Vol. 4, No. 12

Greetings, fellow travelers, and welcome to the 12th posting of volume four of the Blog.  This week promises to be part of history as the Supreme Court takes on same sex marriage for the first time.  The path that same-sex marriage since it became an issue back in the 1990s has been a long one.  A decade ago, support for it was low.  Now, it is enjoying a wave of support among Americans.  However, when it comes to the Supreme Court, public opinion has no home here.

On Tuesday, the Court heard the case of Proposition 8, the law that takes away the marriage rights of same-sex couples after it had been given to them a few months earlier.  While the nine justices heard the case, signs point to them wanting to avoid a broad ruling.  Such a ruling would not only strike down Prop. 8, but every single voter ban, including Michigan's.  I hope that the Supreme Court decides to make history, because this issus needs to be dealt with.  A majority of the country is fine with it, so go with the flow.

The next day, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case dealing with the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA.  DOMA is a law from 1996 that states that, for federal purposes, a marriage is that of one man and one woman.  The couple at the center of the case were together for 40 years before tying the knot in Canada in 2007.  Two years later, one of them dies and the survivor had to pay a tax that heterosexual couples don't have to pay because the Feds didn't see their marriage at all.  Signs point to a striking down of the law.  Please do and give this woman her reward, for love is not something to punish.

With the business of the news out of the way, we turn to "The Life of Oddley".  It would seem that, after some experimentation, you readers perfer not short entries or long ones, but ones in the middle.  Those that tell just enough stories to keep you interested.  So, I asked Oddley to give only so much of the next part of his story and he did.  Hopefully, he can continue to provide the right amounts for my readers, however little there might be. 

To recap, Oddley has been in Peoria on an accidental vacation with a runaway housewife.  His journey has enabled him to reunite with his best friend Ogden.  This reunion then led Oddley to staying at a house owned by a split personality, with one of the personalities in love with Ogden.  After some uneasiness, Oddley has settled in and has begun a process of helping the housewife, named of Wanda Lee, with finding herself.  As we begin this week, Oddley has just used a unique means of helping on Wanda Lee...

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I guess the use of the nympho-drops on Wanda Lee might have been in error if it had failed.  The fact that it only affected her slighty told me that I was on the right track.  To skip ahead in my story, the three of us spent the day watching television and eating lunch.  Wanda Lee managed to talk our ear off about herself for the first time during the trip.

I learned a lot about her.  Over the course of a few hours, the life story of Wanda Lee Melvin came out without pause.  Me and Ogden listened as she told of her birth up in Wisconsin about 36 years before, in 1932.  How she grew up in a Depression household, with little money and a lot of hope of better times.

Her life led her to her husband, a nice college student now working at a accounting firm.  Over the last ten years, the two have had the most normal of marriages.  It was a 1950s marriage that spanned the most of the 1960s.  Finally, the siren song of feminism hit her and she sought more than a sink and a window.

By the time that school would have let out, Wanda Lee was very friendly to us.  She began to dance around a bit.  She was still doing that when Rita walked into the house.  The look on her face was that face of hard work I always get.  However, that look disappeared as Ogden got up from the sofa and gave her a nice kiss.

"Good day, sunshine." he said to her.

"Same here, Ogden.  It is nice to come home to you." she said, walking with him into the living room.

"I always hope to be here with you." he said as they took a seat on the sofa with me.

"So, Rita, how was school today?" I asked her.

"The usual, for Lisa, that is.  I can relate to those students, being only a few years older than them.  They need that help in life." she said.

"How does Lisa teach them?" I asked.

"The way most teachers do.  Just the cold hard facts." she said.

"What makes your style different enough but usual enough?" I then asked.

"I just talked to them and see if they're catching on to the stuff.  If they are, I can reward their knowledge.  If they aren't, I make them earn it." she said.

"That's a good thing to do." I said.

"Say, what's Wanda Lee doing?" she asked me.

"She's dancing for joy." I said.

"Oddley is helping her find herself by giving her stuff." said Ogden.

"It is called nympho-drops and my experience with it had taught me how to use it." I said.

"How does that work?" she asked.

"A teaspoon turns you into a sex-crazed creature.  All I did was give Wanda Lee a quarter-teaspoon." I said.

"Is it working?" she asked.

"See for yourself." I said, pointing to her dancing.

"Say no more." she said.

"Do me a favor and don't say anything about this.  I'm hoping to do this without her knowledge." I said.

"Gotcha.  Now, I must start on dinner.  if you excuse me... " she said as she got up and went to the kitchen.

"Oddley, dance with me." said Wanda Lee as she came over to the sofa.

"Do I have a choice... ?" I said before she grabbed me off the sofa and we started waltzing.

Did I mention that there was no music during this whole scene?  I should mention that.  The only noises in the room was the sound of the television.  I had no idea about dancing but luckily Wanda Lee was leading so I was safe.  I was stumbling while Wanda Lee could cut a rug.  At that moment, I started to see a bit of who she really was.

I then thought of an idea.  I had been in this town for two days and I hadn't not really left this house.  It was time to do so.  I waited until we were all sitting at the dinner table to bring my idea to completion.  I looked at the table at everyone.  Ogden and Rita were staring at each other and Wanda Lee was humming herself a song as she started in on her plate.

"You know, I have been here since yesterday and I have not left this house at all." I said.

"I know that, Oddley." said Ogden.

"Have you been out since you got here?" I asked him.

"I have.  Rita knows some good places." he said.

"Lisa would never go to those places.  She thinks such places are bad for girls." said Rita.

"Maybe... you can take me there." I said.

"I don't know, Oddley.  You and Lisa are similar when it comes to these places." he said.

"I went to Harriet's Depot every night.  You know that." I said.

"I did forget that.  However, most of these places make Harriet's Depot look tame." he said.

"Then let's go to that place one step beyond the Depot." I said.

"Ogden, I think it would be nice to take our guests for a night out.  It'll be nice." said Rita.

"Then it's settled.  Tonight, the four of us will go out." said Ogden.

"That sounds great." said Wanda Lee.

As we made our way through our dinner plates, my thoughts turned to the night before me.  Harriet's Depot was a nice place but it was more about the booze and the music.  Peoria was not Chicago but the way they put it, Peoria was full of classic 1960s dives.  I wondered to myself, what kind of place am I going to?

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Where is he going?  That's a good question.  Oddley tells me that you'll find out next week.  Now, it's time to wrap things up.  The issue of same-sex marriage landed at the Supreme Court.  Now, we'll see where it goes.  Next week, the Blog will feature what I call the Debralee Scott 60th Birthday Special.  April 2nd would have been her 60th birthday.  We will honor a talent that the world, I believe, missed out on.  Join me as we talk about a sibling to all of us.

Join us next week, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
Your Fellow Traveler.

Vol. 4, No. 11

Greetings fellow travelers and welcome to the eleventh post of volume four of the Blog.  It's a nice run so far, with "The Life of Oddley" becoming very popular with the dozen of you who regularly read this Blog.  I promise to keep up the mix of non-fiction and fiction.  Usually, every week, the non-fiction is news of the world told through my eyes.  This week, I've decided to write a letter for this week's non-fiction segment and you won't believe who to.

First off, I'm a big fan of the Internet sensation the Nostalgia Critic.  I love the way he reviews the stuff that marked our childhood with such anger and wit.  One of his many pet peeves is the work of a certain child star.  He believes that this child star made bad choices of films for her talent.  Unlike most targets of the Critic, this one has fought back by showing stuff from the Critic's past.  I think some of you have a good idea who this star is.  It's "Matilda" star Mara Wilson.

Now, Miss Wilson has long since left the studios of Hollywood for the lights of the New York stage.  However, she also has a blogsite where she writes stuff.  It is titled... marawilsonwritesstuff.com.  I have visited the site and it was visiting it that inspired me to give the Blog another go-round.  When I was thinking of what to do this week, I decided that it would nice to write Mara a letter.  Now, I don't know how many of you have a means of reaching her.  If you do, you have my permission to forward the letter to her.

Dear Mara,
You don't know me but I know of you.  I've watched much of your work in my life and I have enjoyed it.  However, the purpose of my letter is to thank you for inspiring me to continuing my Blog.  You see, over the last few years, I have several starts and stops in terms of blogging.  After the last time, I was convinced that blogging wasn't for me.  Then, on a whim, I went to your blogsite.  Well, it wasn't much of a whim.

You see, I am also a fan of a certain Internet reviewer called the Nostalgia Critic.  The character has said certain things about your career and you weren't about to take it sitting down.  Now, I know that the whole thing with you and the Critic was an act.  However, it was your appearance on his show that led me to your site where you post your writing.  Once there, I felt inspired enough to return to the Blog one more time. 

Now, I am 11 weeks into the new blogging streak and I am feeling a renew sense of creativity.  My writing outside the Blog has picked up from a virtual standstill.  I am currently just trying to decide between two books.  I hope I will finish one and publish it.  You should know that I want to turn one of them into a screenplay for a movie.  I hope I decide soon before I get too far.  So, to close, I think of you as inspiration and I hope one day you and I are friends.

Yours truly, John Maxwell.

Now, with the letter out of the way, time for Oddley.  Last week saw Oddley getting settled into his Peoria vacation and life with the split personality Lisa and Rita.  In last week's episode, we read about a nightmare, a breakfast, and a general wake-up.  Oddley also had to stomach Rita's see-through nightgown and Ogden's bliss at being with her.  Once off to work, Oddley, Ogden, and Wanda Lee settled around the house to think of things to do.  When we left off, Oddley had said that he had an idea...

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"What is it, Oddley?" asked Ogden, stirring himself from his own thinking.

"I think I know what we can do." I said.

"Tell me." he said.

"I promised Wanda Lee I'd help her find herself and I know how we'll do that." I said.

"Are you trying to tell me you want me to help you?" he asked.

"That's part of my idea.  It kills time for both of us." I said.

"What's the other half of your idea?" he then asked.

"This." I said, pulling out the bottle of nympho-drops from my pocket for the first time in two days.

"What is that?" he asked.

"The nympho-drops I told you about." I said.

"Oddley, I don't think turning Wanda Lee into a sex beast is what she wanted to find." he said.

"Ogden, I've been thinking about the doseage." I said.

"Go on, Oddley." he said.

"If one teaspoon can turn a woman into a sex-crazed creature, what would happen if we lowered the dose?" I said.

"You mean, like half a teaspoon?" he queried.

"Yes, exactly.  Althought, I was thinking one quarter.  You know, start small." I said.

"When do you propose to start this?" he asked me.

"Right now is the best time as any." I said.

"Be careful, Oddley." he said as I got up from the sofa.

"I have this under control." I said as I made the walk from the sofa to the kitchen.

Inside in the kitchen, I spotted Wanda Lee, sitting at the breakfast table.  She appeared to be deep in thought as I entered.

"Hello there." I said to her.

"Hello, Oddley." she said in a flat voice.

"I see you're thinking." I said, all the while thinking of a way to give Wanda Lee the nympho-drops.

"I'm just thinking of all the things I can do and remembering that I can't do most of them." she said.

"Say... you look thirsty." I said after a moment's thinking.

"I don't need a drink." she said.

"Of course you do.  Let me get you something." I said, zipping over to the fridge and opening it.

"But I don't need a drink, Oddley." she said as I spotted the orange juice and pulled it out of the fridge.

"You could use some fresh OJ." I said as I walked over to the counter.

"Are you gonna let up on this?" she asked as I poured some juice into a glass.

"No, I'm not." I said, discreeting getting a spoon and carefully measuring a quarter teaspoon of the nympho-drops.

"Then I guess I have no choice." she said as I mixed the stuff into the drink quietly.

"I knew you'd see it my way." I said, putting the spoon away and walking over to her with the glass.

"Thank you for the drink." she said as I gave it to her.

"No sweat." I said, hoping she would ignore the bead or two on my forehead.

As I slowly retreated out of the room, I noticed her taking a few sips of the juice.  As I returned to the sofa, I knew that my plan was in action.

"Did you do it?" asked Ogden as I sat back down on the sofa.

"I did.  Wanda Lee is now taking a quarter-teaspoon of nympho-drops." I said.

"Now what?" he asked.

"Well, with the full teaspoon, the change was quick.  With just a quarter-teaspoon, I don't know." I said.

"Maybe the change will just as quick." he said.

"We'll see.  I just hope a quarter-teaspoon doesn't do the same job as a full one." I said.

"You mean we could have a sex-crazed monster on our hands?" he said.

"Oops, I forgot that a little." I said.

"If it does, you're the victim, not me." he said.

"We'll flip a coin." I said as we both turned a fateful eye towards the kitchen.

We turned away from the kitchen and toward the television, which we turned on.  To our luck, it was a game show, I forget which one.  Anyway, we spent the next half hour watching what was on.  With only three networks to choose from, one must be contend with the programs offered.

After half an hour of TV watching, I overheard a sound in the kitchen.  I just to ignore it, thinking it was nothing.  However, my brain knew better.  Ogden must have overheard it, too, for he started looking back towards the kitchen.  Then, I watched as Wanda Lee emerged from it.

"Hello, you two." she said, looking as normal as I left her.

"Hello, Wanda Lee.  What brings you out here?" I said.

"I just wanna see how you two were doing." she said.

"We're doing fine, Wanda Lee." I said out of nervousness.

"That's nice to know, Oddley." she said as she took a seat on the sofa, pushing me and Ogden over a bit.

"Wanda Lee, may I ask you a question?" asked Ogden.

"Go ahead, Ogden." she said.

"How do you feel?" he then asked.

"I feel... different somehow." she said.

"In what way?" I asked.

"Well, I was sitting in there when I felt something come over me." she said.

"Like a tingle?" I said.

"Like that.  It just came over me and I felt a need to come in here and talk to you." she said.

"I guess you're warming up to us finally." I said.

"I guess I am." she said.

"What now?" asked Ogden.

"Let's watch some TV." she said.

"I will concur." I said.

So my little experiment seemed to work.  The quarter-teaspoon of the nympho-drops had actually changed Wanda Lee, if only in the way she related to us.  In my mind, I took this as a signal to continue said experiment.  However, I didn't know of what was in store for me, Ogden, Rita, and Wanda Lee...

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Oddley's story seems to be getting interesting.  In using the stuff that forced him to leave Chicago, he's now using it to help someone.  However, as Oddley said there, he had no idea what it'd do.  Oddley will tell us more of his story next week.  Now, it is time to wrap things up.  In terms of world news, this has been a relativly quiet week.  Next week, two cases go before the Supreme Court that hold the fate of a issue defining our generation.  In closing, letter-writing is a lost art, so write one today.

Join us next week, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
Your Fellow Traveler.

Vol. 4, No. 10

Greetings fellow travelers and welcome to the tenth posting of volume four of the Blog.  Hard to believe that we are 11 weeks into the year and it is already action packed.  2013 is not gonna be a quiet year in history.  People are gonna remember this one.  As usual, the Blog this week has non-fiction as well as Oddley's continuing story from 1968.  Well, this is the week of the conclave.  115 people from around the world gathered inside the Sistine Chapel, with the task of selecting the new pope. 

Tuesday saw the 115 cardinals gather inside the Chapel after a morning of prayer.  Once inside, the meaning of the word "conclave", "with key", came to pass as the doors were locked and everyone got down to the business of electing the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.  As night fell over Rome, all eyes turned to the chimney upon the roof.  Sure enough, smoke came out... and it was black, no pope.  It was just the first vote, so no one was surprised.  As the day came to an end, the air was filled with tension.

Day two of the conclave began with a nice breakfast and being locked away in the Sistine Chapel again.  The first two rounds of voting that day happened during the morning.  Before noon local time, black smoke emerged from the chimney.  No pope yet.  Then the next two round occurred.  The first round was no good, for the lack of smoke.  However, at 7:00 pm local, after the four and final vote of the day occurred, it happened.  White smoke emerged from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, telling all there is a new pope in town

An hour later, said new pontiff was revealed to the world and the world couldn't believe it.  Cardinal Mario Bergoglio of Argentina had been elected by the conclave as Pope Francis I.  He is the first non-European pope since Gregory III from Syria in the 8th century and the first pope ever from the new world.  He is also the first Jesuit pope, taking his regal name from that most famous of saints Francis of Assisi.  The Jesuits mean something to me, for one of their own, Father Marquette, is one of the early heroes of Michigan.  He would be happy that one of his own now leads the Roman Catholic Church. 

Well, with the important news of the week out of the way, time to head back to 1968 Peoria and Oddley's story.  I think it's fair to go back to the old title of "The Life of Oddley" as it sums up a lot about the story below.  It is being told by one man, who tells me he's lived an interesting life.  The story he's telling now is just a small sample from his archives.  If you like, he will share more of it but only if you tell me.  The comments are below.  Just write down your thoughts on Oddley's journey so far.

To recap, Oddley is on a strange vacation.  In fact, he didn't wanna take it.  A potion's effects on his sister forced him on his trip by making him hide in a car belonging to a housewife who runs away.  The trip becomes awkward for the two until an agreement is struck.  Then, while re-fueling in Peoria, Oddley is run over by a car driven by his best friend.  The best friend then takes to a house, where a split personality lives.  The alter invites the gang to stay there for a while, which is where our story picks up...

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Tuesday morning arrived without a sound.  I just knew it was a Tuesday for yesterday had been the strangest Monday in my life.  I had started it in my bed in Chicago and ended it on a couch in a house in Peoria.  What 12 hours can do to a man.  Anyway, I did open my eyes as the sun roses over the horizon.

My mind was shaken by my dream that night.  I dreamt that I had made it back to Chicago.  Things were normal at first. I was at work, where I saw Gilda, just working away stacking cans in the same way that I did when I first met her a couple of weeks ago, before this whole thing even started.

"It feels good to be back." I said to her as I walked up.

"I know it. Did your trip go well?" said Gilda.

"As well as can be expected." I said.

"How was Peoria?" she asked.
 

"Fine.  It was a nice city." I said.
 

"That's nice to hear." she said as she moved off.

I then moved on. I decided to scan the aisles before learning what job I had at the store that day. The first aisle I visited was normal. It was full of people, getting items and such. There was a whining child and his nervous mother as they fought over an item that he wanted but she didn't.

As I rounded the corner into the next aisle, I saw it. It was the bloodied body of Newshaw, laying stiff, face-down, in the middle of the aisle. I ran over to it and checked for a pulse but found none. He was dead, all right. The question was: what killed him. I looked the body over and found where the blood was coming from.

It was coming from his midsection. I looked around a bit before I turned him over. There, I saw a horrible sight. I can't describe it fully, but let's just say that a certain organ, common to all males, was torn to bits and/or missing. The mystery deepened for me as I looked down at the awful sight.

I then heard footsteps behind me. Slowly, I turned around and saw that it was my sister, but not the way she should be. Instead, it was the thing that had forced me to leave Chicago, but much more than what I saw then. It was a pure monster, with evil eyes and large muscled frame, staring at me.

I could tell that there was only one lone thought on her mind, and it was that thought that had killed Newshaw dead. Quickly, I ran down the aisle away from her but she gave me chase, just like last time. I threaded my way through the aisles, ever thinking of the idea that this time, running wouldn't help me.

I had only one option: the front door. Quickly, I ran as fast I could to the front door. When I got there, I saw my sister, pacing back and forth like a lion, waiting for its dinner to arrive. I was trapped, and there was no way. I tried to run away but I ran into the cans that Gilda was stacking before and made another discovery.  It was Gilda, and she, too, was dead. This time, anything sexual on her was gone and she was just a dead body.

 

The monster-Susan heard the crash and raced towards me. I grabbed some cans and threw them at her, but she just ate them. She pounced onto me and was about to cut into me when I heard it. It was the ringing of an alarm clock. My eyes sprung open and I was back in Lisa and Rita's living room, sleeping on the couch. I looked around and saw the thing causing the noise. I shut it off and then realized that it wasn't there last night. Rita must have put it there after I'd dozed off.

Anyway, I was shook up from said dream and needed a fix... of coffee that is.  I got off that couch and began walking to the kitchen.  However, halfway there, I realized that I hadn't toured the house yet.  Rita hadn't offered it and I hadn't asked for it.  I felt that this was as good a time as any.  Anything was better than that dream.

 

I walked quietly up the stairs.  Once I reached the top, I began looking around.  . I looked into one and saw that it must be Lisa's room, due to the decor.  It was covered in little furnishings, except for a bed, bedside table, make-up table, and three chairs.  There, sleeping in the bed, was the frame of Wanda Lee, dressed in a wife's nightgown.  I quickly walked away without making a sound.

 

I looked into the second room on my search and discovered Rita's room. Her room was covered in splendor. Colorful paint filled the walls. The furniture within was the best one could get around here. The bed alone was classic 19th century sleeping place, with frills and bows all around it.  Inside the bed, under lace covers, was the sleeping Ogden and Rita. 

 

The two were intertwined in each other's arms.  I could see that the two were enjoying the pleasure of sleeping in the same bed.  Let me remind you that in 1968, an unwed couple sharing a bed would never have been shown on television.  To see it in real life was, therefore, quite a treat.  I then retreated my way down the stairs and continued my path to the kitchen.

A quick bowl of cereal became my breakfast as 8:00 am arrived. From upstairs, I heard a beautiful ring, the sound of Rita's alarm clock. I ate my cereal slowly, as I always do, to let it one bite settle before the next one, and also to think.  I thought how long before Odgen and Rita would head downstairs, barring any early morning loving, if you catch my drift. 

As I reached the halfway point of my cereal, I heard footsteps from upstairs.  From my spot, I heard two sets of footfalls, telling me it was Ogden and Rita.  I hadn't heard Wanda Lee's alarm go off, if she had set it at all.  The footfalls reached the stairs and quickly ran down them.  It wasn't long before the footfalls arrived in the kitchen with Ogden and Rita and my eyes almost left their sockets.

I saw that Rita was wearing a nightie, but not a normal one. I was that it was a mini-skirted type of nightie, complete with lace trim. Another thing about it was that it was see-through. In a way, it was like she wasn't wearing it. The morning sun wasn't helping by shining light through the thing, showing everything.  Ogden himself was wearing an old silk robe, complete with a hankerchief tucked away.

"Good morning, Oddley.  Sleep well?" asked Ogden.

"As well as can be." I said.

"That's good to hear." said Rita.

"Say, dear, why not get started on breakfast?" asked Ogden.

"A nice meal, coming right up." said Rita as she began prancing around the room, gathering things.

"So, Oddley, how was the couch?" asked Ogden as he took a seat at the table.

"It was... good enough." I said after a pause of a few seconds.

"That's good to hear." he said.

"Now, can I ask you about your night?" I said.

"I was nice to finally spend a whole night with Rita." he said.

"Do tell." I said.

"We just made passionate love and slept it off." he said.

"Let me guess, there's nothing under that robe." I said as a joke.

"Not a thing.  The silk feels nice." he said.

"I didn't wanna know that.  I was joking." I said.

"Then don't say it, Oddley." he said.

"I wonder when Wanda Lee will wake up." I said.

"Why don't you check up on her?" said Rita.

"That's a good idea.  I'll go do that." I said as I bolted from the kitchen.

I was glad to leave.  Rita's nightgown was raising my blood pressure and my heart rate.  My run got me to the stairs before I stopped.  I calmed down a bit and reminded myself of my new task at hand.  I walked up the stairs and made a bee-line for Wanda Lee's room.  As I entered, I saw that she was still sleeping in the bed.  

I tip-toed slowly to the bed but before I could reach it, the alarm clock did go off.  I checked my watch and it said 8:30 am.  I watched as Wanda Lee stirred from her slumber.  I quickly retreated to a safe distance as she rose in the bed to greet the day.  She had a smile on her face, which lasted until she spotted me hiding in a corner of the room.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Rita's making breakfast.  She asked me to check on you." I said.

"Tell her that I'm fine and I'll be down in a few minutes." she said.

"Right." I said as I darted from the room.

I was quick to get back down stairs.  I was when I reentered the kitchen and saw Rita that I remembered why I had left the kitchen so fast in the first place.  She was just starting to make the food and I just sat down and kept my eyes on the cereal bowl as I finished eating.

Once finished with eating, I decided to once again make my leave.  This time, I retreated back to my sofa/bed.  As I sat there, I decided to turn on the television and watch some shows.  However, the only thing that was on was the morning news.  I turned it off and was about to give the kitchen another try when I saw it.

It was an old radio, one of those giant things that ran on vacuum tubes and such.  I got up from the sofa and walked over to it.  I studied it for a moment and then, like most people, decided to turn it on.  I fumbled for a moment until I found the dial and turned it.  After a minute of warming up, sound finally came on its speaker.  Just my luck, it was a station broadcasting a classical music piece.

I turned the dial, searching the airwaves.  Finally, I heard it.  It was the voice of another Wanda: Wanda Jackson.  She was singing "Tears Will Be The Chaser for Your Wine".  I went back, not to the sofa, but to a neighboring easy chair and sat down.  There, I listened to my music of choice: country music.  The radio just filled the room with the sound of steel guitars and fiddles.

"Don't tell me you listen to that stuff." said Wanda Lee as she came down the stairs in a nice yellow blouse and green capri pants as the radio was playing "The Cold Hard Facts of Life" by Porter Wagoner.

"What do you mean, the song or the music?" I asked her as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"I mean the music.  I thought you're from Chicago." she said.

"I am.  I just happen to like country music." I said.

"How can a city boy like you like that hick stuff?" she asked.

"My mother came from the south and I happen to enjoy the music." I said.

"I know for a fact there isn't a country radio station in Chicago." she said.

"One day there will be.  For now, all I have is listening to WSM at night and the record store." I said.

"I just don't understand you, Oddley.  The way you do things." she said.

"If you think the music isn't up to your standards, wait until you see Rita's nightgown." I said as Rita herself entered the doorway.

"Wanda Lee, I see you're up.  Breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes." said Rita before she retreated back into the kitchen.

"I could see everything under that nightgown." said Wanda Lee.

"You're not the only one." I said.

For the next few minutes, me and Wanda Lee just sat there in the living room, listening to the country station.  The radio played some of the greatest songs along with songs that litter record collections, including mine.  Finally, as the radio was playing "I Don't Wanna Play House" by Tammy Wynette, that Rita issued the call to eat.

All of us were gathered at the breakfast table, eating the delightful meal Rita had made for us.  It was just as tasty as her dinner.  However, unlike dinner, this meal had an additional treat: Rita's nightgown.  I tried to keep eating as well as I did the previous night.  Finally, my mind was unable to push the image of Rita in said nightgown out of my mind.

"Excuse me, Rita?" I said.

"Yes, Oddley?" she replied.

"Can I say something?" I asked.

"Go right ahead." she said.

"Okay.  What is with you and that nightgown?" I then asked.

"Is there somthing bothering you about my nightgown?" she asked me.

"The fact that the way the sunlight is hitting it, you might as well not be wearing it.  That's what bothering about it." I said.

"I happen to like that nightgown." said Ogden.

"That's understandable from you.  What about you, Wanda Lee?" I said.

"I think... it's a little too revealing for my tastes." she replied.

"Wanda Lee, I think your style needs help there." said Rita.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean, that outfit there just says housewife to me." said Rita.

"I am a housewife." said Wanda Lee.

"I thought the point of your little trip here was to find yourself." I said.

"It is.  However, I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing." she said.

"Let's just drop it." said Ogden.

"You know, Rita, I think you have a nice... shade of skin." I said.

"For a moment there, I thought you were gonna say chest." she said.

"That's a nice part of her." said Ogden.

"I think I'll just stay quiet and eat my breakfast." I said.

And quiet I stayed.  Breakfast was finished and Rita was quick to run off to the bedroom to get changed for the day.  I still couldn't believe that Rita would go to school in Lisa's stead and no one would notice the change.  I guess when you can pass yourself off as someone else when you "are" someone else half the time, you can pull it off. 

It took five minutes between the end of breakfast and the time Rita returned downstairs.  When she came down stairs, we all gathered at the bottom.  As I looked, the outfit she had on wasn't different from the one she wore yesterday.  It was another red turtleneck.  However, this one had a nice dark blue skirt and same color fringe vest.  The only thing that the same for Lisa was the turtleneck.

"Wait a minute, I thought you said you dressed like Lisa when you went to teach." I said to her.

"I do.  The only thing different is the vest here.  I think it makes this thing stylish." she replied.

"Have a nice day teaching." I said as Rita walking to the door.

"Have a good day, honey." said Ogden as he followed behind.

"Same to you, my darling companion." she said as she reached the door.

"A kiss, my dear?" he asked.

"Of course." she said, giving him one.

"See you this afternoon." he said as she opened the door.

"Same here." she said as she walked out and closed the door behind her.

"Now what?" asked Wanda Lee.

"That's a good question." I said.

"I usually just sit around all day." said Ogden.

"You mean you've been here for a week and you haven't gotten a job yet?" I said with confusion.

"I can't risk that farmer finding me.  He probably has every farmer in the state looking for me." he said.

"I doubt that.  Lisa must ask you to go find work." I said.

"She does.  However, I don't see any point." he said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because Lisa and Rita bring in the money.  Why should I be the breadwinner?" he said.

"After all those years, Susan's feminism finally gets to you." I said.

"Oddley, if you wanna do something else, you're welcomed to it." he said.

"Come, let us to the sofa to ponder our day's activities." I said, leading the way.

"While you guys think, I'm gonna go sit in the kitchen and think of something I can do." said Wanda Lee as she left the room.

Me and Ogden sat on the sofa for it seems like an eternity.  Idea after idea went through my head.  However, each was rejected for many reasons I forgotten by now.  Out of ideas, my mind wandered back to the nympho-drops I had in my pocket.  Suddenly, an idea clicked on in my head with the brightness of an atomic blast..

"I got it!" I shouted, breaking the silence of the room.

  

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What is Oddley's idea?  What does the nympho-drops have to do with it?  As usual, the answer lies in next week's episode of "The Life of Oddley".  It's been a fine story so far but hold on tight as the story takes more turns than a confused taxi cab driver on a hot day.  Well, I've run out of things to say this week, so I will conclude this week's posting with a riddle.  When someone sneezes, we say "God bless you".  When God sneezes, what does He say?  Think about it.

Join us next week, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
Your Fellow Traveler.

Vol. 4, No. 9

Greetings, fellow travelers, and welcome to the ninth posting of volume four of the Blog.  This week, a group of folks in Vatican City begin the process of selecting a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.  It is a tough task, especially when the last guy just resigns without warning.  However, these people can't even agree on when to go behind closed doors and make said selection.  The rules say 15 to 20 days after the Pope dies (or resigns),  However, with Easter at the end of the month, some are suggesting a earlier time.

For some of you, a prophecy hangs over their heads.  It goes back to 1590, when a set of Latin mottoes were supposedly discovered in the Vatican Archives.  According to legend, they were written down by a saint named Malachy, who wrote them down after a vision he had during a visit to Rome in 1139.  The listing of 112 Latin phrases have often been held by many as truthful.  However, most people think that they were a means of promoting a candidate for Pope back during a conclave that year.  However, these phrases have an extra notice this time around.

You see, if each phrase is one pope each, Pope Benedict XVI is the second-to-last phrase listed.  The next one, the last one, tells that a man named Peter the Roman will take over the church, destroy it, and then usher in the end of the world.  You can see the fear many people have about the upcoming conclave.  It's the same fear that came with the supposed Mayan prediction last year.  However, some take comfort from the fact that part of this last phrase is often considered a separate sentence, telling of unnamed popes between Benedict XVI and this last one.

The use of prophecies is a strange art practiced throughout the ages.  To predict what will happen next is useful, when science and math are used to predict outcomes.  However, the use of mysterious methods to predict future events is what a lot of people believe in.  My own mother believes that dreams can predict the future.  A medium once told her she'd have three kids.  At this point, I'm still an only child.  Some people point out successful predictions but ignore the millions of predictions that were wrong.  The law of averages would rule out these method as predictors of the future.

While cardinals gather in Rome to select a pope, the people of Venezuela will also be electing a new leader.  On Tuesday, Hugo Chavez died at age 58 from cancer.  Like in this country, the Vice President is now the leader until the next election, which is in 30 days.  Chavez was an interesting figure.  While he managed to raise the living standards of his people and made the country a wealthy one, he was also known for his anti-U.S. rhetoric.  He spoke out against American interference in the affairs of Central and South America.  However you view him, he was a great leader and he will be missed by the world at large.

In space news, there was the launch of a SpaceX Dragon to the International Space Station.  There was a problem after it got into orbit when a computer glitch causes the solar panels not to deploy.  Instead, the spacecraft entered a version of safe mode.  Eventually, everything was fixed and the capsule made it to the space station in good shape.  The business of space may be in private hands now but that doesn't mean that a few mistakes are gonna happen.  I would still like a ride on the Dragon when it becomes a people carrier in a few years.

For those of you who haven't read my previous entries, I am a big supporter of same sex marriage.  Right now, two states, Rhode Island and Illinois, are fighting to become the tenth state to legalize it.  However, the bills for such action are tied up in their legislatures.  However, my home state of Michigan might beat them there.  On Thursday, a federal court heard arguments in a case that may overturn the state's marriage ban.  Ironically, the case started out as one on same-sex parent adoption and the judge in that case upped the stakes to take on the ban.  I have a feeling I will be living in a same-sex marriage state soon.

Now, with the non-fiction business out of the way, we move to the next installment of "Two Weeks in Peoria".  I'll be honest, I've lost count of how many parts this story has done.  Let's just summarize the last few weeks.  Oddley, has been on the road with a runaway housewife named Wanda Lee, who is trying to find herself.  The trip goes smoothly until Oddley gets run over.  However, the car is driven by his best friend, Ogden, also on the run from a farmer with a shotgun wedding.  Ogden takes them to the house of a high school teacher he is living with now.  When we left off, Oddley got a shock when Ogden revealed that said teacher was, in fact, a split personality when her alter shows up...

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I couldn't believe what Ogden had told me.  He was right, you know.  The transformed version of Dr. Milner, Gilda, and my sister couldn't be counted as personalities.  They were just sex-crazed creatures.  This person in front of me was a person within a person.  I was interested in this.

"Meet Rita Louise, a darling personality, so to speak." said Ogden.

"Nice to meet you, Rita." I said.

"Charmed, dear.  I take it you're the same Oddley he's been talking my ear off about." said Rita.

"I am.  Oddley James Mitchell at your service, ma'am." I said.

"And I'm Wanda Lee Melvin." said Wanda Lee.

"Pleased to meet you.  You look like a nice lady." said Rita.

"I am." said Wanda Lee.

"Ogden, which one of the... personalities... did you meet first?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Rita here.  She gave me a good time when I came to Peoria." he replied.

"When did you meet Lisa?" I then asked.

"The next day.  Lisa screamed as loud as she could when she found me on her couch." he said.

"Not in her bed?" I said without fail.

"I started there but moved to the couch after a while." said Ogden.

"I gave him one.  Then, I asked him to go to the couch." said Rita.

"I soon learned why.  Lisa doesn't know about... " said Ogden.

"She still thinks she's a virgin." said Rita with a giggle.

"No crap." I said.

"Rita, do yourself a favor and change out of those clothes." said Ogden.

"You're right.  These just aren't me." said Rita, before she ran back upstairs without fail.

"Ogden, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" I asked him as I placed my arm around his neck and squeezed it.

"Sure, Oddley." he said through strained voice.

"Ogden, we're the best of friends, are we not?" I asked, squeezing tighter.

"Yes, Oddley, we are." he said in now a whisper of a voice.

"Then why didn't you call me and tell me where you were all... this... time?!?" I said, squeezing hard enough but not too hard enough to kill him.

"I... forgot." he got out before I released him.

"You forgot?  I know my phone number.  You spent two months memorizing it by heart." I said.

"I was having so much fun with Rita, I just forgot.  In fact, I remembered this morning and I called your place and you didn't answer." he said.

"Were you gonna repeat that this evening?" I asked him point blank.

"I was.  I was going to." he said.

"I'll just hope you're telling me the truth, for I'd hate to kill you." I said.

"You just would." he said in his usual mocking tone.

"Guys, I hate to interupt your little convo here but I'd like to know what's next for us?" said Wanda Lee, walking over to us.

"Give me a minute to figure it out." I said.

"With him, it's more like an hour." said Ogden.

"We don't have an hour." said Wanda Lee.

"If you remember, we don't have a place to go.  The whole purpose of this trip was to find yourself.  I was just the stowaway you found in your back seat." I said.

"I wish I was in your back seat." said Ogden.

"If he was the one, he would have sweet talked you into intercourse by now.  I know him.  He could do it." I said.

"Give me some credit.  I would treat her with kid gloves.  I think it's a nice thing she wants to find herself.  I think more women her age should." said Ogden.

"My age?" said Wanda Lee, a little ticked off.

"Leave it alone, Ogden.  Just leave it." I said.

"If you insist, Oddley.  I did have a couple more zingers." he said.

"Tell me later." I said.

"Here I am." said Rita as she returned down the stairs.

I was a bit stunned by Rita's real outfit.  The centerpiece was a red turtleneck with a built-in short skirt, which hung straight down.  On top of that was a nice brown vest with fringe and some love beads dotted her neck.  I also noticed that she was wearing a pair of boots.  Her hair was now in tossed curls and falls and her face had a nice layer of make-up.  I remember all that detail because it was a look I saw a lot.  More on that later.

"Rita... " I managed to say.

"Now this is me." said Rita, posing a bit on the stairs.

"I can see that." I said.

"I see I'm having an effect on you, Oddley." said Rita.

"Just a little.  I mean, the way you dress is... " I said.

"Different from Lisa?  I know.  She just can't dress like I do.  I leave her pieces of my wardrobe and she just tosses them aside." said Rita.

"Well, now that we have met a split personality, now what should we do?" said Wanda Lee.

"That's a good question." said Ogden as he walked back over to the stairs.

"What do you suggest?" I asked him as he guided Rita to the bottom of the stairs.

"Well, maybe you can stay here." he said after a moment.

"I don't know.  What if Lisa comes back?" said Wanda Lee.

"Don't worry.  I think I can hold her back for two weeks." said Rita.

"Two weeks?" I said.

"I once held her back for two months.  Two weeks is nothing to me." said Rita.

"What about places to sleep?" asked Wanda Lee.

"Well, Oddley can have my place." said Ogden.

"Where will you sleep now?" I asked him.

"He can sleep with me now." said Rita with the biggest smile on her face.

"Wait a minute, isn't Lisa a school teacher?" I remembered.

"I can teach just like her.  They don't even notice the difference.  I just wear her things with my style." said Rita.

"What about me?  Where will I sleep?" asked Wanda Lee.

"There's an empty bedroom up there.  I'm sure you can squeeze yourself in there." said Rita.

"Then it's settled.  We're bunking here." I said.

"Nice to have you here, Oddley." said Ogden.

"I guess we have no choice here." said Wanda Lee.

"Cheer up, Wanda Lee.  Now I can stick with your efforts to find yourself." I said.

So it was settled there.  Me and Wanda Lee were now houseguests of Ogden and his new girlfriend, or half-girlfriend Rita.  It was becoming very weird to me, even more weird than the whole mess with the nympho-drops.  The nympho-drops.  I still have that bottle with me.  I remembered it just a few minutes after we decided to stay.

As I studied it once more, I remembered how it caused me to leave Chicago, to leave my life.  I then began to think about it more.  I remembered how a teaspoon of the stuff turns a normal woman into a sex-crazed maniac, nailing everything it saw.  The doseage stuck in my mind as my stomach spoke out once more for something to eat.

"Say, Rita, why don't you fix our guests some dinner?" asked Ogden at around 5:00 pm.

"I'll get right on it, my darling companion." said Rita as she rushed off to the kitchen like a pixie.

Ogden was a man whose mind was all about getting the girls and making sweet love with them.  Now, he was acting like Rita had always been by his side.  She wasn't even a person half the time.  Imagine going through life as a split personality.  Always dealing with the missing time, the mistaken identifications, and the discovery of what you did when you weren't around.

As we watched some more television, my nose took in the smells of cooking.  I was guessing at what was being made and smelling roast, mashed potatoes, and the lot.  My stomach is eating into me with each sniff.  Rita must be a wonderful person to have around.  I was wanting to learn more about her.  Luckily, I had a chance when dinner was served at 6:00 pm sharp.

"It was nice of you to make us dinner, Rita." said Wanda Lee as we all sat down at the table.

"It was no problem for me.  I just adore all of us, especially my darling companion Ogden here." said Rita, messing up Ogden's hair as he chose a spot next to her.

"So, you met him just a week ago and now, you two live together." I said.

"Well, Ogden told me about his problem with the farmer and I just couldn't resist helping him out." said Rita.

"I take it you like to help people." I said.

"I do.  It's just part of my nature.  I see someone in need and I must help them." she said.

"Even a man who's a hundred miles from where he belongs?" I asked her.

"Even that.  Ogden has told me stories about you two." she said.

"Then you must realize that Ogden will have to go back to Chicago at some point." I said.

"No, he's staying here forever." she said with the eyes of a lovesick puppy.

"If you insist.  Forbid me if I broke up true love." I said.

"How do you know it's true love?" asked Wanda Lee.

"I just know.  Don't ask me how I know." said Rita.

"Me, neither." said Ogden.

"Can we just eat our food?" I said.

"Let us eat then." said Ogden.

And eat we did.  We ate all that was on our plates.  It was good food.  My mind can still taste each bite.  The evening turned into night before long and we sat there watching the Monday night shows on television.  Each was an event to be watched.  Then, bedtime rolled around without notice and all retired to their appointed beds.

I watched Wanda Lee head upstairs with her suitcase and I watched Ogden scurry his way up them.  Meanwhile, I started to settle in on the sofa while Rita looked on.  Every few moments as I settled in, I look over at her and see a look of interest on her face.  Finally, I got settled in and was ready to head to dreamland.  However, that was interrupted by Rita leaning over the sofa.

"Ready for bed, I see?" she asked.

"I am.  Just need to close my eyes." I said.

"Every time I close my eyes, I wonder if it'll be me that wakes up." she said.

"I thought you said you could hold back Lisa." I said.

"I did.  However, that's sooner said than done.  I'm afraid to do things because of her." she said.

"Don't worry about it.  I'm sure it'll be you waking up tomorrow morning." I said.

"Thanks, Oddley.  Ogden was right about you." she said.

I then heard Rita slowly walk her way up the stairs.  With the last of the day out of the way, I closed my eyes tight.  What a day I'd had.  First, I'm chased by my sister, who'd turned into a sex-crazed creature.  Then I end up with a housewife running away to find herself and end up leaving Chicago.  Then, I get to Peoria and get run over by my best friend, who I'd thought wouldn't see again.

Then he takes me to this house, where we meet the owner.  We then find out that the owner is also a split personality and that split personality is in love with him.  Let me tell you, it was a long day for me.  Now, though, I was glad that it was over as I entered the world of my dreams. 

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Day one of Oddley's sudden vacation in Peoria comes to an end.  For us, it had been a nice month for us.  However, Oddley has more of this story for you.  The twists and turns ahead are nothing short of spectacular.  Come back next week of another installment of "Two Weeks in Peoria", as we continue to have Oddley tell just part of his exciting life story.  I, for one, am dying to hear how Oddley is gonna spend the next two weeks.

Now, to end this week's posting.  We have seen a lot this week.  With the upcoming papal conclave starting on Tuesday, all will gather next to the Sistine Chapel with an eye to the roof as we await the next leader of one billion Catholic the world over.  As the world seems to be spinning out of control and we enter the Crazy Times, remember to keep your sanity in midst of it all.  It may come in handy as the world enters a new age.  If it is better or worse is up to the seven billion homo sapiens walking around today.

Join me next week, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
Your Fellow Traveler.

Vol. 4, No. 8

Greetings, fellow travelers, and welcome to the eighth posting of volume four of the Blog.  We're in reality nine weeks in this year of the Common Era 2013 and what a time it's been.  Popes resigning, awards being given, people dying, people being born, and other such noted events.  You know that from an opening like that, the rest of 2013 is a possible let-down.  You know it's true, so try to make your own news.  Speaking of which, for this week's non-fiction segment, I will share two news stories.

First up, some sad news from the UK.  The man that brought us the Daleks(No, not Davros.  He's always dead)Raymond Cusick died last Thursday.  Although he had a long career as a designer, he will forever be remembered for giving millions of Britons nightmares with the creatures with the sole purpose of destroying anything not Dalek.  If history had taken a different turn, it wouldn't have been him.  Instead, the honor of Dalek Designer would have gone to... Ridley Scott. 

Ridley was the original designer for "Doctor Who".  However, commitments to other series meant he had to give up the job.  Thus, a Ridley Scott-designed Dalek is only in the minds of fans who wonder.  Cusick's design is often stated to be inspired by a pepper pot(British for a pepper shaker).  However, according to him, a pepper pot was only used to describe to someone how it would move.  "I could have picked up the salt pot" he once remarked.  In reality, the design came when he simply drew an outline around the drawing of a sitting person, how the final prop would be operated.

To our second piece of news, the Oscar hosting of Seth MacFarlane.  I watched this year's ceremony of the 85th Academy Awards just to see how he would host.  In my opinion, he remained himself while maintaining the dignity of hosts past.  A lot of people have taken to Twitter to express their outrage at the jokes he made.  Most of these people have not seen an episode of "Family Guy", or "American Dad".  That is his style.  Dignity with bottom-of-the barrel humor.  I see the brillance of such a thing.  Even a tasteless joke deserves the best delivery possible.

Now, onward to the fiction.  Time for Part 4 of "Two Weeks in Peoria".  Over the last three weeks, I have shared with you Oddley's tale of an accidental out-of-town vacation.  The response seems to be good.  I mean, my viewing figures have now reached double digits.  That must mean that this story is interesting to at least a dozen of you.  Please pass the word on and let others in. A reminder, if you wish to comment, do so below.   Now, let's recap. 

Part 1, we saw Oddley run for his life and eventually end up with a runaway housewife, who decides, in order to find herself, leaves town.  Part 2, Oddley comes to terms with his new vacation plans and makes a deal with the wife, named Wanda Lee, to help her out in her quest so she will help him in his quest to return home.  Part 3 began with the aftermath of Oddley being hit by a car, only to find out that said car was driven by best friend Ogden.  As we begin Part 4 of our story here, Ogden had said to our duo that he had something to show them...

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Ogden led us away from the gas station once Wanda Lee had paid for the gas she'd gotten during my accident.  The path led us away from the highway and away from the town center somewhat.  We ended up in a nice-looking neighborhood, much like the one my sister lived in.  Tree-lined streets combined with pretty white houses.  Perfect suburb.

"I wonder where Ogden is taking us." said Wanda Lee after a while.

"I trust my best friend.  However, that trust is often misplaced with him." I said right out.

"Thank a lot, Oddley.  I feel much better." she said with a touch of sarcasm.

Eventually, our path lead to an old section of town.  My first look at our destination was when we saw Ogden turn into a driveway and we followed suit.  There, I saw it.  It was an old Victorian two-story place.  It was like a mansion but smaller.  Vines and growth were growing on the outside, hiding some of the white-painted wood and iron.  With the growth, the house told of its age, of decades of use and living.

"This is it?" I said to myself as I climbed out of the car along with Wanda Lee.

"He wants to show us a house." she said to me.

"Here we are." said Ogden as he got out of his car. 

"Is this all he wants to show us?" I thought in my head.

"Follow me!" said Ogden as he walked towards the front door.

"We have no choice." I said to Wanda Lee as we did what Ogden said to us.

The front door was nicely painted, however showing the same amound of age as everything else on the outside.  As Ogden arrived at the door, my mind wondered at what Ogden wished to show us.  I saw him give said door two swift and loud knocks.  As me and Wanda Lee arrived at the door, I saw a figure appear in the fogged glass set inside it.

"Look!" I said to Wanda Lee, pointing to the shape.

I watched as the door swung open and a woman appeared.  From my point of view, this woman was all business.  In fact, she reminded me of my sister.  Her outfit was late sixties ladies business wear, complete with black capri pants, white turtleneck sweater, and tan jacket.  She looked a little emotionless in the face, framed by this pair of large red glasses, looking down on us.

"Hello, Ogden.  I see you brought friends." said this woman in the coldest voice I'd heard so far.

"Oddley, Wanda Lee.  This is Miss Lisa Harriman of Peoria Central High School." said Ogden to us.

"Greetings, Miss Harriman." I said to her.

"Greetings, Mr... " she said back to me, searching for the last name Ogden hadn't given her.

"Mitchell, sir, and Oddley is my real first name, in case you're wondering." I said.

"I know your name and its story.  I got it from Mr. Hamilton here." said Lisa.

"Say, can we come in?" said Ogden.

"You may." said Lisa as the three entered the house.

"This is a nice place." I said as we entered a small entry hall.

"I guess it is." said Lisa as she lead us into the living room of the house, just off the entry hall.

"I can't believe this... " I said to myself.

The room I was standing was beautiful.  The decor was priceless 1920s art deco, with furniture to match.  I couldn't believe that I was still in 1968.  For a moment, my mind was stuck in 1928, when all that stuff was brand new.  Soon enough, I snapped out of my daze and back to the present.

"I couldn't believe it when I first came into this house." said Ogden.

"Say, Ogden, is this where you've been for the last week?" I asked.

"That's right, Oddley.  This is where I've been." he replied.

"I can't believe that a woman like that would let you live here.  I mean, a teacher." I said.

"That's part of my surprise, Oddley.  Just you wait." he said.

"Can we sit down any?" asked Wanda Lee.

"The sofa is right there." said Lisa in that cold voice of hers.

"Thank you." I said as me, Ogden, and Wanda Lee took a seat on it.

"Is there anything else you need?" asked Lisa.

"Yes, please." said Ogden.

"What is it?" asked Lisa.

"Come over here." he said.

"Okay." she said nervously as she walked over to him.

I then watched as Ogden rose from his spot and put his mouth and hands over her ear.  I then noticed that he said something into her ear.  It was something I couldn't hear.  After a few seconds, she pulled away from him, more nervous than ever.

"Please don't do that.  If you excuse me... " she said before she bolted her way from the sofa to the landing ramp-like stairs that descend from the second floor, which she ascended.

"What did you say to her?" I asked him.

"That's also part of the surprise." he said.

"I hope we see this surprise soon." I said.

"You will." he said.

Not really wanting to talk to him further, I saw that there was a television in front of the sofa.  I saw the remote on the table also in front of the sofa.  Quickly, I grabbed it and turned on the set.  In an instant, the television was showing us the beginning of "The Match Game", which told me that it was now 4:00 pm. 

The three just sat there and watched the original way of playing that show, before it became the party show of the 1970s.  Just sitting in silence, broken only by the sounds of Gene Rayburn and the players, in living color, doing their thing.  Even now, my mind is on autopilot, rememebering those days.

"Ogden, can I ask you a question?" I asked him about five minutes in to the show.

"You may, Oddley." he replied.

"Have you been working any around here?" I asked.

"Not really, but I am looking." he said.

"Ogden, this is a fine line between looking and being lazy about it.  I think I know which side of the line you're on." I said.

"Oddley, I've only been here a week.  I haven't the time." he then said.

"Doing what... " I started to ask before I cut myself off, for I knew the answer to that.

As the game wore on, I became aware of some noises coming from upstairs.  They started about 12 minutes into the show.  It interested me as the upstairs had been quiet, even when Lisa went up there.  However, I could now tell that something was running around up there.  I tried to ignore it as I watched the show.

However, that noise soon began moving towards the steps.  I got a look at Ogden and his face had the widest smile, as if he was hearing those noises and knew what they meant.  I knew better not to ask what he knew.  I just went back to the television as the noise continued on and on.

As the show was coming to a close, the noise from upstairs reached the stairs.  The noise then stopped as I turned over to Ogden, his smile now just overflowing with happiness.  He then darted off that sofa and ran to the steps.  I saw him look up the stairs and his mouth just opened up with glee.

"Oh, Oddley, Wanda Lee, time for my surprise." he said with cheerful glee.

"Oh, joy." I said as me and her pulled ourselves off the sofa and walked over to the stairs.

"Oddley, Wanda Lee, please meet my surprise." he said.

I then looked up the stairs and I saw... Lisa, walking down the stairs.  However, she did look different.  Her hair was down and out, messed up as if she had played with it.  Her glasses were gone but she had no trouble walking down the stairs.  To finish it off, there was a different bearing to her face, a very different one, indeed.

"What are we looking at?" I asked.

"You're looking at it." said Ogden as Lisa arrived at the bottom of the stairs.

"I don't get it." said Wanda Lee.

"Me, neither.  What is there about Lisa that's a surprise?" I said.

"Speak to them." I saw Ogden say to Lisa.

"Hey, gang.  Nice to see new faces." said Lisa, although in a high-pitched giggly tone that she didn't use before.

"Hey, your voice is different." said Wanda Lee.

"Not only is the voice different, so is she." said Ogden.

"Ogden, please explain that." I said bluntly.

"Ogden, this is not Lisa Harriman." he then said without fail.

"You mean, that person we met when we got here was an act?" I said.

"Not an act.  That was Lisa you met.  Now, you're meeting Rita." he said.

"You say that like these two are two different people." I said.

"They are.  Oddley, Wanda Lee, meet your very first split personality." he then said with gusto.

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A split personality?  As I explained to you, there's a thing with me.  That's what interested me about Oddley's story here.  He has more to tell, but, as always, we must wait until next week to read more of it.  Oddley tells me that disbelief is becoming a theme here, so suspend yours as you read more of the story.  Now, let us move onto closing the posting here.

To close, this week has proven to be big, with deaths, retirements, sequesters, and whatnots happening all around us.  I can't believe that this is the world we're now living in.  I might be repeating myself (not sure) but when it comes to closing postings, it takes a while.  You have no idea how hard it is to sit here and think of something smart to write down.  Anyway, here it goes.  In conclusion, if we must continue as a society, we must first remember we are a society.

Join me next week, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.
Your Fellow Traveler.