Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

taunt the little ones who write our sentences, who transport them between our houses. They gather in reverent, worshipful circles beneath the cenotaph to sing praises to Nollop. It is a stomach-churning sight even forgetting the abuses the Council is currently inflicting upon the remaining inhabitants of this isle. This recent confiscation of property is a clear violation of the National Constitution, yet Councilwoman Houston says we are now in an “extraconstitutional crisis” which calls for “extraconstitutional measures.” The Council is preparing for that moment in which language, as it once was, ceases to exist. As far as I can tell, such preparation involves chiefly the feathering of the counciliteurs’ own nests.
    We pray to our own Omnipresence that the final moment never arrives. We’re getting closer. Professor Mannheim has given us a sentence with 47 letters. It is a simple sentence which the chosen six-year-young courier put to scription in no time at all.
    Nate isn’t sleeping. I am after him to complete his first article for
Nollopiana
, but he seems bent on assisting with Enterprise Thirty-two. It is an obsession. The fear is gone, though. This noble movement has given us all a special courage.
    I miss you. Be well. I hope to see you soon, when all of this is over.
    Love
,
    Tassie
     
    John Prady, give me a black walnut box of quite small size.
     
    NOLLOPTON
    Thurby, October 5
    Tassie,
    You were not at home when they came. Three L.E.B. officers in possession of papers. Papers with my name on them. Your Cousin Ella was there, though. Your aunt, your uncle as well. They will tell you more this evening.
    I write this from the Office of Corrections at Town Center. I must remain here until the chief magistrate is able to see me. I have a strong sense as to what this is about.
    Apparently, someone has become aware of my publication. Information about my whereabouts has brought them straight to me.
    If I am to be stolen from this Isle, stolen from you, it will be my own fault, through not using an alias when I came over. Will you ever forgive me, Tassie?
    Will I ever see you again?
    If you are giving any thought to coming with me, I will not allow it. You must stay to fight, because I cannot. This is not an act of gallantry, of heroism on my part. I am only being practical. I want you to be practical too. To contribute where I now cannot.
    Be sure of it, my Tassie—that when the battle is won, we will be together again. Enterprise Thirty-two will be a success. It will be our happy fate, you’ll see.
    Your cousin, your aunt, your uncle—they all agree with me. Even your mother up in the Village, I am sure, if it were put to her.
    I will try to contact you before they put me on the boat. If I miss that opportunity, please write. Continue to write. You cannot let them stop you.
    Soon we may all have to learn Hawaiian.
    With love
,
    Nate
     
    NOLLOPTON
    Thurby, October 5
    Mother,
    Nate is no longer with us. I enclose a copy of the letter he sent me. He was gone before I even got to Town Center. Banishment was swift. Swift, I believe, because of his alien status.
    I am at a terrible loss, Mother—one I cannot even begin to articulate. Were there all twenty-six letters available for my use, my ability to translate my feelings, my thoughts of Nate to this page might still be put to supreme test.
    “F” leaves us tonight. I haven’t even the strength to curse those beasts with that epithet you taught me never to say. It’s pointless at this point, anyway.
    So long, “F.” So long, my sweet Nate. I will miss you. Ferociously so.
    Love
,
    Tassie

The * uic * br * wn * ox * umps over the la * y ** g
HIGH COUNCIL
    Ribs, October
13
    Nollopians,
    Many have come to us to learn whether or not, given the latest alphabetical prohibition, employing tetra/penta class numbers as numerals (e.g. 4; 5; 45; 54; 5,445; 554,554,455 etc.) is still allowable. It is. (As you can plainly see.) Using numbers will always be