Location of PSU Discovered!

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A Farewell to Arms, book cipher, Doug Dorst, Eric Husch, Ernest Hemingway, Jen Heyward, JJ Abrams, Pollard Arkansas, Pollard State University, PSU, V.M. Straka, VM Straka

This postcard, an insert on p192…

…shows the address blacked out with a marker. However, a few simple adjustments to the contrast and some magnification reveal the address that the postcard was sent to…

Here you can clearly see…

Pollard State University c/o Pronghorn Java Pollard, AR 72456 USA

Here is the zip code 72456 on Google Maps.

@anabrams fan just pointed out the following: Just a few minutes away is Piggot, AR. Highpoints include the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum & Education Center. It includes a barn studio and the home of Hemingway and his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer. Here is an interesting timeline.

In this barn studio, Hemingway wrote portions of A Farewell to Arms. If I were Jen and Eric, and I wanted to utilize a book cipher like the one FXC uses on p184, this is the book I would use.

The fact that the postcards were sent “C/O Pronghorn Java” means that Vanessa, who worked there, was the recipient and guardian of the postcards – which corresponds to the marginalia at the bottom of p231. And since we know that FXC received an unwelcome visit from someone after Eric (based on Arturo’s letter), then we can infer that Vanessa was not trustworthy. She likely disclosed the postcard information to Moody and/or Ilsa, along with the fact that Eric and Jen would meet there in the private room in the back.

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When the Projector Went Out

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Archimedes, Doug Dorst, Eric Husch, Jen Heyward, JJ Abrams, Moody, planetarium, Pollard State University, PSU, Sobreiro, V.M. Straka, VM Straka

He really was there, right? When the projector went out?
I SWEAR I HIT HIM. SIX OR SEVEN TIMES AT LEAST. YOU HEARD ME HIT HIM.
So where did he go?
STEAM TUNNELS?
MAYBE SERIN HAD PEOPLE THERE, TOO.
Wish they’d told us. Also wish we could’ve stayed and watched the stars some more.
IT WAS YOUR IDEA TO LEAVE EVERYTHING AND GO.
How many parking tickets do you think my car has by now?

This discussion between Eric Husch and Jennifer Heyward on p453 of V.M. Straka Ship of Theseus is a tantalizing puzzle piece. It is the only reference in S to a peculiar event with scant details.

Here is what we know about the event.

• Both Eric and Jen are there (Jen could hear Eric hitting someone).
• It took place on the campus of Pollard State University (the victim likely fled in the steam tunnels).
• It was very likely centered around Straka (why else would SERIN have people present?)
• There was a projector involved, and when the projector went out, no one could see (Jen could only hear Eric hitting someone).
• There were stars (Jen wanted to stay and watch them).
• Eric and Jen left for Prague shortly afterward (Jen wanted to leave everything and her car probably has parking tickets)

The most logical conclusion is that this event occurred inside PSU’s Mallon Planetarium.

• The projector is probably the planetarium projector, which projects the stars Jen wanted to stay and watch onto the domed ceiling.
• Eric used to work at the planetarium and knew how to operate the equipment (p209).
• The planetarium has direct access to the steam tunnels (p410).

Questions

• Why include mention of such a pivotal event but with so few clues?
• Why is this event written in the margins of the climax of Ship of Theseus?
• Are more details about this event out there on the web? Author Doug Dorst has mentioned in several interviews that S-related resources exist on the internet that have not yet been found.
• Is it important that Archimedes invented the first planetarium and that Archimedes de Sobreiro is an important character in Ship of Theseus?
• Is it important that Robert Hooke, who first discovered biological cells by looking at cork (sobreiro) under a microscope, postulated the first accurate theory of planetary motion based on gravity?
• Who exactly was the person that Eric hit and that Jen was surprised was even present? Moody? Someone else?
• What kind of Straka event would be held in the planetarium? Something related to Chapter 2, The Drifting Twins? Something else?

Possible Solution?

What comments or questions do you have?

The Daily Pronghorn – PSU Food Service to Reevaluate Beef

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Daily Pronghorn, Flippin' Good, George Jurick, Prairie Majesty, Pronghorn Java, PSU, Stosh Szymczak, Tikka Town

DAILY PRONGHORN STAFF REPORT

In the wake of last semester’s scandal about non-human grade beef being used by food concessionaires in Boyle Memorial Student Union, PSU Food Service has voluntarily agreed to help reevaluate the integrity of Prairie Majesty Fine Institutional Dining Supply’s supply chain. Prairie Majesty, it was revealed in a Pronghorn expose in November, through a complex network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, operates all food concessions on campus except for Pronghorn Java, Flipping’ Good, and Tikka Town, which will remain independent until their leases expire.

“We believe in Prairie Majesty and its fine-institutional-dining affiliates” said PSU Food Services Director George Jurick, “and they have been responsive to all of our concerns. The correction and remediation of any errors, oversights, or misjudgments that have occurred in the past is looked forward to and anticipated by all parties. We have a duty to provide Pollard State University’s students with nourishment of the highest quality while maintaining cost-certainty in regards to our expenses.”

When asked if the university was contemplating legal action against is food supplier, Mr. Jurick had no comment. He also declined to discuss student concerns about a private company’s having a monopoly over such a lucrative part of the internal economy of a public institution.

Not all students were concerned about the low-grade beef or Food Service’s domination by Prairie Majesty. “Who cares?” said freshman Stosh Szymczak. “Put some bacon on your damn cheeseburger and it’ll taste just fine.” Others, though, are looking for ways to take action…

See BEEF on page 8

The Daily Pronghorn – Boathouse to Reopen in May

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Art of the Fugue, Boathouse, Catherwood Cup, Doug Dorst, Fabian Midkiff, Gus Vozick, JJ Abrams, Lake Cormorant, Pronghorn State University, PSU, V.M. Straka, VM Straka

Gus Vozick – Assistant News Editor

THE UNIVERSITY Boathouse on Lake Cormorant, which collapsed in the severe ice storm of October 2008, will reopen on May 1, according to PSU Athletic Director Fabian “Pip” Midkiff.

The building was scheduled for completion over two years ago. Midkiff denies rumors that the delay was the result of funding problems and serious errors in construction. “We took the time to do it right,” he said. “The new boathouse is a thoroughly modern, eco-friendly, state-of-the-art recreation and conference facility, but we’ve maintained the basic design and classic feel of the space in honor of PSU’s century-long tradition of sailing excellence.” Midkiff said that many of the materials used in the rebuilding were salvaged from the original boathouse. Careful observers may even come across boards carved with graffiti by mischievous PSU students of yesteryear. “It’s all part of the building’s history,” he explained. “Plus, you can’t find wood like that anymore.”

Surviving members of PSU’s 1949 Catherwood Cup-winning men’s sailing team will be the guests of honor at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Students will be able to register for Summer I & II sailing and windsurfing classes during the regular April registration period.