MONDAY, MARCH 6
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 7:42:36 -0600
From: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: A few reminders...

Hey Sandburg -

1. I am not your personal alarm clock. If you're late for one more class you're going to get fired. And you need to work to get money to pay me the rent you owe me.

2. I am not the Department of Public Works. There is not infinite hot water, and you know the hot water heater sucks - you take a 40 minute shower at midnight, there's no hot water in the morning. You know how I feel about no hot water in the morning, chief.

3. NO FLUSHING AFTER 10:00 P.M. Don't make me hurt you.

And Simon said to tell you that if you don't show up at the station soon your observer status will be revoked - he said that unless you've got Sentinel abilities he doesn't know about he doesn't think you can observe from your office.

4. We're out of beer.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 8:47:40 -0600
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re:A few reminders...

Hey Jim -

And a delightful Monday morning to you too.

>1. I am not your personal alarm clock. If you're late for one more class >you're going to get fired. And you need to work to get money to pay me the >rent you owe me.

Actually, if you recall you *are* my personal alarm clock until you buy me a new one. Let me jog your memory:

Two weeks ago... YOU: sleeping ME: sleeping MY ALARM CLOCK: beeping ME: still sleeping YOU: storming downstairs and ripping alarm clock out of wall, severing plug irreparably ME: startled as hell to wake up with a half-naked Covert Ops type looming over me and frothing at the mouth YOU: bitching about beeping, then finally apologizing and promising to wake me up every morning yourself until you found me an alarm clock that didn't piss you off

Ring a bell, O Great Sentinel, or have you filed that little incident away in your ever expanding cabinet of repressed memories?

>2. I am not the Department of Public Works. There is not infinite hot >water, and you know the hot water heater sucks - you take a 40 minute >shower at midnight, there's no hot water in the morning. You know how I >feel about no hot water in the morning, chief.

Okay, sorry about that, Jim. It's just that I was up last night working out some theories about that weird zone-out you had last weekend and, well, you *know* I do my best thinking in the shower. The sensory experience of hearing and feeling nothing but the water really helps keep me centered, you know? It's like my own form of meditation. I'd think of all people *you* would appreciate that.

Besides, I did come up with a few plausible theories. I'll fill you in on the details once I have some coffee in me.

>3. NO FLUSHING AFTER 10:00 P.M. Don't make me hurt you.

Just trust me on this, Jim. I knew you'd be the first person in the bathroom this morning and have to face what was in that toilet. Believe me, the flush was the lesser of two evils.

>And Simon said to tell you that if you don't show up at the station soon >your observer status will be revoked - he said that unless you've got >Sentinel abilities he doesn't know about he doesn't think you can observe >from your office.

Yeah... I know... I'm sorry I haven't been around much recently. It's just that I've been under a lot of pressure lately - I've got a big deadline for my next dissertation chapter coming up tomorrow, and I mean *big* deadline. A "cough it up or get out" kind of deadline. I'm probably going to have to pull an all-nighter just to get it finished, let alone in any sort of presentable form. Tell Simon, I'll *definitely* be in tomorrow afternoon. Once this chapter is in my advisory committee should turn the heat down a little.

>4. We're out of beer.

Gotcha. I'll stop and get some during my dinner break tonight. I have to drop by the liquor store anyway to redeem our recycling. Which reminds me: for someone anal enough to color-code leftovers, you sure are having a lot of trouble remembering to rinse out your beer bottles and put them in the recycling bin, NOT the trash. C'mon, man, give me a break. We're saving the planet here.

later, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 9:15:46 -0600
From: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: A few reminders...

Damn. I totally forgot about the alarm clock. Be careful what you wish for, Sandburg - I have an idea about a light-alarm that won't bother me and will sure as hell get YOUR undisciplined ass out of bed.

As for the shower, I think I've solved that too - a timer on the hot water heater ought to prevent any more 'accidental' abuses.

Toilet - again, it's a discipline thing. Go before you leave the office if you're going to be that late. And I can't believe I just typed that - who am I, Naomi?

Beer - I'll try to watch it on the recycle stuff, Chief - actually, I think I knocked the bottle into the trash during the now-famous zone-out. But I'll try to watch it anyway.

Let me know if you want me to stop by with some dinner later on - I know stakeouts suck, and I vaguely recall all-nighters sucking too. Good luck with the dissertation chapter - hey, you're not going to put in that thing about me zoning on the tulips, are you? I'd hate to have to kill you.

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 10:08:53 -0600
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re:A few reminders...

Hey Jim -

Thanks for the dinner offer, but it'll probably be good for me to get out of the office for a few minutes to go pick it up. Cabin fever and all that.

About your zone-out, I'm pretty sure you must have gone to sleep and had a vision of some kind and then responded to it. So far, our only recorded incidences of you actually *acting* while zoned have all been vision related: the power of the imagry compels you to act upon some perceived obligation. I still can't fathom what your vision could have been, but we'll work on that more later this week.

And I have to admit that the fact that you're having visions compelling you to e-mail me probably implies that we're spending *way* too much time on the internet.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 10:11:38 -0600
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Oh yeah...

... and about the zoning on the tulips: all in the name of Science, man.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 10:34:11 -0600
From: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Oh yeah...

prick

______________________________________________________
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 10:40:54 -0600
From: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: A few reminders...

Oh great - the Sentinel of the Great City uses his fantastic abilities to become a computer geek.

Later, Darwin - have a good one.
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 10:55:11 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: And Chief...

Hope the dissertation's going well.

- Ellison
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 11:26:41 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

Hey Jim -

Dissertation's still going slow. I lost a good part of my morning to a student who showed up in a panic about a presentation he has to give in class tomorrow. It's on penis piercing for the purpose of ritual blood-letting. Good stuff.

later, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 11:32:35 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

You lost your morning to a discussion of penis piercing. Sandburg, not only do you inhabit a different planet than the rest of us, we're all scared to death that someday we'll have to go there.

Already alerted Simon about the address change, btw - don't worry your hairy head.

Penis piercing. Christ.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 11:51:34 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

>Penis piercing. Christ.

I'm telling you, Jim, it's not about the penis piercing - it's about the *sacrifice*. It was an extremely common practice for Mayan Shamans to drive a sharpened stick through the shafts of their penises and let the outpouring blood flow into a nearby river. The act was thought to appease the water gods, and was especially prevalent right before the harvest in order to prevent drought. Now *that* is real worship, man.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 12:14:27 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

Sandburg, I don't care what it was about - too much information. Way too much information. And if you're even considering driving ANYTHING through the shaft of your penis, for chrissakes don't tell me about it. My willingness to tend to your injuries only goes so far. Pierced lung, yes - pierced penis, no. Don't think that it would get covered by the HMO either.

Later, Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 12:24:20 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

>Sandburg, I don't care what it was about - too much information. Way too >much information.

Come on, Jim. I'd think that with the spiritual nature of your own special abilities, not to mention these past few years of living with me you'd be a little more open to the practices of other cultures.

>And if you're even considering driving ANYTHING through the shaft of your >penis, for chrissakes don't tell me about it.

Well considering you almost went into a hysterical coma when you found out about my nipple ring, I'm pretty sure you can trust me to exercise some prudence should that situation ever arise.

FYI, penis piercing is much less messy nowadays, having moved out of the realm of pointed sticks and into the age of surgical steel. The river gods, no doubt, are devastated.

later, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 13:22:14 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: And Chief...

Jesus, Sandburg, you're never going to let me forget that are you?

Listen, do me a favor and make sure you're nowhere near the student center this afternoon - some asshole called in a bomb threat and we're about to head over to check it out. It's probably nothing - some jackass who doesn't want to take midterms - but I don't want to have to watch out for you too. So stay in your office.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 13:40:05 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Wonders never cease

Jim -

Funny you should mention the student center because guess where I am right now. And guess who I followed here after I spotted him crossing the quad wearing a lumpy parka on a sixty five degree day. And guess who I'm sitting next to as he meticulously composes a vitriolic message which appears to be addressed to the University at large. He's wired to the teeth, Jim, and he's got some disks with him. My guess is that when he finishes his manifesto, he'll try and put some kind of virus into the system which will wipe out the university network - that's been a common tactic in recent cases of student initiated terrorism in universities across the country. We've gotten several helpful memos about it. This guy's an idiot, though. He's slaving over this fucking manifesto despite the fact that almost no one will get to see it before the university server goes down. Fucking moron.

He doesn't know I've been watching him - way too self absorbed, the little prick - so I'll keep on him. E-mailing you has provided me a conveniently convincing cover to stay close.

I'll be in touch. B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 13:57:02 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Wonders never cease

Christ Sandburg - GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! NOW!

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 14:03:09 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

Chief - Rafe, H and I are on our way over. Where's the guy sitting? See if you can get some of the kids out of there without the perp noticing. No matter what, get your sorry ass out of there in 3 minutes - I'm not kidding.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 14:28:13 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re:

Jim -

Okay - I've gotten most of the students out of the computer room. I e-mailed a buddy of mine who's a TA for the big intro computer science course and he sent a message to the entire class announcing a last minute review session for their exam tomorrow in a lecture hall across the campus. That cleared out about 85% of the room. I've approached a few others that I could speak to without arising suspicion and gotten them out. There are still two or three students left besides me and C4-boy but there's not much I can do without tipping him off. The little shit is still working on his manifesto.

We're sitting in the main workstation room in the basement, 4th row back, tucked behind the outcropping of the big printer closet. I e-mailed campus security with this info and they claim to have evacuated most of the rest of the building. I really hope they're right because this guy is *not* stable. He's sweating worse than Taggart, man. (Speaking of which, get him down here too. From the little I've seen, it looks like this kid has major hardware that we're going to need the bomb squad to take out).

I'm going to pretend to print something now, so I think I can get to the remaining students. I don't want to leave the kid alone, though. I've been sitting next to him for a few hours now, and he's glancing over at me with increasing frequency - I think me collecting my stuff and heading out might just set him off.

Hurry up, though, Jim. This asshole is going to lose it any second.

B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 14:50:56 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

shit, jim, i've got to make this quick. everyone's out. he's starting to fuck with the disks now.

i think he
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 14:58:05 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Hazardous Duty Pay

Fuck - Chief? You still in there? I'm at the window but I can't see either one of you - that explosion took down at least half of the ceiling. I can here one of the computers humming, and there's a soft tapping sound - it had better be you, Blair. I can only hear one heartbeat, and it's too fast - I can't tell if it's yours.

Let me know if you're okay...

- Jim
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 15:00:59 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>

Answer me, goddammit - I can smell blood, but the structure's too precarious - they won't let me go in. Blair, where thhhe fuck are you?
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 15:39:38 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re:

ligkjjjjJIMMMM

.I,M N ZVXCOM[PPYUUTEEEERR REOOOMMMM 6233333

3 HES NOYTT NBTSTREEEATHHIINGGG.

HRRRRY DZF.C FGsddscxz bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb;fskc
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 20:15:30 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@flowerchild.net>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blair Honey?

I just heard that there was an explosion of some sort at your school. Are you hurt? There's no answer at your cell phone - not even the machine.

Please just let me know you're all right and I'll promise not to get too Mom-ish.

love, Mom
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 23:03:30 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: I don't know why I'm writing this...

...it's not like you can read it. You're in the hospital - again - for observation. It's truly fucking amazing how that little monkey body of yours defies death over and over. It took the rescue workers three hours to get to you - three of the longest hours of my life. After a while I could hear your heartbeat, but the smell of blood - Jesus, Blair, I nearly pissed my pants from fear. You've got to quit dying or almost dying on me - I'm old, I can't take it.

And of course, you fucking saved the day. Again. You got all the kids out before the bomb went off. Even caught under an i-beam, you managed to talk that asshole out of setting off the second charge. There wasn't a hell of a lot of him left after the first explosion - you sure were right about him being a moron. Who tapes a bomb to their leg? If you're trying to commit suicide, your chest is a better target. Asshole.

Simon made me go home - physically forced me into his car and drove me back to the loft from the hospital. Said that I was scaring the nurses. You looked so pale, Chief, I didn't want to leave, but the doctors said you just had a cracked rib and some scrapes - the head wound was pretty shallow and the concussion pretty mild. But of course I can't sleep - weird how not having you here makes it too quiet to sleep.

I'm babbling - christ, you'd think I was you. Better lie down for while - visiting hours start at 8:00 and they said I could take you home at 11:00 if you had a good night.

So have a good night, Chief.

- Jim
______________________________________________________

TUESDAY, MARCH 7
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 07:27:14 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Kid

Jim

Will you be ready to go in 10 minutes? And don't even think about arguing with me about this. I'll be driving you to pick up the kid from the hospital and driving you both back to the loft where both of you will stay for the rest of the day. I certainly wouldn't even think about trying to get any work out of you if Blair was home alone. We're taking my car. Were you really going to force the kid to climb into that hayseed truck and aggravate his ribs? I hope you managed to get some sleep last night, Jim. If you need anything, you know where my office is...

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 11:06:41 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blair?

You out there? I know you're busy but, please, just a quick note to let me know you're alive.

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 14:38:04 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

Answer me, I mean it. You've got me watching CNN I'm so worried. *CNN*, Blair.

I *knew* you should have given me Jim's address. If I don't hear from you soon, I'm going to track it down myself.

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:50:48 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair, Honey?

Hi Mom -

Please don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. I did get caught in the explosion but *just* on the periphery, okay? Came down with a couple of scratches and my cell phone kind of... um... melted. That's all, really.

I noticed you're writing from the East Coast... Where are you? Anywhere cool?

Well, wherever you are, I hope you're having fun.

I love you. Blair

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:55:53 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: I don't know why I'm writing this...

Hi Jim -

I know, I know. I'm supposed to be napping but what can I say? I'm an e-mail junkie. Besides, I just heard the front door close behind you (going out to get us some lunch?) and had to take advantage of the few precious moments when you wouldn't hear the modem fire up and come charging in to put me back to bed.

Anyway, about your message. I know you're not big on the whole talking thing, or the emotional thing, but I just wanted to say thanks. And while I'm at it... no, nevermind. As usual I'm talking too much. Just... thanks.

B
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:56:53 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: And one more thing...

... we're still out of beer.

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:57:04 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Did you forget that I'm a Sentinel, Chief?

I can hear you typing away in there even though you're supposed to be taking a nap. Turn the goddam computer off, chief. You'll further scramble your great big Rainier brain.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:57:04 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Did you forget that I'm a Sentinel, Chief?

Sorry, Jim, but I *had* to e-mail Naomi. (She heard about the explosion on CNN. Just my luck.) I'll log off momentarily, I promise.

And how'd you get back in the door without me hearing you? What are you, a Ninja Sentinel now?

later, B

p.s. And how preposterous is it that we're sitting here in the same apartment e-mailing each other?

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 13:04:10 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Did you forget that I'm a Sentinel, Chief?

>Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 12:57:04 PST
>From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
>To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Did you forget that I'm a Sentinel, Chief?

Whoops - that's weird. Just noticed that you sent this while I was typing up that note to you... Funny, I could have *sworn* I heard the front door close. Must be the concussion acting up - my ears are still ringing a little. I guess you didn't go out to get us lunch after all.

Speaking of which... you hungry?

And I'm logging off for real now, I swear.

B
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 13:05:01 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Did you forget that I'm a Sentinel, Chief?

Oldest trick in the book, Sandburg - opened and closed the door without leaving. I knew you couldn't be trusted. Turn the damn thing off - you DON'T want your Blessed Protector coming in there. Trust me.

And since when does Naomi have email? And what's her address?

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 13:10:11 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: I just realized...

...that with the explosion and the hospital and everything, you must have missed your dissertation deadline. You need me to talk to anybody for you, Chief? Simon says he'll call anyone you need him to call, too.

And the reason I'm emailing you from the livingroom is because if I go in there to talk to you you'll NEVER get to sleep. You need your sleep, chief.

- Ellison
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 13:14:56 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: I just realized...

Thanks for the offer, Jim, but I think it'll be okay. I dropped a note to my advisory committee... it's not like they don't know about the explosion so hopefully they'll be understanding and give me an extension. If not, well... I wonder if Wonder Burger is hiring...

And Naomi's address is "karmicdiva@flowerchild.net" but she tends to only check her messages when she's concerned that her son might be dead. Well, that and when Venus is ascending into Cassiopia, but that's a *long* story.

Okay, logging off really for real now.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 13:29:04 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@flowerchild.net>
Subject: (none)

Naomi -

Just wanted to let you know that Blair is okay. He probably didn't tell you, but if it weren't for his quick thinking a lot of students would have been killed by that nut job. Anyway, he has a cracked rib and a mild concussion but the doctor said that he'll be fine in a week or so.

Hope you get this at some point, and it wouldn't hurt to give him a call once in a while. The kid misses you, you know?

- Jim Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:40:17 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Honey, I just got mail from Jim...

Are you sure you're okay? I don't want to interfere, but it worries me a little that you're hurt and that Jim won't use the right kinds of herbs and meditation to take care of you. Not to judge, but he does tend to be a bit limited in his thinking.

I can't get away from this tantric conference, but if you'd like I can ask my friend Juniper to come over and have a look at you. He's a holistic healer and very talented, especially with colonic treatment.

I love you honey, Naomi

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 22:27:33 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Cc: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blair Sandburg

Captain Banks,

I'm extremely concerned about my son's recent injuries at the university. Before he started working as an observer in Major Crimes he never seemed to get into as many life-threatening situations as he does now. While his partner seems like a nice enough fellow (although a bit repressed), Blair's near hero-worship for Detective Ellison has made him much more fool-hardy.

Please try to remember that Blair's an untrained civilian observer and much more likely to get seriously hurt than one of your trained police officers - I want grandchildren someday and Blair is on a road that will keep me from getting them.

Thank you for your help, Naomi Sandburg

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:44:50 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Ms. Sandburg;

As I am sure you are well aware, your son is a grown man and he makes his own choices. I can assure you that most of the dangerous situations that Blair finds himself in are in no way connected to the Cascade Police Department.€ Detective Ellison values your son's well being over his own and does everything in his power to see that Blair is kept safe. I can further assure you that your son does not have a hero-worship complex for his partner, if anything it is the opposite.

The Cascade Police Department does not send observers into potentially volatile situations; whatever trouble Blair gets into can usually be chalked up to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

> I want grandchildren someday and Blair is on a road that will keep me from > getting them.

In more ways than you could possibly know, Naomi.

Rest assured that I will do my best to help Detective Ellison in keeping your son safe. He is very special to all of us here at the station.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything. Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 19:53:48 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Checking in

Sandburg -

Just thought I'd check in and see how you were doing. Glad you made it out of there without too many bruises.

Keep an eye on Jim, he zoned a couple of times while you were in the rubble.

He was really worried about you, kid.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 20:30:15 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Mom -

I can't believe you did that!

How am I supposed to gain respect in this department if you keep insisting that they treat me with kid gloves? My actions are *my* actions. Jim insisted that I get the hell out of that situation but I didn't because I *couldn't*. I *had* to help those students. Can't you understand that?

Whatever happened to "detach with love?"

- Blair

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 23:34:59 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Honey -

How am I supposed to detach with love if you won't blossom with honesty?

"Periphery?" "A few scratches?" I mean, really, Blair.

If you're going to adopt a new lifestyle, you have to come clean about it.

Lying is just going to make things harder for both of us.

love, Mom
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 20:42:05 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

I'll try to be more honest, Mom, if you promise never to use the word "blossom" with respect to me ever again.

Deal?

love you, Blair
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 00:37:05 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Honey,

Deal.

love, Mom
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 00:38:21 EST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Captain Banks,

Thank you for your response to my note - Blair seems to think that I may have over-reacted to the situation. I do hear that all of you, especially Detective Ellison, truly believe that you are guarding the best interests of my son and the community at large. I need to process the idea that this takes forms with which I'm sometimes uncomfortable. Thank you for your consideration for a worried mother.

Peace, Naomi Sandburg
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 06:46:25 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Three days

Hey Jim -

Three days. Can you believe it? I almost get blown into the stratosphere, wind up with a concussion which makes it impossible to think straight and some cracked ribs that make it unbearably painful to sit still for more than four minutes at a time, and my advisory committee only gives me an extension for three days.

And on top of that, I *still* have to prepare the demonstration of that Olmec ritual for tomorrow, which means running all over campus requisitioning artifacts, buying candles, beads, scented oils, and the like and tromping out to the woods to collect as many non-hallucinogenic forms of moss as I can get my hands on. Sometimes being an "expert" really sucks, man.

This is turning out to be one nightmare of a fucking week and it's only... fuck. Not even 7am on Wednesday.

Oh, and Jim? I *know* you were just trying to be helpful but can you please not send my mother any more little updates? I was trying to obfuscate with her, man, and you blew my cover.

Have a good one. Needless to say, I won't be coming in to the station today... unless something Sentinel related happens and you need me. (In which case I'll come in but I might ask you to break a few more of my ribs afterwards so I can get out of this fucking lecture. )

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 11:58:44 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Hello?

Jim? You out there man?

Just got back to my office after a full morning of racing around campus. My day's been pretty productive, actually. I might even wind up scraping up a couple of hours to spend on the dissertation later in the afternoon. Ahhh... luxury.

But I have to tell you I was *shocked* to get back here and fire up the computer and find *no* messages from you. I hope everything's okay... I may call in to the station in a bit just to make sure.

You know, maybe you were right to be initially wary of us getting non-work-related e-mail addresses. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to feel a little freakishly co-dependent here. There was a time in my life when I could go through a morning without hearing from you and *not* automatically assume that it meant you were in the hospital or zoned-out at a crime scene somewhere.

Pretty pathetic, huh?

Anyway, I hope you're having a decent day and that you've just been in court or off at a routine investigation or something. Drop me a line when you get a chance and *definitely* call me if something comes up at the station. (I've calmed down a fair bit since this morning, thanks to the added progress from my early start, and will certainly have the time to head downtown if you need me)

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 12:04:41 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Anything up?

Hey Simon -

I haven't heard from Jim all day and I was worried that something might be wrong. Anything happening at the station today? Do you need me to come down?

Thanks, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 13:47:53 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

Simon -

Could you do me a favor? Sandburg's been getting suspicious because I haven't emailed him today. Could you make something up about me being in court or something? I don't want to contact him yet - if he gets the slightest suspicion that one Blair Sandburg was the topic of that nut-job's manifesto (okay, just appendix B, but still) he'll want in on the investigation. The kid has an incredible talent for seeing through any attempt of mine to hide things from him, and I won't have him putting himself at risk again - Naomi would kick my ass to Cleveland.

Thanks, Simon, - Ellison
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 22:20:30 GMT
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Feeling better, honey?

Just wanted to check in - are you taking your herbal supplements? I really wish you'd let me send over Juniper to give you a high colonic - regular cleansing, both ritual and actual, is so important to one's harmony with the universe. At least have Jim give you a sage bath - it should help with the soreness.

Love you, Naomi
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 14:32:15 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Feeling better, honey?

Hi Mom -

I appreciate the offer, and I'm sure Juniper is very skilled at his profession but I'm feeling much better now, really. Back at work and everything.

See? I told you you had nothing to worry about. Have fun at your tantric conference - purify your spirit a little extra for me, okay?

love, Blair

p.s. Jim giving me a sage bath is *definitely* a bad idea. It would be way too overwhelming for him. I appreciate the thought, though. Really.

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 23:01:06 GMT
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Feeling better, honey?

As long as you're okay, sweetheart. Although I don't understand what's so overwhelming about giving you a sage bath - I used to do it for you all the time when we lived in the group house in Carmel. Or was it Berkeley?

Anyway, nothing cleanses your aura like sage, and the heat and smell help your muscles relax. Jim needs to learn to trust different types of healing - I'm sure if he widened his horizons of acccceptance he'd be much more able to embrace all of the wonders of the universe.

Peace - I love you, Naomi

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 15:13:05 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: What the fuck?

Jim -

Would you care to explain why *Conner* is answering the phone at your desk? When I hadn't heard from you all day I started to get worried and gave you a call at the station, but then *she* answered the phone and when I asked to speak to you she said that you were there but "currently unavailable." What the hell is that?

I may not be a Sentinel, Jim, but I can tell when someone is lying and Conner was doing it through her teeth. Even on top of the other blaring indications, there was the rediculous formality of "currently unavailable." I mean, who talks like that?

So then I called your cell phone and it was on but there was no answer. Even on the busiest day, you at least have the courtesy to pick up the phone and say, "I'm working, Sandburg, now leave me the hell alone and don't forget to pick up some beer on the way home - it's your turn to buy." So clearly there's something wrong.

Now, given the evidence at hand, I can only conceive of two explanations for the events listed above:

1. You're dead and Conner was too chicken to tell me. 2. I'm getting the silent treatment as punishment for some unfathomable offense

I'm pretty sure I can rule out #1 because I *know* that Simon would have the good sense to break the news to me before I accidentally heard about it on Channel 4. That leaves #2.

So what the hell did I do wrong this time, and why couldn't you at least have the decency to float me a "fuck you, Sandburg" so I'd at least know that you were alive and your same old asshole self? I would have *much* preferred to spend my afternoon being unproductive and pissed at you. As it was, I spent the afternoon being unproductive and concerned and now I barely have enough energy to be pissed.

Jim, if you're pissed at me you can yell and scream and call me an asshole and TYPE IN ALL CAPS and whatever the fuck you want to do. I can take it. What I can not take is you shutting down on me like I'm not even here. We're *partners*. And I don't know if you read the fine print, but bribing leggy Aussies to lie to your partner on the phone just because you don't feel like talking to him is *not* part of the contract.

I'll see you at home tonight, and we *will* talk about this.

B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 15:21:05 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Feeling better, honey?

>As long as you're okay, sweetheart. Although I don't understand what's so >overwhelming about giving you a sage bath - I used to do it for you all the >time when we lived in the group house in Carmel. Or was it Berkeley? > >Anyway, nothing cleanses your aura like sage, and the heat and smell help >your muscles relax. Jim needs to learn to trust different types of healing >- I'm sure if he widened his horizons of acceptance he'd be much more able >to embrace all of the wonders of the universe.

1. It was Berkeley

2. You are my mother, Jim is my forty year old roommate. There's a big difference.

3. I hardly think that the act of sponging weed-infused, tepid water over my bare skin qualifies as a 'wonder of the universe'

4. Jim is allergic to sage anyway, remember? (THAT is what would be so overwhelming about it)

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 15:23:13 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sorry

Hi Mom -

Sorry about the curtness of my last note. I'm having kind of a rough day and I took it out on you and of course that just wasn't fair.

I promise to work on processing my anger transferral this weekend, okay?

I love you, Mom. Blair
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 10:50:26 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Today's call

Look, Sandy, I'm sorry about earlier today. Jim asked me to tell you he was busy - is everything all right with you guys? He's been Grim Jim all day, even more than he usually is when you're not around. Let me know if I can help.

Ta, Megan
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 00:08:02 GMT
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Sorry

OK, sweetheart, and I promise to work on detaching with love. And I forgot about Jim's allergy - he should talk to Juniper about that.

Peace, love you, Naomi

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 16:08:02 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Anything Up?

Sandburg,

Jim's been busy today with an investigation. You do remember that he has a job to do and can't be at your beck and call 24 hours a day, right? We do not need you at the station today. We need you to recover your strength and help Jim out of these zones he keeps falling into. Be his guide, Blair, that's what we need for you to do.

I have to admit, I'm getting worried about Jim. He's acting really paranoid. More than usual, I mean.

Take care.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 16:15:36 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Got assigned to a stakeout, don't wait up.

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:48:58 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Today's call

>Look, Sandy, I'm sorry about earlier today. Jim asked me to tell you he >was busy - is everything all right with you guys? He's been Grim Jim all >day, even more than he usually is when you're not around.

Hey, forget about it, Megan. You're not the one I'm mad at. You've got to work on your prevarication skills, though. Saw right through them.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what the hell is wrong with Jim. He's certainly not telling *me* anything about it.

>Let me know if I can help.

Thanks for the offer, but my suspicion is that whatever bug has flown up Jim's ass isn't going to be flying out again until he lets it... and god knows when *that* will be.

Anyway, I appreciate your concern, Megan. Thanks. Hopefully whatever this is that's bugging him will blow over soon. I'm pretty damn tired of it.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:50:02 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Sorry

>I forgot about Jim's allergy - he should talk to Juniper about that.

I will *gladly* pass that information along to him.

love you, Blair
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:52:03 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Anything up?

I understand, Simon. I'll do my best to help him out but it's kind of hard to guide someone that won't even take my calls, you know?

And the healing process is going to have to start tomorrow. Jim's on stakeout tonight and I'm sleeping over at a friend's. I'd be asleep when he came home tonight anyway, and his seething tends to penetrate through my eyelids and disrupt my REM sleep.

I have to give a lecture in the morning, but I'll be at the station by lunch.

See you tomorrow, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 19:55:50 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Got assigned to a stakeout, don't wait up.

Not a chance. I'm sleeping over at Sam's tonight. Have fun, Ellison.

______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 05:34:58 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Today's call

Thanks for understanding, Sandy - hope you and Jim work it out.

- Megan

______________________________________________________

THURSDAY, MARCH 9
______________________________________________________

Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 08:24:18 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
CC: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: NOT Funny

Hi Simon (and you, too, Silent Jim) -

I know you guys are really busy down at the station but I was wondering if you could do me a favor and the next time you see those assholes Rafe and Brown smack them. Hard. And if you don't mind, kindly deliver the following message:

1. Death threats are not a toy.

2. The "Youthful Organization of Unabombers" is *not* an intimidating name for a terrorist organization. First of all, it contains the word "youthful," which kills it right there. Second, it's acronym is "YOU." Pathetic. (Don't those guys own a dictionary?)

3. An Intellectual Terrorism group does not typically annonce its grievances by stenciling them on graph paper and leaving them on graduate students' desks. Leave it to Rafe and Brown to make intellectual terrorists look like even bigger losers than they already are.

4. After breaking into my office to perform a "hilarious" prank, kindly shut the door afterwards. I have valuable artifacts in there, after all.

5. Tell those guys that the next time they play a practical joke on me they should at least *try* to make it funny.

Look at me? I'm so wound up that I'm actually numbering my complaints. Jesus, I'm starting to sound like Jim.

I have to give a lecture in 30 minutes or so, but I should get down to the station by late morning.

See you then, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 08:54:21 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NOT Funny

Sandburg,

Turn on your cellphone. Rafe and Brown did not play a prank on you and neither did anyone else in the department. Don't go anywhere - not even to that lecture. Stay put and wait for Jim to get there, he tore out of here as soon as he got your message. Taggart and I are coming as soon as he gets his ass down here from forensics.

Don't do anything stupid this time.

And Sandburg? Why the hell didn't you call this in?

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 09:22:40 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NOT Funny

Sir - this is why I didn't want Sandburg involved in the investigation. I'm in his office, but he's nowhere to be found - checked the lecture hall, but some girl is talking about excited somethings in there. Tell Taggart to check the graph paper - I can feel and smell some oils and think there's probably at least 4 good latent prints. I'm going to search the campus, see if anyone saw anything - my cell's on silent page but call me with ANY news.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 09:41:26 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NOT Funny

Jim -

You know it doesn't matter if Sandburg is involved in an investigation or not... trouble will find him. Taggart and I are your back up, we'll be there in five minutes. Wait for us before you do anything. Be careful.

Simon

ps. Have you considered putting a homing signal on him?

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 10:05:25 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NOT Funny

Simon -

Tell Jim not to worry - I'm okay. I can't turn on my cellphone because it was destroyed in Monday's explosion, remember? Besides, I still think you're making a big deal out of nothing. That so-called death threat was *far* too amateurish and juvenile to be taken seriously.

Look - I've got to make this quick. I'm writing from the computer lab in the physics department (we had to switch lecture halls with some Chemical Physics class for the day because a bunch of extra people showed up to catch my Olmec fertility ritual demonstration and our space couldn't accomadate everyone). I've got three or four rather impatient-looking students here waiting to ask me questions. As soon as I finish enlightening the inquisitive masses I'll head right back to my office. I shouldn't be more than ten minutes.

later, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 12:23:50 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
CC: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NOT Funny

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 20:50:45 GMT
From: Youthful Organization of Unabombers <youthful_organization_of_unabombers@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Greetings from YOU

Hello, Captain Banks.

We, the members of the Youthful Organization of Unabombers (YOU), formerly the People's Order of Unabombing Tyrrany (POUT), extend ourselves in greeting to you and the other hard-working citizens of Cascade.

We have been led to understand that you were the officer in charge of Cascade PD's investigation of Monday's bombing of the Student Center and have therefore, no doubt, perused our manifesto. As such, we are puzzled by the presence of your officers on campus today. Why, after learning about our philosophy, could you possibly still want to protect the University community, whose intellectual elite segregate themselves from the rest of the world, enjoying a charmed life locked within their ivory tower, indifferent to the tribulations of the real world, of hard-working men such as yourself?

As you are no doubt already aware, our organization has targeted a number of individuals whom we feel are the living embodiment of everything we stand against. These people, whose intellectual prowess places them at the forefront of their academic fields, are the very basest form of human existence. They have chosen to use their natural abilites not to participate in and improve society but rather to gain acclaim in a selective niche through the publication of pedantic articles and obscure, socially irrelevant research. Some half a dozen of these individuals will die today. Others we have already abducted for the purpose of reprogramming. However, if it is determined that they can not be reformed into functional members of society, they will be exterminated as well.

We understand that your duty is to serve and protect the community at large. That is our goal as well. It is only through the elimination of the pervasive, elitist academic elements that our mutual hope can be attained. To this end, we hope you will consider removing your officers from the Ranier campus. They are putting their own lives at risk for those that deserve no such noble sacrifice. We do not wish the innocent to suffer beneath the tide of our upcoming seige, but priority for the revolution comes first, and we will stop at nothing to achieve our vaunted end.

Power to the People. Death to the unfeeling Intellectual Elite.

YOU

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 17:02:30 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Naomi -

Jim and Blair may have been taken hostage by a group calling themselves the Youthful Organization of Unabombers. Blair was sent a hostile note which he didn't take seriously and Jim went in to find him. That was the last time I saw either of them and although I haven't received a ransom note from the YOU, I can only assume that they have been abducted.

I'll e-mail you as soon as I know anything. I want you to know the whole department is working around the clock on this.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 17:08:04 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Reports

Conner -

Have you gotten anything back from those prints we lifted in Blair's office? Any luck with your informants? I want a full report on my desk at 7 am tomorrow and I want everybody here and ready for a debriefing. Pass along the word to Rafe, Brown and Taggart.

We're going to find them.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 00:58:49 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Reports

Sir -

The lab report came back at about half five - there were four good latent prints on the graph paper. The thumb print was the only complete one but we ran them all through the FBI database and came up blank. Taggart suggested running them against the University security files and we hit a probable match: one Mark Bobis, 23, left university 4 years ago.

I called the Dean of Students - apparently Bobis had a D average and took Anthro 101 as a gut class to raise his grades - unfortunately, that was the first year that Sandy taught and the failure rate was twice normal for the course. Bobis flunked out - didn't take it very well. Not a real stable guy, according to the dean - he was on academic and behavioral probation three times his freshman year and once sophomore year before he was asked to leave.

So we've got motive, sort of. Bobis works as the night manager at Wonder Burger, lives over on Grand Marie Street - I sent Rafe and Brown over to check if he's there, and I'm on my way over to follow up. I'll ring you from my cell phone when I get there and fill you in.

Any word on Jim? Rafe said you got a weird email from him and that no one's heard from him since. Do you think he got caught going after Sandy?

- Conner

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 18:22:06 EST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Reports

Conner -

Good work on the prints, but too bad the house came up empty. I haven't heard from Jim yet. His truck is still at the University but there's been no sign of him since he charged off to find Sandburg this afternoon. I think it is probable that whoever has Sandburg also has Jim. Hopefully we'll get some kind of ransom demand or something, but in the meantime I still want all of you in my office first thing tomorrow morning so we can regroup.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 02:53:15 GMT
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair Sandburg

Captain - I cannot BELIEVE this. Didn't we just discuss this very thing? Blair's association with you people has put him out of karmic alignment - forgive the characterization, but my son does not belong in a traditional hierarchical male-dominated totalitarian organization such as the Cascade Police Department. He's an anthropologist, for the love of the Goddess!

Simon, please, make sure he's safe. I'll be meditating until I hear from you next.

Naomi Sandburg

______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 19:34:17 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: trapped in psych lab

zoned big time - think i found blair - can hear him discussing something about anthropology and academics with someone - hes scared to death but still talking - im locked in an interview room - kid took cell phone - didn't notice computer - oh shit i think hes hitting blair - im going to try to break through the two way mirror -get us out of here please....
______________________________________________________

Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2000 03:51:53 GMT
From: Youthful Organization of Unabombers <youthful_organization_of_unabombers@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Unfortunate Events

We are very disappointed in you, Captain Banks.

Not only did you reject our generous offer to become a force of progress for the revolution, but you went so far as to *resist* our efforts. As a result of your ill-founded interference, not one of our attempts to purge the city of the undeserving overpriveleged was successful. Congratulations, Captain. Enjoy those laurels while they last.

We would like to inform you, however, that despite your fervent efforts, *one* of our abduction attempts proceeded as planned. We didn't think him much of a prize at first, a brilliant individual but simply one of many graduate students we had selected for reprogramming. That opinion changed, however, when we found his police identification. Suddenly he ceased to be a counter-cultural stumbling block of a unified society and became a bargaining chip.

And it might interest you to know that this bargaining chip is not alone. One of our surveillance teams came across another goldmine - a somnambulent one at that, apparently - one Detective Jim Ellison. We understand both he and Mr. Sandburg are subordinates of yours.

So we propose a trade: your two law-enforcing citizens for the dozen counter-productive, lay-about academic targets which eluded us today. We're even willing to let Mr. Sandburg return without *extensive* reprogramming, given that he's demonstrated a willingness to contribute to society by coming to the aid of your fine department.

We await your answer, Captain, and make it fast. We do have a list of secondary targets not included in our manifesto which we will be more than happy to eliminate starting tomorrow. We're sure you'll find that without knowledge of their identities they'll be substantially more difficult to protect than the loathesome creatures you rescued today.

YOU
______________________________________________________

FRIDAY, MARCH 10
______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 04:20:53 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: We're in position...

We've got the psych building surrounded, sir. Are you sure this is a good idea? The YOU haven't responded to any of our requests to talk, and we're not sure which room they've got Sandy and Jim in. When will you be getting here, sir? I'm starting to get really worried about them.

- Conner

______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 18:43:49 GMT
From: Youthful Organization of Unabombers <youthful_organization_of_unabombers@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: A few demands

The time has come, Captain Banks.

Because you have so unwisely chosen not to comply or even, in fact, RESPOND to our generous offer of exchange we have no other recourse than to eliminate our secondary targets. We have already dispatched several assault teams who, I'm sure you'll find, will be very difficult to track. As an added demonstration of our determination, you'll find that by the time you receive this message the High Energy Physics Laboratory as well as the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, two centers of research which we find particularly abhorrent in their utter meaninglessness, will have met the same fate as the Student Center.

You have been warned, Captain, and failure to produce our primary targets in exchange for Det. Ellison and Mr. Sandburg within the next 24 hours will result in severe damage to the former and immediate death to the latter.

If, much like ourselves, you care little for the self-congratulating yobs whose lives you have cost today, at least consider the property damage. We guarantee that it will be substantial.

Power to the People. Death to the Unfeeling Intellectual Elite.

YOU
______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 08:44:32 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 08:45:09 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: We're in, sir...

...sorry about the previous blank message, sir - I got jostled by the forensics team. Anyway, we're in, but there's no sign of the guys. Looks like someone broke into one of the old trapdoors into the underground tunnels - there's a little blood on the floor near the hatch and an unconscious kid in army surplus here.

Looks like Jim and Sandy got out and they're somewhere in the tunnels - unfortunately, I don't know how many of the YOU members are down there looking for them. We'll bring the kid into the hospital - H will stay with him to make sure we find out what's up when he regains consciousness.

I'll keep you posted on our progress - we'll find them, Simon, I swear.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 14:21:25 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: were in the tunnels

got out of the lab - knocked out the guard - hed hit blair over the head with a gun - pretty bad - cut and some bleeding - blairs out - were in the substructure - dont know how many down here - patched laptop into guards cell phone - cant stay on long - get us out simon - i cant take care of him much longer - fighting zones - help us
______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 19:19:42 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: corner of building

have to risk using guards cell again - were in the corner of the substructure - no windows - one grate too small to crawl thru - can smell wisteria and pine - i can hear 17 heartbeats - 3 groups - spread out in the tunnels - armed - shot at us twice - get us out of here please simon - blairs slipping in and out -lost a lot of blood - help - cant hear anyone but the damn yous - edge of zone - power fadi
______________________________________________________

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000 18:04:49 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>

Dammnit Conner!

I'm stuck across town in some traffic jam from an impromptu St. Patrick's Day Parade. Jim got a message to me. He and Sandburg are in the substructure at the corner of the bulding. Check the one near pine trees and wysteria, there should be a small grate there. Get Taggart to put a small charge over it and blow a hole. Tell Jim what you're doing before you do it...he'll hear you and protect the kid. Move fast Conner, Jim says there's about 17 more of them looking for them. Tell Taggart that if the YOU get too close to Jim and Sandburg's position... use the tear gas through the grate down the tunnel away from our men.

I'll be there as soon as I can comandeer a horse from the parade.

Hurry, Conner.

Simon

______________________________________________________

SATURDAY, MARCH 11
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 07:22:58 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Good job

Conner -

I know you don't want to hear this now, but you did a good job yesterday. Nothing that happened was your fault - you did it by the book and you followed orders. As soon as Jim and Blair wake up I'm sure they'll tell you the same thing.

You had no choice but to use the tear gas and there's no way you could have know how allergic Jim was to it... it was my call if you remember. And at least they're alive.

And Conner - I need the arrest paperwork on all the YOUs on my desk by 2:00 this afternoon.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 15:34:20 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Blair

Naomi,

They're both going to be fine. Jim found Blair and attempted a rescue, nearly getting himself killed in the process, and they were both found by my officers. All of the suspects involved have been apprehended and will be prosecuted.

Blair has a few bruises and a concussion, but he will be fine and as soon as they let him have access to a computer I'm sure he'll drop you a line. Blair is very lucky to have a mother who cares about him as much as you do.

Once again, I'm sorry Blair was in the middle of a "situation", but it honestly has nothing to do with his work with Jim or this department. Your son is just a trouble magnet. We all care about him and try our best to protect him, never doubt that.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 07:53:22 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>>
Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Yet Again

Yet again I find myself pacing hospital corridors and drinking coffee that could I could use to flush my radiator. Why? Because two of my men are hurt... again. Do you two have any idea what you're doing to our insurance premiums?

I came closer than I like to losing you both yesterday so I just wanted to write this down in case this feeling escapes me later. You are both idiots. Stubborn, hard-headed, foolish men with no regard for personal safety and it is starting to piss me off.

Sandburg - would it have killed you to take something seriously for once? Not taking it seriously nearly killed you and your partner. And why in the hell would you assume that it was a prank by Major Crimes? Do you have that little self-worth? Everybody in the department likes you - they would never play a mean spirited prank. And next time I tell you to stay someplace you better damn well stay there! This whole mess might have been avoided if you hadn't been so eager to discount the danger.

And Ellison - what part of "wait for back-up" is it that you don't understand? I know you needed to find Blair, but if you'd waited for Conner to get there you could have formed a plan and maybe gotten him out before he got hurt. Do you ever stop to think about the consequences of your actions? You're not Rambo and you're not Superman, Jim, you can't do everything alone.

Jim, I'm sorry I told Conner to use the tear gas. Your eyes look horrible and, although the doctors assume me that the damage shouldn't be permanent, those bandages will have to stay on for a couple of days. You got hit with some debris while you were covering Blair when Joel blew the wall resulting in a dislocated shoulder and two broken ribs. We're guessing you got your concussion rescuing Blair. And speaking of Blair, don't let him try to fool you. He got a concussion and a whole lot of bruises, but the doctors say he's going to be fine. He lost a lot of blood, but you know how scalp wounds bleed.

And as for those wackos, we got every last one of them. I'll need your statements when you guys decide to rejoin the land of the living.

Well, Sandburg, the doctor just told me that you're regaining consciousness, so I'd better go calm you down and let you know that Jim's okay. The lecture's over... for now.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 09:42:20 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Yet Again

Hi Simon -

Ha! I knew it! I have long suspected that a visit from you in the hospital *not* accompanied by a lecture was the eighth sign of the apocalypse, so I was a little worried when you left without even attempting to yell at me. But I thought you might do the lecture thing over the internet this time (seems strangely apropos considering the case), so I had that really cute nurse from my wing (the one that looks like Chili from TLC, did you see her?) smuggle me in a laptop, and sure enough there was the lecture. You can't imagine my relief.

Seriouisly, though, Simon. Your points are well taken. Big time. Believe me, nobody could possibly be more pissed at me than me right now. I mean, Jim's still fucking unconscious. What if he doesn't wake up? What if his sight is permanently damaged? You *know* I'd be his seeing eye dog *myself* if it came down to that, but Jim wouldn't hear of it. And I know exactly what he would do - he would withdraw so far into himself that none of us could get through. And that just can't happen. I won't let it. I'm not about to fucking lose him.

If he doesn't recover I will *never* forgive myself.

Sorry. You probably don't need to hear all of this. I'm just.... ARRRGH! I'm just so pissed right now, that's all. At least you can be satisfied in the knowledge that your lecture was registered for once. Maybe you're on to something with this e-mail thing.

Oh, and just a quick word or two in my defense: I didn't get your e-mail about the death threat not being a prank until *after* the lecture when I checked my mail from the physics department (that's when those fucking YOU thugs grabbed me). I know I'm an idiot, but I'm not *that* foolhardy, I swear. If I had gotten your note in time, I definitely would have stayed in my office. And the fact that I thought it was a prank is not so much a reflection of my lack of self-worth as it is an indication of how unimpressed I am with Brown and Rafe's paltry attempts at humor. You should have seen what those assholes did to my car last month.

I'm glad to hear you've rounded up all the YOUs. You *did* get that little prick, Bobis, right? He was the mastermind behind it all - the rest of them were pretty much misguided flunkies, armed to the teeth with bullets of higher caliber than their IQ's.

Okay, I'm going to wrap this up now. I really ought to send a quick note to Naomi and then I want to go check on Jim. There are a couple of orderlies outside that have been watching me like hawks (I'm assuming I have you to thank for that) but as soon as I can slip past them, I'm out of here.

And Simon? Thanks.

later, B

p.s. That cute nurse I told you about? Her name is Cheryl and she's very nice and very single and very, very just your type. You should talk to her the next time you stop by.

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 18:53:12 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Hi Mom

Just a quick note to assure you that I'm okay. I'm in the hospital, but *just* for observation. Jim's the one that's not doing so well. He's been unconscious for almost twenty hours now. God, Mom, if he doesn't wake up I don't know what I'm going to do.

And before you say anything about how this never would have happened if I hadn't been involved with the police department, just hear me out. This terrorist group targeted me because I'm an academic, *not* because of my affiliation with Cascade PD. In fact, if it weren't for my connection to Jim there's no way I would have gotten out of there alive. The leader of the group had a vendetta against me because I failed him a few years back and probably would have beaten me to death if Jim hadn't showed up when he did. I guess that's what I get for maintaining a rigorous level of academic standards, eh?

I'm not trying to scare you, Mom... I just want you to understand. I'm alive *because* of my work with the police. Because of *Jim*. So please, whatever you do, don't give him or Simon a hard time about this, okay? If there's anyone you should be yelling at, it's the Dean of Students. (That's a joke, by the way. Do NOT e-mail the Dean of Students.)

Anyway, I'm going to go check on Jim now. I love you, Mom, and I really do appreciate that you're worried about me. Really.

love, Blair
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 05:23:15 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Good job

Thanks sir - doesn't feel that good right now. I'll have the paperwork on your desk at 2:00.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 00:00:36 IST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Blair

Captain Banks,

Thank the goddess! You tell Blair that I love him, please, and that I wish I could be there with him. Unfortunately the trek got moved up and I have to fly to Nepal this afternoon. Thank you for letting me know how Blair is - I can't help but think that he would haveee been better off if he hadn't started working with the power structure, but I know that you do genuinely care about him.

Peace, Naomi Sandburg

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 00:05:05 IST
From: Naomi Sandburg <karmicdiva@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Hi Mom

Honey -

Captain Banks sent me a note letting me know that you're okay, but I'm so relieved that you wrote too. I'm sorry Jim's hurt - I know how much he means to you. I wish I could be there, but the flight to Nepal leaves in two hours and I have to be on it. I do love you, sweetheart - never forget that. And tell Jim that I appreciate that he does try to protect you - I just wish he did a better job. I am trying to understand as well as hear you, darling.

All my love always, Naomi

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:35:06 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Damn.

God, Jim. I'm so sorry.

I just got back from sitting with you in your room. I was only able to stay for about ten minutes or so before those neolithic orderlies Simon bribed to babysit me tracked me down and hauled me back to my own room. But those ten minutes - they were *scary*, Jim.

Simon had told me that you were unconscious, but I didn't really believe him. I was sure that you were awake but just zoning, you know? And I *knew* that if I could get there and bring you out of it that everything would be okay. But when I got to the room and started talking to you, you didn't come back. Your whole body was tense, like you were bracing yourself for an explosion or something, but there was nothing I could do. I rubbed the back of your neck and nothing happened - you didn't relax when I did that. You're *supposed* to relax when I do that. Then I squeezed your hand and when you didn't squeeze back I kind of lost it. I started screaming at you to wake up but you didn't even flinch. That's when the orderlies came lumbering in and grabbed me. I was pretty light headed by then - I guess the yelling was an overexertion - so I barely had the energy to struggle against them, and now here I am back in my own room and we're *both* alone again. Jesus, Jim, I feel so fucking helpless here!

Look, you just have to wake up, Jim. You mean too much to me not to. And I'm not talking about my fucking dissertation. I know I'm being a selfish bastard talking about my own needs when you're the one that's hurt, but right now I don't give a shit. I just need you to come back, that's all. You're my best friend. And forgive me for sounding like a beer commercial, but... I love you, man.

I'm going to wait twenty minutes or so and see if I can sneak past those orderlies again.

see you soon, B
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 18:37:49 GMT
From: Youthful Organization of Unabombers <youthful_organization_of_unabombers@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

You're a dead man, Sandburg.

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:35:06 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: uh oh.

> Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 18:37:49 GMT
> From: Youthful Organization of Unabombers > <youthful_organization_of_unabombers@hotmail.com>
> To: anthroblair@hotmail.com
> Subject: (none) > > >You're a dead man, Sandburg.
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 06:21:01 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Report on Apprehension of Y.O.U.

Sir -

I'm having some difficulty completing the report without statements from Jim and Sandy. I thought perhaps I could go over to the hospital, see how they're doing, and maybe get some more information.

OK, that's not true - I can't concentrate, sir. I should have guessed that the tear gas would do a number on Jim - he's so allergic to everything. I don't know how the man survives hay fever season. I feel so guilty - I just want them to be okay. If I'd known how Jim... following orders doesn't seem like the best course of action this time, you know?

I'm sorry for being unprofessional, sir - I promise that I'll finish the report after I've seen Jim and Sandy.

Thanks, Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 12:02:04 PST
From: Chrissie James <jameschrissie@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mr. Ellison asked me to give you this note...
Parts/Attachments: 1 Shown 5 lines Text 2 236 KB Image ----------------------------------------

Hi - I'm Chrissie James, a candystriper, and Mr. Ellison asked me to give you this note. He's pretty sick, Mr. Sandburg - he conked back out the minute he finished writing it. So anyway, good luck and stuff - Chrissie

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:42:48 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: note

Hey Jim -

Thanks for the note, man. You don't know how relieved I am to hear that you're okay... well, conscious at least. I have to tell you, you write amazingly legibly for a blind man.

Speaking of which, you might want to count yourself grateful for that particular temporary ailment. I just caught sight of my reflection in the laptop screen and it ain't pretty. I didn't know faces could actually turn those colors. I'll keep a paper bag standing by for when you get your sight back.

Wow. Suddenly I'm exhausted. Now that I know you're all right, I think I'll finally be able to get some rest. I'll even take those sedatives the doctors keep trying to force down my throat (but only because you asked so nicely).

Thanks, Jim, and welcome back.

Blair
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:45:05 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Jim Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: shit

Shit. I just reread that e-mail I got from the candystriper that gave me your note and it sounds like you're not doing as well as I thought. I was so excited to see that you were awake that I just breezed through the text of her message and didn't even read it properly. And now I've taken these fucking sedatives and they're fucking kicking in.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. I'm coming to see you as *soon* as these work their way through my system. I'm really hoping you'll be awake by then.

'k can barely type now. going, really. b
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 09:07:04 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Sandy's missing

Sir - I just left Sandy's room - the bed's empty. Ran down to Jim's room to see if he's there, but no luck. There's no sign of a struggle - there's an empty med cup in the trash, so I'm betting the kidnapper waited until he was sedated. I've alerted security and they've closed off the exits - whoever took him better hope security finds them before I do.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:26:41 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Orders

Conner - I'm on my way to the hospital. I have an idea. Go ahead and start the search for Sandburg but don't do anything that might provoke this Bupkis guy. You know we can't negotiate with terrorists, but if you make contact with him, stall him. Obfuscate.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 12:36:53 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Orders

Sir - thank goodness. We're at wit's end here, frankly - we've been through every ward twice and can't find Sandy anywhere. I'll send the team down through the basement next. Please hurry, Simon.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:47:17 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: How do you do it?

Sandburg -

I really don't know how you do it. I've tried very hard not to know... I never really wanted to have any knowledge of this mystical mumbo jumbo between you and Jim. But right now, I wish I had been paying a little more attention.

I can't get Jim to wake up. The doctor said he came around earlier and wrote a note to you, but he passed out after that and he's just lying here and you're God knows where. I don't think I have the man power to find you in time, but Jim could. If only he'd wake up.

I've tried everything I can think of. I've talked to him, yelled at him, pleaded with him, touched him and, God forgive me, even slapped him. After the fountain incident I thought that if anything ever happened to you, I'd have to try to keep Jim from eating his gun. Now, I don't think that would be a problem... I think that Jim would just shut down and slip away, much like he's doing now.

Sandburg, I don't know what to do... I need you to help Jim and I need Jim to help you. I was hoping writing this all down would give me some inspiration but my mind is still a blank and time is running out, I can feel it.

Simon
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:50:08 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Now!

He's in a laundry cart, moving through the 8th floor. Not sure which wing. Try one with children, no-- babies. Maternity. They're moving fast. Elevator. Going down. Basement? Laundry, probably. Steam pipes. Hurry.

Simon
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:51:40 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: More

Almost there Conner Behind a door. Burning smells... OH Jesus! The Incinerator!

Hurry!
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 17:54:01 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>

updatee connner? im triny to sit on jikm he trying too get tot blair is ythe kid safe yett?

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 12:57:10 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re:

We got him, sir. Sandy's fine, Bobis is pissed off and a little, um, bruised, but he should be fine by hearing time. I'll fill you in in a minute - thought you and Jim would want to know.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 13:12:39 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Cc: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>>
Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Update

After your last message we ran down to the medical waste disposal room - we had to break down the fire door, and when we got in it looked like a scene from every bad horror movie ever.

Sandy was out of it - he wasn't totally unconscious but he was definitely fogged - kept calling for Jim. The Bobis guy had him on a gurney and was sliding him toward the incinerator door. He went nuts when we broke in - tried to shove Sandy into the door, but Sandy was so limp the guy couldn't maneuver him into the opening. Rafe tackled Bobis, knocked him to the ground. Henri and I will both swear that he incurred the bruises around his mouth and the broken jaw during the fall.

We returned Sandy to his room, but he keeps calling for Jim, sir - it's pretty pitiful. Any way we can get them into the same room? It'd certainly be easier to keep an eye on them that way. And while I'm asking questions, how did you know where they were?

______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 19:07:03 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Update

Thank God. I finally got Jim to calm down... actually, when he heard the kid was okay he passed out again, with a little help from Mr. Valium. Good work down there. Tell Rafe and Henri I said so. I'm working on getting Jim and Blair transfered to the same room... it'll be easier to keep an eye on them that way.

As for how I knew where he was. You were in Sierra Verde, Conner. I know that you know that I know, you know? Great. Now I sound like Sandburg.

Go get some sleep.

Simon
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 19:13:40 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Tonight

Jim -

This e-mail thing has become a real habit for me. I think Sandburg once said that BS was a form of male bonding - maybe e-mail is an outlet for male emotion. It's perfect. We don't have to acknowledge it person and there aren't any of those awkward "to hug or not to hug" moments. God I hate those.

You're out of it again, which is a good thing, I think. You're going to be pretty unhappy when you wake up. Sorry about the ribs, but if I hadn't sat on you, you would've killed yourself running down the stairwell to save Sandburg. As you know by now, he's fine. We got to him in time, thanks to your waking up and telling me where to send Conner. I don't know what brought you around, but at this point I really don't care.

Get better soon, my friend. Sandburg needs you.

Simon
______________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 14:13:50 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Update

Sierra Verde. Alex. Right. Can he hear everything from that far away, Simon, or only Sandy?

Thanks for your help on this - we never would have found them if you hadn't roused Jim. I'm heading home now - I'll file the paperwork tomorrow. You get some sleep too, sir.

- Conner
______________________________________________________

SUNDAY, MARCH 12
______________________________________________________

MONDAY, MARCH 13
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 01:53:26 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Is today the day?

I thought you were being released today - what time do you want me to pick you up?

- Megan
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:27:14 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Is today the day?

>I thought you were being released today - what time do you want me to pick >you up?

Hey Megan -

Yep, we're supposedly getting released today, but I don't want to leave without Jim. He's been drifting in and out of consciousness since early this morning, the poor guy. He's still more or less blind, and *way* out of it and I can't even help him because those STUPID orderlies strapped me into the bed. Can you believe that? I was *only* getting out of bed so I could check on Jim and talk to him - I think he overextended his senses the other day because they seem to be on the blink now. He's dialed them all the way down to practically nothing and can't even hear me unless I'm right next to him. Anyway, the orderlies came in and caught me out of bed six... seven times *tops*. And for some reason they considered that ample grounds for strapping me in. Idiots.

I've constructed a poking device out of a fork I stole from breakfast and the plastic flowers next to my bed. I'm going to try and get his attention and see whether he'll be ready to leave this morning or would rather sleep some more and take off this afternoon. Can I get back to you on the ride thing?

thanks, B

p.s. Thanks for everything, Megan. I owe you big time.
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 11:01:31 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Lift?

Hey Megan -

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. There was a little... incident... when I poked Jim in the face with the plastic flower. He regained consciousness a lot quicker than I had anticipated and was really disoriented (and, being blind, not altogether keyed in to the fact that the flower was distinctly non-threatening).

Anyway, before I realized what was happening, the man had lurched out of bed, swatted away the poking device, leapt on top of me and began vehemently demanding that I reveal to him my *own* wherabouts. I guess he thought I was one of the YOUs; I *told* you he was disoriented.

Needless to say, I convinced him of my true identity pretty quickly, but by then one of the nurses had shown up to see what all the commotion was about and... well... now we're *both* strapped down. And ready to get out of here ASAP.

So please, Megan, could you come and get us as soon as you have a spare moment? Jim's awake now and snarling at people. The old lady in the room next to us has already asked to be moved and now the only nurse that will even come in here is Greta, the Human Duplex. As you might imagine, the sooner we can get out of here the better.

thanks again, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 15:38:34 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Lift?

Sandy - I'll be right over, as soon as I stop laughing. Sorry, luv, but the mental picture of you poking Jim with a plastic flower and then him jumping you - it's killing me.

Are you sure they'll release you? And should Jim be leaving if he's still blind? I'm sure the hospital staff will be glad (as usual) to see the back of you, but no matter how disruptive you are I don't think they'll let you go if you're not fit.

Let me know either way, Megan

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 11:58:38 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Help, sir...

Sir,

Blair's in t he bathroom and I've swited his laptop - Get us the hell out of here, sir. He's dribing me uts. Please - for the love of god - I want to go home. I'll even take desk tduty if you want. pelase...

- Ellison
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 12:13:32 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Lift?

>Sandy - I'll be right over, as soon as I stop laughing. Sorry, luv, but >the mental picture of you poking Jim with a plastic flower and then him >jumping you - it's killing me.

Well I'm glad *somebody* else can appreciate the humor in the situation. Jim didn't quite see it that way. He was more concerned with the damage he had done to my ribcage and glowered at me quite fiercely when I started laughing at the absurdity of it all. How that man manages to glower so convincingly with half his face covered in bandages I'll never know.

>Are you sure they'll release you? And should Jim be leaving if he's still >blind?

Turns out you've hit the nail on the head here, Megan. The doctor just swung by and said he wanted to keep Jim under observation for one more night. His vision is starting to come back - he can see blobs of light and dark now - so the hope is that he'll be mostly recovered by tomorrow afternoon and then they can release him with a clean bill of health (well, at least for a man with a concussion, severe lesions, and several hairline fractures). I told Jim I would stay the extra night with him but he just muttered something about needing some "goddam peace and quiet." He's also insisted that I leave him the laptop so he can catch up on his e-mail from the last several days.

Jim Ellison: Internet Junkie. Who would have guessed?

So I guess it's just me in need of a chauffer. Thanks again, Megan.

see you soon, B

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 12:18:13 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
Subject: by the way...

I've conned Greta into letting me out of bed by giving her Rafe's phone number so I'll be packed and ready to go by the time you get here. I suppose it's kind of a mean trick to play on the guy, especially since he was so instrumental in, you know, saving my life and stuff... but on the other hand you never know: maybe he goes for the Strong, Silent, and Scary type.

see you soon, b

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:39:24 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Lift?

On my way, Sandy - Megan

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:40:25 EST
From: Megan Conner <notakiwi@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: by the way...

Sandy - Rafe is going to KILL you! ROTFLMAO! - Megan

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 16:37:46 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
CC: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Yet Again

Sir - sorry for the delay in answering this - I was kind of out of it. A rather large orderly appears to have sat on my chest at some point during my blackout - guess I got a little out of line. I swore I could hear Sandburg calling me and I guess I kicked up kind of a fuss. Anyway, I've got cracked ribs as a result - the weird thing is, I think he smokes your brand of cigars. Hard to believe a minimum wage guy can afford them.

I agree wholeheartedly with your criticisms, sir. If Sandburg hadn't taken the threat with his usual boulder of salt none of us would be in this mess. I think he's taken it to heart, sir - he seemed kind of subdued when Conner took him home this afternoon. But that might be because of the restraints. Anyway, you can count on less irresponsible behavior from him from now on.

And don't worry about the teargas, sir - you did what needed to be done. Tell Conner that I'm not sore. Well, my eyes are, but you know what I mean. The doctors said I can go home tomorrow, so I'll get going on the paperwork then.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 17:01:50 PST
From: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Yet Again

Detective -

That was not some orderly that sat on you. It was your Captain who was trying to keep you from hurting yourself any further. Sorry about the ribs.

I'm so happy that you think Sandburg has learned his lesson. Have you? I can almost excuse the kid for his behavior, he's not a trained cop, but you are... although you certainly didn't act like it. If you hadn't gone off after your partner, ALONE, we might not have had any problems to begin with. Are you going to start being more responsible?

Forget about the paperwork. I don't want to see you or Sandburg anywhere near the office until next Monday. I don't want to get phone calls from you, I don't want to look at you sorry faces, I don't even want to smell you. I certainly don't want to have to go galavanting around on horseback to save your sorry butts again. Stay home and heal. You can send your reports in via e-mail.

I mean it.

Simon

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 17:35:28 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Simon Banks <cascadecaptain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Yet Again

Sorry sir. It won't happen again. OK, it will, but I'll try harder not to have it happen so often. And I will stay home and so will Sandburg, even if I have to sit on him.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 17:41:57 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Damn.

Sandburg - this was - oh fuck. I'm bad at this. Me too. You, I mean. Make sure you take those meds the doctor gave you - no goddam weed pills as substitutes.

- Ellison

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 17:51:33 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: and another thing

Sandburg - did you pack my white socks by mistake? My feet are freezing and I can't find them.

- Ellison
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 02:49:09 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: kid...

I'm having a hard time here - my head is killing me. And my senses are still really screwed up - I can't smell anything and I can only see if I squint, but I keep thinking I hear your heartbeat. You're not here, are you chief?

Okay, this is

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 02:07:47 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

Blair, something's really fucked up. The screen says I sent you a message - I don't remember what I wrote or hitting send. And it's not in the Sent folder. What the hell's going on????????

- Jim
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 18:19:55 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: (none)

just hang on, Jim, okay? I'm on my way over right now.

In the meantime, take a few deep breaths and try to focus your hearing inwards - let the sound of your own heartbeat become a calming rhythm. If it's beating too fast, concentrate on slowing it down a bit until you feel completely relaxed.

Be right there
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 18:20:26 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: and...

and I'll bring you some socks...
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 18:42:39 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: (none)

BLAIR I CAN'T HEAR MY HEARTBEAT OH GOD!!!!!!

______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 18:52:19 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

blair? blair? ______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 19:17:19 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: (none)

BLAIR! IT HURTS! I CAN'T
______________________________________________________

Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 20:22:50 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: A few thoughts...

Finally, Jim. You're *finally* asleep.

Wow. That was really surreal. I have *never* seen you freak out like that before. Zone out? Yes. But this... this was something wholly new. By the time I got to the hospital you were pretty much incoherent. The nurses didn't even want to let me see you, not that I gave them any choice - they were worried you would get violent. Apparently you almost belted some poor candystriper when she tried to take your laptop away.

But of course you didn't hurt me - I know you probably felt a wave of panic at the prospect just now, so I figured I'd assuage your fears right off the bat.

They were all astonished when I entered the room and you calmed down almost immediately. You were still scared... weirdly scared. Don't think I've ever actually seen you outwardly frightened before. In fact I *know* I haven't. You still claimed you couldn't hear your own heartbeat but suddenly you could hear mine and you put your palm over my chest to see whether mine was really the heartbeat you were hearing or if you were just going crazy. And sure enough it was mine... at least you *said* it was mine. And then things started to get *really* strange...

Jim, I know you're not exactly enthusiastic about a lot of the spiritual elements of this whole Sentinel thing but - man - this was amazing. You kind of zoned out on the sound and feel of my heartbeat and I managed to get you to lay back down. So then I tried to talk you out of the zone and redirect your focus internally so you could pick up your own heartbeat again and I put my hand over your heart to try and pick up the rhythm and... my god, Jim, the synchronicity was overwhelming. Somehow you had synchronized your own heartbeat *exactly* with mine. It wasn't that you couldn't hear it - it was that you couldn't distinguish the two. And you'd been so focused on *me* that all sensory awareness of yourself got washed out in the process.

So we just sort of sat there for a while, hearts beating precisely in time.

Jesus, I can't believe I just wrote that. I sound like a fucking gothic romance novel. At least I'll have a fallback career if the anthropology thing doesn't work out.

Sorry. I shouldn't be making light of this, and I'm not... it's just... habit, you know?

So I could feel our hearts beating... Both of them. Fuck, it was like this amazing bond - I've never felt so absolutely connected to someone in my entire life. It was incredible. And forgive me, Jim, but I did a little experiment. I thought it might just be a coincidence, you know? Just one of those things... So I tried closing my eyes and just letting my mind race away with itself. The more I think, the more my body kicks into high gear and my pulse just skyrockets so I gave it a try...

And, man, your heartbeat went through the roof.

So then I tried the other way... did some deep breathing and slowed everything down. Went into serious meditation mode. And your heartbeat just followed right along.

That's how I finally got you to sleep a little while ago. Once you hit a certain threshold of mellow, your exhaustion took over and you conked right out. And I was left wide awake, puzzling over what it all meant.

And strangely enough, I think I know. Everything makes sense now, if my theory is correct. The zones over e-mail, the way you shut down after the explosion at the Student Center, the fact that you were able to extend your senses *WAY* farther than any of the tests we've done indicate you should... It's all about *connection*, man. You're evolving. *We're* evolving. And it is so fucking surreal I can't quite wrap my intellect around it. But I'll work on it, Jim. I'll figure it out.

Shit. You're starting to stir. I got all carried away with my thinking again and if your heartbeat's still mirroring mine it probably brought you right out of that meditative trance I had you in.

I'll sign off for now but rest assured there's more to come.

later, Blair

p.s. your senses must *really* have been spiking before I got here. I just noticed - you already *have* socks on.

______________________________________________________

TUESDAY, MARCH 14
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 15:34:54 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Home again...

...and about time. You're the one who's so good with words, Sandburg - maybe you can make some sense of this, because I sure as hell can't. I've probably only got a few minute until you get back from the bakery, but I want to get this down so we won't have to talk about it. Because I don't think I can talk about it, chief - not for a while.

The heartbeat thing. It was at the same time the most frightening and the most exhilarating thing that's ever happened to me. And I don't know what it meant. And I don't know what to do about it. You're going to have to help me with this, chief - I'm lost.

I know that even now, when you're not here, it's like I'm hollow - like I'm missing a vital organ. Shit, I'm saying this all wrong - it's not like I'm hollow, it's like I'm - ordinary. Like the part of me that makes me special is gone. That's not right either - makes it sound like I'm some goddam superhero or something instead of a throwback. I don't know what I mean, but we're off the road here Sandburg - hope you've got your guidebook, because I think we're headed for deep jungle.

I can hear you on the stairs - first time in 40 minutes that my pulse has been normal. Anyway - oh, hell, Sandburg, I don't know what to say. But you'll figure us out - you always do.

- Jim
______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 14:53:56 PST
From: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
To: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
Subject: Home again... and away we go...

Well. We've got some interesting times ahead of us, man. Hope you're ready to give those spiritual waters a try because we just jumped off the high dive feet first.

Frankly, I have to admit that I'm surprised you even *remember* the stuff that went down last night. I thought you were way too out-of-it to be actively conscious of what was going on... Of course, I've thought a lot of things over the years. When I was ten I thought I would grow up to be an NBA power forward. When I started college I thought I would have been through my dissertation and well into a professorship by now. When I met you I thought I would be able to conduct my research objectively and remain nothing more than an impartial observer. I never *once* imagined that I would become an integral part of the experiment. But then what is Science about if not forming an opinion and then later finding out that you're wrong?

So I was wrong... Bet you never expected to hear me admit that about anything Sentinel related, did you? But mistakes are a good thing. Making progress is all about being wrong. And whatever else this amazing transformation we're undergoing might be, it's *definitely* progress.

I'd seen examples of it in Burton's notes, you know - of the apparent profundity of the Sentinel-Guide bond - but I'd always kind of attributed it to basic fellowship, you know? Two souls united in adversity for the betterment of society's whole. I never actually discounted the mystical potential of the relationship... I just never had enough evidence to suggest that there was any merit to it. Well, until now. Now I have evidence that gives me shivers up the back of my neck, evidence that makes me want to reevaluate what my life's work is *really* all about.

Suddenly the interaction I've always chalked up to spiritual commensalism turns out to be pure, unadulterated symbiosis. There's an added dimension to the puzzle and it's wild, man.

But first things first - as soon as you're at full strength we need to try and get your senses back in working order. I don't know much about this new phase we seem to be moving into, but I *do* understand that we can't do it right until you regain your sense of self. Connection and co-dependence - they're two different things, Jim, and right now you're leaning towards the latter because the sensations that you're having - that *we're* having - are so foreign. Wonderful, but foreign. And to you they seem precariously ephemeral - you're afraid if you let go of them even for an instant they'll be gone forever. Believe me, I know what you're going through. I keep finding myself getting caught up in those same fears. But *I'm* not the one that can't tell whether or not he's wearing socks.

Conquering the fear needs to be top priority... for both of us. It's going to take some work, but you need to reestablish your center before we can forge ahead - you just have to have faith that you can find yourself without letting go of me. There's nothing to be afraid of, Jim - I'm not going anywhere.

I'm not going to lie to you: things are going to be tough for a while. *Really* tough. Once you let go of your fear of detachment you're going to try to shut down and push me away and do everything you can to temper the process of growth but you *can't*. I'm not going to let you get away with that shit anymore. A Sentinel is only solitary in his first stage of development and you, Jim Ellison, are ready to take the next step. Even if you don't know it yet. It's going to be an uphill battle but I'm going to be right there with you every step of the way.

I understand that you're not quite ready to talk about this yet. Hell, I don't know if *I'm* ready to talk about this yet, not face to face anyway: there's too much powerful shit going down and it's overwhelming, almost like we're reliving that moment at the fountain on a continuous loop, you know? Panther meets wolf and all of a sudden the universe opens up with this incredible burst of light and a new reality is born. You... me... a perpertual supernova.

The intensity of it all is making it *really* difficult for me to think logically about what's happening but I'm trying, man. I'm trying really hard. And so just this once I thought I'd make it easier on both of us and tell you all of this by e-mail. At least when I'm writing I can feign some semblance of rational thought. Just so you know, though, we *will* have to sit down and talk about this eventually, whether you like it or not. Great Voyages of Mystical Growth are *not* meant to happen over the internet. But we'll give it some time.

In the meantime we have to recalibrate, Jim, and find out what this new us is all about.

"We're headed for deep jungle," you said. Well there is no guidebook, but I've got my walking stick and my pocket knife and I'm willing to give it a shot. Think you're ready to join me?

______________________________________________________

Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 16:25:06 PST
From: James Ellison <det_ellison@hotmail.com>
To: Blair Sandburg <anthroblair@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Home again... and away we go...

OK, chief, I'm with you, although I never pictured myself with a spiritual guide to the next level, much less one equipped with a stick from L.L. Bean and a bar mitzvah pocket knife.

- Jim
______________________________________________________