Before you get started reading this, as I know you are so eager to do, let me first apologize for the fact that the entire story is broken into three files, this one Senses being the first. The second book is to be called Slap and the third will be Author. It’s just that the story is so damned long and your file space only would take so much (Make room, because books two and three are coming). Besides, I write on a Macintosh, while you are IBM.

There are 16 major characters to our little tale (little tale - we saved this goddamned planet, but the others want to be humble) including me. Well, 17 but number 17 is a machine, and that will take some explanation. The problem is, to start this story when the big stuff that history books are being written about would be like Buckaroo Bonsai - accepting the fantastic at face value. Real life don’t work that way (I know, improper English). To be honest, it amazes me that it worked at all, and I was partly responsible!

The way the story is told has been approved by all of the people involved. Jim likes that he looks like a rascal because, well, he is one (although he’s a bit pissed that I’m telling the truth about Angie). ‘drink’s story really is like B-Grade fiction. Larry’s story is told concisely, because my interviews with that man and his friends went that way. A.J.’s tale is a true reflection of the man, while Paul’s come across like detective fiction, with the rest of the cast thrown in. Scott’s story is just as goofy as he is. Mine is....well....like me. After all, as Larry continually points out, I’m young.

Anyway, the cast of major characters is as follows:

Jim Christopher - The rock star you already know

Karen Price - Jim’s girlfriend

A.J. Christopher - Jim’s younger brother - world’s tallest rock star

Paul Cynic - Jim’s manager

Carrie Fallon - Guitarist on Jim and A.J.’s tour

Scott David - Chief tech, same tour

‘drink Davis - Basic beach bum and world traveler

Matthias Gibraltar - His drinking buddy

Debbie Cynic - Paul’s younger sister

Larry Christopher - Jim’s older brother - sells books in San Francisco

Morgana St. John - Larry’s sole employee

Rand Weiss - Larry’s childhood friend

Constance Estel - Rand’s ex

Angie Rameriz - Day bartender at Jim’s favorite bar

Nicki Davis - Who got me into this mess

Jace Wright - Me, Myself, Eye

In addition, I think that Mike, the owner of Jim’s favorite bar, is an important character as well as Jason, Lee and Rex from Jim’s band Blue Shift. You also cannot ignore Jeff Soszynski or the guy we call Duncan Idaho or Detective Dylan (we changed his name for the books, although the real joke behind his name is accurate). Oh yes, Janis (our number 17) as well. They’re just as important, but they weren’t directly involved in the events that sent us into seclusion. (Well, Janis was, but I’m getting ahead of myself here).

After a fashion, I envy them their freedom. Jim and A.J. were already leading fairly secluded, if public, lives, but now the rest of us can’t even go to McDonald’s without everybody in the place pointing fingers. And I like Big Macs.

The work we do and have done is important. I think we all realize that. We’d like to continue it (which we are) and re-enter public life - at least as much as possible. Jim and A.J. both want to tour again and Larry misses the academic world the Occult flourishes in. The rest of us could probably return to public life fairly easily, but this is about all of us, and the future of man. Committed, we remain.

Aw hell, committed we should be.

Anyway, enough reminiscing (I get melancholy when I do that, but I believe you’ve noticed that by now). There are a total of seven stories. They are, in order, Senses, Instinct, Wicca, Seducer, Hack, Slap, and Author. Enjoy them as best you can, and you just may get some insight into this bunch of crazies. Lord knows how important that is.

Thanks.

Jace Wright.

By the way, a copy of Jim’s new album should be in your mail on or about 26 September. It includes remakes of Razor’s Edge and Cross-examination. Enjoy!

Transmitted 23 September to the offices of Radio Free California (a California publications press house) via modem from an unknown source. As was the following. Found 25 September by Dave. The album arrived this morning, Chris. Good stuff, definitely Jim Christopher. No Mistaking that voice. I think we’ve got something very important and very weird here. Please give it a read.

Signed, Max.