[UA] Artifact- The Typewriter

[Tim Toner]

> It's a cool idea, but I don't think the Sleepers would
> be that stupid...unless maybe it was a newbie who
> fucked up...
> 
> "Did you get the book?"
> "Yeah."
> "All the copies?"
> "Yeah."
> "Did you remember to grab the ribbon?"
> "Ribbon?"
>

I thought much the same at the time.  We're unfamiliar with typewriter
ribbons in this day and age (and if you don't believe me about the
disconnect between the younger generations and typewriters, try explaining
why the Shift key is called the Shift key), but anyone as security
conscientious as the Sleepers would not be so short-sighted.  What _could_
pass muster would be a piece of carbon paper, used to produce a copy while
Dirk Allen hacked away in his enlightened stupor.  The Sleepers found the
carbon copy, burned that as well, took the ribbon, but overlooked the
harmless piece of carbon paper, which had slipped behind the desk.  Now the
neat thing is that the carbon paper is all but unreadable, since it reflects
333 pages of impressions, but -- here's the kicker -- it's the entire book
in an easily folded format.  A patient soul with potent analytical equipment
could resurrect the original (though from my experience, it's pretty
worthless after 20 or so pages.  Carbonless paper lasts about twice as long,
especially if you flip the page between impressions.  Given what Dirk was
doing, maybe it got sexed up enough to outlast its limitations.



Tim

If you believe that your thoughts originate inside your brain -- do you also
believe that television shows are made inside your television set? - Warren
Ellis