Unexpected Reality: Book 1: Gamer Girl

by L. Foster

  Laura looked at her teacher, the man she just made a clumsy pass at, and blushed. Henry tried to act neutral, though a smile did crack through to his lips.

  'All right, class. Settle down. Yes, right. Now, last week we covered a few commonly held beliefs in hauntings. Can anyone tell me what most of those beliefs were rooted in?' Henry asked his class as he picked up a sliver of chalk. He looked at the piece and tossed in the waste bin. He put his hand in his coat pocket and produced a piece of chalk that had a fine point sharpened on it. He put his hand towards the board ready to write anything his students said.

  'Oh, come on now, don’t be shy. Just say what comes to mind. What were the fears really based on? Think!'

  'God!' Someone yelled from the back of the class.

  'God. Good. God.' Henry said as he wrote it down. 'What else?'

  'The unknown' said the girl who was playing with her hair.

  'The devil!' shouted another student.

  'Demons!'

  'Shadows!'

  Henry spent his time writing all of the answers down. 'Right, right. But what do all of those have in common? What ties them all together?'

  'Mortality.' Laura said.

  Henry stopped writing and looked over at Laura. 'Yes! Very good, Ms... ummmm....'

  'Miss Davis.' Laura responded with a smile.

  'Well, very good Miss, Miss Davis. Mortality is what roots all of these together. God comes from our fear of being mortal. Same of the devil and demons. Even the shadows hide from us what is not seen in the dark.' Henry picked up a book from his folder and started to rifle through the pages.

  'See here, Dry Cummings was writing about this very thing in his book. Listen,

  'Where modern science would suggest, Cummings writes, paranormal events are nothing but social conditioning based on such fears.

  'We find some societies already welcome death as a part of the natural cycle of life. They have no such fears, accepting paranormal occurrences as they do the physical world in which we live.'

  Henry put the book down and looked at his class. He could see which students were thinking of dinner and which were thinking over what he had just said. Laura seemed absorbed into his words.

  'For me, this is the reason I took up parapsychology. I needed answers. Modern science brushes off serious paranormal investigations. Anyone here believe the majority of the world is mad? I prefer to believe that there is more to this world, something we don't quite understand.' Henry argued. He paced a bit in front of the class and then continued.

  'Everything, ultimately, can be seen as unknown. Your heart steadily. You aren't conscious of it, but they are. Imagine a world where you had to consciously control each and every heartbeat. You wouldn't live very long, now would you? Most of us can't even concentrate long enough to finish a television show without several breaks. That's why commercials came into play, wasn't it?'

  'I thought it was to sell us the next mobile phone' another guy said.

  Henry went on to explain to the class never to confuse the message with the delivery system. He said the message could be anything from what they urge people to buy, save or who they needed to vote for while the delivery system is the breaking up of larger pieces of information.

  'We aren't really built to see the big picture. We aren't really built to absorb everything about our reality. Thus, the paranormal is sometimes dismissed as voodoo instead of science. It's easier for some not to see reality than it is for them to hold on to their horse blinders.' Henry paused and scanned the faces of the students in his class, most of whom were nodding in agreement. Laura's eyes did not falter from Henry and he turned from her gaze.

  'Everyone in my camp then? That's nice to hear. Before you all so willingly agree, understand what differentiates a parapsychologist and your average ghost hunter, 'Kool-aid' drinker. The big difference is that parapsychologists aren't in it for ratings or to be famous. We have to go into any and every situation like a scientist. That means having an open mind, tempered with logic and scientific resolve. Question everything!'

  Chapter 22

  As the students filed out of Henry's class, Laura stayed behind. Laura watched Henry collect his books and jacket, obviously buying time before he had to engage with his last remaining student.

  Laura walked up to Henry.

  'So, Teacher, I don't think we properly introduced ourselves out there. I'm Laura Davis.' she held her hand out and he brushed his chalk covered hand off on his trousers before taking it.

  'Henry Bradshaw. So, you can see why I said you might not want to buy me coffee after a bit. Not many people hit on their teachers.'

  'Hit? Who said anything about that? A bit full of yourself, Professor Bradshaw.'

  'I'm not a professor and I didn't mean...' Henry started.

  'I'm teasing you. Coffee is just coffee. I still think I owe you for showing me to the classroom. I heard the teacher was a real stickler for being late.'

  'I have to say it was a nice surprise to see someone so...'

  'So....so what?' Laura asked.

  'I don't want to say old, but I guess refined maybe is the right word. So refined as someone like you in this class.'

  'Did you just say I was old and then try to turn it into a compliment?'

  'Looks like if I keep talking, I'll be the one owing you the coffee.' Henry teased.

  'Nonsense. I'm buying. And, yes, I still want to buy you the coffee.'

  'Ummm...thank you. Yes. That would be nice, I guess. I don't get a lot of offers for free coffee. So, what did you think of the class?' Henry asked.

  'I liked it.' Laura answered.

  'I must have hit my head harder than I thought. First, I run into a new student and then she says she likes my classes. Most people just think I'm a weirdo for doing parapsychology.'

  'I'm not most people. I'm Laura.'

  'You sure are. So, that coffee? I know this nice little spot slightly off campus.'

  'Oh. No. I can't tonight.'

  'Have to wash your hair?'

  'Who do you think I am? No. It's just that I have plans already. Maybe tomorrow? If you are in, that is.' Laura said.

  'Yeah, I'm in tomorrow. Even if I weren't, I'd still come in just for the coffee. Someone wants to buy me coffee? I'm in! A no brainer.'

  'Forget coffee then, I think we need a proper drink.'

  'There's a great pub across the road. I usually go there after hours to unwind from class. We can meet there tomorrow night, say around 7?'

  'I have psychology tomorrow, so if you make it 7:30, it sounds like a deal.' Laura said.

  'Okay. Have fun with Boyce.'

  'Boyce?' Laura was confused.

  'He's your psych teacher tomorrow. Let's just say it will be an experience. I won't spoil it for you.' said Henry as a mischievous smile escaped his lips.

  Chapter 23

  The weather was warm and the streets were busy with people moving to and fro, trying to settle their personal businesses. Jenny Marshall in similar fashion strolled along. She slowed her pace as something caught her eye across the road. In a shop’s front window display stood some curious objects; porcelain figurines, glass and crystal pieces, clothing and various odds and ends. She crossed the road to get a closer look. It was an old antique shop with decrepit paintwork. Jenny wore her sunglasses over her long brown hair and adjusted her form-fitting top before entering the shop. A sign that read 'Gaffney Antiques' hung on the entrance with a bell attached to the door that jingled as she went through.

  The shopkeeper with hair of an almost orange hue walked over to meet Jenny. Her glasses were attached to a string of gemstones that kept them from falling from her face when she looked down. The woman was elegant and yet had a working class strength to her. Apparently, Mrs. Gaffney had worked all of her life serving kids at the school. The antique shop had been her dream.

  'Hello, madam. What may I do for you?' Mrs. Gaffney asked.

  'I wonder. Could I have a look at the old perfume bottle you have in t
he window?' Jenny replied.

  'Ah. The peculiar one? Very nice item. Dated and rare. I put it out this morning and said to myself if it didn't sell by today, I would keep it for myself.' Mrs. Gaffney said as she walked towards the window to pick up the bottle for Jenny to examine.

  'Beautiful thing, isn't it?' Gaffney said as she rotated it in her hands towards the light. The light seemed to refract around the bottle and absorb different colors of the spectrum. The snakes on top of the bottle danced in the light. It was almost hypnotic.

  'How much?' asked Jenny.

  'Twenty-five pounds. A bargain at that. Won't find another like it. Believe me, I've been in the business long enough to know.'

  'Fifteen and it's a deal.' Jenny said, giving her best poker face.

  Mrs. Gaffney smiled. 'Oh, a bargain hunter? Well, if you promise to give it a good home, I could let it go for twenty. Not a penny lower.'

  'Done!' Jenny yelped and pulled out her purse. She gave Mrs. Gaffney a twenty-pound note.

  Gaffney looked the note over in the light and put it in her register. 'Let me wrap this nicely up for you. An object like this deserves to be treated with care.'

  'Oh, I have some place in mind for it.' Jenny stated as a matter of fact.

  Mrs. Gaffney looked at Jenny, smiled and reassured her that she’d be quite pleased with the package she was about to give. A bit of oil dripped out of the bottle as she placed it into a small wrapping box. She wiped her hands quickly on a rag and sealed the box with twine before handing the box over to Jenny.

  Mrs. Gaffney watched silently as Jenny left the shop. Her customary sales smile disappeared when the door closed. She turned and went towards the rear of the shop.

  Chapter 24

  Laura sat looking at her psychology teacher. Boyce was a short man with a protruding belly and a large moustache. His hair was grey and his eyebrows looked as though they always tussled every time he seemed agitated, which was a lot.

  'In all manner of religion, we find a want. A need, if you will. Human nature is such that it requires reason. A reason for everything. Boyce paused, re-adjusted his trousers and continued.

  'This is due to the fact that we place ourselves in a box. A box of subservient hierarchy. Perhaps it makes us all feel safe...'.

  'I don't know. I'm not sure if I agree.' It was Laura’s turn to contribute.

  'Agree?' Boyce asked, quite shocked that his logic was being questioned by a student.

  'No, I don’t. What you're suggesting is that all people create a make-believe world in order to support the existence of a superior being, but you don't explain why millions of people, people from different cultures, for thousands of years have come to similar conclusions. Whether It's Buddha, Christ, or Allah. Are we all suffering from a mass delusion? Are we all sick?' Laura asked.

  'Sick? Miss?'

  'Davis. Laura Davis.'

  'Miss Davis, look at the world outside your window. Do the things that occur in that world suggest to you that it is sane? Sanity is merely a benchmark by which the majority judge what is right and what is wrong. It's an invisible line in the sand. Is that sickness, Miss Davis? The line varies depending on culture and social history.'

  The student next to Laura, Matthew Tracy, joined in.

  'He's right. How can anyone say we live in a sane world? Murderers, pedophiles, deluded terrorists. You actually think the world is sane?'

  Laura denied ever saying the world was sane, she simply submitted that she did not think everyone was insane. Laura could be feisty. A trait that had occasionally served her well. However, it clearly didn't on this occasion.

  'Then what is sane, Miss Davis? What part of the world have you seen that you can call sane? Please do enlighten us with your learned experience.' Boyce made sure to emphasize the last two words in his sentence.

  'I'm not saying I'm more experienced in this than you. I'm just suggesting there is scope for something else going on here. Statistics alone would suggest it's ludicrous to believe the majority of the people on this planet are deluded. If they were, then what in the society can we classify as sane?'

  'What indeed, Miss Davis? That is me posit to you. You see, it's easy for a man not to take responsibility for his actions, Miss Davis. Much easier to pass it off to some imaginary being from the Id, or in this case, some deep-seated need to impress your father figure.' Boyce said.

  'My what?' Laura asked, feeling a bit reddened.

  Boyce ignored Laura and addressed the rest of the class. 'Looks like we are out of time again. I do hope next time we can get through the entire lecture without having to stop for...things...along the way. He turned towards Laura’s chair, met her gaze and continued to address the class. 'Remember your reading for next week is the first chapter on repetitive behavior in children. You'll find a fine examination of Pavlov's dog in it. Maybe, if Miss Davis is so kind, we shall even get to discuss that next week.'

  Boyce walked out of the room without answering any of the students’ questions. The students piled out after collecting their books and coats. Laura sat in her desk flabbergasted.

  'That's why I stick with facts. Science. I choose to accept science.' Matthew, a course-mate said to her as he picked up his bag.

  'It's a crazy world we live in, and the quicker we understand that, the better.' Matthew left Laura alone in the classroom and shut the light off on her.

  Laura got off her chair and made her way through the dark and out the door. She walked towards the exit of floor 3E to where she was supposed to meet Henry.

  A couple of minutes and corridors later, she found him. Henry was happily talking to Matthew. Laura groaned to herself.

  'Wow....you still with...'

  'Paula?' asked Matthew.

  'Yeah, the blonde.' Henry added.

  Matthew told Henry it was a long story but promised to tell him some other time. Laura had caught up with the two of them and Henry was nice to do the introductions.

  'Right, yes. Laura this is Matthew. Matthew, this is...'

  'Laura Davis. Yes, we've met.' She cut in.

  'If that's what you want to call it. I'm shocked he can even see his way around the halls with his head shoved so far up Boyce's arse.' Laura added.

  'I see Matthew has been working his world famous charm on you then' Henry asked.

  'Not my fault Boyce is right. I guess some of us weren't cut out for psychology...'

  'I was going to invite you for a quick bevy mate. Maybe that's not such a good idea.' Henry said to Matthew, swapping looks between Matthew and Laura. He did not like the turn the conversation was taking at all.

  'No, he's your friend. Maybe he'll be different once away from his normal residence of Boyce's arse-hole.'

  Matthew gave a sarcastic sneer. 'No matter how tempting it is to have a drink with you and Miss Davis here, gee, a girl like you still a Miss? You think the blokes would be lining up for you?'

  'Matthew...' warned Henry.

  'Sorry. Right, no. I actually would love to, but gotta shoot. Too many late nights.'

  'Come on, just one pint. Haven’t seen you in years. A swift half won't hurt. It's on me.' Henry was at his best when in a persuasive mode. He has always had that gift coupled with a cheeky Irish smile that soon got Matthew to agree to his request. He then turned to Matthew as he reached into his jacket for his cigarettes

  'Must have been a hell of a psych class...' he said lighting one up.

  'Long story, let’s drink.' Matthew said, walking off after Laura.

  'I second that ' Henry replied with enthusiasm, putting away the packet and following.

  Chapter 25

  The pub was a no-fancy, small, non-chain pub. It was the type that still had a pinball machine with the high score from 1975. A dartboard next to it was nearly as pockmarked as the wall on which it hung. Smoke was thick in some parts of the pub. It was so thick, it hung static as if part of the fixtures. Laura knew she'd come home smelling like an ashtray no matter what.

  For a place so near t
o the campus, there was a lack of the younger crowd. Most of the lot looked lived in; people more on the way out of than the way in. A small table of French migrants played a card game in the corner. The drink specials were written in chalk on the board. Tonight was Guinness 2 for 1. Henry carried four drinks to the table which made Laura ask if Henry was expecting someone else.

  'Two for one. Never buy three with a two for one.' Henry explained.

  'Then who gets the extra or do we just share?' asked Laura.

  Matthew laughed. 'First one done wins. That's the prize. Always has been.'

  They took their glasses and gave a small salute. 'Thank you for buying, but I offered you the drink. Shouldn't I have bought?' Laura asked.

  'Henry let a woman buy a drink? My Lord, you really must be whacked to think that'd ever happen.' Matthew said.

  'Enough about me, mate. I'm sure she'll figure out the horror stories soon enough. What about you? What have you been up to?' Henry asked Matthew.

  Matthew took a pull from his pint and told Henry he had not been doing much. He also mentioned changing jobs and partners as well. Henry also asked about Paula who he thought Matthew was going to marry, but was surprised to hear they had broken off their relationship. When Laura asked why, he simply gave the important details. He had caught Paula having an affair with a neighbor of theirs and another guy right in their bedroom. Like that wasn’t bad enough for unwarranted punishment, Paula also kicked him out of the house, leaving him no choice but to move in with his sister, Jenny, whom he actually never had a smooth relationship with.

  'She gripes a bit, but it's a small price to pay for a roof over your head, isn’t it?' Matthew reflects for a moment, and then decided to draw the focus away from his problems.

  'No more about that wag stuff. What about you two? How did you two meet? I had no idea that you...'