SUMMARY

Before we started this project, we didn't really think that we were going to learn anything and it was just going to be another typical assignment.  Also, it seemed like it would be difficult to plan out a story to write and continuously think of new things to add.  However, as time went on, we found that the project was pretty simple due to the fact that there were five people in our group with endless ideas. If one of us didn’t have an idea of what to write about next, there was always someone else who did. For example, if someone ended his or her last blog entry not knowing what to write about next, it was almost inevitable that they would have an idea after reading what other group members contributed to the story afterwards. 

Although this was helpful at times, it also had the capability of being very frustrating.  The fact that a single group member had no control over the story as a whole meant that how the story was going to play out wasn’t always known. Sometimes, a group member would have a plan in their head of exactly what was going to happen, but then the next group member’s “move” would include something completely different. From these experiences we learned that you just have to go with the flow and "play" off of our other classmates' "moves". In a sense, the whole project can be compared to playing chess. Even though you may have a "move" in your head, the next person could mess it up when they take their turn. But regardless of what happens, it is essential to be able to think up something new.  In the end, when we finished the blog, it was interesting to read the narrative from start to finish and see how everyone’s ideas came together to form one seamless story.

Through this project we also learned more about the art of creative writing and how to be more resourceful and inventive in our writing. Most of the members of our group had little experience in creative writing and tended to only write research papers or other humdrum school assignments.  However, through this project we were able to break away from these strict formats and instead spread our wings in a new area. 

And so it ends..

As I reflect over the events day, I am thankful to be apart of the lives of these young people, along with the rest of the people in the city.  Joe, Sammy, and Rosa deserve happiness in every form of the word, and I am glad that they finally found what they have been looking for.

As I flip through the paper, reading through the headlining article about the end of the war, another article catches my eye:

MAN ON SUBWAY TRAIN MYSTERIOUSLY TRANSFORMS INTO PIG

hah, Ebling. Maybe now you will learn.

Peace

Just then, Joe stepped forward. "I need your help, I need my one wish to come true so that I can live a normal, happy life like everyone else." The Escapist looked quizzically at Joe, "What has been bothering your young man?"
Joe took a deep breath, "my family. I had to leave them to escape the Nazi's. I was the only one with the opportunity to leave, so I took it. Since then, I have sworn I would save them from that horrible place, but nothing has gone right. I'm making money, but not enough to get them back. Escapist, please! I must save them!" With that, Joe stepped back, in shock at his burst of emotion. What would The Escapist do? How was Joe's family going to be returned to him?
The Escapist nodded, "There is much sadness in your story, for I am The Escapist, prided in destroying Nazis, but I've been fighting them long and hard. They are a mighty force that I have been trying to reckon with. I did promise you one wish, and here you are with my golden key, so I must do my best to tear down the Nazi power and save your family."
With that, The Escapist disappeared, leaving Joe, Rosa, and Sammy, standing alone in front of the key-shaped mirror.
"Now what do we do?" asked Rosa. Sammy replied, "I guess we go back and just hope that The Escapist can win the battle against the Nazis."

The next week, Joe was back at his desk at work, as if the meeting with The Escapist had never happened. He didn't know what to expect. Would The Escapist go through with the plan? or had the Nazi force been too much for him? Joe couldn't concentrate. He could only sit at his desk and wait like he had before he found the golden key in the first place. He couldn't go back to that. Just then he heard people running behind him. He turned around just in time to see Rosa and Sammy, with a newspaper in their hands.
"Joe it's over! It's over! The Escapist has done it!" exclaimed Rosa.
"What?" Joe took the newspaper in his hands and read the headline.

PEACE
World War with Germany Ends

I Did It Myself

Even with his new found sense of courage and life with no lies, Sammy could feel himself reeling from shock at this revelation. The Escapist, the hero he had helped create, was here in existence, how was this possible?

The Escapist seemed to read Sammy's facial readings and said, "Sammy, how I am exisiting is not important right now, but what is important is how this journey to see me has helped you and your struggles." "Even with this small trip, you were able to find the courage to be yourself and stand up and fight for what you believe in." Sammy pondered this logic and realized that the Escapist had vaguely been a role in his transformation. "I was gay before I went on this adventure, and i would have never risked outing myself before this." Sammy then realized that this trip, and his encounter with the hateful Ebling had given him the final drive to stand up and fight. Sammy realized this trip and the Escapist had given him his own golden key, which he used to unlock the chains around his true identity.

The Escapist!?

The Escapist!? That's The Escapist!? I thought he was just a character Joe and Sammy had created. He's real?! Well I'll be damned...

We all just starred at this rather tall Superhero- looking man. He looked just like the comics Joe had showed me on the train. It was as if this was all a dream. I sure hope it isn't though. I finally found what I was looking for all this time and I didn't need the help of the Escapist either! I found my heart all on my own, and it wasn't for art like I imagined it was. My heart was found because of Joe. I'm in love with Joe and that is all I need to make me whole again. Maybe now I'll have some inspiration.. Maybe this journey with Joe and Sammy IS my inspiration.. I've got it! My heart for art is back!

It felt like the moment Ebling left my building, Joe, Sammy, and Rosa arrived. I am so glad that I realized Ebling's evil scheme and now he will be ultimately destroyed as of midnight tonight.  I hear knocking at my door and  jolt of energy traveled through my veins as I walked through my apartment to let them in.  As I opened my door, three anxious and unsure faces looked me over. They all had a different look on their face. Joe looked at me anxiously, almost as if he was about to spit out his wish right that second. Rosa stood beside Joe, holding his hand and looked content with that alone. It is obvious that she realizes that she has already found a new heart.  Sammy had his chin held high and was obviously extremely confident, almost like a business man.  What a change from the man he used to be!  I wonder what they think of me what to think of me, this strange man who mysteriously led them to his apartment with the bribe of a wish... 

"Hello sir! My name is Joseph Kavalier and these are my friends Sammy and Rosa!", boasted Joe. He has obviously been waiting a long time for this moment, long before he found the key that I planted. I told them I knew who they were and that I have been watching over them on their journey. I then walked over to the mirror and explained the mechanism to them. "Uh, hang on.  I'm not quite sure I understand", said Sammy, "So you've been watching us this whole time and you can watch the whole city whenever you want? Who are you, God or something? What's your name?".  I laughed to myself quietly and tried to figure out how to put what I would say next into the right words. "No, Sammy. You see, I'm not like that. I'm a hidden hero, of sorts. I go behind the scenes to help people out. I typically do not reveal my face or motives. My name...well...I'm...The Escapist."

Fools Gold

The train came to a haulting stop, as it practically threw Rosa, Sam, and Rosa into the next train car. "Last stop to Empire City," the conductor announced. The trio exited the train to be left in awe of this lush, gold land. Everything around them was gold, including the trees,water, animals, and buildings. Each step that they took turned to a golden footprint to mark the path that they have traveled to come to this haven. Rosa, Sam, and Joe noticed a small set of footprints leading to Empire City's main building. This building was a beautiful cathedral style building made of all gold blocks. "It's absolutly beautiful. It's so incredibly peaceful here. It's like you can forget about your problems for five minutes and just take in the scenery," sighed Rosa. "Yes, it is quite relaxing. But Rosa, we are on a mission! Let's not get sidetracked. C'mon, let's go," Joe firmly said. The group moved forward as they were secretly being watched by the Escapist through his crystal ball. "Great! They are just on time," smiled the Escapist.

*Five minutes later

"So, Joe, you have one wish and I shall grant it. Consider me your genie and whatever you ask for I must grant. What will it be?," asked the Escapist. "Well, now that I know you must do ANYTHING I ask for, I am going to go to the extreme. You now work for me, so my wish is that Hitler will not be stopped. I want him to conquer more terriotory and get rid of all the Jewish people starting in Germany, and then move to the rest of the world. He has the right idea in purifying this world, it's just he needs my help. And with this wish, I shall grant him the help he needs," replied Ebling. "But Joe, isn't that a bit extreme? So many people will be harmed," replied the Escapist. Ebling shot back, "Maybe you didn't hear me must grant me that wish. So make it happen now." The Escapist cunningly replied, "Yes sir. Take this golden coin and stick it under your pillow tonight. When you wake up, it will be gone and your wish will be granted. Now be on your way." Ebling left the building as the Escapist laughed to himself.

The True Sammy Clay

As the Yellow Line continued to roll on to the much anticipated Empire City, Sammy began to run over his sudden burst of fight during the encounter with Ebling. "That was so crazy, why am I now suddenly filled with this courage to fight for something?" thought Sammy as his thoughts raced over what had happened in the warehouse. "I've never gone off like that, where did i find this courage?" Sammy pondered as he soon realized that he fought for his right to be himself, something he had hid from for a long time. 'No more running, I'm gonna myself now, and I'm gonna do it now!"
Joe noticed now that Sammy seemed figity and wanted to say something, "What is it Sammy, you seem kind of on age." Sammy turned to Joe, with tears in his eyes and a nervous look on his face, "I've been living a lie Joe, Rosa, you really don't know me." Sammy said as he started to feel an all to familiar chill of fear and nervousness race down his spine. "I got to tell you all who I really am."

.......I'm Sammy Clay........and............I'm...........................gay.

Joe and Rosa were not sure how to react to this big peice of news. Joe was the first to break this truly akward silence, "Well Sammy, you are still my cousin, and I accept anything you decide for your life." Sammy then felt his fragile exterior crash as he began to weep with happiness, he was finally truthful, and unlike his previous fears, the people around him accepted him as he was. No more lies, no more secrets, only the end of the road, the road to Empire City.

Follow the Yellow Line

Following the information given to them by the strange, little man, the trio was finally back on their journey towards Empire City. Sammy, feeling strength from his defeat of Ebling, now walked with a new found air to his step, holding his chest high. Joe walked with certain quickness, troubled by the time lost due to the unexpected turn of events brought on by Ebling. Rosa had situated herself between the two, feeling comfort from being surrounded by her saviors. She especially enjoyed the closeness to Joe as the three walked together.

Finally, Joe, Sammy, and Rosa descended down the stairs into the subway station. Joe checked each map they passed; searching for a trace of Empire City, but it was nowhere to be found. Joe thought anxiously to himself, "What if Empire City doesn't exist? What if the key, the letter, and Rosa are all coincidences? What if this is all a waste of time, as my family waits, suffering, while I'm off on some wild-goose chase??" Joe's thoughts were interrupted when Sammy walked straight up to the ticket booth and hastily asked for three tickets to Empire City. The ticket man silently pulled three golden tickets from below the counter. Sammy accepted them and when he asked how much he owed, the ticket man replied, "free of charge".

Without hesitation, the three friends hopped on the subway labeled as the yellow line and took their seats. The subway train stopped and went; People boarded and people got off at their designated stops, but Empire City never appeared. Finally, the conductor called for last stop, but still, no Empire City. As the last of the passengers made their way off the subway car, Joe stood up in frustration, "What's going on?! Where's our stop?" With that, the subway train jutted forward, knocking Joe off balance. Over the loudspeaker they heard, "Next stop, Empire City."

An Unexpected Visitor

As I sit in my apartment reading over the paper, I notice that my mirror has suddenly gone blank. I am deeply puzzled and confused, how am I supposed to watch over my friends and make sure they make it here safely? I’ve already seen what has happened with Ebling, however, Sammy proved to be more courageous than he thought himself to be. He is growing faster than he even realizes! I begin to analyze the mirror. I have never had this problem before, and its funny how it stops working when I need it more than ever. 

Suddenly, I hear a knock at the door. Who could it be?  Maybe it is my friends, already! Maybe their subway ride took faster than expected. Oh, how exciting! I quickly walk over to the door; but as I peer through the peephole, I am surprised to see only one man standing there. I open the door slightly and stare out at the stranger. Why, he does look a little like Joe, except he shorter and maybe weighs a bit more than I imagined. Its not how he looked in my mirror; but Hell, that mirror has a tendency to be a tad unrealistic.

“Who are you and what are you here for?”

“My name is Joseph Kavalier! And you see, I found a golden key on the side of the road and someone told me that I was supposed to bring it here”

“I thought you had friends coming with you...?”

“Well...uhm... you see... they had other plans! Yeah, yeah that’s it. Other plans”

As he tells me this, I hear a noise from the other side of my room. Its my mirror! It turned back on again! What a relief. However, to my dismay, I turn to see Joe, Sammy, and Rosa on the screen boarding a subway train headed to my area. What the Hell? Then who is this man? I look him over again. He does look familiar... and that accent... And then it hits me like a ton of bricks. EBLING! I almost begin yelling at him, but then I think of a better idea. What if I just go along with his little game for a while and then defeat him once and for all? Sounds like a mission for the Escapist!

Oh the possiblities

I woke up to find myself lying on the dusty ground, covered in blood. I had no recollection of the events that had just happened. Why was I lying on the ground? Why were there ropes and and knives lying around on the ground? A couple of men that work for me came rushing through the door in a panic. "Sir, they got away," one of the men replied. "What happened, I have no memory of what went on?", I questioned. "Sir, remember you were trying to hold Rosa for ransom to distract Joe Kavalier from the Escapist. Well, when you brought her back here, Joe and Sam came as planned to rescue her. But, that fairy Sam tackled you out of nowhere. You were knocked out for quite some time, and we were waiting for you to wake up to ask you for a back up plan," uttered his worker. I was quite stunned that I could have been outsmarted, especially by such people. I went from a feeling of confusion to uncontrollable anger. Chairs starting flying across the room and books were being kicked everywhere.
That's when I realized that I really needed to step up my game. If those fools actually made it the Escapist, the Nazi's would be stopped, and I would have no one of that. That is when I got the perfect idea! I obviously cannot take all of them, because there are too many to fight compared to just one of me. But, maybe I can outsmart them. The Escapist sent Joe the Golden Key, and is expecting a visit from him any day. Maybe, just maybe, I could beat them there and pose as Joe Kavalier. Then, I would have my very own wish and oh the possibilities. "Don't worry about it, you did your job. I will take care of it from here men," I softly said to the men. I lit up a cigarette and took a deep inhale. "Oh the possibilities...," I smirked.

Rosa and Joe

When Joe and Sam untied me I gave them both huge hugs. I was scared and frightened. I saw Sammy tackle Ebling from the other room. I didn't know who one until about one minute later when Sammy stood up to free Joe. Both of them came over to me to untie me. I gave Sam a hug first and then went over to Joe. And when I hugged Joe I felt warm, warmer than I ever was. I felt as though my heart was melting. "What is this feeling?" I thought. When I realized that we had been standing there and hugging for quite some time I quickly stepped back. Sam starred at us as if to say, "What the heck was that all about?" I'm not even sure what "that" was about. Whatever it was I haven't felt anything similar to that since I was painting. I don't think I would mind feeling that again. How i would like to feel warm again!

Sammy's Finds Some Courage

As Joe and Sammy regained consciousness, they already knew that they were in trouble. They suddenly found themselves surrounded by a group of men, all sporting identical uniforms with the familiar swastika image seen on the German Nazi uniform, with an American flag behind it. These men identified themselves as members of the Aryan-American League, "Ebling's followers" thought Joe as the men seized them and leave them in an abanoned warehouse. Inside Joe and Sammy find a small room where they see Ebling holding a small blade to Rosa'a throat. "Let her go Ebling" yelled Joe angrily. "Oh I don't think that is possible Mr. Kavalier" sneered Ebling as he began to snicker with fanatic ecstacy. "You see, with her death, I know you'll never go to see the Escapist, and with you out of the way, I can make this country in my image, or should I say the Fuhrers."

Joe and Sammy are now just as confused as Rosa was, who is this Escapist that Ebling keeps ranting about, and Sammy himself is horrified as it dawns on him what Ebling's desires are, to eradicate anyone not thought of as "perfect Aryans". He has heard of those choice few that meet the requirements of Germany's perfect race. "If Ebling succeeds, then I will never be safe or exist as a man", thinks Sammy as a strange feeling erupts in his chest, "but what can I do, Im only Sammy Clay, no I can take this guy" Sammy says to himself as he feels a swell of courage erupt throughout his person. Joe is still to nervous about any harm coming to Rosa to notice Samyy's reaction, he is knocked out of his daze as he feels Sammy rush past him to tackle Ebling to the ground. With Ebling knocked out unconscious, The duo proceed to untie Rosa and continue their trip to this much sought out Empire City, maybe this Escapist fella will know how to help them stop Ebling for good.

Where am I?!

What is this place? What happened to me? I'm tied up to some pole in a dirty old building. Oh no! Wheres Joe and Sammy?! Someone help!!!!

As Rosa just starts to wake up a little bit more she begins to remember what had happened. She remembers Ebling; the ugly man. She remembers him trying to grab her and Joe pulling her the opposite way. Then she faintly remembers them walking or was it running away? And then something about getting very tired and then lights out. Now Rosa is here, in this rickety old building scared and cold. She hears a noise from far away. She stands as still as possible. Another noise comes from somewhere else in the building. Now Rosa is terrified. Who or what could it be? Then she hears foot steps coming her way. A face appears and she screams. Its Ebling!

"Hello my dear. How are you? I see you're a little tied up right now." He chuckles to himself. Rosa just stares at him with anger and disgust. "What do you want from me!" Rosa yells. "What do I want! I want Joe and Sammy to be miserable for the rest of their lives! I must stop them from reaching the Escapist!" "Who is the Escapist?" Rosa asks, quivering. "The Escapist? You don't know who the Escapist is?! He is the one you've been looking for is it not?" "I suppose." Rosa says "We weren't sure who we were looking for. We knew our direction. That was about it." "Well now Joe and Sammy are on a different direction trying to find you! They care more about you then their happiness I guess. But they'll realize very quickly that that was the wrong choice. My followers we'll meet up with them any moment and bring them to me. And then I will have the key! And then the Escapist will no longer have any power! I will have it all!! ahhaa!"

Rosa becomes very worried for Joe and Sammy. What will happen to them? What will happen to the Escapist if Ebling has is power?

A ticking bomb

As Ebling approached the awed crowd, he smirked with a grin so slimy it could scare away a hungry bear. "Hello, Joseph", Carl Ebling snared, "I am surprised to find you still on your journey after the letter I know you received. And I see you brought more, oh what you are getting yourself into. I told you you had a fair warning." The group of brave souls stared at each other in confusion, but Joe knew exactly what this man was actually capable of. He knew of Eblings fake bomb threat and of the real one at that. Joe thought to himself what danger he could cause these strangers that decided to come along with him, but the journey to eventually have his family freed was his goal after all. "Joe, I don't understand what is going on," Rosa scolded to Joe. "I will explain later," Joe whispered back. Ebling was just staring at the group in a way of intimidation. Rosa worked up the courage to ask Ebling what he wanted. She trembled, "I-I-I'm sorry sir. What did you want? Is there something you are looking for?". Ebling responded, "Indeed there is my pretty, but I found what I was looking for. It is you Miss Saks, and now you should come away with me."
Joe quickly grabbed Rosa by the arm to run in the opposite direction, but to his dismay Ebling had released a capsule full of sleeping gas and they all quickly drifted away into a deep sleep. A couple hours had passed, as Ebling brought Rosa back to a strange, dusty, old building. She was still passed out and he laid her on the cold wood floor like a door mat. It was getting late and Ebling chuckled to himself, "My plan is sure to work. With the clues I left him, he will be sure to sidetrack his thoughts of his family to save Rosa. That is if he ever wants to see her alive again..."

Little Man

Joe was finally ready to begin his journey, but to where? Empire City? He had never even heard of such a place! He thought that having companions along would be of some help, but neither Rosa nor Sammy knew anything about Empire City. One day, Joe, Rosa, and Sammy were on their way to discuss how to find the mysterious owner of the key over a bite to eat, when Rosa stopped in her tracks. Joe turned around. “What’s the matter?” asked Joe, “why’d you stop?” Rosa raised her hand to point towards the middle of the road. Joe and Sammy turned to look in time to watch as an incredibly small, but chubby man pulling himself out of a manhole. After a good while of squeezing his round body through the hole, he was finally out, dusting off his long coat. Without a moment to spare, he walked over to Joe and ushered him to bend his head towards his. The short man whispered into his ear, “take the yellow line, and you will find Empire City.” With that, he waddled down an alley, turned a corner, and was gone. Before the three friends realized what they had just witnessed, each turned to see Ebling, marching down the sidewalk, in their direction.

A Watchful Eye

As I watch the three young souls wander aimlessly around the city, desperation oozing from their pores, I feel a pang of hopefulness in my heart. I see Joe, empty and alone in this city, with his heart still with his family in Czechoslovakia. Sammy, lost and confused, searching for an identity, a purpose, a place in the world. And Rosa, the dedicated and beautifully talented artist who lost her love for the one thing that gave her life meaning.  I am anxious to watch their lives evolve, to watch them grow together through this epic adventure. They all have the potential to be such wonderful and successful people.  Oh, if only they knew what lies before them! A new surge of happiness, new beginnings! They have been brought together for a reason, they are just what each other needs. Will they realize? They must, they must.

But, oh no! They must be sure to be cautious of the evil lurking in dark alleyways and behind buildings. Ebling has something up his sleeve, I can see it in his eyes.  These three must keep their wits about them. Be careful, my friends! Come to me safe and happy!

Rosa: Should I follow?

Should I go with Sammy and Joe? I already told Joe what the ugly man told me. I don't think I should get involved. This man seems convinced that he will stop Sammy and Joe at all costs from bringing the golden key back to it's rightful owner. But what about that wish Joe was talking about? Will I get one too?! Oh I do hope so! One wish, it could be any wish! I can only ask for one thing at this point... to have my heart back, for the sake of art. How I wish I could think of something to paint or have just a spark of thought as to what comes next. I hope that I get my wish, I need my heart back.

Thats it then! I'll go with them. What have I got to lose? I can only gain, gain my wish... my heart!

Cousins United

Why do I do this to myself? Why can't I just come out and say what is eating me up inside? I might be a fairy, and I always take the role of second hand in my life's work. These kinds of questions plague my thoughts often as I try to live in this biased and narrow minded world. I try to live with these lies by just staying true to some simple facts, I'm Sam Clay, and my cousin Joe and I work together to create great entertainment. I've never wanted much more than that, just to work along in this world. Joe always seems to want more and come out on top, thats why we call ourselves Kavalier and Clay.
Anyways, it seems that he wants my help on something. He came into work the other day, and he seemed perplexed. I went over to his desk, and asked if something was on his mind. He didn't answer, he just reached into his pocket, and showed me this tiny key, "I just found it on the side of the road, and it says to return it to it's master." Joe seemed troubled by this, mostly because he told me he got a letter from a Carl Ebling concerning the key. "So you see, Sammy, finding this key can't be just chance, I've gotta go to Empire City and see this guy." I see a new look in Joe's eyes after giving me this information, he seems determined, serious about this whole adventure he's about to embark on, the same look he has when he is focused on work.
He suddenly looks at me, "Why don't you come with me Sammy" Joe says, "I met this lovely lady whose gonna come with me, her names Rosa." I look into his eyes, "I don't know Joe, it seems pretty far-fetched." I begin to think about how a crazy adventure to some unknown city will help me or my life. Then I think, "Hey, this mystery fella said hell give Joe a wish, maybe ha can give me the courage to stand true to what I believe and help me go my own." Joe is now eyeing me nervously, he really needs my help and companionship. "Alright Joe, Ill go with you, maybe this guy has a few tricks up his sleeve." As we leave the building, I start thinking about what has troubled me, and how this enigmatic figure can help me. Maybe he can change peoples attitudes, or is it that he'll give me the courage to come out and tell this narrow-minded world who I really am...

The First Visit

One wish? My owner? Who could the key's owner be? Was I really supposed to pick this up? Is this meant for someone else?, thought Joe. He decided to take the key back to his desk at work. All day he kept opening his drawer to gaze at the key. He didn't know what to do with it. As he started his way back home after work he put the key in his coat pocket. As he made his way around the sidewalk corner he pumped into a rather attractive young woman. The key went flying out of Joe's pocket and into the lap of the woman. The young woman starred at the key and then back at Joe, and then at the key once more and then back at Joe. "Are you Joe Kavalier?", the woman said. "Why yes I am." He said with a very manly voice, feeling very humble. "My name is Rosa Saks. I was given this letter by a very strange, scary looking man the other day. He told me I must find you and give this to you at once." "Who was this man?", Joe asked. "I don't know, I've never seen him before. I knew you were Joe Kavalier though because the man said you would have this golden key with you.", Rosa hands him the key and the letter. Joe reads the letter, it is from Carl Ebling.

"I have to find the owner of this key." Joe says out loud. "Can I help you find the owner?"Rosa asks, " I've been looking for some type of adventure, see I'm a painter and I've been having a lot of trouble starting a new painting. Maybe if I join you, something will spark my interest. Right now I lost my heart for painting. I must find it again."

"I suppose you can join me, but I'm not even sure where to begin. You see I just found this key on the side of the road." Joe explains.

"Well that's what I'm here for!" said Rosa. "I heard the creepy looking man talking to his rather short friend after he gave me your note. He said something about Emerald city?, and that they'll be waiting there if you are able to find your way."

"Emerald city huh?", Joe thinks for a moment. This is all happening really fast. But this is what he needs right now. Something to get his mind away from things. And maybe if he can bring this key back to his owner he'll get his wish; his family...

A fair warning

Joseph Kavalier, do not assume that your journey or shall I say escape to the "magical wizard" will be that pleasant. I swear on my life as Carl Henry Ebling, you will not succeed in your plan to free your family or the rest of the Jews for that matter. You think you are some sort of God, a saviour to the people. "Oh what a hero"- I can just hear all these men, women, and children praising you now as they sit around their family dinner. What are you expecting Joseph Kavalier, perhaps a candy bar named after you or even a parade? It all makes me so sick. You are no idol, or in your case "Golem". The Nazi's are already conquering Germany as well as other surrounding countries. Your family is probably dead anyways. Although my previous attempts have failed, I can promise you I will do everything in my power to eliminate you, unless you decide to stop this nonsense. Until then, I will be watching you every move you make. Do not underestimate me....you had a fair warning.

Ever since Joe Kavalier left his family to come to America, his life has been overwhelmed with despair. Lost, walking the streets in no particular direction, hoping that some how his steps will lead him to a way to save his family. Work life isn't any different. He spends each day, wasting away, trapped in a cubicle, as time drags. He's making money, but not enough to save his family. One day, as he was walking to work, Joe caught, out of the corner of his eye, a glimmer, like a diamond or a jewel. Joe quickly searched for the source of the luminesce, when his eyes fell over a gutter. Curiosity had gotten the best of him and he slouched across the sidewalk and got down on his hands and knees, reaching his pale hand as far as it could go. Finally, he felt cool metal against his skin and grasped at the mysterious object. He pulled his hand free of the gutter and with it came a perfectly golden key. Attached was a tag...

Bring me to my owner, and you will be given one wish.

Keeping An Eye On The World...

Here I am, the widely infamous and hidden hero.  I sit here, day after day, a savior to the people of New York City. Through my key-shaped golden mirror I am able to observe the distress and discontent that burdens these many men and women.  But as of late, the mirror only displays a single young man, Joseph Kavalier, standing slouched and sleepy day in and day out. The young, pale man walks the streets as a lost soul, undoubtedly hollow and emotionless.  He wanders aimlessly, dead to the world, with unmeasurable burdens on his shoulders inevitably destroying him. I am determined to find out what is troubling this young man, to help him escape from his worries, to give him the freedom to live the life he has always dreamed. I will lead him to my hide out, to the place where the weight will be lifted off of his shoulders and he will become a new man.  I have decided that I will leave him a key, the symbol of my heroism, to lead him to my dwelling....