Pondering PROCLAIM 3b

Well, the gentlemen’s quarters, although quiet, was not devoid of activity. All I remember is bundles of socks. Yes, there was some sock-throwing attack. Oh, it’s coming back to me now. Apparently, as mentioned by Tim the next day just before the game [capture the flag] time, just after the first watch the watchmen had spotted a band of ninjas on the horizon. Especially with the moon out as it was that night, not much goes unnoticed by the watchmen. They hastened with the report and immediately all the gentlemen (well at least most of them) sprung to prepare for action…always with great caution and stealth. So, off they went, quietly as ever and I sharpened my ears to listen to the sounds that would emerge – it really seemed intense. In contrast, it seemed the ladies in their quarters were oblivious to this imminent danger, swirling in song. Yet not for too long; the battle against the ninjas must have ventured near the ladies’ quarters because, interrupting the cheerful song and dance, I suddenly heard footsteps, like those of men running during war and shouts and screams – which persisted for only a little while. Then shortly afterwards I did see some of the young men re-emerge into the room (men’s quarters), seeming to have been a little ruffled (you know how battles are). However, there seemed to be an interruption to that too and they were on their way back out of the room following the shouts of, “They’ve got John. They got John!” So they went…to retrieve John.

To my surprise, the spattering that ensued shortly after that involved the ladies as well. I saw wet tissue paper flying through the door the pulling back and forth of one, John Metzger, etc. It is difficult to decipher what’s really happening when you are watching from a warm bed on the far side of the room and the door keeps opening and closing intermittently, but I have a few theories to explain all this; either:
1. The gentlemen in their efforts to defend the ladies, although resilient, had been pushed back right to the ladies quarters (for they were going to fight to the death if it came to that), and as the battle steered in that direction, the ladies finally came to realize what was happening and also thought to join in as best they could with shouts, screams, and the lantern…then they may have helped rescue John from the ninjas. OR
2. As the gentlemen were being pushed back, closer and closer to the ladies’ quarters, they defeated the enemy just as they reached the quarters (just in time). However, the ladies panicked and were confused and a clash between them and the gentlemen resulted…during which they (the ladies) took John – hence the gentlemen had to retrieve him and explain the situation (this could have been a very difficult task).

Now, I realize that these are just theories, of which we could have a plethora, but I just to share how I have thought through these things. I may very well be mistaken, but could any of you ladies or gentlemen with more insight and a better memory, or an actual witness, help in explaining what actually happened*.