Recorded by Eddy including special email correspondence with
Dot Briggman
-----Original Message-----
From: Damian Dunn Name
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 9:34 AM
Subject: A castle and a church
We had just spent the day skiing on the glacier Kitzsteinhorn
and returned back to our frühstückpension (bed &
breakfast--NOT ROMANTIC! No hand holding!), called Frühstückpension
Erika. I finished up a couple of post cards on the back porch
and looked at the castle that was a few hundred yards off in the
distance. I told Brad that before we had dinner I was going to
go and explore.
Threre was still probably an hour or so before the sun went down.
Brad needed post cards and John, our traveling friend we met in
Munich and then again on the train to Salzburg, needed to find
and Internet cafe. So we headed into town. It was a long trek
down the hill. Well, it was really only long with your pack on
and after a half day of traveling or after skiing. Going downhill
towards town was actually a breeze, if you could keep from rolling.
I found a gas station that was still open and went in a grabbed
two beers patroned by the station. They were 0.5 liters in cans.
I stuffed them in my backpack. I split up from Brad and John and
made my way back through town, past the road leading to Erika's,
and up to the castle.
The castle was a historic landmark. It had been built in stages
since the 12th century and had changed ownership many times. The
last addition, I assumed, had been the courtyard just inside the
main doors that had been turned into a stage. Behind the 150-200
person bench seating arrangement was a bar area with places for
kegs and such and a little dinning hall.
Aside from this modern appendage the castle was amazing to witness.
It was situated at the backside of the town of Kaprun at a point
where two valleys kind of flowed together. Behind it mountains.
Beyond that giant snow capped Alps. Around one side of the castle
was a church. It was small and had a giant steeple with a chicken
and a cross at the top. I perched myself on a bench (also a rather
recent addition I believe) that was situated on the castle's grounds
almost at eye-level with the bell tower of the church.
I opened my bag and had a beer. Very slow enjoyable sips. It
was beautiful. The sun was about 15 minutes from going down behind
the Alps. What a picture -- my boots propped up, sipping on a
beer in front of an 800 year old castle, looking at a church,
while the sun went down behind the Alps turning everything orange.
I video taped the scene for about 30 minutes, finished the other
0.5 liter, and made it back to the Hotel Ericka just before my
bladder let out.
I have a great picture that I'll bring in one of these days.
Damian
From: Dorothea Briggman
Subject: A castle and a church
Man!
I envy you. That must have been the most calming moment. I would
love to see the video. It sounds beautiful. What ever happened
to Brad and John?
From: Damian Dunn
Subject: A castle and a church
Erika, the owner of the B&B killed them while I was away
taking in the beauty of the place. When I returned to the rooms
they were both stabbed in the faces with Alpine elk antlers. I
suspect that there was a poisonous substance on the tip of the
antlers, as there was mysterious black ooze that smelled liked
burnt rubber.
From: Dorothea Briggman
Subject: A castle and a church
Did you call the polizei or Inspector Clouseau? How about Sherlock
Holmes? I heard he was in town.
From: Damian Dunn
Subject: A castle and a church
I grabbed my pocketknife and took matters into my own hands.
Our kleine friend Erika is now chopped into many pieces and being
food for the hunds. I didn't want to involve the langsam polizei.
From: Dorothea Briggman
Subject: A castle and a church
Well, it's a good thing you were able to get out of town. You
know, those Austrian jails are hell! I heard that the guards strip
the prisoners naked then put hot pokers on their skin and if the
prisoner has any body hair they remove it by applying duck tape
to the most hairy areas, then they rip it off in a most violent
manner. I have heard that when you get out, you're a changed person.
You can never again look at a fire or duck tape in the same way.
There have been studies with Austrian prison survivors. They tell
a gruesome tale. Sometimes it takes the survivor years to get
to a place where they can feel comfortable again.
From: Damian Dunn
Subject: A castle and a church
Yes, I was quite lucky indeed. While hiding out in a barn just
after the slaying of our host, I happed upon a scraggly vagabond.
He was a good deal older than myself and his beard had been many
years in cultivation. On his forehead was a deep scar that was
still puffy and pink, as if the wound had not yet healed. It hadn't.
Everyday, I had come to find out, this man relived the nightmare
of a tortuous stint in an Austrian prison by burning hay on his
head and then covering the burn with duck tape and swiftly ripping
it off. He traveled from barn to barn in perpetual incarceration...
The weird thing, Dot, I noticed that he seemed to have a faint
haze about him as he talked to me. And as I was sleeping, I noticed
him leave... He floated through the ceiling of the barn.
From: Dorothea Briggman
Subject: A castle and a church
Oh my God. You spent time with JESUS! I think you are one of
the rare people living who have actually seen Jesus. You should
be revered. You should be sainted or knighted or at least given
a parade. I must make sure I cross myself every time I'm in your
presence.
From: Damian Dunn
Subject: A castle and a church
I am so blind. I was in the presence of our lord and savior,
JC and I did not acknowledge his sacrifice for the sins of the
world. I did not fall to his feet and wipe them clean with the
tears of my repentance. I did not open my heart. I did not weep
for the grace that had befallen me. What did I do? I fell asleep.
I cowered like a meek little sheep. I wagged my tail between my
trembling legs like a yellow dog. I am worthy of no parade, nor
do I deserve to even be looked at. This folly is my ticket to
hell. And it all started with the Slaying of Erika. I will forever
ride the hills of my Alpine Purgatory poking elk antlers in my
eyes, for I am blind. I do not deserve sight. Like Oedipus I'll
forever wander blind and broken.
-----End Transmission-----
