OneFortyStory: The Silver Sun Incident

OneFortyStory is a Twitter project. Everyday for 140 days brings the reader a 140-character tweat continuation of a short story.

The Silver Sun Incident by David M. Morini

"A mysterious package lands in the town of Silver Sun, next to the Paradise Commons gated community. For the next 140 days find out what happens as Silver Sun’s citizens grapple with what to do with their unexpected surprise."

Starting November 1st, 12:00 PM Pacific standard time.

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Enjoy! And comments generously welcome!

Vessel Log: 2009 10 17

: first Saturday not hungover in a while; use this time wisely to clean my living room, erase the laziness that’s heavy; watch Gohatto (Taboo) in the afternoon; at the grocery store buy meat and vegetables to go with a curry but settle on donburi instead; find myself gathering clothes and making it to a near empty Super Soya train; riding into Sapporo at night, darkness and the steady lights outlining the bridge; walk to Hearty listening to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks; I’m the first one there; S. and I talk; “There were many people here last night. Always after 12:00 this place gets busy.”; people trickle in; a girl came in, it was her birthday; I walk back to the train station, hoping to miss the train; I let fate decide whether I return to Hearty or go back to Iwa.; I make it to platform; the train heavy and full; I pass car after car and see an opening; my headphones blaring Fleetwood Mac; I check my cell phone.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 16

: ride my bike to the train station, a chilly and bright morning; on the local train eat towards Taki.; sitting in a booth with C., K., and J.; we’re loud and chatty while high school students and businessmen sleep or punch buttons on cell phones to the rocking of the train; mountains and flat rice fields; a factory painted with a mural; the chill, the sun, the small cold station reminds me of Boston; the vending machine kicks out a hot can of coffee; I tell the driver to take us to Taki. South High School instead of East; pumpkins on the stairs; a day of communications, meeting new teachers, the differences in work ethics; B. passes a group of girls hitting a softball off a T; he asks to try; taking a swing, he breaks the T, snapping it in half; kaiten sushi with E., T., J., B., and K.; Taki. looks a lot like Iwa., the canopied sidewalks, rusty poles, quiet night; back in Iwa., we call A. and plan to go to Thriller, surprisingly J.’s first time; ginger-whiskies; R. comes by an hour later; we sing and eat spicy potato fries and drink; riding home A. and I stop at Mos Burger; she tells me Kristin Chenowith is in the episode of Glee I hadn’t seen yet.

vessel Log: 2009 10 15

: Aki grills us on pronunciations; now I know how my students feel, correcting their English, picking on the slightest drop or misuse of the tongue; hot latte from the vending machine, sugared and wired; ginkou; hard not to imagine today as Friday with tomorrow being a conference.

vessel Log: 2009 10 14

: a dream of shattering a pint glass in the sink; though the backyard is slick in golden light the clouds above are a stressed slate blue; I drop a plate in the sink and nearly break a glass; B.’s at the bus stop; 2-nensei sing two songs as a chorus in the gymnasium; they were supposed to sing last Friday but because of influenza, it was cancelled; their voices combined into a powerful sound; one was the Tabibito song; after, there were comments from the teachers, their only audience; M-sensei was moved to tears; seeing them come together from rambunctious, squeaky kids to alto-strengthened and soprano-light chorus was pretty amazing; work with F-kun and S-kun for their recitation; the sun sets so early, light erodes on my way home; continue with HIStory; at home, a quick meal, tuna melt, and the urge to eat anything and all; Japanese TV, a kids program, two stars from the show help with a fune race; A. and I ride to yoga; I like riding to the station in the cold; stretch, pull, partners, hamstrings, meditation; priorities are all askew, or are they? Christ, who knows or Christ who knows; later, at 7-11 an okashi run, chicken nuggets and ice cream; overwhelmed with the daily falling down a flight stairs; an episode of Fringe while eating the nuggets with honey, then ice cream, then shower and get into bed by 11:30; reading Tokyo Doesn’t Love Us Anymore.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 13

: restless sleep; dreaming of falling over, unable to get up, bugs and ants; dark but I can hear cars; don’t want to know what time it is.

* * *

: the dream was Dexter S04E01 inspired; unexpected rain spikes the autumn color quotient; reading Harriet, Amber Tamblyn wrote about artichoke town in California; remember being there with J. and N.; the mountainous plumes of burning brush and the giant artichoke outside the restaurant; wearing a short-sleeved shirt in this weather is mentionable; K-sensei, like a sweet mommy, wonders if I’m chilly; recording for the listening test, I fub the word sushi; picking up trash from the sides of the roads, white woven gloves and navy blue metallic grips; walk around with S. 3B, always amusing smarties; barely any trash to be seen but they return with so much; hiding under a wooden board, a pile of pill bugs, dark as asphalt, squirming; walk home with Michael Jackson’s HIStory; the park looks too dark to walk through… and so what; the orange-purple public lights; horseshoe prints in the gravel; see R. in the dark by his open car door; the cat’s silhouette in the window, he takes her off the sill; these carrots are turning; help B. with his stove, hand him a TV like a looter; under a snowman blanket, Dexter and FlashForward; retire an hour earlier than usual feels fantastic.

2007

Vessel Log: 2009 10 11

: in a half hour the weather flip-flops; kinoko party in the woods; A.’s at my front door while I’m battling a stone monster; gather belongings and wits we hit the wind and ride to the virgin forest; stop at Super Haruki; the trail is muddy; picnic tables, barbecue pits, miso mushroom soup in two large kettles; a tempura station with fifteen different types of wild mushrooms handpicked by professionals; pumpkin and meat; new faces, about forty people; in the woods, eating mushrooms, slipping on loose and wet soil; T. brought a friend M. who brought Dorian candy; a very unique flavor, spicy and heavy; crawling from the woods, leaping over a mud puddle, J. and E. are also coming along to Sapporo; riding home, rushing to get ready, make the 2:26 train just in time; costume shopping; Don Quixote, We Go, some army navy stores; Freshness Burger where we’re overheard and understood by the girls working there; in Pivot we shop around the housewares stores; FrancFranc A. and I buy bento boxes decorated in wild flowers; Potato Circus; Gypsy, Groovy Kind of Love, Secret, Somewhere Over the Rainbow; walking to the station we pass a girl in an overgrown skeleton mask and we have our picture taken with her; the train is near empty; we’re all tired; A., E. and I ride our wet bikes back home; I play Super Mario Galaxy for a bit before bed.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 10

: I spill my drink; ask for a club soda or a tonic water; at 7-11 J., A. and I gab loudly in front of the frozen custards; outside my house we say goodbye and still plan for Asahikawa tomorrow; collapse in bed, unshowered, unwatered.

* * *

: this could be bad; yes, this could be bad; A. sent a message, Anyone up yet? and that was an hour ago; the trip has been canceled, for now; all day on the couch, glad to have bought some food provisions before hand at 7-11; Aquarius, sweet bread; watch the pilots of some new shows; Eastwick, Cougar Town, Trauma; thunder and lightning, the sky a smooth and dark velvet gray; both A. and I want to have dinner but don’t want to leave the house, craving Chinese take-out; get B. to come for ramen; in the rain we walk; this ramen shop has a giant bowl for 1500 yen, if you finish you get it for free and your picture on their wall; hungry but I need to take it easy; B.’s dish is scarlet red, 50 point heat out of infinity; I try it, get some on my hand; last time he tried 100 and could barely eat it; housemade gyoza and onion ramen I couldn’t finish; B.’s sweating and getting quieter; the place is dark wood, warm, cozy; drinking beer, hair of the dog; A. manages to finish her meal; I take the rest of my gyoza home; stop at Bulldog, the Spencer Gifts of around here; tasteless toys and designer accessories; ice cream at Sunkus; taking a shower I feel a mentholated sensation on my hand from where it made contact with that hot sauce.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 09

: at K., 2-nensei is out because of the flu; M-sensei shows me video of the competition; during cleaning I spent time with 3-nensei talking with a few of the boys; quick clean and laundry before S-sensei’s party; walk to the restaurant with B., A., J., M., and T.; a Japanese quiz game; with help I won a snow hat; then to Karaoke Box; we sing and sing, man, we sing; I’ve Got You, Babe (with Jared), Freedom ’90, Spotlight, Twist and Shout.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 08

: curry rice for lunch and a quick overview of their speeches; rain over the contest; the hall is full of students sitting school-by-school, teachers and few parents; first round with 1-nensei, then 2-nensei, and finally 3-nensei with ten minute breaks between for practice; E. and I play a Jeaopardy style game; putting them in groups is like moving water with your hands; the questions come out, they stare back in grouped confusion; some shutting down entirely; they’re tired, shy, and nervous; 5 of 6 of my students get placement with 4 moving on to the next round; 2 slices of pizza and a bag of chips for dinner; Japanese class, a new student, A. from Germany visiting her family in Iwamizawa for 9 months.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 07

: full day at Yutaka, split classes, and listening practice after lunch; glad to be in a good mood; after school, listening practice before tomorrow; picking vegetables from A-Coop; A. wants to meet for sushi with J.; we fill ourselves, enjoy company and conversation; at home, I leave my cellphone in hiding; but messages come through that say the evening was enjoyed.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 06

: a text from N., their train arrived later that supposed so they’re free for dinner tonight; thinking the soup curry, ET restaurant I heard about; the daily influenza report; dozing on a hot train can be rejuvenating; getting lost, turned-around in the Oodori Subway Station; outside Tanukikouji 3, looking for N. and maybe two other people; a phone call from someone I don’t know; unexpected rain; eventually met K. and their other traveling companion outside the Mos Burger where we wait for N.; together we talk, their experiences and impressions; reminds me of my first time; TK7 is quiet and amber lit, turn the corner to Ouchi, the curry and gohan house; K. has a hard-stock card with Japanese that reads that she’s allergic to fish and nuts but can eat shellfish, shrimp, octopus, and squid; it’s been a tough go for her in Japan where almost everything has some kind of fish base; unfortunately curry being one; cozy and warm place; I love Ping Pong; wonderful to show outsiders a unique taste of Hokkaido; “Has anyone from SF visited you yet?” Would you believe you’re the first one! “That’s an honor.”; we part where I began at TK3, tomorrow they go to Lake Toya.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 05

: former Minister of Finance who, back in February, was possibly drunk at a major financial summit in Rome was found dead in his home, victim of suicide;

“In 2000, after winning re-election to Parliament, Mr. Nakagawa turned up seemingly drunk to greet supporters and the news media at his campaign office.

Following tradition, he took up an ink brush to paint the eye of the auspicious “daruma” doll, a staple of Japanese political campaigns. Candidates paint in one eye before the campaign, and the other following victory. Painted by Mr. Nakagawa’s unsteady hands, the daruma’s eye soon appeared to be shedding a long stream of black tears.” -Former Japanese Finance Minister Is Found Dead, Hiroko Tabuchi, October 4, 2009, New York Times;

teach poetry to 3-nensei; Jack and Jill, The Red Wheelbarrow, and have them attempt an acrostic poem of their own; collating tax forms, signing, asterisks, notes, addresses; ran into Y. on his way home; plan to meet for Monday so I can help him with his speech; meeting at E.’s for the recitation contest game; then to the post office; the stars are beautiful on a cool evening; walk past the Sports Center; the streets are full of students on their bikes; use EMS to ensure my forms arrive on time; then grab dinner at Mos Burger; outside B.’s place T. is sitting; “He lock you out,” I ask; we talk for a while about school, the job; Fringe and then The Sopranos; a late night trip to 7-11; as he walks by me, his bike has patches of torn metal and rust, I turn around to glance and he does too.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 04

: standing on the train, looking down at the Timberland boots, three layers of shirt, scruff off the chin, the frequency curves of his lips, horn-rimmed glasses, dirty cap; or the salaryman in business suit, dozing off against a metal pole, grabbing himself; stop at 7-11 for food; an episode of The Sopranos before bed.

* * *

: ride my bike to the farmers market; a plastic bag of apples, potatoes, and carrots; some Y. 2-nensei in kerchiefs and aprons selling udon; omuraisu and bread; later a trip to the grocery store for wine and other essentials; moving through Sopranos episodes; A. wants to meet early for soup curry so we can go to K.’s surprise birthday party; we arrive at Obar’s early, hang on the couches; Y. (Toriaizu) hand us “crackers”, paper cones that shoot confetti; we gather in the dark corners and wait for K. to arrive; she’s the owner of the place; A. tells me about her friends, M., who reminds me of Gail Simmons on Top Chef, her mother owns a bar across the street; A. was there, went for a picture, hung around with some patrons; some men get a little touchy; we talk about this small town, how these people are very friendly, that they’re very interesting to us; a boy with a loud, colorful, comic print jacket wearing a black hat with white words that say “Fuck Babylon?”; so we call him Babylon; we wait for K., A. and I hold a handmade sign that says, “Happy Byrthday Kaory!” flanked by two palm fronds; she arrives, the crackers sound off, a Happy Birthday R&B song; drinks all around; free tequila shots, no thank you; songs I remember from junior high; sign a booklet of photos; a DVD of birthday wishes from many people; I leave around 10:30; Project Runway and Models of the Runway before bed.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 03

: karaoke at the bar; a group of guys drunk and sing a long with us; arms around shoulders; a man’s shirt I read out loud, poking him in the chest; Spotlight, Crazy For You, Dreams, Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around, (You Had A) Bad Day chosen for us; walking home, feet dragging; stop at 7-11 for onigiri, melon bread, and instant coffee.

* * *

: a little too much everything last night; if I never eat another melon bread; need protein; may have to cancel the baseball game; a smile can help aid the eradication of a hangover (and three month old Aquarius); Storms and Gypsy loud followed by Seven Wonders and Little Lies; want a tofu burger at Freshness Burger; the train ride a typical standing affair; 2009 playlist mix; at HMV examine the differences between Madonna’s Celebration album and try to recall the iTunes deluxe version; sweatshirts decorated in birds and beads; with an iced coffee walk to Tanukikouji to search for Freshness Burger; the blocks look so much the same; Yamazaki Hako; it’s open 24 hours; the girl behind the burger counter has a half-shaved head, nose and lip ring, and no eyebrows; walk back to the station, the setting sun burning to my left; back at HMV and buy the Japanese version of Celebration; meet J., L., and A. outside the Gap before heading into the basement for the subway; meet E. at the end of the line; Sapporo Dome in dusk merges with the sky except for a thin line of reflecting sun light; like a landed UFO; the crowds move like water, up steps, across the walk-above-the-streets and filtered into the stadium; the game starts without warning; the visiting team’s fans are loud, compacted into one section of seats; different chants for every player; the fans are quiet, pinned on hats and lanyards, gray Mohawks with headband ears; boys and girls carrying barrels of beer on their backs hike and up and down the steps; the hunt for a pair of those ears and Mohawk; cheap meal; cell phone charm and two noise-bats; foul balls, “In the face!”; heavy flow of the crowd from the stadium to Fukuzumi Station; L. and I get separated from J., A., and E.; I get off at Hosui Susukino Station; a cotton candy vendor sees my baseball bat noise makers; “Fighters! Fighters!” he yells. “Did they win?” Yes, 11 to 1; Hearty Café is busier than last week; I sit by S.; purchase my first bar bottle of souchu; I share a drink with him; write my name in fluorescent pink marker; talk with the other bartenders, S. and the husky one; when I get up to leave S. says he’s happy I came and would like to drink together again; me, too.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 02

: it’s either exhaustion or the flu or a limbo balancing act of the two: no problem calling in sick this morning; rest, clean the house because puddles of clothes can be depressing and depressing can make you sick; cancel a meeting but manage to grab Italian with A.; a bottle of wine, pasta, pizza, garlic breads, salmon salad; met B. and T. at the chain izakaya for nomihodai; we’re nearly the only patrons and we get loud; hot sake, glasses of beer, hot pink shrimp chips; move across the street to Babylon.

Vessel Log: 2009 10 01

: the schedule is pencil and squares and arrows and times and cross-outs; “B., is Japanese difficult for you?” H-chan asks. “I like grilled meat,” he says.