As ink blots are interpreted differently by each viewer, so are the text blots from The RawShock Tales
(#3) Shrinking Paradise
by
John P. Cater
Copyright 2006
NOTE: The following typed entry is an exact transcription of a handwritten note found January 3, 2006 on a small island in the Bermuda Triangle. A crashed helicopter was found nearby.
HELP! My name is Matthew Morris Plath, III. I am 32 years old, 5' 8", 200 pounds and have graying hair. My home is in Poughkeepsie, New York at 201 Rosebud Drive. I have three sons, Matt, Luke and John in Poughkeepsie, staying with their grandmother, Eleanor Plath at 1450 Burnham Street.
This morning, December 21st, 2005, at 7:15, my wife and I set sail from Nassau in the Bahamas with a forecast of sunny skies and calm seas. We left a record of our departure with the Sargasso Seaward Marina. Approximately three hours out, heading east, we encountered an enormous storm with gale force winds and waves over 30 feet high. Julie was torn from our 23-foot schooner named Plath’s Raft by one of these waves about an hour ago. I couldn’t save her but God, did I try. I think I broke my hand trying to keep her from washing overboard. It’s swollen to twice normal size.
It’s now nearing noon and the sun is searing hot. There’s not a cloud in the sky. Our boat has washed ashore and is stuck on a sandbar. I’m looking at it about eighty feet from me out in the azure blue water. It’s listing severely with its keel buried in several feet of pure white sand. The GPS in the boat was damaged in the storm so I can’t pinpoint our position. From here I see a small stand of coconut palms and another stand of tropical fruit trees nearby. Other than that, all I see is sand and more sand...beautiful white sand. The sea is beautiful. I believe it’s near low tide. I see no other islands around me. I’m going out now to explore the island and will continue this journal upon my return.
Day 1 - 2:50 p.m. I’ve surveyed the entire island and have found no other footprints. I am alone. The island is 1525 steps long and 622 steps across. There are many coconuts here which will quench my thirst and rather strange red fruit that taste like avocados. I ate one and it was very tasty—and filling. I think they’ll sustain me until I’m found. If I add no further entries, they’re poisonous.
Day 2 - 10:30 a.m. My boat is gone! The high tide and storm last night must have washed it away. It’s nowhere in sight. I just awoke from a very deep sleep that may have been caused by eating the red fruit. My mind is still groggy. However, I feel better than I’ve felt in months and the swelling in my hand is completely gone. The fruit must be nutritious because I feel that I’ve gained a pound or two. Today I will walk the island again to search for footprints.
Day 2 - 3:30 p.m. I’ve just returned from another search. Still, no sight of my boat. I found no footprints at all, not even mine. The storm must have washed them away. I did notice something very strange while searching: The island now seems to be only 1450 steps long and 590 steps across. I think my island paradise is shrinking. Maybe it’s just the tide. I brought back a coconut and a red fruit to eat this evening. I’ll use them to sleep well.
Day 3 - 11:00 a.m. Just awoke from deep sleep. Mind groggier than yesterday. Another big storm last night. Can’t figure why I’m writing smaller but I feel great. Boat still missing. Will search island later for footprints.
Day 3 - 3:00 p.m. No footprints—not even mine. Today island is 1327 steps long and 561 steps across . . . still shrinking. Figure that in a week or two it will disappear into ocean. Brought back two coconuts and two red fruit for dinner. Will sleep well.
Day 4 - 12:00 p.m. Hmm... Having to write still smaller. Another storm last night. Mind confused. Paper seems to be shrinking. No boat. No help. Will search island later.
Day 4 - 2:30 p.m. No footprints. Island even smaller—1020 steps by 455 steps. Trees shrinking too. Didn’t have to climb them. Must be in Bermuda Triangle. Got 4 small coconuts and 4 small red fruit for dinner.
Day 5 - 12:30 p.m. Having to write very small on small pad. Everything shrinking. Another storm last night. Confused. Boat still gone. Search island later.
Day 5 - 1:45 p.m. Paradise disappearing. No footprints. Island is 515 steps long and 210 steps across. Trees are waist high. Brought back 20 tiny coconuts and 20 tiny red fruit for dinner.
Day 6 - 1:00 p.m. No storm last night. Still no boat. Very confused . . . and sluggish. Can’t write on this tiny pad any more. Search island later.
Day 6 - 1:30 p.m. FINAL ENTRY Found tiny footprints today. Must be mine! Tiny helicopter came to save me. Too small. I crushed it. I’m a giant! Wading home tonight.