Week One - Task #02. "Haunted Hardware"

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

You’re assigned a side mission today: check out “Oddments & Ends,” Bridgeton’s tiny DIY shop.

The owner, a twitchy man named Edgar, claims his hammers are singing sea shanties when no one’s looking.

You spend ten minutes pretending to shop while the tools behave perfectly. Then, when Edgar turns his back, a screwdriver spins in midair and spells out the word “BORED.”

When you approach, the tool clatters to the floor like a scolded pixie. You place a Ministry tag onto the screwdriver and make a note: definitely sentient, low level enchantment, possibly lonely.

Task:
Create and post below a piece of Art that showcases any muggle object(s) acting magically, and include a brief description of what's happening. Remember that all imagery posted directly to the forum must be no larger than 600x600 pixels.

Alternatively you can write a Letter from the perspective of a Muggle resident of Bridgeton describing an unusual magical experience they witnessed, using 100 words or more for full credit. This could be written to such options as a friend, the local paper, or a town official.

[Janne Halla]

Dear Editor,

I'm writing to share a most perplexing event that occurred yesterday near the phone booth on Main Street. I arrived to make a quick call, only to find the handset swinging wildly back and forth, the coin slot jingling though no one was nearby, and the small light above flickering on and off in rapid succession. There was also a voice coming out of the speaker, talking about some ministries or somesuch.

While I can't say for certain, I strongly suspect that a group of local youths had been using the booth as part of a prank challenge or dare, perhaps trying to see who could make the loudest noise or startle passersby.

Our town has rules, standards, and a right to quiet and order, and it is beyond me why parents allow their children to run amok in public spaces. I insist that guardians speak to their children about respect for public property and consideration for others, lest these sorts of stunts become a regular nuisance. Bridgeton deserves better than this kind of chaos.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Finch

[Luna Ravenlong]

To my dearest sister

I have a very unusual tale for you in today’s letter! Yesterday afternoon, as I was browsing in the local bookstore, I’m sure I heard a whispering coming from one of the shelves towards the back of the shop. As I went to investigate, one of the books jumped off the shelf of its own accord and seemed to hover in front of me! As it happens, it was a tomb that I had been asking the owner about, but had been placed in completely the wrong section-it was almost as though it knew I was searching for it…

I was perplexed about how this could have happened. Perhaps it’s some sort of new technology the store has invested in (you know I don’t understand how it all works nowadays). Or perhaps I was having a funny turn and imagined the whole thing! Either way it makes for an amusing tale.

I wish you well, and am looking forward to your visit at the end of the month.

Best Wishes,

Your sister Eliza

[Phoenix Ocean]

Dear Angelica,

Bridgeton is just the cutest town I have ever seen. It’s so quaint with its little shops and row homes neatly lined up. While it seems perfectly ordinary and even boring at times, I have to tell you that I have started to notice the strangest things!

It rained the other day, a small shower that was just enough to give the grass and flowers a bit of a perk. But as I watched from the upstairs window (you know I love a good rain), it was only raining in certain spots. It seemed to rain in odd circles in certain places, and not at all in others. I brushed it off as maybe there was something obstructing the rain from falling.

But nothing could explain what I saw in the local thrift store! I went in to see if I could find a lovely antique lamp to place on my desk. I passed by the area where they had stocked drinking glasses and other kitchen wares. The forks were DANCING with the spoons!! I kid you not, full waltzing with each other on the shelf! I thought I was having a hallucination! They immediately stopped when I approached them and fell to the shelf, looking as ordinary as any other utensils.

Well you know me. I bought two forks and two spoons and brought them home. I didn’t even look for a lamp! I was so preoccupied with these weird, dancing cutlery. I placed them on the kitchen counter but they haven’t moved. Surely I must have just made it up, but I almost kind of hope they hop up and do a quadrille.

Perplexed.

Your Friend,
Jess