Episode 7

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

  • 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.
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • JWJ mentions longing to be in the stars, meaning dead.

    • Is he planning to commit suicide?
  • Once again, "X" marks the spot.

  • 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."
  • 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.
  • 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

  • The photo depicts a woman in a bathtub.

    • Could this be Heather?

Porcelain Pig

  • 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.
  • Did Valerie come to confront JWJ at Darlington and he killed her, or did he leave the facility and track her down?


Traveler Ads

  • 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?
  • 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

 

  • 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.