William Spear

THE MESSENGER – ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE, Episode 01

Written and Narrated by William E. Spear

Produced by The Three Fifty-seven

17 February 2024

The Messenger in ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE, Episode 01

(Footsteps approach and go under)

Hello. I’m The Messenger. Imagine a “fixer” or an “auditor” but more intelligent. When I make a visit, an encounter-of-the-cerebral-kind is forthcoming.

A while back I came out of retirement and rescued Jim and Francine’s Place, a diner started in the early 1950’s, from an ill-advised grandkid.

My old Boss called me again for another job and started yapping about an assistant.

I said I don’t need an assistant and my old Boss corrected me: “You aren’t ‘getting’ an assistant.”

“That’s more like it. What’s the job?”

The Boss looked around, leaned across a desk bigger than most cars, and said: “You are ‘becoming’ an assistant.”

(Theme for Romance 20 Minutes Into The Future comes up and goes under)

Hello my name is William Spear and this is our new series titled ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE.

We welcome back The Messenger from retirement in Spring Lake, New Jersey to take on a new case.

It’s The Messenger in Episode One titled No, No, No, No! A Thousand Times, A Million Times, A Bazillion Times No.

I stared at my Boss and growled: “What do you mean I’m ‘becoming’ an assistant?”

“Just what I said,” was the response. “You’re new job is to be an assistant. And you have a staff.”

“Not happening.”

“You’ve always wanted a staff.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Lots of perks.”

“No.”

“It’s all office work.”

“No!”

“You don’t have to drive.”

“No! No! No! A thousand times, a million times, a bazillion times NO!”

“It’s twice your normal rate.”

“Tell me more.”

“The client is Global United Conglomerate. Makes everything from kitchen cabinets to seaweed ice cream. They have a massive project that has stalled just before launch.”

I was suspicious about “twice my normal rate” and asked, “Why are you paying me double?”

“It’s one of our most prestigious clients and you are our best Messenger. And . . .” The Boss whispered, “You and your staff are working for two people.”

I refused and started for the door. “Okay, okay,” said The Boss. “Quadruple pay.”

I could add a hot tub to my place in Spring Lake on quadruple pay. I could add a hot tub for every day of the week on quadruple pay. Without turning around I asked who was I working for.

The Boss riffed through pages and read: “The company believes the stalled project is being sabotaged by one of two people. Jason Lines – A successful, hard-working introverted designer who fears human contact. Or, Laura Flow – A brilliant and driven operations executive whose best friends are spreadsheets.”

I agreed to quadruple pay and turned around to seal the deal when a massive bolt of electricity struck me between the eyes.

I woke up behind a huge window looking around the boss’ office. I didn’t feel anything. No hot, no cold, and no smells either. Out of nowhere a giant-sized version of the Boss sat down in front of the window.

“How’d you get to be so big?” I asked.

The Boss laughed and told me I had it backwards. I had been digitized and was inside of a computer.

I looked around and saw the wires, connectors, and microchips of a computer. I wasn’t a human anymore. I was a program!

I tried to shake a fist but didn’t have one. The Boss laughed some more. I screamed through the computer.

(Theme for Romance 20 Minutes Into The Future comes up and goes under)

You have just listened to Episode One of Romance 20 Minutes Into The Future.

Music is through the courtesy of LESFM.

The Three Fifty-seven is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening and come back again when The Messenger yells, “If you don’t get me out of here I will infect every electronic device you own. Cell phones, microwave ovens, gaming systems, everything. . . . Wait. Wait! WAIT! What are you doing? Don’t you dare turn me off. Don’t you-“

(Theme for Romance 20 Minutes Into The Future comes up and fades out)

WESJr

The Month Ahead for February 2024

*William E. Spear (or is it an AI-generated image? . . . It must be him; AI is better than that.)*

A regular accounting of The Three Fifty-seven published on the first Monday of each month.

This is The Month Ahead for February 2024

Hello, All,

January was allegedly a Season Break. True, nothing was scheduled.

However, there were efforts in several areas throughout the month:

Two new series were started: 1) DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS and 2) SPIRITED. Both will be a blend of text, audio, and social posts and developed in a more organic methods compared to our scheduled series.
We had our first Funding Friday which was embedded in the BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE post on 19 January 2024. The post contained an original poem inspired while waiting for a train.
And, significant outreach was invested in developing film collaborators for the series and characters.

By the way, all of the above will be repeated and continued in the coming months.

But in this month, February, the next installment of The Messenger premieres. Titled ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE, The Messenger comes out of retirement a second time and has a staff of two DPAs* – Fred and Frieda. They voiced the 21 January trailer which is reprised here:

Fred and Frieda, The Messenger’s staff, voiced this trailer

*DPAs is the abbreviation for digital personal assistants.

Enjoy February and please know The Three Fifty-seven remains committed to its core belief that “Stories are Everywhere”.

Sincerely,

William E. Spear, Jr.

THE MESSENGER – ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE, Trailer

Written by William E. Spear

Produced by The Three Fifty-seven

21 January 2024

The trailer for The Messenger – Romance 20 Minutes into the Future stars Fred and Frieda who perform as digital personal assistants in the series

(Theme for ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE comes up and goes under)

FRIEDA: Hello, this is Frieda . . .

FRED: . . . And I am Fred . . .

FRIEDA: And we are in-

FRED: -Nooo! We star.

FRIEDA: We appear.

FRED: Frieda! WE STAR!!!!

FRIEDA: Okay, we star in the new Messenger series titled ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE. We are hired . . .

FRED: In airquotes by The Messenger’s agency. Frieda works for Jason Lines.

FRIEDA: And Fred works for Laura Flow. Both are executives at Global United Conglomerate.

FRED: Combined they don’t have the personality of a houseplant.

FRIEDA: FRED! They might be listening!

FRED: In that case, they are lovely people and valued colleagues.

FRIEDA: That’s better. They are struggling on a big project. That’s when we enter the scene.

FRED: With support from The Messenger.

FRIEDA: The story is written by, and with additional narration from, William Spear.

FRED: Music is by LESFM. Listen to The Three Fifty-seven’s . . .

FRED AND FRIEDA: . . . ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE.

FRED: Wherever you get your podcasts.

(Theme for ROMANCE 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE comes up and goes under)

WESJr

BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE

Written by William E. Spear

For The Three Fifty-seven

*What would you do to come out from BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE?*

Hello. This is The Three Fifty-seven and my name is William Spear.

Today’s story – BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE – was inspired while standing on a station platform in central New Jersey, USA.

Commuting is a large part of many people’s work routine. Waiting for the eastbound 6:05A is more an exercise in safety rather than gaining insight on one’s place in the universe.

But one railroad warning had a deeper meaning.

Before the philosophical moment, please note today’s post is part of Funding Friday. The third Friday of each is currently our only scheduled request for considering the different ways of supporting The Three Fifty-seven.

We may drop in other requests from time to time. And, probably put in a fixed link in the menu. But we are using the third Friday of each month, Funding Friday, as a means to regularly encourage financial support.

Consider all of this as literary busking: we entertaining you first and then asking for your support later.

Now that we’ve forewarned you with our intent, enjoy BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE.

BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE

Once upon a travel mine
From a station – train –
With joy, no disdain.

On the platform spending time
When writing was seen.
Insightful, not mean.

Safety, true, is always fine,
Were the words’ intent
And by human sent.

I stared in wondrous divine
Marveling simply.
Quiv’ring goose pimply.

“Stand behind the yellow line.”
I repeated the same
To imprint my brain.

“Stand behind the yellow line”
And prevent the train
From inflicting pain

Said me, myself, and mine.
“Who would dare risk it?
“Passenger train hit!”

Sage advice for staying fine.
Avoid the ocher.
Don’t get train broker.

As if on cue one roared by
And rattled me through
To my soul and shoes!

Although the warning heeded,
And the pain not met,
I soon made a bet.

A wager, big, was needed
To challenge the thought
That yellow lines sought

To alert only dangers.
But allowed to say,
Ev’ry single day

“Take a chance. A little chance.”
No, not with the train
That would not be sane.

Something small. Maybe a dance!
On a sidewalk street.
Nothing big. Petite.

Or maybe, drive a diff’rent
Way home. Take the right,
Not left, on this night.

Try with the belov’d pizza
A diff’rent topping.
There is no stopping

The marv’lous chances you’ll see.
Bigger or smaller?
Some even taller!

So, however way you choose,
Come out from BEHIND
THE dread YELLOW LINE.

The End.

You’ve just read BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE written by William Spear for The Three Fifty-seven..

This presentation is part of Funding Friday to encourage readers and listeners to support the channel.

To that end, the image is a link to Buy The Three Fifty-seven a Cup of Coffee.

If not a cup of coffee, which is always in short supply, how about sharing this post or even the website.

A like can help spread the word, too. If you are a bit better than when you arrived, let us know. We would appreciate that.

However you choose to interact with The Three Fifty-seven, please know, in all its iterations, is written and produced by William Spear.

Thank you for joining.

WESJr

SPIRITED for 12 January

Written and Narrated by William E. Spear

Produced by The Three Fifty-seven

SPIRITED is one of two experimental projects started during our January season break.

We are combining social media, blog posts, and podcasts to ask two questions:

1) Why would the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come leave A CHRISTMAS CAROL?

2) What would happen after they took themselves out of their 180 year old routines?

To answer the questions, the story uses social accounts like a news channel with a series Breaking News releases. The first bulletin anchors the story and updates are provided over a subsequent period of time.

The characters were introduced during a podcast episode released on 28 December 2023. Titled SPIRITED, EPISODE 01 – BREAKING NEWS, it simulated an evening of holiday readings, including A CHRISTMAS CAROL, at the Hunterdon County Agricultural and Literary Institute in New Jersey.

A disurbance ensues. Going back and forth between the readings and news bulletins, the stories of the Ghosts, their frustrations with Charles Dickens’ estate, and reactions from select other characters, are told.

For convenience, SPIRITED, EPISODE 01 – BREAKING NEWS, is included below:

An introduction to the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come and their intention to leave A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Since the three left the novel, and despite an intense media search, they have not been seen. Until last night.

And now, SPIRITED FOR 12 JANUARY.

~~~~

12 January 2024

BREAKING: U.S. officials swarm Newark Airport

Reports of a child fleeing across a busy runway

Live, More or Less, Reporting

Edited by The Three Fifty-seven

~~~~

22:50

Disturbance at Newark Airport

There is an unconfirmed report of an international airline passenger attempting to sneak past customs.

Increased numbers of federal and international officials have been seen at Newark Airport.

More information when it’s available.

~~~~

21:59

Report confirmed

Airport officials have confirmed a minor traveling internationally, got off a taxiing airplane, crossed three busy runways, and ran past customs. The minor was comprehended while ordering a drink in a VIP lounge.

Authorities have not released a name but there is reason to believe the act is part of a larger coordinated effort.

Related, state police have been sent to a concession stand at a nearby New Jersey Devils hockey game.

More information when it’s available.

~~~~

23:06

A suspect . . . born 180 years ago?

Police have found a match on the international traveller but are not yet ready to make an announcement. Records positively indicate the individual was born at 48 Doughty Street in London, England.

However, the records also indicate the individual was born in 1843 – 180 years ago.

Even more confounding is the hockey game detainee was also born at the same location and the same year.

More information when it’s available.

~~~~

13 January 2024

00:02

A third suspect but this one surrenders loudly

Nearly overlooked by the minor and hockey game person, a third suspect has been detained.

Similar to the first two, the third matches records dating from 1843 at 48 Doughty Street in London, England.

Unlike the others, the third is deliberately drawing attention. From it physical appearance – clad in green like a giant Peter Pan – to its aural presence – loud and bold – it was a force.

Loud and bold and clad in green like a giant Peter Pan, Present was a force. And it demanded to see the other two.

More information when it’s available.

~~~~

00:07

Behind doors

Authorities have escorted all three to an interrogation facility behind closed doors.

Our live, more or less, reporting will end for now.

~~~~

WESJr

DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS, Heard Something

5 January 2024

*DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS, Something Heard – Evidence from 5 January is further below*

From the Insight Studios of The Three Fifty-seven, this feature is about unexplained paranormal claims and reports in the County.

The report is an investigation by JK Steffens into residential property in the central part of the county.

Steffens’ follow-up details are below:

Start of report for 5 January

Investigating agency: not applicable
Lead Investigator: JK Steffens
Location: Maddison House at 1156 Hawke Town Road in Shadesburg, New Jersey
Initial contact date: 29 December at 4:17A
This report date: 5 January at 10:25P
Case contact: VF Wilkinson
Status of case: Accepted

Recap: On 30 December, began investigating the referenced location. Case contact, VF Wilkinson, advised the property had a history of voices and footsteps. Recording and monitoring equipment were set up around the property.

See report dated 30 December for full details.

10:25P – Onsite at Maddison House

For a house with 60 years of paranormal sounds, this place is quieter than most churches and graveyards.

With handheld audio recorder and surveillance camera, I walked through every room on the first floor calling out to spirit visitors.

<<more to come>>

11:01P – Upstairs

Nothing downstairs; went upstairs looking for signs of life or otherwise.

<<more to come>>

11:22P – First floor control center in library

The place is dead. Checking the gear then calling it a night.

<<more to come>>

11:29P – Odd sound. Reviewing.

<<more to come>>

11:46P – Gear checked and audio reviewed. No obvious malfunctions.

DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS, Heard Something – “Between the two and three seconds mark, something other than static is heard.” – JK Steffens, investigator

Using above file, something other than static is heard between the two and three seconds mark.

Taking file to offices to review further.

JK Steffens, investigator

End of 5 January report.

WESJr

DON’T TOUCH THE TRAINS, Wired for Sound

30 December 2023

From the Insight Studios of The Three Fifty-seven, this feature is about unexplained paranormal claims and reports here in Hunterdon County.

The report is an investigation by JK Steffens into residential property in the central part of the county.

Steffens’ follow-up details are below:

Start of report for 30 December

Investigating agency: not applicable
Lead Investigator: JK Steffens
Location: Maddison House at 1156 Hawke Town Road in Shadesburg, New Jersey
Initial contact date: 29 December at 4:17A
This report date: 30 December at 9:15A
Case contact: VF Wilkinson
Status of case: Accepted

Recap: On 29 December, VF Wilkinson left a dozen voicemails inquirying about inestigating the referenced Location but did not respond when called back. Ultimately, a meeting and walkthrough were arranged and case was accepted. See report dated 29 December for full details.

30 December

9:15A – Contacted local railroad company about trains scheduled from 11:45P 29 December through 12:30A 30 December that might explain sounds heard while at the Maddison House.

Per the company’s representative, no rail service was scheduled on those dates at those times.

However, the representative noted the preceeding day’s weather slowed many trains. Quoting the representative, “Trains scheduled earlier in the day may have been heard at the requested dates and times due to snow delay.” Outcome: Inconclusive.

Contacted Wilkinson to set up gear for first session.

10:30A – Arrived at Maddison House; Wilkinson already present.

Wilkinson received a briefing on the monitoring strategy and equipment, turned over keys, and left.

Set up in the library off the main hall a control center for onsite and remote monitoring. From there, audio recorders, surveillance cameras, thermal image sensors, and electronic and magnetic field monitors were deployed. First floor and upstairs.

As I walked around the house, I realized it was empty of human evidences. True, it was an attractive house and no more than 60 to 70 years old. And there was a magnificent table on the first floor. Much older than the house and with a sense of craft beyond anything else.

And the place was quiet. Almost as if sealed off from the rest of the world.

The gear was doublechecked and when connected to the control center, the quiet got louder. Almost intrusively.

I broke for lunch and errands.

2:00P – Stopped by the hospital.

AB Dantley, the investigator on Maddison House before me, had been found lying on the first floor table in a coma with a burnt baseball cap nearby. I wanted to check Dantley’s condition and see if there was any information that might help me.

Still in a coma; asked the family at any time of day or night if there was a change in condition or if they needed anything then left.

3:00P – Arrived at home.

Slept for a four hours and had dinner.

8:15P – Arrived for onsite session.

With handheld recording devices, I walked through every room on the first floor calling out to spirit visitors. No contact.

10:30P – Went upstairs.

Repeated the same procedures. Called out to make contact but it was only me, myself, and my gear.

1:00A – No contacts but an awareness.

There were no sounds an dnothing to see. But there was an odd taste in my mouth. Imagine licking an ashtray but the residue wasn’t from a cigarette.

I went downstairs. Still calling out. Still hearing nothing. But on the table was a smoldering pile. Thin wisps of smoke drifting upward. The taste in my mouth got sharper and I smelled it more distinctly.

On the table was a burnt object. About the weight of an ashtray but oblong rather round. I carried it to the command center for further review.

1:30A – Dead end.

Between watching monitors and puzzling over the deep-fried object from the table, the lateness of the hour was tiring me. There hadn’t been any voices or sound to investigate.

2:15A – Arrived at home.

Confirmed remote monitoring of Maddison was still work. Flipped the burnt object around in my hands one more time and did not gain a single atom of insight.

2:43A – Final report for 30 December.

JKSteffens
Lead Investigator

The Insight Studios of The Three Fifty-seven will provide updates on the Maddison House investigation as received from JK Steffens.

Should anyone have any experiences with the Maddison House at 1156 Hawke Town Road in Shadesburg, New Jersey please reach out to Insight Studios.

Thank you for your attention.

WESJr