Physical Contents
Compass
- The swirl designs on the face of the compass match the swirl design on the plane in the travel ad.
- The compass is used in revealing a secret message located in JWJ's accompanying letter.
The Dragon Swan
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This picture infers that the Dragon and the Swan are intertwined.
- The Dragon represents JWJ's father asserting his control and overpowering JWJ's mother, the Swan.
John William James Letter
- Why did JWJ misspell "cannot"?
- This letter is very morbid.
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When JWJ was a boy, his mother had told him she would watch over him from the stars after her passing.
- Is this the reason for JWJ's obsession with constellations?
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JWJ recalls leading a pet pig to the slaughter in his childhood.
- This reveals he is willing to make sacrifices for the greater (his) good.
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JWJ mentions longing to be in the stars, meaning dead.
- Is he planning to commit suicide?
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Once again, "X" marks the spot.
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Place the compass over the "X.", making sure "North" is pointing in the direction indicated by the coordinate. Find the first number of the coordinate, and mark it. Using a ruler, measure the distance in millimeters (provided from the coordinate) from the "X". This will lead you to a letter. These letters will spell out a message.
- "I will leave soon. Freed from Hades. I will never look back. I will not make the mistake of Orpheus. The time draws near."
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This message alludes to JWJ either killing himself, or escaping Darlington facility and leaving it all behind.
Listening Friends of America Letter
- This letter is not as upbeat as Jacob's other letters. It reeks of impending doom, as if Jacob has given up but wishes us to persevere.
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The first letter of each word reveals a hidden message from Jacob.
- "Please see my message. Read. I think my life is in danger. Madson was a step stone. Ergo I could be one."
List of Coordinates
- The coordinates are used on the accompanying JWJ letter to reveal a hidden message.
Marybeth Anna James Medical Records
- Why were Marybeth's medications switched so often within a single year?
- The included x-ray appears to be of Marybeth's dislocated shoulder.
- Why did Marybeth sign her letters to Dr. Jenkins as Emmabee?
- Who was the doctor on television Marybeth was wanting to see?
Polaroid
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The photo depicts a woman in a bathtub.
- Could this be Heather?
Porcelain Pig
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This porcelain pig is representative of Valerie Madson.
- The color, pink, can be connected with the mention of Valerie's dress the night she met Jacob in the email printout received in Episode 6.
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Did Valerie come to confront JWJ at Darlington and he killed her, or did he leave the facility and track her down?
Traveler Ads
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Did JWJ have these before he got committed?
- Did he plan to travel/flee?
- Was he hanging on to this item as a reminder of his freedom?
- Did this item belong to his mother, who never was allowed to travel anywhere because of her abusive husband?
- Did he send it to us because he is finally giving up any hope of traveling anywhere ever again?
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The swirl design on the plane in this ad matches the swirl designs on the face of the accompanying compass.
Digital Contents
...Listening Friends of America Website
Inspector Notes Database
- File: JN027A
- Password: JN027A9RM
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Inspector: Jacob Nilson
- LFoA Letter: Perhaps someone is beginning to believe they are above their station.
- Mr. James' Letter: Printed just so.
- Compass: Such a lovely old compass. It has been in Mr. James' possession for some time, kept clean for a special occasion. It holds great symbolic value, to be sure, but it is such a practical device to find one's way.
- Strange Note: Perhaps the numbers assist in an adventure. But if so, where is the map?
- Mrs. James' Documents: Why indeed would Mr. James take so many pains to share his mother's history? What does he hope to share with his Dearest Friend?
- Dragon Swan: Another hand-picked-and-printed design from Mr. James. What does it represent? or who? And from what does it rise?
- Magazine Travel Ad: Who would want to hold onto this and why? It certainly is not new.