Homage to the epistolary.

Hello Brother,
It has been a while since I have spoken to you, nonetheless I feel I ought to inform you of my happenings and you of your own. I know I have not spoken to you since that unfortunate death of our father, nonetheless, I feel it is time to move on. I think I should tell you that I am living now in the south of France, in Toulouse, and learning French myself! The city here is amazing! you should definitely come visit when you get the chance. I am living in a wonderful little townhouse right in the middle of the city, and have taken up the hobby of photography.

On a more serious note though, I have been feeling slightly like I am on the verge of a breakdown of sorts. I feel bad to admit that every night I intoxicate myself in the hopes of feeling better, only to later feel an overwhelming urge to kill. Please help me, I need to hear from you that I am not like our father.

Sincerely,

Jack

Dear Jack,

I was delighted to receive your heartwarming letter in the post today, and even more delighted to learn that you are in the South of France, like you always spoke about! Now, first I should probably address the fact that I got married last Spring to a woman called Elizabeth, whom I very much want you to meet. I have one child now, a boy, while expecting another in three months, a girl! Now, Jack, proceeding to the more serious note, you ought to stop intoxicating yourself. And our drunk of a father was nowhere near as good a man as you. So please, don't worry. I'm sure it is just a stage of grief.

Sincerely,

Henry

Dear Henry,

Thank you ever so much for the advice and encouragement that you, so kindly, gave to me in your last letter. I have taken up your advice to stop intoxicating myself and have begun reading a book. It is wildly fascinating and about Jack the Ripper. He was a grand old man wasn't he? I feel somehow connected to him, or of his descent. I am beginning to think that the work he did was for me, his student. But I am getting off the point, and that is to congratulate you on your wife and children! I could always picture you as a family man!

I am feeling better, as if cleared of all uncertainty and pain. Anyway, again I am talking about myself. Wish my best to your wife and boy!

Yours truly,

Jack

Dear Jack,

I am so glad that you are feeling better, it makes me feel so greater knowing I have helped my brother become a better man. Last night, in the excitement of having contacted you I found some old books of ours. Those that we read when we were little. Do you remember the one with the leather aprons? It always made us laugh. I have begun reading it to little Henry, who is enjoying it thoroughly. Tell me more about your life.

Your brother,

Henry

Dear Brother,

I killed a woman today. A prostitute, just like Jack the Ripper. I have never felt so alive. I am writing this with blood of the whore. I think I did a job even Jack would be proud of. I performed the murder just like Jack the Ripper's first kill. Don't you love it? It's as if me and Jack the Ripper are taking a journey together! Oh, you should have seen me, it was as if I were an artist. I also should probably tell you that I am going to be calling you Boss, it is what Jack used to call the person he would write letters to. I felt it would only give me delight to do the same! And I do remember the story about the leather aprons! It was my favourite! Anyway, please write back tell me what you think of my newest adventure!

Yours truly,

Jack the Ripper

Dear Jack,

I was most shocked when I read your letter! At first I was afraid the police were going to catch you, but then my fear transformed into pride! The thrill you must be feeling is one I wish to feel now! Your 'adventure' seems positively fantastic! I am reading up about Jack the Ripper this very moment actually, and the more I read the more excited I become! You always amused me to no end, and this new deed of yours gives me great fits! I cannot write long, I want to return to the aforementioned book!

Sincerely,

Boss

(haha)

Dear Boss,

Since I have last spoken to you I killed one more. I am taking it slow, like Jack the Ripper did. Following his every footstep to make the ultimate student, even though the urge to kill feels as though a battle is going on inside of me! I feel like I discover myself a little more in each of my killings. I am delighted that you are enjoying my adventure here. You should come visit. My next kill will be a 45 year old woman. For the next four murders I will be very busy, I may not reply as quick as I have been, but do not be insulted.

They talked about my last murder in yesterdays newspaper, I am sending you the article cut-out with this letter. I think it is my proudest moment.

Sincerely,

Jack the Ripper