Archived File placed for context
Supplemental Memorandum
To: Executive Council, Observation Department, Archives, Management, and Employees Currently Engaged in Ongoing Discussions Regarding Previous Extraordinary Events
From: Research Department
Re: Case File 2007-10 — The Feather Incident
Research Department has maintained an active file regarding a disagreement that occurred shortly after the employee returned home following an extended hospitalization.
Management had spent considerable time preparing the lower level of the Building for the employee’s return.
The employee expressed sincere appreciation.
The employee also declined to live there.
Management considered this an objectively poor decision.
The employee considered climbing three levels of stairs a necessary condition of continued recovery.
Discussion continued in the front entryway beneath a fixed skylight.
Research Department has confirmed the skylight did not open.
Management maintained that the employee’s previously reported near-death experience had been the result of medication or dreaming.
The employee respectfully disagreed.
Several attempts were made to explain the experience.
The explanations became progressively less successful.
Eventually, the employee abandoned complete sentences altogether.
“Eyes and wings.”
“Eyes and wings.”
“Eyes and wings.”
Observation Department confirms this was the employee’s final testimony immediately preceding the incident.
At that time, a substantial quantity of white feathers descended into the entryway.
Not one feather.
Not several feathers.
A substantial quantity.
Research Department notes that additional white feathers continued to appear throughout the Building for an extended period thereafter, including within air ducts and other locations where feathers are not generally expected to accumulate.
Observation Department has never identified a satisfactory source.
Research Department continues accepting theories.
Management sat down.
After a prolonged period of silence, Management issued the following statement:
“I will never say that that never happened again.”
Research Department considers this outcome historically significant.
Management had previously challenged the employee’s recollection on numerous occasions.
Following the Feather Incident, those objections ceased.
Research Department would like to clarify that this memorandum does not attempt to explain the origin of the feathers.
Its responsibility is limited to documenting the sequence of events, preserving witness statements, and maintaining accurate institutional records.
Case Status:
Open.
Research Department remains uncertain regarding the feathers.
Research Department is considerably less uncertain regarding Management.