Welcome back to the tale of Gef the Mongoose! And boy oh girl have I've got another round of show notes for you.
Just a quick bit of housekeeping! Like Rory said, if you missed last week's episode - absolutely piss off. You're obviously not a fan, obviously didn't pay attention, and I don't know why your here. On the other hand, if you did catch last week's episode - welcome back brothers and sisters!
Like I said on the show, at this point Gef was getting rude and/or rowdy around the Irvings. We mentioned he might have even killed the family pet, Thumper. Who I can only imagine was exactly as cute as Disney's Thumper.
Talking of 'deeds that get you sent to hell': we mentioned on the episode that Gef's descriptions of the afterlife didn't sound like heaven.
So I've put together a little cheat sheet so that, when your time comes, or you have a near-death-experience, you know what to expect!
It really is that simple, people.
So you've died. Too bad, but hey it was fun while it lasted. And now you get to find out where you're headed, Harry Potter sorting-hat style! Except with less magic and fun.
You see the light shining in front of you, just like in the movies.
But is it coming:
a) towards you?
b) away from you?
OK next question!
You've arrived at your destination, and you finally lay eyes on the gates to the afterlife. But are they:
a) pearly and beautiful?
or b) hot and spiky?
You're doing great! Probably. Last question!
You're inside the gates! Brilliant. Didn't even get ID'd this time, haha only joking there is no time, age, or mortal laws anymore.
Who do you see inside? Is it:
a) Jesus, Aslan the lion, and other smiling people
b) Hard to tell as they're all melting. I think I saw hitler.
OK we're all done!
If you answered mostly a)...
Congratulations! you have made it to the land of eternal life. Enjoy it! You earned it.
If you answered mostly b)...
Sorry bro. You stole one too many chocolate bars as a child and now you gotta pay. Unending damnation for you.
That is, unless you can work out how to be reincarnated as a mongoose. Then you can roam free.
Anyway, back to the story!
Here are some photos of the investigation in the house.
Jim Irving pointing out where Gef could be seen in a bedroom.
Apparently he'd throw stuff out of here.
And he would kinda run around the walls. Here his voice could be heard from behind these cracks in the wall.
I can't believe this didn't come up during the investigation! Here is a 'self-portrait' by Gef. Christ alive. I don't know what I was expecting.
And like I promised! The press covered this story left right and centre.
I mean, absolutely mad headline to run.
Actually I spoke too soon. THIS is a mad headline.
But what about the hard evidence that was gathered? Feast your eyes!
Yeah, so apparently these are all Gef. Trouble is, they're all completely different. Shit. Not that compelling after all.
In fact here is the scientific comparison of Gef and Mona's hairs I mentioned:
But what about the photos? That's right, the camera never lies, baby! behold!
oh no.
You get the picture.
Like I said, this didn't win over anyone. Basically what we're left with is a sad ending! Mr Jim Irving passed away and Gef more or less moved on as the house was sold. Voirrey, the youngest, maintained his existence into later life, but who knows. Maybe she was saving face.
For those interested, there's a tonne to read online. Hell, even a physical book!
But despite both Gef and the press moving on, this story has been far from forgotten, which you quickly realise when you google it!
I think people have a soft spot for it. Because, if we're right, and he wasn't real, then he was kinda a young girl's imaginary friend. And that's pretty cute.
K&R