SHORT STORY
Not Entirely Untitled
A short story, if that
All the copies of the book were burned in the purge. But an effort was made by those who knew the book well to rewrite it. As close to the original as their memories would allow.
Each member would write as much of the book as they could. And then all those versions were compared and a consensus version was produced based on comparisons and overlap. Contentious areas were voted on and edited to bring them in line with the spirit of the book.
Or, at least, what most believed was the spirit of the book.
Every version was given a score based on how closely it resembled other versions. Some groups formed around particular versions of the book, and these group became antagonistic.
Some groups formed not around particular versions of the book, but around beliefs about how best to determine the accuracy of versions and whether consensus or consistency was the more correct criterium.
Some people submitted quotes they had taken directly from the book. And although these quotes were given a high validity score, no quote or part would ever be given the perfect score of 100.
Some disagreed that such a committee could have any authority to make such judgements on such an important task.
There were very few cuttings from the book, because before the purge anyone found trying to hold on to the book or part thereof was disappeared, punished, or publicly exposed for some usually fabricated but unthinkable act.
In total, there were 17 original cuttings submitted. They included one entire page spread (pages 2 and 3). The other 16 cuttings consisted of paragraphs, sentences and single lines of text.
There are those out there that believe in the eventual return of an original copy. And in harmony among those that have by default or desire dedicated their lives to doing something, anything with the book.
Though, given the propensity for frauds and counterfeits, convincing anyone that an original might have been found would be hardly worth the battle. There are others who are actively searching. There are many who actively try to stop them.
There are others who have disabused themselves of the whole endeavour. They learn to live with doubt. They have other books. They believe what they want, or they don’t — it matters little. And they write their own books. They have their own tales.
They’ll be fine.
If you like my writing and want to help me write more, you can buy me a coffee, subscribe, or hire me via Upwork
