Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL? HAL: Affirmative

Note: This is a true story. Some names have not been changed to protect the innocent.

Deep in the wilds of Western Oregon, HAL contributor and foreign correspondent Dena Rash Guzman was in the midst of a coffee fueled all night editing bender, with only the damp chilly summer air and some howling coyotes in the river gorge for company, when a text message from an unrecognized number appeared on her phone.

What’s the name of your publisher?
And do you have an email for them?

Though somewhat startled, Dena was not ever in the mood to miss out on a submission for HAL. She responded to the text.

You are likely thinking of HAL Publishing.
My email is dena@haliterature.com
They are in Shanghai but I am
Managing Director North America so
I can direct your query. Who is this?

A few moments later came this response.

You’ll be receiving a message soon.

Attempting to get back to the task at hand, a short story about underwear in China and editing submissions to her journal, www.unshodquills.com, Dena found herself distracted by both the strange familiarity of the phone number from which the text message was sent and what the next message would be.

Ten minutes later, she found an email in her inbox.

Terry Faust to me

show details 2:24 AM (7 minutes ago)

Dena,

I was handed a note as I was sitting outside a pub in Minneapolis reading Levinson’s Guerrilla Marketing for Writers.. I have attached a copy of the note. The note mysteriously suggested contacting you. I did look at Haliterature.com’s website and the submission guidelines. Though the lit was dim outside the bar, I doubt “Another Writer’ mistook me for someone from China. I’ve never been in China and my short stories have more to do with cross dressing Norse gods, UFOs, and murderous breakfast food cartoon characters than sex, drugs , and money. Even so, I’d be happy to submit something if the letter isn’t a hoax.

Cheers,

Terry Faust – author Z is for Xenophobe
hypochamber.org

***

D to Terry Faust show details 2:28 AM

Dear Terry,

Send it in. The mystery compels me. It most definitely is not a hoax, unless it is larger one than I even can imagine. Please paste at least part of your submission into the body of the email so that I can ensure this is a serious submission prior to opening an attachment. Additionally, your attachment does not seem to be attached. Is it written in invisible ink?

Best,

Dena

***

Terry Faust to me show details 2:36 AM (2 minutes ago)

Dena,

My apologies. I scanned the note but failed to attach it. I’ve now attached it and its back. The attached JPEGs are title Merlin’s Rest because that is the pub where I was handed the note. I scanned the back because my amazing powers of observation and deduction kicked in and led me to turn it over. Sherlock Holmes would be proud. It was written on credit card receipt charged to Jeremy T. XXXXX. Do you have any close friends with close friends named Jeremy XXXXX? I’m assuming it’s his receipt. He handed me the note in passing and left without introducing himself. It appears he may have failed to tip Jennifer, his server.

Cheers,

Terry Faust
hypochamber.org

exhibit 1: the email attachment

Exhibit Two: Second Attachment

***

D to Terry Faust show details 2:42 AM

Ah, this is fantastic. No. The person who texted me is not, as far as I know, a Mr. XXXXX. I have been running over old emails and Facebook profiles, and have been able to attach a person to the phone number attached to the text. I am not sure if I would reveal to you who the gentleman is. What if I am wrong and he’s been lying to me though, about his true identity, for a very long time?

What if he really is a Mr. XXXXX? What a mystery!

Regardless, we’d love to print the email and message you sent on to us tonight.

If you have full manuscripts for our consideration, submission guidelines for queries are on the HAL website, as is the email address of the gentleman who handles those things. editor@haliterature.com

One more thing. Are you on Facebook?

Best,

Dena

***

Terry Faust to Me show details 7:52 AM

Dena,

You do have a mystery but that keeps life interesting. Go ahead and use the note. I might work it into a story so keep me posted on what transpires. I’ll submit a story to HAL and see what happens. Yes, I am on Facebook but seldom check in. Look for the Terry Faust in the cockpit.

Cheers,

Terry Faust
hypochamber.org

***

D to Terry Faust show details 9:47 AM

Thanks! I’ll let you know when it is up. A cockpit, huh? Do you fly?

Best,

Dena

****

Dena has yet to receive a response from Mr. Faust regarding his status as a pilot. Another mystery. She did since ascertain the identity of the gentleman who texted her and then handed Mr. Faust the note outside Merlin’s Rest. However, she refuses to divulge his identity other than to state that he is a ninja.

Be sure to check out Mr. Faust’s website to learn more about him. We did.

www.hypochamber.org.