Cluster sample
The University was once the pride of the city. Its students excelled, its faculties co-operated and its specialists collaborated.
And Professor Ludowici was their finest—his experiments were audacious, his imagination limitless.
Then, a year ago, came the silence. The townspeople say it was the professor’s last project, that one day they’ll all come back. Such is their faith in the professor.
Some claim to have seen a light in his window late at night, but there’s no real evidence.
They all crawled to shelter before they fell. If you venture close, you can just hear the gentle snoring.
*****
My Friday Fictioneers contribution. Many thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting the link-up each week.
Onto the page 
A formula that will shut people up? I’d buy it
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I’m afraid it’s still experimental, Neil. If the participants ever wake up, I’m sure they’ll have plenty to talk about.
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Sounds like the professor finally went just a bit too far. Never mind, I’m sure most of the people at the university were ready for a nice nap 🙂
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Yes, that would be true. With such high standards to maintain, they’d lost the notion of a work-life balance, I’m afraid.
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Dear Margaret,
Perhaps a handsome prince or beautiful princess will kiss them all awake? Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That would be a nice solution. Although the professor might be prepared for random variables such as that. Thanks, Rochelle.
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Ah, looks like the professer (re-)invented the sleeping beauty charm. The setting is perfect for it.
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The picture took me there straight away – the lack of people, and the greenery growing over the path onto the building. Then I read or heard something about some study of how yawning is contagious, and not just in humans. The story didn’t end up exactly as I thought, but they never do, do they?
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Did the professor put himself to sleep as well as everyone else? Not much hope for a waking spell 🙂
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Yes, that could be a problem. Let’s hope he left good notes, if that’s the case.
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Who knows if it will all be set right again, but this line is perfection: “his experiments were audacious, his imagination limitless.” Nice job Margaret!
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Perfection! How lovely of you. Thank you, Dawn, for such an encouraging comment.
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Thanks Margaret! I think that we can each be there as a positive source of feedback, and encouragement. We’re all trying to write our best story! 😉
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The prof’s name should have set alarm bells ringing.
Let’s hope the townies are right.
I really like the pace and rhythm of the piece – they both add to the tension without labouring the point.
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Thank you, Patrick. I’m especially glad you liked the pace and rhythm. I think they’re important in short pieces, so it’s great to get that good feedback.
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It seems the university trusted the professor a bit too much and he went a lot too far. Let’s hope he can bring everyone back. It sounds a little like a Sleeping Beauty situation. A good story, Margaret. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Yes, they were blinded by his brilliance, I expect. And it is a Sleeping Beauty situation – that’s what I thought of when I saw the prompt. Thank you for your comment, Suzanne.
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Hmmm- an intriguing and mysterious tale – we are left wondering about the Professor’s experiments.
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The Professor should definitely have been more closely supervised. It’s nice that you were intrigued and mystified – thanks for commenting.
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This was most enjoyable, Margaret. Wonder if there is some clue hidden somewhere that will bring them all back to the land of the wakeful…
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dale. The fate of the sleepers is all up to the professor, I fear, and he has his own agenda.
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This is true…
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If it’s a pleasant, peaceful sleep, I may be tempted to volunteer… 🙂
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You might? I have an application form – I could send it on to you. 😉
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Were drugs involved? A keg? Sounds like a day at uni 😀.
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There I was imagining some sort of mass hypnosis, or a subsonic signal that messed with their brainwaves, broadcast through loudspeakers scattered throughout the campus, or a brain implant ready to receive a signal at the flick of the professor’s switch, and all along all he needed to do was provide some cold kegs, and maybe a dance party. Much cheaper, much more fun. I’ll consult with you next time I’m in need of an authentic uni vibe. Many thanks. 🤔
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Great concept!
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Where’s prince Charming when you need him? hehe nice write!
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Yes, where is he? He’d be just the man for the job. Thanks for reading, Violet.
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Ooooo interesting. I want to know more. Reaching too far? Naughty professor
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Thanks Laurie. Glad it makes you want more – as usual, this one started out with plenty more that had to get the cut to fit the word limit.
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