The Little Red Notebook: Solving The Clues
THE LITTLE RED NOTEBOOK: SOLVING THE CLUES
I have stumbled across some of my old notes and books from the past couple of years. Lost stories I had written and awards that make me smile. Even my yearbook from high school. I pick up the oversized hardbound book and flip through the glossy pages. Heavy. Memories. Forgotten Yesterdays. I come across my picture. Hmmm. What was I thinking, lol. I look really silly in that picture. I remember wanting to look cool and did the latest thing, the curled and crimped job with my hair. Maybe I should keep this book hidden, lol.
It wasn’t until I went to college when I began adopting my feline persona, meow. I hunt through some more boxes. Most of this stuff I saved were major papers, a few career planning projects and a few stories I penned when I had to take a break from my endless studies during the four years at school. And often I would find myself in the library, hiding among the shelves like a scaredy-cat, but expanding my knowledge and welcomed the solitude, peacefulness, and order of the place.
In one of the dusty boxes, I find two diaries. Oh, yes. I started one when I headed off to Brown University with all the gusto and excitement of my bright new life. I wanted to document it all for future college-bound young people, maybe inspire them. I frown, it only had about a dozen entries. The second diary I started the summer before my final year, the summer I fell for a very pretty and mature, for her age, girl that had tutored me in preparation for some business and law classes I was going to take. Sadly, I never got the nerve to talk to her about my true feelings but I had planned to, many times, and my diary held all my thoughts and dreams about her but I was a scaredy-cat. I had not been continuous in my writings but when something new presented itself in my life, I tended to pull out this keepsake and write about my feelings.
I am reading and reliving a turning point in my life. At least in my sexual life and this is something I don’t share with everyone. I have two main sides to my sexual behavior, and I often struggle with the conflict between the two and the demands of cultural acceptance, and I hide one side from the other. This is all in my diary.
And here I am, about to finish up my internship at the law firm. Ellen, my boss, has always supported me and fought for any promotions that came my way. She is the one who suggested I return to Brown University to get my law degree. In my time there I had grown from a shy and studious college girl into a desiring and desirable young lesbian Kitty. And much of my accomplishments, both career and sexual confidence I owe to Ellen. I had cultivated many friendships with many attractive and adventurous young women in the city and none of this would have happened without the love and guidance of Ellen, a beautiful, powerful and experienced mature woman. I had become insatiable and explored every opportunity I had, I even flirted with the occult, cats and witches, which have resulted in experiences, some of which I cannot explain or even believe myself. So, let me begin.
I have always loved to read and get lost in other worlds, other lives. I didn’t mind all my time spent in the library at school or in the book rooms at the law buildings, I felt at home. Every bookstore, the quainter the better, has the power to draw my paws inside and my little claws will leaf through the pages and a book or two would always end up going home with me. On this particular day, our office courier was sick so I had to return a stack of documents to City Hall. It was the end of the day, so I removed my black leather Saban flats I wore in the office and put on my comfortable athletic Asics. The blue ones with the vivid green slash, as you well know. Once I had the cumbersome files and folders in my paws, I exited the office building and jogged to the bus stop before the bus pulled away. Halfway down the aisle an empty seat appeared and I slumped into it setting my heavy briefcase next to me. I take a few deep breaths close my eyes when my phone pings me. It’s from Nova, my co-worker, friend, lover, ok, girlfriend, lol.
Hey sexy where are you going?
Our courier was sick today so I’m headed to City Hall drop off some docs
I saw you outside my window trying to catch the MTA. You run so smoothly
Are you being funny?
No, baby Text me when you’re done
As the bus nears my destination, I decide to get off at W Broadway to walk the few blocks east to City Hall on Chambers St. When I turn down Warren St I immediately, or rather my kitty senses tingle, and I spot an old sign hanging from a brick building: Mysterious Bookshop. How am I supposed to resist that?
My athletic Asics take me to the entrance and I quietly open the door, like some silly cat burglar. I feel Fate drawing me in. The store is dimly lit as I make the floor creak with my first steps inside. Ummm, cedarwood, and… linseed oil. I bet these floors have felt hundreds of thousands of feet throughout the years. I walk a few more steps inside. I am sure I heard someone say “good evening, Sarah.” I look around but only see what appears to be the tail of a cat disappearing around a corner. I proceed further in the warm and inviting shop and hear a squeaking noise. I look around and see an old woman pushing a cart of used books. Then I spy a cat curled up on a reading couch in the corner. A black cat! I think of my Salem and of Nona, Nona the witch from a biography I obtained from that enchanted store on Houston St. My senses are filled with a hint of cloves and… lemon(?) as if covered with the dust from a thousand years of literature. I stroll down a couple aisles on the far wall. My brown eyes looking up and up and up… Most of these books I have never heard of, which makes them all the more interesting. And I spot a few that appear to be titled in ancient Greek. Curious.
Around the next aisle, I peruse a small collection covering bank heists, stolen masterworks of art, and my fav, famous jewel thefts by cat burglars, meow. The very next aisle is devoted to philosophy. Hmmm, interesting arrangement. So much is old and obscure with only hints of the established great authors. I circle back, like a cat, and head past the unexplained mysteries and strange phenomenon section and into the occult section. I run my finger down the shelves of the books like a k** with a stick on a picket fence. The books are old, colors of tan, dark green and shades of dark worn leather and covered with more dust. Here are subjects like alchemy, tarot, healing, and wizardry and witch craft. It instantly reminds me of that other mysterious bookshop, Serifos Sanctuary.
My cat senses tingle again, and I feel Salem, or rather the store’s resident black cat, rub my legs. It saunters off into the gloom at the end of the aisle. Hmm, I feel there is something here that I must find. What was that? I swear I heard something creak. Or, maybe footsteps? I look to where the black cat disappeared and out of the shadows the old woman materializes! Fuck! She ambles toward me, like a crone from ancient lore. But not scary like a witch. Almost, endearing, with that smile. She reaches out with her hands, shaking with the effort. I offer my hand and watch her old withered ones clasp it. Yet, I do not feel a thing! However, her expression tells me she does.
“You must be Sarah. Danae has told me all about you. I am one of the Moirai,” oddly, her voice sounds young, very young.
I look into her crystal blue eyes with a loss of understanding.
“Ah, I believe you may have heard of The Fates?” she laughs.
I nod my head.
“Well, I am Clotho, the owner of the Mysterious Bookshop. And I do believe there is something for you here,” as she releases my hand.
I turn toward the bookshelf and catch a brief glint just above my head. Among all the dark green and brown colored books is a little bright red notebook. The spine is unmarked but I’m curious, and without any effort on my part, my hand raises up and clutches the scarlet red notebook as if someone else (Clotho?) held me and directed my movements. The book, maybe a diary, had but a single word written on the cover: DARE.
I turned around to thank the store owner, but she had vanished. Like, into thin air, meow.
I gather my senses and find the couch the black cat was on. The cat had disappeared as well, but even in the dim glow from the floor lamp I see some cat hairs on the cushion. I smile, bend down and place my briefcase still full of the files and folders for City Hall on the rug, and I sit on the couch, cross my legs, and open the little red jewel in my hands.
Printed in beautiful cursive:
I have left some clues for you if are interested. If you are then turn the page. If you aren’t, please put the book back where you found it.
I look around the store. No other customers, I am alone. What could this be? I hesitate but hear Clotho whisper, “turn the page,” with the voice of a mischievous youth.
So you have chosen to play. The choice says something about you. Let’s begin.
___ ___ _______ __ ______ ___ ____ _____ ?
______ ___ _________ ____ ____ _______ ___ ___ _______
This is a coded message. You can decipher it if you are clever and fill in the blanks. You will need the right books, if you can find them. If you are a bibliophile I’m sure you will enjoy this.
Clue number 1:
“Wake up, stay with me Through the flood and through the fear Right now I need you here”
Find the modern aria with this verse to fill in the first two blanks!
Oh, a lovely puzzle to solve! I begin to pull out my smartphone like any young girl would, but look over and see the black cat curled up next to me. Her green eyes stare at my phone then back up to my face.
“You’re right, Miss Cat, I will put my phone away. Thanks for your advice,” I giggle at the purring cat.
Ok, aria, songs. Hmm, don’t recall seeing a section for songs, let alone modern ones. I get up and begin my search. Miss Cat watches my slim hips swivel as my Asics move my cat-like body out and among the books again. One of the rows is labeled: Opera Divas and Their Enchantments. Hmm, could this be it? Wouldn’t hurt to look. After a few minutes of seeing the Italian, French and German greats, I begin to suspect this was a dead end. I pivot and among books of major classical librettos I find one entitled: nilu
Hmm, I don’t know opera like the back of my paws, but nilu? I open the thin book and hear the glue in the binding crackle like I’m the first to ever open it. I begin reading:
“nilu is an Iranian composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist inspired by the human experience and belief that growth and healing are possible for all. Her music has been called reflective, timeless, and often noted for its introspective nature and musical complexities. With further themes of connection and compassion coursing through her work and life, it was a natural step when nilu performed for His Holiness The Dalai Lama at his 80th birthday celebration.”
She prefers not to capitalize her name, interesting. And among her songs I find the verse I’m looking for. The song is titled: Are You With Me
I quickly return to the couch and reach for my briefcase. I scribble the two words in the blanks and read the next clue.
Clue number 2: The Crucible
On page 156 find the 44th and 45th words
Well, that’s easy! Everyone knows Arthur Miller wrote his play, The Crucible, about the Salem witches. Off to the witchcraft aisle I shall go! I look over to the black cat for approval. She just purrs with her eyes closed.
I run like an excited schoolgirl and quickly find the book and after turning to page 156, I run back to the couch and write the words: Willing To
I turn the page and read the next clue.
Clue number 3: In Plato’s description of “Man”, how does man find meaning?
I scamper off to that philosophy section I curiously passed earlier. I find a large book on Athenian philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. In the reading I discover man must “Search” to find meaning.
I return to the couch and fill in the blank. The black cat is still purring.
Clue number 4: In the yard the birds are singing
“To thrill you with delight I'll give you diamonds bright There'll be things that will excite To make you dream of me at night”
Like before the first two words will fulfill the clue
Hmmm, I look to Miss Cat still sleeping. No help there. Well, singing, a song. Back to that strange opera aisle, I guess. My Asics take me there. Quickly. Silently.
Birds… The Byrds? My eyes fly over the B section. Not there. Hmmm… In the yard… yard… The Yardbirds!!! I kneel down and search the bottom shelf. There! Nobody Told Me: My Life with the Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories by Jim McCarty. Now why isn’t this under M? Oh well. I flip through the pages and come across some songs. Yes, here it is: For Your Love
I cheerfully run back to the sleeping black cat and try to sit down without disturbing her. Purr, purr, purr, as I jot down: For Your
I turn another page read the next clue.
Clue number 5: Behepa equals love and beauty
Those letters look Cyrillic. Russian? Ok, find a Russian dictionary. Wait, love and beauty. I’ll take Roman Gods for six hundred, Alex. I mean, Ken, er, Mayim, or whoever is hosting Jeopardy these days! But I answer to myself: Who is Venus?
I look over to Miss Cat who is now awake and looking right at me. What? Do I still have to find the answer in a book? A slow squeak approaches. We both turn and see Clotho wheeling that book cart toward us. She stops the cart on the soft rug and lifts a heavy tome and hands it to me: Russian Practical Dictionary by Dmitry Yermolovich
Whatever, I roll my eyes, as I accept the (fucking) heavy tome. How does this old woman pick up a book like this?!!?? Oh yeah, she’s mythical goddess. Wish I was one, meow.
I flip through a couple pages trying to determine the order of the alphabet and come upon Behepa. As I thought, it stands for Venus. I smirk at the black cat and turn to do the same to Clotho, but she, the cart and the heavy ass dictionary are all gone! My hands clutch air. Miss Cat stretches, exposing her claws, then settles back down, purring.
I write this clue down and realize I’m on the second line of blanks. Sweet!
I turn another page in the little red notebook.
Clue number 6: Elder L. Tom Perry states in address given at BYU on May 5, 1996,
“…His ancient gospel has been restored, and that the Church of Jesus Christ is again available to all mankind. May we ______ ___ _________ that we have been called to assume in this great day.”
Hmmm. Ok. Elder and Church of Jesus Christ. Sounds like Mr Perry may be associated with the Mormons. And, yeah, BYU, Brigham Young, duh! I leap up from the couch and my blue Asics fly to the religious section. Holy shit! There were two whole shelves full of the proceedings of The Latter Day Saints. Oh, but they are by date, ha hah! My fingers slide over the backings till I reach 1996. I tip the book into my hand and inside find Perry’s address in May: May we accept the challenge that we have been called to assume in this great day.
I return to the couch and fill in three more blanks!!!
Next clue.
Clue number 7: You must follow Dr. No before you get a goldfinger.
Use the first word to fill in the next blank
Follow Dr. No? What if I don’t want to? Hmmm, I look over at Miss Cat. Still purring. Still no help. Should I wait for Clotho again? Ahhhh!!! I get up and start pacing like a caged tiger. Miss Cat wakes up and watches me. Her head moves back and forth. Her tail swishes. I walk over and lean down to pet her soft, shiny black fur. Purr Purr Purrrrrr…
Wait! If goldfinger was capitalized I might have realized they are James Bond films!! But which one came between. Sorry, this sexy cat ain’t no Bond geek, meow. I walk around the shop in the dark. I chance upon three aisles I missed before. The first sign is 2D Motion. The next is 3D Motion. And the last sign is 4D Motion. What?? I so want to explore the last aisle, or even the middle one(!) but stick with this game and walk down the 2D one. Sure enough, under B, I find the book: The Complete James Bond Movie Encyclopedia
I reach up and tip it over and it falls through my paws and lands with a super thud! I don’t think James would’ve done that, I giggle as I bend over and pick it up. And within I find the movie: From Russia With Love.
I skip back (yes, I put that darn heavy book back!) and fill in that blank. I need a drink. Like red wine, please. Miss Cat purrs.
Ok, turn the page. Next clue.
Clue number 8: Equivalent of Cupid and Opposite of Himself
These will fill in the next two blanks.
Ok, I’m not that well-versed in mythology. Cupid? Off to Legends, Myths and… Grammar?? I look at the sign again, yep, Grammar. Whatever. This whole store is a mystery. What’s the name of this place again? Never mind!!!
I find a good tome on Roman gods. Leafing through I discover that Cupid is the god of desire and erotic attraction. What would be his equivalent? Eros! Do I have to look it up? My conscience tells me yes. Ok, I find a Greek mythology book and under E: Eros god of love and sex. Bingo!
Now, opposite of himself. Fuck! My mind is drawing a blank.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
From out of the shadows appears Clotho and her wonder cart. One book (yes, heavy) sits on it. This time I pick it up, with some effort, of course. Basic English Grammar for Dummies.
Ha, hah! I bend the softcover (yes, it’s still heavy and thick damn it!) and let the pages flip by.
Pronouns.
“Did you know there are reflexive and intensive pronouns?” I ask Clotho.
She just stands there with her hands clasped and smiles back up at me.
Maybe she doesn’t hear me, she is old, I think to myself.
“Look under intensive ones, deary,” she chides me.
“Oh, thank you Clotho!” and I turn to the proper page.
Sure enough, himself is an intensive pronoun. Well, it must be herself as the opposite! I snap the book shut, well, close it in my hands and turn to…
Yep, cart, woman, book (again!) all gone.
Back to the couch and fill in my red notebook.
On the next page I find this amusing passage:
Listen, you made it this far. I am impressed. So here are two freebies: And Own
Plus I couldn’t find an appropriate book with those words that would make this clue fun, sorry!
I look over to Miss Cat to see if I’m being tricked. She just licks her paws and stares back with those cool green eyes. I fill in the blanks with those two words. Now, the last one!
Clue number 9 (the last one, congratulations!):
“Back to back
Sacroiliac
Spineless movement and a wild attack
Face to face
Sadly solitude
And it's finger popping…”
The title says it all, kitty kat
I start to hum the words as I return to the very first aisle Opera Divas and Their Enchantments. I sing it over and over, changing the tempo, adding a few guitar riffs. Cymbal crashes. Nothing. Hmmm. Something missing. I almost give up, but, the squeaking again! No! Whispers. Clotho. Her young voice sounds in my ear: What gentlemen prefer
Huh? I shake my head. Well, they prefer blondes, right? Miss Cat zips past my legs chasing some phantom shadow.
Oh, Blondie! Duh!!! Sure enough under B is a book about her career and life. In the back I find a list of her songs. One sticks out at me: Rapture!!!
Yes, I hum the rest of it: “Twenty-four hour shopping in… rapture.”
I fill in the last blank and read the two phrases:
ARE YOU WILLING TO SEARCH FOR YOUR VENUS?
ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE FROM EROS HERSELF AND OWN RAPTURE
I take a moment to digest this, close my eyes an breathe slowly. I no longer hear Miss Cat purring. I open my eyes and she has left. Somewhere. Maybe to hunt for mice in the shop. I pull out my smartphone and take a picture of this page of the red notebook.
Then I turn the page.
DO YOU DARE?
I hesitate as I absorb this question and what the consequences could be. The curiosity is too great and the message has me so very intrigued. I grab the edge of the paper and turn the page.
Look in the back of the last book you found.
I slowly get up and walk toward that aisle. Still no other customers. Eerily quiet. I walk down to the B’s and look up. I reach for that Blondie book again. I open it and turn to the back. The last few pages are blank. All of them. One is even torn out. Huh? Then I flip back one and find a yellow sticky note.
Go to the 3 Dollar Bill. There you will perform the song Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan. Do your best and you may continue this game.
I gather my briefcase and put the little red notebook inside. As I leave the bookstore, I turn to say goodbye to Clotho and Miss Cat, but neither are visible in the gloom. Outside I look at my Fitbit thinking it is very late and I have been in the bookstore for hours. That can’t be… I tap on my Fitbit like that’s going to do anything. No time has passed. Literally! Seems NYC is full of magical bookstores, I chuckle to myself and head to City Hall.
I have stumbled across some of my old notes and books from the past couple of years. Lost stories I had written and awards that make me smile. Even my yearbook from high school. I pick up the oversized hardbound book and flip through the glossy pages. Heavy. Memories. Forgotten Yesterdays. I come across my picture. Hmmm. What was I thinking, lol. I look really silly in that picture. I remember wanting to look cool and did the latest thing, the curled and crimped job with my hair. Maybe I should keep this book hidden, lol.
It wasn’t until I went to college when I began adopting my feline persona, meow. I hunt through some more boxes. Most of this stuff I saved were major papers, a few career planning projects and a few stories I penned when I had to take a break from my endless studies during the four years at school. And often I would find myself in the library, hiding among the shelves like a scaredy-cat, but expanding my knowledge and welcomed the solitude, peacefulness, and order of the place.
In one of the dusty boxes, I find two diaries. Oh, yes. I started one when I headed off to Brown University with all the gusto and excitement of my bright new life. I wanted to document it all for future college-bound young people, maybe inspire them. I frown, it only had about a dozen entries. The second diary I started the summer before my final year, the summer I fell for a very pretty and mature, for her age, girl that had tutored me in preparation for some business and law classes I was going to take. Sadly, I never got the nerve to talk to her about my true feelings but I had planned to, many times, and my diary held all my thoughts and dreams about her but I was a scaredy-cat. I had not been continuous in my writings but when something new presented itself in my life, I tended to pull out this keepsake and write about my feelings.
I am reading and reliving a turning point in my life. At least in my sexual life and this is something I don’t share with everyone. I have two main sides to my sexual behavior, and I often struggle with the conflict between the two and the demands of cultural acceptance, and I hide one side from the other. This is all in my diary.
And here I am, about to finish up my internship at the law firm. Ellen, my boss, has always supported me and fought for any promotions that came my way. She is the one who suggested I return to Brown University to get my law degree. In my time there I had grown from a shy and studious college girl into a desiring and desirable young lesbian Kitty. And much of my accomplishments, both career and sexual confidence I owe to Ellen. I had cultivated many friendships with many attractive and adventurous young women in the city and none of this would have happened without the love and guidance of Ellen, a beautiful, powerful and experienced mature woman. I had become insatiable and explored every opportunity I had, I even flirted with the occult, cats and witches, which have resulted in experiences, some of which I cannot explain or even believe myself. So, let me begin.
I have always loved to read and get lost in other worlds, other lives. I didn’t mind all my time spent in the library at school or in the book rooms at the law buildings, I felt at home. Every bookstore, the quainter the better, has the power to draw my paws inside and my little claws will leaf through the pages and a book or two would always end up going home with me. On this particular day, our office courier was sick so I had to return a stack of documents to City Hall. It was the end of the day, so I removed my black leather Saban flats I wore in the office and put on my comfortable athletic Asics. The blue ones with the vivid green slash, as you well know. Once I had the cumbersome files and folders in my paws, I exited the office building and jogged to the bus stop before the bus pulled away. Halfway down the aisle an empty seat appeared and I slumped into it setting my heavy briefcase next to me. I take a few deep breaths close my eyes when my phone pings me. It’s from Nova, my co-worker, friend, lover, ok, girlfriend, lol.
Hey sexy where are you going?
Our courier was sick today so I’m headed to City Hall drop off some docs
I saw you outside my window trying to catch the MTA. You run so smoothly
Are you being funny?
No, baby Text me when you’re done
As the bus nears my destination, I decide to get off at W Broadway to walk the few blocks east to City Hall on Chambers St. When I turn down Warren St I immediately, or rather my kitty senses tingle, and I spot an old sign hanging from a brick building: Mysterious Bookshop. How am I supposed to resist that?
My athletic Asics take me to the entrance and I quietly open the door, like some silly cat burglar. I feel Fate drawing me in. The store is dimly lit as I make the floor creak with my first steps inside. Ummm, cedarwood, and… linseed oil. I bet these floors have felt hundreds of thousands of feet throughout the years. I walk a few more steps inside. I am sure I heard someone say “good evening, Sarah.” I look around but only see what appears to be the tail of a cat disappearing around a corner. I proceed further in the warm and inviting shop and hear a squeaking noise. I look around and see an old woman pushing a cart of used books. Then I spy a cat curled up on a reading couch in the corner. A black cat! I think of my Salem and of Nona, Nona the witch from a biography I obtained from that enchanted store on Houston St. My senses are filled with a hint of cloves and… lemon(?) as if covered with the dust from a thousand years of literature. I stroll down a couple aisles on the far wall. My brown eyes looking up and up and up… Most of these books I have never heard of, which makes them all the more interesting. And I spot a few that appear to be titled in ancient Greek. Curious.
Around the next aisle, I peruse a small collection covering bank heists, stolen masterworks of art, and my fav, famous jewel thefts by cat burglars, meow. The very next aisle is devoted to philosophy. Hmmm, interesting arrangement. So much is old and obscure with only hints of the established great authors. I circle back, like a cat, and head past the unexplained mysteries and strange phenomenon section and into the occult section. I run my finger down the shelves of the books like a k** with a stick on a picket fence. The books are old, colors of tan, dark green and shades of dark worn leather and covered with more dust. Here are subjects like alchemy, tarot, healing, and wizardry and witch craft. It instantly reminds me of that other mysterious bookshop, Serifos Sanctuary.
My cat senses tingle again, and I feel Salem, or rather the store’s resident black cat, rub my legs. It saunters off into the gloom at the end of the aisle. Hmm, I feel there is something here that I must find. What was that? I swear I heard something creak. Or, maybe footsteps? I look to where the black cat disappeared and out of the shadows the old woman materializes! Fuck! She ambles toward me, like a crone from ancient lore. But not scary like a witch. Almost, endearing, with that smile. She reaches out with her hands, shaking with the effort. I offer my hand and watch her old withered ones clasp it. Yet, I do not feel a thing! However, her expression tells me she does.
“You must be Sarah. Danae has told me all about you. I am one of the Moirai,” oddly, her voice sounds young, very young.
I look into her crystal blue eyes with a loss of understanding.
“Ah, I believe you may have heard of The Fates?” she laughs.
I nod my head.
“Well, I am Clotho, the owner of the Mysterious Bookshop. And I do believe there is something for you here,” as she releases my hand.
I turn toward the bookshelf and catch a brief glint just above my head. Among all the dark green and brown colored books is a little bright red notebook. The spine is unmarked but I’m curious, and without any effort on my part, my hand raises up and clutches the scarlet red notebook as if someone else (Clotho?) held me and directed my movements. The book, maybe a diary, had but a single word written on the cover: DARE.
I turned around to thank the store owner, but she had vanished. Like, into thin air, meow.
I gather my senses and find the couch the black cat was on. The cat had disappeared as well, but even in the dim glow from the floor lamp I see some cat hairs on the cushion. I smile, bend down and place my briefcase still full of the files and folders for City Hall on the rug, and I sit on the couch, cross my legs, and open the little red jewel in my hands.
Printed in beautiful cursive:
I have left some clues for you if are interested. If you are then turn the page. If you aren’t, please put the book back where you found it.
I look around the store. No other customers, I am alone. What could this be? I hesitate but hear Clotho whisper, “turn the page,” with the voice of a mischievous youth.
So you have chosen to play. The choice says something about you. Let’s begin.
___ ___ _______ __ ______ ___ ____ _____ ?
______ ___ _________ ____ ____ _______ ___ ___ _______
This is a coded message. You can decipher it if you are clever and fill in the blanks. You will need the right books, if you can find them. If you are a bibliophile I’m sure you will enjoy this.
Clue number 1:
“Wake up, stay with me Through the flood and through the fear Right now I need you here”
Find the modern aria with this verse to fill in the first two blanks!
Oh, a lovely puzzle to solve! I begin to pull out my smartphone like any young girl would, but look over and see the black cat curled up next to me. Her green eyes stare at my phone then back up to my face.
“You’re right, Miss Cat, I will put my phone away. Thanks for your advice,” I giggle at the purring cat.
Ok, aria, songs. Hmm, don’t recall seeing a section for songs, let alone modern ones. I get up and begin my search. Miss Cat watches my slim hips swivel as my Asics move my cat-like body out and among the books again. One of the rows is labeled: Opera Divas and Their Enchantments. Hmm, could this be it? Wouldn’t hurt to look. After a few minutes of seeing the Italian, French and German greats, I begin to suspect this was a dead end. I pivot and among books of major classical librettos I find one entitled: nilu
Hmm, I don’t know opera like the back of my paws, but nilu? I open the thin book and hear the glue in the binding crackle like I’m the first to ever open it. I begin reading:
“nilu is an Iranian composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist inspired by the human experience and belief that growth and healing are possible for all. Her music has been called reflective, timeless, and often noted for its introspective nature and musical complexities. With further themes of connection and compassion coursing through her work and life, it was a natural step when nilu performed for His Holiness The Dalai Lama at his 80th birthday celebration.”
She prefers not to capitalize her name, interesting. And among her songs I find the verse I’m looking for. The song is titled: Are You With Me
I quickly return to the couch and reach for my briefcase. I scribble the two words in the blanks and read the next clue.
Clue number 2: The Crucible
On page 156 find the 44th and 45th words
Well, that’s easy! Everyone knows Arthur Miller wrote his play, The Crucible, about the Salem witches. Off to the witchcraft aisle I shall go! I look over to the black cat for approval. She just purrs with her eyes closed.
I run like an excited schoolgirl and quickly find the book and after turning to page 156, I run back to the couch and write the words: Willing To
I turn the page and read the next clue.
Clue number 3: In Plato’s description of “Man”, how does man find meaning?
I scamper off to that philosophy section I curiously passed earlier. I find a large book on Athenian philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. In the reading I discover man must “Search” to find meaning.
I return to the couch and fill in the blank. The black cat is still purring.
Clue number 4: In the yard the birds are singing
“To thrill you with delight I'll give you diamonds bright There'll be things that will excite To make you dream of me at night”
Like before the first two words will fulfill the clue
Hmmm, I look to Miss Cat still sleeping. No help there. Well, singing, a song. Back to that strange opera aisle, I guess. My Asics take me there. Quickly. Silently.
Birds… The Byrds? My eyes fly over the B section. Not there. Hmmm… In the yard… yard… The Yardbirds!!! I kneel down and search the bottom shelf. There! Nobody Told Me: My Life with the Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories by Jim McCarty. Now why isn’t this under M? Oh well. I flip through the pages and come across some songs. Yes, here it is: For Your Love
I cheerfully run back to the sleeping black cat and try to sit down without disturbing her. Purr, purr, purr, as I jot down: For Your
I turn another page read the next clue.
Clue number 5: Behepa equals love and beauty
Those letters look Cyrillic. Russian? Ok, find a Russian dictionary. Wait, love and beauty. I’ll take Roman Gods for six hundred, Alex. I mean, Ken, er, Mayim, or whoever is hosting Jeopardy these days! But I answer to myself: Who is Venus?
I look over to Miss Cat who is now awake and looking right at me. What? Do I still have to find the answer in a book? A slow squeak approaches. We both turn and see Clotho wheeling that book cart toward us. She stops the cart on the soft rug and lifts a heavy tome and hands it to me: Russian Practical Dictionary by Dmitry Yermolovich
Whatever, I roll my eyes, as I accept the (fucking) heavy tome. How does this old woman pick up a book like this?!!?? Oh yeah, she’s mythical goddess. Wish I was one, meow.
I flip through a couple pages trying to determine the order of the alphabet and come upon Behepa. As I thought, it stands for Venus. I smirk at the black cat and turn to do the same to Clotho, but she, the cart and the heavy ass dictionary are all gone! My hands clutch air. Miss Cat stretches, exposing her claws, then settles back down, purring.
I write this clue down and realize I’m on the second line of blanks. Sweet!
I turn another page in the little red notebook.
Clue number 6: Elder L. Tom Perry states in address given at BYU on May 5, 1996,
“…His ancient gospel has been restored, and that the Church of Jesus Christ is again available to all mankind. May we ______ ___ _________ that we have been called to assume in this great day.”
Hmmm. Ok. Elder and Church of Jesus Christ. Sounds like Mr Perry may be associated with the Mormons. And, yeah, BYU, Brigham Young, duh! I leap up from the couch and my blue Asics fly to the religious section. Holy shit! There were two whole shelves full of the proceedings of The Latter Day Saints. Oh, but they are by date, ha hah! My fingers slide over the backings till I reach 1996. I tip the book into my hand and inside find Perry’s address in May: May we accept the challenge that we have been called to assume in this great day.
I return to the couch and fill in three more blanks!!!
Next clue.
Clue number 7: You must follow Dr. No before you get a goldfinger.
Use the first word to fill in the next blank
Follow Dr. No? What if I don’t want to? Hmmm, I look over at Miss Cat. Still purring. Still no help. Should I wait for Clotho again? Ahhhh!!! I get up and start pacing like a caged tiger. Miss Cat wakes up and watches me. Her head moves back and forth. Her tail swishes. I walk over and lean down to pet her soft, shiny black fur. Purr Purr Purrrrrr…
Wait! If goldfinger was capitalized I might have realized they are James Bond films!! But which one came between. Sorry, this sexy cat ain’t no Bond geek, meow. I walk around the shop in the dark. I chance upon three aisles I missed before. The first sign is 2D Motion. The next is 3D Motion. And the last sign is 4D Motion. What?? I so want to explore the last aisle, or even the middle one(!) but stick with this game and walk down the 2D one. Sure enough, under B, I find the book: The Complete James Bond Movie Encyclopedia
I reach up and tip it over and it falls through my paws and lands with a super thud! I don’t think James would’ve done that, I giggle as I bend over and pick it up. And within I find the movie: From Russia With Love.
I skip back (yes, I put that darn heavy book back!) and fill in that blank. I need a drink. Like red wine, please. Miss Cat purrs.
Ok, turn the page. Next clue.
Clue number 8: Equivalent of Cupid and Opposite of Himself
These will fill in the next two blanks.
Ok, I’m not that well-versed in mythology. Cupid? Off to Legends, Myths and… Grammar?? I look at the sign again, yep, Grammar. Whatever. This whole store is a mystery. What’s the name of this place again? Never mind!!!
I find a good tome on Roman gods. Leafing through I discover that Cupid is the god of desire and erotic attraction. What would be his equivalent? Eros! Do I have to look it up? My conscience tells me yes. Ok, I find a Greek mythology book and under E: Eros god of love and sex. Bingo!
Now, opposite of himself. Fuck! My mind is drawing a blank.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
From out of the shadows appears Clotho and her wonder cart. One book (yes, heavy) sits on it. This time I pick it up, with some effort, of course. Basic English Grammar for Dummies.
Ha, hah! I bend the softcover (yes, it’s still heavy and thick damn it!) and let the pages flip by.
Pronouns.
“Did you know there are reflexive and intensive pronouns?” I ask Clotho.
She just stands there with her hands clasped and smiles back up at me.
Maybe she doesn’t hear me, she is old, I think to myself.
“Look under intensive ones, deary,” she chides me.
“Oh, thank you Clotho!” and I turn to the proper page.
Sure enough, himself is an intensive pronoun. Well, it must be herself as the opposite! I snap the book shut, well, close it in my hands and turn to…
Yep, cart, woman, book (again!) all gone.
Back to the couch and fill in my red notebook.
On the next page I find this amusing passage:
Listen, you made it this far. I am impressed. So here are two freebies: And Own
Plus I couldn’t find an appropriate book with those words that would make this clue fun, sorry!
I look over to Miss Cat to see if I’m being tricked. She just licks her paws and stares back with those cool green eyes. I fill in the blanks with those two words. Now, the last one!
Clue number 9 (the last one, congratulations!):
“Back to back
Sacroiliac
Spineless movement and a wild attack
Face to face
Sadly solitude
And it's finger popping…”
The title says it all, kitty kat
I start to hum the words as I return to the very first aisle Opera Divas and Their Enchantments. I sing it over and over, changing the tempo, adding a few guitar riffs. Cymbal crashes. Nothing. Hmmm. Something missing. I almost give up, but, the squeaking again! No! Whispers. Clotho. Her young voice sounds in my ear: What gentlemen prefer
Huh? I shake my head. Well, they prefer blondes, right? Miss Cat zips past my legs chasing some phantom shadow.
Oh, Blondie! Duh!!! Sure enough under B is a book about her career and life. In the back I find a list of her songs. One sticks out at me: Rapture!!!
Yes, I hum the rest of it: “Twenty-four hour shopping in… rapture.”
I fill in the last blank and read the two phrases:
ARE YOU WILLING TO SEARCH FOR YOUR VENUS?
ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE FROM EROS HERSELF AND OWN RAPTURE
I take a moment to digest this, close my eyes an breathe slowly. I no longer hear Miss Cat purring. I open my eyes and she has left. Somewhere. Maybe to hunt for mice in the shop. I pull out my smartphone and take a picture of this page of the red notebook.
Then I turn the page.
DO YOU DARE?
I hesitate as I absorb this question and what the consequences could be. The curiosity is too great and the message has me so very intrigued. I grab the edge of the paper and turn the page.
Look in the back of the last book you found.
I slowly get up and walk toward that aisle. Still no other customers. Eerily quiet. I walk down to the B’s and look up. I reach for that Blondie book again. I open it and turn to the back. The last few pages are blank. All of them. One is even torn out. Huh? Then I flip back one and find a yellow sticky note.
Go to the 3 Dollar Bill. There you will perform the song Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan. Do your best and you may continue this game.
I gather my briefcase and put the little red notebook inside. As I leave the bookstore, I turn to say goodbye to Clotho and Miss Cat, but neither are visible in the gloom. Outside I look at my Fitbit thinking it is very late and I have been in the bookstore for hours. That can’t be… I tap on my Fitbit like that’s going to do anything. No time has passed. Literally! Seems NYC is full of magical bookstores, I chuckle to myself and head to City Hall.
2 年 前