“Isma” | Samaya Goodwin ‘23

The Moose

Paolo Marchiano ‘22

Prologue

In a ditch in the Talkeetnas, whose location I have no desire to call to mind, there was found this journal, covered in mud and soaked through, barely legible. Upon finding it, I brought it home to Philadelphia, where I transcribed it here for you to read it. It says the following:

Chapter I

This is the journal of Wilbur Bock. If found, please return to 1619 Judges Road or call 331-4450-9260 May 21st, 2020 After I got laid off from my job at the meat packing plant, I had options for the first time in my life since high school. The only problem was the government had closed down all the places that might normally hire me. I desperately tried to find work, but my labor was unfruitful. On the cusp of homelessness, I moved in with my mom. June 29th, 2020 I haven’t written for over a month now, so I have a lot to catch up on. Things have gotten so much worse. I figured that being an undignified, 33-year-old man living with his elderly Mom because he’s out of a job was rock bottom, but I was wrong. It turns out that Delilah has been cheating on me for over 2 years. I couldn’t even come to terms with it for several days. But I’m done now. I’ve lost faith in society. My only friends were at the meat packing plant, and they all cut ties with me. Delilah doesn’t care, the government certainly doesn’t care, and even my elderly Mom wants me out of her hair. So for about a week an idea has been bouncing around in my head. And today I’ve decided: I’m going to Alaska.

July 4th, 2020 I sold my father’s heirloom gold watch (don’t tell Mom). It got me just enough money to buy everything I need for this trip. I don’t know how long I’ll be off the grid for. Maybe I will come back before winter, and maybe I’ll never come back. But I know that there is nothing for me here. No friends, no girlfriend, no job, and despite this nation being a democracy, no representatives who represent me. Here is about what I bought for the trip, pardon me if I forget some things. An SMLE Mk. IV, and 100 rounds of .303 ammunition. I bought a down sleeping bag, 34 Pub