Question Mark Town Roundup for the week of 3/4 - 3/10
Town Announcements
Mr. Freeze-E ice cream is missing, the whole thing
People of Question Mark. I have some terrible news to share with each of you.
This morning when I went to open the store I noticed nothing was there. The entire store was gone and in its place was only gravel and dirt. In my mind I could see the door handle, the glass door which always has kids’ fingerprints on it no matter how many times you clean it, I could smell the delicious odor of waffle cones and hear the squeak of the tile floor which had been mopped last night, but it was gone, all gone.
I know things have been vanishing from this town over the last few months: one of my sweaters and a pair of slippers seemed to walk off on their own. But this, nothing like this, has ever happened to me before. Maybe this is what it feels like to lose a business or home in a tornado or hurricane?
Or maybe this is some kind of elaborate joke? But what I feel in my stomach tells me it’s not. The original Mr. Freeze-E, home to more than fifty years of laughter and fun, is gone and I have no idea who I am even supposed to call. The corporate office? The police? The mayor? Isn’t this why we reinstated her? To stop things like this from happening?
I am sitting in my car right now, staring at the blank space where the building is supposed to be, and blinking really fast to stop myself from crying.
I just thought everyone would like to know.
Posted by Marlene Winters, Mr. Freeze-E manager-in-training on March 4, 2024
Come celebrate Reginald Willey Jr.’s contributions to Question Mark
Many citizens of Question Mark are extremely familiar with the life of Reginald Willey, though few of us truly understand the equally impressive contributions of his son, Reginald Willey, Jr. Born in 1851, the same year this town was founded, Reginald Jr. spent his childhood exploring Willey Envelope, witnessing the birth of the Industrial Revolution, and recognizing how quickly industrial advancements were changing life in our town and country.
After the death of his father in 1896, Reginald Jr. created the Question Mark Public Library with his wife, Rebecca, in order to house his father’s papers and offer town residents the opportunity to seek complicated answers to life’s most puzzling questions. It was here, at the QMPL where Reginald Jr. spent the majority of his personal life, reviewing his father’s writings, curating up-to-date books, newspapers, and other periodicals so that ordinary citizens could recognize how their lives were being quickly transformed by the latest political, cultural, or scientific discoveries.
Although Reginald Jr. was said to become somewhat secretive and withdrawn in the years leading up to his death in 1918–there are even some apocryphal stories of him being able to disappear and reappear in different rooms in the library–every patron who steps through the door of the QMPL is touched by Reginald Jr.’s humility, love of discovery, and enterprising spirit. Please come celebrate Reginald Jr.’s accomplishments by visiting the QMPL today.
Posted by Greta Twombley, Head Librarian on March 5, 2024
Veterans Hall has vanished
As you know, I am not one to bother anyone with any of my particular thoughts and feelings, but last night, I had another very unusual dream. For the last few months, I have been having very unsettling dreams involving circles and hazy lights. Sometimes I wake up shouting and bother Herb, who is not a sound sleeper.
But last night was unusual in that the dream was very clear. In the dream I was selling Bingo cards as I do most Tuesday nights and I heard Jamie Jenkins reading out the letters and numbers and heard the vets at the bar telling their stories and even got a clear sight of Officer Ron Dublowski yelling Bingo just before, one by one, everyone and everything began to disappear. First the people I knew and saw each and every Tuesday night, then the bar, then the folding tables and chairs, then the little stage, then everything went silent and became bright white.
When I woke up it was like I had a fever because my hands would not stop shaking and it felt like I had forgotten to do something important so I crawled out of bed and got in the car and drove over to Veterans Hall and it was gone. Just like Mr. Freeze-E. I could see right through to the parking lot and the streetlamps behind where the building was supposed to be standing and then all the dreams I had been having suddenly made sense.
I cannot tell how many memories I have of that place, how many Bingo nights, school dances, wedding parties, talent shows and, like that, each of those memories were gone. My heart is breaking, Question Mark, and I don’t know what any of us can do.
Posted by Mayra Davis, Veterans Hall Volunteer on March 8, 2024
Question Mart Weekly Sale on Hard-Boiled Eggs!
Eggs are nature's pick-me-up.
Hey, Question Mark. Wow, it’s been a hard week. Did you hear about Mr. Freeze-E and Veterans Hall disappearing? When outright difficult moments like this happen, remember all of us at Question Mart are here to serve you with Hot Foods, Cold Drinks, and a helpful smile.
Ever since we opened our doors, Question Mart has been your one-stop-shop for convenience items, a place where you can grab a coffee, find a snack, or buy one of our up-to-date newspapers or magazines and ponder some of lifes most fascinating questions. (Did you know scientists recently found ripples in space and time? Come by and share your thoughts! I used to study astrophysics and love talking about it!)
This week we're offering a sale on hard boiled eggs for 99 cents a piece! Hard boiled eggs always make you feel better! Come by and grab a few!
Whether you’re craving a Pizzadog or a Sour Apple Arctic Assault Fizzy Blizzie, at Question Mart, we’re here to help. Remember: We doze but we never close!
Posted by Lorna Anderson, Question Mart owner and manager on March 9, 2024
Read all our Town Announcements.
Community Notes
3-11-24
As we move toward our busiest season in preparation of Graduation Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day–when our envelopes will be used to accompany congratulations and messages of gratitude all across the world–Willey Envelope is now hiring all third shift positions, including Folders, Stampers, Glue-affixers, Boxes, and Loaders.
The Willey name has always carried with it the promise of quality, both in the world of correspondence and in its opportunities for employment within the town of Question Mark. Through three successive generations of Willey owners, leading to the unfortunate passing of Reginald Willey Jr. Jr. in 1961 and the prolonged legal battle between Royce and Reuben Willey that followed, Willey Envelope has consistently maintained the best employment opportunities for the citizens of Question Mark, with or without a high school degree. Even after Royce Willey wisely decided to sell off the family’s major shares in the company in 1985, we still take pride in the Willey name all our envelopes carry.
For more than 173 years, Willey Envelope has offered competitive wages, medical insurance, and pension options for all qualified employees. Please stop by our administrative office to pick up an application.
Remember: “There’s no Question Mark without Willey Envelope.”
—Piers Mason, CEO, Willey Envelope
Crime Reports
March 8
5:45 a.m. — 1700 Tower Avenue, disappearance of building. A Question Mark woman reported Veterans Hall had vanished. No sign of whereabouts or foul play. Officer B. Lindholm reported to the scene.
March 6
3:13 p.m. — Second Avenue and Eastwood Circle, theft. A Question Mark woman reported her collection of historic wigs missing. Officer D. Holland reported to the scene.
March 5
7:42 p.m. — East Avenue and 1st Street, theft. A Question Mark man reported his rare stamp collection went missing. Officer T. Holland reported to the scene.
March 4
8:24 a.m — 710 Tower Avenue, disappearance of building. Manager-in-training reported the disappearance of Mr. Freeze-E Ice Cream. No indication of demolition or theft. Officer R. Dublowski reported to the scene.
Read all our Crime Reports.
Upcoming Events
March 14, 2024
Town Magic Show featuring Parker and Dash Holland and their Circle of Death. 7pm.
Veterans Hall
March 21, 2024
French Halloween. Dress as your favorite character from French literature. Trucs et friandises at participating shops. 5pm
Main Street
March 27, 2024
Shady Village Retirement Community presents its annual Octogenarian Follies. 4pm.
Shady Village Retirement Community
See all our Upcoming Events
Did You Know?
The Willey Safe-T Envelope, manufactured here in Question Mark, was the first envelope specifically-designed for secret communication and was used extensively by the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.