at the dark ceiling. He’d turned off the lights. The glow from the TV screen grew and shrank in the room depending on the scene. Five girlfriends in five years must be some kind of record. He didn’t count the casual dates. Judy lasted the longest, a whole six months. It wasn’t as if he’d grabbed the first woman who walked passed. He’d been selective and chosen interesting lively women to become close to. They apparently thought he was ok at least at the start.
The pattern suggested Edith may be right. If so, doing what she suggested was creepy, like her. She was nice creepy. Asking Mesh and Conrod if they are psychic could be embarrassing. They would think he was nuts. And his parents, he didn’t want to go there. He could resign himself to living alone for the rest of his life. Nah, he liked female company. He so badly wanted a permanent relationship. He didn’t feel complete and he knew what he needed to achieve completion.
Cool midnight air surrounded his heavy body. The touch button on the remote flicked off the TV. He pulled one of the throw pillows from behind his head and held it to his chest. His eyelids drooped. He’d make a decision in the morning. His head would be clear then and he’d know his decision would be the right one.
He hoped.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
It had been a long day. The TV blared in his little flat. He didn’t hear it. He lay on the couch staring at the dark ceiling. He’d turned off the lights. The glow from the TV screen grew and shrank in the room depending on the scene. Five girlfriends in five years must be some kind of record. He didn’t count the casual dates. Judy lasted the longest, a whole six months. It wasn’t as if he’d grabbed the first woman who walked passed. He’d been selective and chosen interesting lively women to become close to. They apparently thought he was ok at least at the start.
The pattern suggested Edith may be right. If so, doing what she suggested was creepy, like her. She was nice creepy. Asking Mesh and Conrod if they are psychic could be embarrassing. They would think he was nuts. And his parents, he didn’t want to go there. He could resign himself to living alone for the rest of his life. Nah, he liked female company. He so badly wanted a permanent relationship. He didn’t feel complete and he knew what he needed to achieve completion.
Cool midnight air surrounded his heavy body. The touch button on the remote flicked off the TV. He pulled one of the throw pillows from behind his head and held it to his chest. His eyelids drooped. He’d make a decision in the morning. His head would be clear then and he’d know his decision would be the right one.
He hoped.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Episode 6: Apprehension Plus
Today's episode is over 400 words, a bit longer than usual. It needed to be as it gets into the nitty gritty of the plot.
Synchro
She was patient with him.
“You know things Synchro Reed and refuse to acknowledge what you know. As a result you’re unable to find your life partner. She’s waiting in the wings though she doesn’t know it. As soon as you accept your ability and begin using it she’ll find you and you’ll have great happiness.” She spooned tea-leaves into the teapot and poured in boiling water. Sync didn’t understand why she always covered the teapot with that washed-up tea-stained cosy while the tea brewed. It was thirty degrees in the shade. The tea wasn’t likely to cool before she got to pour it. Must be habit.
“And this ‘ability’ of mine is?”
“You have one of the greatest gifts of all. You can look at a person, anyone and know everything about them, right from the day they were born to the day they’ll die.” She poured their tea into her favourite tea cups with matching saucers. She carefully placed one drink in front of Sync. He spooned sugar from the old crystal sugar bowl into his tea, stirred and sipped. He was oddly comforted with Edith’s old fashioned tea ritual.
“The thought of doing that scares the crap out of me.” His skin prickled with goosebumps.
“You get used to being different. Most people will never know you’re doing it,” Edith added trying to put his mind at ease.
“What about my parents? They already think I’m strange because I have no interest in cars or motors. And my brother and sister, what if they find out. Hey aren’t twins supposed to know what each other is thinking?”
“When was the last time you talked to Mesh about her intuition?” said the old lady.
“Never.”
Edith raised her eyebrows.
“You mean she can already do this stuff?”
Edith flashed a knowing half smile.
“And your brother?”
“Conrod keeps to himself a lot.”
“Ever wondered why?” The old lady gently placed her cup on its saucer.
Sync’s jaw dropped.
“Of all your family you’re the slowest off the mark in your evolutionary development. Your siblings are way ahead of you.”
“Oh,” was all he could manage.
Edith saw confusion, fear, surprise and apprehension cross his face. It was decision making time. She thought she knew which road he’d choose.
She’d have to wait and see if she was right.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Synchro
She was patient with him.
“You know things Synchro Reed and refuse to acknowledge what you know. As a result you’re unable to find your life partner. She’s waiting in the wings though she doesn’t know it. As soon as you accept your ability and begin using it she’ll find you and you’ll have great happiness.” She spooned tea-leaves into the teapot and poured in boiling water. Sync didn’t understand why she always covered the teapot with that washed-up tea-stained cosy while the tea brewed. It was thirty degrees in the shade. The tea wasn’t likely to cool before she got to pour it. Must be habit.
“And this ‘ability’ of mine is?”
“You have one of the greatest gifts of all. You can look at a person, anyone and know everything about them, right from the day they were born to the day they’ll die.” She poured their tea into her favourite tea cups with matching saucers. She carefully placed one drink in front of Sync. He spooned sugar from the old crystal sugar bowl into his tea, stirred and sipped. He was oddly comforted with Edith’s old fashioned tea ritual.
“The thought of doing that scares the crap out of me.” His skin prickled with goosebumps.
“You get used to being different. Most people will never know you’re doing it,” Edith added trying to put his mind at ease.
“What about my parents? They already think I’m strange because I have no interest in cars or motors. And my brother and sister, what if they find out. Hey aren’t twins supposed to know what each other is thinking?”
“When was the last time you talked to Mesh about her intuition?” said the old lady.
“Never.”
Edith raised her eyebrows.
“You mean she can already do this stuff?”
Edith flashed a knowing half smile.
“And your brother?”
“Conrod keeps to himself a lot.”
“Ever wondered why?” The old lady gently placed her cup on its saucer.
Sync’s jaw dropped.
“Of all your family you’re the slowest off the mark in your evolutionary development. Your siblings are way ahead of you.”
“Oh,” was all he could manage.
Edith saw confusion, fear, surprise and apprehension cross his face. It was decision making time. She thought she knew which road he’d choose.
She’d have to wait and see if she was right.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Episode 5: The Fact is...
Synchro
At home, showered and towel covered, he skulled a cold cola and wondered if The Creepy One was home. Better put clothes on before finding out.
He tapped on his neighbour’s door. A few minutes later the door slowly opened.
“Come in,” said the grey haired old lady.
He stepped past her and waited as she secured the door.
“You knew I’d call in didn’t you?” said Sync as he followed her to the kitchen. The hunched figure shuffled to a kitchen chair and sat opposite him.
“I don’t work like that, as I’ve told you many times. I only know what’s happening as it happens, not before,” she sighed. He’d been her neighbour for five years. She’d proved her, unusual, skill time and again yet he’d remained confused.
He looked deep into her pale blue eyes silently asking for yet another confirmation. She obliged.
“You stopped at traffic lights and were robbed. Then you saved a woman and her child from certain death, oh, and Judy gave you your marching orders.”
Sync looked down at his fingers resting on his lap.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked. “You’re a bit dry from the fire’s heat.”
“Thanks,” he nodded. “Tell me again Edith, how do I get out of this endless cycle of dating and being dropped?”
The old lady shuffled around the kitchen filling the electric kettle and preparing the teapot. Her eyes smiled.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
At home, showered and towel covered, he skulled a cold cola and wondered if The Creepy One was home. Better put clothes on before finding out.
He tapped on his neighbour’s door. A few minutes later the door slowly opened.
“Come in,” said the grey haired old lady.
He stepped past her and waited as she secured the door.
“You knew I’d call in didn’t you?” said Sync as he followed her to the kitchen. The hunched figure shuffled to a kitchen chair and sat opposite him.
“I don’t work like that, as I’ve told you many times. I only know what’s happening as it happens, not before,” she sighed. He’d been her neighbour for five years. She’d proved her, unusual, skill time and again yet he’d remained confused.
He looked deep into her pale blue eyes silently asking for yet another confirmation. She obliged.
“You stopped at traffic lights and were robbed. Then you saved a woman and her child from certain death, oh, and Judy gave you your marching orders.”
Sync looked down at his fingers resting on his lap.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked. “You’re a bit dry from the fire’s heat.”
“Thanks,” he nodded. “Tell me again Edith, how do I get out of this endless cycle of dating and being dropped?”
The old lady shuffled around the kitchen filling the electric kettle and preparing the teapot. Her eyes smiled.
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
Friday, January 23, 2009
Episode 4: Read It From the Bottom Up!
If you'd like to know how today's episode got to where it is, read this page from the bottom upwards.
I'm not sure where the main character is headed, I just know he's got a lot to deal with in an unusual way.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Synchro
He stood up holding the child and helped the mother to her feet. Both females were coughing. Sync was red faced trying to subdue the urge to cough. They hurried onto the street. Must have been bloody hot in the house. The street air cooled his skin. The midsummer day was sweat inducing when he entered the house. Now his armpits, in fact all over was burning dry.
The grandmother weeping with relief swept the child from Sync’s arms. Ambulance officers helped the mother and grandmother to their vehicle.
“You’d better come with us too,” said one to Sync. He looked down at his torn shirt and further to his blood spotted torn jeans.
“Looks bad but I’m fine.”
“Maybe so. We’d like to check you.”
Sync nodded vaguely and followed.
Oxygen masks were fixed over mouths and noses helping the smoke filled lungs to clear. Bottles of water were thrust into the hands of the three.
Emergency and rescue officers fixed hoses in position and doused the flames which leaped from the back of the house. Smoke billowed from under eaves and out windows. The old wood of ancient house was perfect fodder for hungry flames.
Sync gazed at the action around him.
Why did Judy drop him?
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
I'm not sure where the main character is headed, I just know he's got a lot to deal with in an unusual way.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Synchro
He stood up holding the child and helped the mother to her feet. Both females were coughing. Sync was red faced trying to subdue the urge to cough. They hurried onto the street. Must have been bloody hot in the house. The street air cooled his skin. The midsummer day was sweat inducing when he entered the house. Now his armpits, in fact all over was burning dry.
The grandmother weeping with relief swept the child from Sync’s arms. Ambulance officers helped the mother and grandmother to their vehicle.
“You’d better come with us too,” said one to Sync. He looked down at his torn shirt and further to his blood spotted torn jeans.
“Looks bad but I’m fine.”
“Maybe so. We’d like to check you.”
Sync nodded vaguely and followed.
Oxygen masks were fixed over mouths and noses helping the smoke filled lungs to clear. Bottles of water were thrust into the hands of the three.
Emergency and rescue officers fixed hoses in position and doused the flames which leaped from the back of the house. Smoke billowed from under eaves and out windows. The old wood of ancient house was perfect fodder for hungry flames.
Sync gazed at the action around him.
Why did Judy drop him?
Continued…
By Diane L Wood
Writer
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