Introducing Gustav

Gustav

Authenticity.

I have a cat; his name is Markus and he is quite obese. I prefer porridge in the morning and absinthe in the evening. My favorite color is taupe.

Oh, God. I give up. I fear I am not suited to this brave new world of openness and authenticity. I must find a different path.

A Brief History of the Fiction-Writing Directorate

Miss Callista Cornelius

This uneasy grasping toward openness reminds me of an unfortunate incident many years past. An intrepid lady-journalist, Miss Callista Cornelius, stumbled upon the Directorate, and began an investigation. Since she was quite intrepid indeed, my superiors determined that something must be done, so I was assigned to “assist” her with her investigation. Her findings were fascinating, and I learned a great deal about the organization I serve.

Unfortunately, Miss Cornelius died in a tragic dirigible accident before her research could be published. I have her notes in my trunk. Instead of all this horrid openness, perhaps I could take Miss Cornelius’s notes and look them over. I am sure they have material of sufficient interest to satisfy my readers.

Like other agents, I thought I knew the history of the Directorate, from its origins in the monasteries of the Dark Ages to its current position of quiet prominence. I thought I knew the brave and noble role the Directorate played in the events of the ages.

Miss Cornelius showed me I was wrong.

I see I am out of space. Next week, I will begin sharing her researches with you. Miss Cornelius would click her tongue disapprovingly at me for setting up such a cliff-hanger, as if this were some cheap pot-boiler, instead of the fruits of her life’s work. My most sincere apologies. I will do my best to make it up to you — and to Miss Cornelius.