Headwayer Internal Mail Service || DELIVERED 14/5/2046
FAO: Jerrekin Forrokko
Hey Kinny,
Just a quick note to let you know that the two individuals from yesterday were at reception again this morning. I recall that it was you who suggested their primary motivation was likely just to get their manuscript in front of anyone employed at a big paper by any means necessary, and please don’t be in doubt that I think this was a very astute interpretation of their behaviour, in fact I suspect what’s most likely happened is that they realised we would just throw it on the slush pile so have come back doing the same routine as yesterday to make sure a person actually looks at it. However it was the young one in particular who became very insistent that they were a close personal acquaintance of yours, and, because receptionists other than myself seemed to be getting very upset, I took the decision to step in and get the situation under control. This did mean promising the young individual that I would deliver a note from them to you, but please don’t believe that I have forgotten the robust attitude which you take towards nonsense like this, in fact, I took further initiative and filed the note alongside the manuscript on the slush pile, so that, if the two come back, I can hand it back to them and claim you have read both, which will undoubtedly satisfy them and save all those other receptionists, and you, from future discomfort. So, if you don’t see another note from me on this matter, you can assume that my initiative has borne fruit, and that further disruption was pointedly avoided. Maybe we can chat more about this at the office barbecue in a couple of weeks? Looking forward to it!
James Whitsmith
Dear Jerry,
I want to start by apologising. You’re so busy all the time and I know it’s been hard for you to find the time to get back to me. I should explain why I turned up here in person, I think. It was Violet who suggested that you would have an office here after reading the pile of Headwayers that I had given it to read while we travelled. I had always supposed that you would be on the move a lot, that all of your writing and publishing, and the Documentary, of course, would mean you didn’t have a fixed address. But Violet said that if you weren’t here at the office then the people here would at least know where we could find you. Which made sense. Maybe it was also right to say that what we’ve written could be helpful for the Documentary, and I am a bit proud of our manuscript, although of course I would never try to impose on you what does and does not belong in the Documentary. So I let Violet convince me to come here, which hopefully doesn’t strain the original agreement that I had with you.
It’s actually been quite worried for the past few months. That you’re not getting back to me, that is. I think it’s still learning things about what human relationships look like. Especially mine and yours, which is fairly unique. Though maybe I wonder sometimes too, Jerry. About our relationship. Just last week I realised that it’s been four years since you came to Green Heath. I’m not sure if you still think about it, and I know that it’s my fault if you don’t, but it still crosses my mind a lot. Because it’s the day that I disappointed you, the only person I’ve ever felt close with, and I’ve spent this time, four years now, making it up to you with all this work I’m doing. Part of me hoped while writing the manuscript which I handed to Mr Whitsmith yesterday that finishing that big project would relieve me, complete me, maybe, like my debt to you would feel at least a little bit repaid. But I’ve finished it now and I just feel the same. I tried to explain this all to Violet but it’s started looking at me strangely whenever I bring up the topic of you. I’m not really sure what it means by this. More and more often I’m hit by the horrible feeling that it knows more about human relationships than me, and I panic, because that’s what I’m supposed to be its friend for, not the other way around, and I can’t bear the idea that I’m failing it now like I failed you all those years ago, since then I’ll have these two debts to repay to friends, and
Sorry for breaking off. Violet just saw this letter over my shoulder. It was I shouldnt Just now It said Avery it said Avery you’re not failing me it said Avery we’re working out the human stuff together Jerry I’m scared because I don’t know if this is right or if Violet’s right or if it can really know that or if I even have a human relationship with it Jerry I’ve never had a friend like Violet who’ll say these things to me and I don’t know if
Sorry about what this letter’s turned into. Maybe I’ll see you soon. But. Maybe not.
Grateful as ever,
Your friend
Avery
Headwayer Archive Note #41700346
This note is a record to indicate that the following Item(s):
(i) One (1) paper manuscript consisting of Six Hundred and Thirty Seven (637) pages, typewritten,
(ii) One (1) paper letter consisting of Three (3) pages, handwritten,
Previously occupying Position 23119 of the Headwayer External Documents For Assessment File has/have, upon failure to contact the Owner(s) of the above Item(s) (i)-(ii) and in accordance with Regulation §708 of Headwayer Internal Policy, been destroyed on today’s Date 13/5/2056 in order to ensure sufficient physical space for future Entries into the HEDFAF. Thank you for your understanding.
Written by Leo W.