Reed

The notebook cover, woven from reed leaves, was made of materials taken from the interviewee herself. The fallen leaves represent time that has passed. The newly written words represent experiences gained. Together, the interviewee believes, they form the simplest and most direct expression of "life."

The interviewee often carries multiple shoulder bags. The small ones are issued by UTTU, while the larger ones were left behind by a previous Reed. Records show one particular Reed had a deep interest in collecting fashion items, even taking out an advance on next year's salary in order to buy this bag. But every Reed since has agreed: all the bags aside from this one are useless.

One of the office supplies UTTU provides to employees, available for pickup on the first Wednesday of each month with a work ID. The interviewee uses them to organize her notes in a color-coding system. However, since each Reed has different color preferences, the system appears totally random.

In the beginning, people tied knots to record events. Grand events became large knots; small moments, small knots. Memories of all kinds became knots of different colors, materials, and sizes. When elders reached the end of their lives, they could touch the knots along the cord to remember those distant times. As the ages passed, writing emerged. People carved triangular, circular, and square symbols, preserving their stories on clay tablets, wood and stone, bamboo slips, turtle shells, and seashells—tools to fight against what is forgotten in death. Paper appeared much later still. Clever hands pressed papyrus into thin, yellow sheets, and stories began to travel with caravans and ships to distant lands.

In Reed's homeland, the craft of papermaking is equally ancient. People there cut down bamboo and hemp, then soak, pound, and boil them ... Through many processes, the plants are transformed into paper as white as snow. Reed blades can also be made into paper. The first Reed was born surrounded by ink. Her instinct to record drives her to travel, to experience, and to write down stories. Spoken words scatter in the wind, but pages covered in writing only rustle and flutter.

"Once recorded, stories endure."

After hundreds of years of wandering, Reed returned to the homeland she had long left behind. The other passengers on her flight were surprised and somewhat lost. They said everything looked completely different from what they remembered. Reed put away "her" old records and turned to a new page, ready to write a new story.

March 29th

Excerpt from a daily newspaper's "Letters from Readers" section:

I spent my childhood in the countryside and often visited a mysterious witch who lived north of the manor there. She was a young, elegant lady who lived alone in a small cabin at the center of the forest. She was skilled in arcanum and would give me delicious candies and apple pies. I left to attend middle school, only returning forty years later to find her completely unchanged—not a day older! While I had become an old man. I couldn't help but ask her the secret—curious readers may call the following number: ...

Could this be the immortal witch of legend?

March 30th

I dialed the number and met with a well-dressed guy within 24 hours. He tried to sell me an arcane cream that supposedly preserves youth. But I'm a tuft of reed! I explained this to him, and he quickly lost interest and left. It was all just a creative advertisement!

May 2nd

I met a weird group of people during my fieldwork today. They claimed to possess a method for reviving the dead and invited me to join them in prayer. Revival? Sounds pretty similar to what happens to me—wait! If the previous Reed could be revived, wouldn't that count as immortality? This is totally worth a try!

May 3rd

A staff member stopped me and explained the situation: it's a psychological support program for survivors. Well, the world's a big place. Somewhere out there, real immortality must exist!

Reed: Ms. Editor-in-Chief! Nice to meet you—well, nice for "this" me to meet you!

Reed: The records say, "New hires must attend a one-hour private meeting with the editor-in-chief to learn about UTTU's operations and job responsibilities."

Pandora Wilson: That's a regulation from long ago. Please relax—this is just a casual chat.

Reed: Oh! Then let me update my notes right away! Ahem ... Obsolete policy ... Already an "old" employee ...

Pandora Wilson: I assume you've absorbed all the previous Reeds' records?

Reed: Oh, those records have massively multiplied in recent years. It'll take me a while to process it all.

Reed: But I already know how to access UTTU's network, how to file expense reports, the previous Reed's favorite outdoor clothing brand, and a super long list of recommended travel destinations!

Reed: And one more thing! My body's way better at drawing nutrients from liquids than any solid food.

Pandora Wilson: Not just for nutrients. Last year you requested a half-month salary advance to purchase sparkling water.

Pandora Wilson: We've placed a case of it in your room, along with some other beverages.

Reed: Ha! I tried them all the second I woke up!

Reed: The sparkling water's a little harsh for my taste. I prefer green tea—it reminds me of the warm morning sunlight.

Reed: 'Cause even though we're born from the same roots, each Reed has her own unique preferences.

Reed: I can't wait to find out what else makes me different!