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Dr. Nicolae Dodrescu |
At the Museum of Natural History, Dr. Nicolae Dodrescu has spent the summer leading a team of vampire and human historians through a vigorous fact-checking of ancient history. “For every one of my mortal colleagues,” Dodrescu says, “this is the first time they’ve been able to interview a primary source in their field. Actually asking a member of Tutankhamen’s household about the culture of Egypt provides invaluable insight into their priceless collection of artifacts.” The program, which is intended to continue indefinitely, has already resulted in paradigm-shifting discoveries about the life of early man, and curator Miles Sinclair hopes to soon expand the vampires’ purview to a theological exhibit. |
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Sandy Miller with Aaron Stockholm |
When William “Skutch” Miller spotted a vampire at his daughter Sandy’s bedroom window, he was more than happy to offer an invitation . The visitor in question, Aaron Stockholm, had run miles to the Iowa farmer’s house after noticing flames on the horizon. Much of the property was destroyed by the time Stokholm arrived, but thanks to his quick thinking – and the Millers’ open -mindness- he was able to carry all eight members of the trapped family to safety. ” I wasn’t so sure about this whole vampire thing,” says Miller, “but after one of them saves your whole family, you have to rethink some of your judgements. All I can say is that Aaron’s always welcome in my house.” |
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Guy Girard |
Human fashionistas have spotted an emerging trend: Vampire-made goods. Whether shoes cobbled in the tradition of 17th-century England or gowns hand-stitched by the same seamstress who served Queen Isabella of Spain, one-of-a-kind garments crafted by centuries-skilled hands have become all the rage. “I’ve been weaving my own fabrics and designing suits for more than 500 years,” says expert tailor Guy Girard. “And I have no idea how I’m going to complete all my orders for this year’s Academy Awards® show. There are only so many hours in the night, after all.” |
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A local vampire keeps Evette Perkins’ children safe |
Families in a Chicago suburb noticed some things going bump in the night, and it wasn’t their vampire neighbors. After a rash of robberies and home invasions unnerved everyone in the community, the people of Lakeside enlisted the help of a handful of local vampires to watch over the streets at night. After nearly two months of the program, not a single new incident has been reported. “I feel so much safer with the vampires keeping an eye on things” says local mother Evette Perkins. “I work night shift a lot, and knowing there are vampires protecting my teenage children makes it a lot easier for me to put food on the table. Without them, I’d be worried sick” |
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Henry Wharton III |
While economists hold a wait-and-see attitude toward the federal government’s release of stimulus checks, vampires across the country are doing their part to buoy the nation’s markets. “I’ve managed my assets with great success for centuries,” says Connecticut vampire Henry Wharton III , “but living in the shadows tends to hamper the consumer lifestyle. Now I’m finally able to spend my hard-earned wealth — and ‘m buying American.” And Wharton isn’t alone. A number of wealthy vampires — many of whom have benefited greatly from the nature of compound interest — have begun to pour their savings into the economy, and Federal Reserve spokesman Jeffery Gladstone says it’s helping. “Every dime spent helps move this country back in the right direction” he says. |
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Alexandra Dupont |
Sometimes the biggest differences occur on the smallest scale — something Flint, MI, native Beatrice Anderson learned when a local vampire reached out a helping hand. Confined to her home by experimental cancer drugs that left her weak and painfully photosensitive, Beatrice had already begun to slip into depression when she met Alexandra Dupont , a vampire struggling to become a part of her community. The two lonely souls — who share a love of history and knitting — became fast friends, and Alexandra’s nighttime companionship and care have helped lead her new compainion to a full recovery. “Now I can go out into the sun whenever I want,” Beatrice says. “But then when would I see Alex? I know what it’s like to be closed off from society, and alll I have to do to help is sleep throught the afternoon, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.” |
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