The Book Glasses

by Arthur Bozikas

  Sam took the opportunity to continue with even stronger bets, but the other players become more unsure about playing after watching the bearded man leave. It had been nearly two hours since she’d returned from lunch.

  “Excuse me, ma’am, casino management would like to talk to you when you’re ready,” a well-groomed man in a casino uniform whispered in her ear after she’d won another game.

  Curious, Sam said, “I’m ready now.”

  “This way, please. Just leave your chips and we will have someone collect them for you.”

  Sam was led into a plush stateroom lounge where she was given drinks and food and offered the choice of an array of gifts from pens and key rings, through to more expensive items like watches, jewellery, earrings, bags, and bracelets.

  “Hello, Samantha. I’m Frederick Hans, casino manager.” Looking impressive in an immaculate black suit, he welcomed her with a sincere smile.

  “Hello, Frederick. You have a natural Aussie accent but with a German name, I think?” Sam asked, trying to make small talk.

  “Yes, I was born in Germany and my family came to Australia when I was five. It looks like you are enjoying your day here with us. On behalf of the casino, I would like to congratulate you on your winnings, and I would like to invite you to our VIP Premium Gaming Room. Your chips are waiting there for you.”

  Frederick’s invitation was both surprising and appealing. “You mean the high roller room,” Sam replied, recalling Billy telling her about it. “That’s very kind of you, thank you.” She sipped her complimentary Chardonnay and took another delicious hors d’oeuvre.

  “It’s my pleasure, Samantha. May I say your glasses are very unusual, they look very old. May I have a closer look, please?” He walked up next to her and reached out and almost touched them.

  “Yes, they’re my grandmother’s. I got new lenses put in them and wear them to have something to remember her by. Please don’t touch them.” Sam took a step back out of his reach.

  After politely withdrawing his hand, Fredrick explained there were various levels of VIP Premium Gaming Rooms. “With your winnings now a little over ten thousand dollars, you are certainly eligible for our entry-level room.”

  Sam felt like a special customer as she followed Shaun, an executive-level staff member assigned to cater to her every need, into an entry-level VIP room. Apart from the smaller crowd, who were all lavishly dressed, it didn’t look any different.

  When she took a seat at the main poker table, the weird visions of translucent lights started appearing again but this time they were in the shapes of people and one was walking towards her. Terrified, Sam ripped off the glasses and got up and asked Shaun to direct her to the toilets. Once inside the opulent bathroom, she splashed water over her face to refresh herself and looked around, thankful that the visions had gone.

  After quickly relieving herself and washing her hands, she put the glasses back on. Once again, she was subject to the frightening ghost-like visions. However, this time there were more of them. The figures looked like lifeless people who were gone from this earth and roaming around aimlessly.

  Then it came to her—perhaps this was a side effect of wearing the book glasses for too long. This was certainly the longest she had worn them. But why ghost-like visions and would they appear again? Going back out to play was impossible so she would need to exit without too much fuss.

  With the book glasses in her hand, she walked out of the bathroom and asked Shaun to help her leave, explaining that she had left her medication at home and needed to leave immediately. Shaun had her cashed up and out of the casino in no time without asking any questions.

  After racing home, Sam stowed the book glasses in their case and hid it in her closet. She then retrieved the casino’s cheque from her purse and was pleased to discover the amount was a total of $10,755. For her, it was like having a million dollars, and she jumped up and down, screaming with joy. She was confident she could survive a long time before going back to work.

  Sam also remembered reading, in one of her Australian tax law books, that her winnings would not be subject to government tax so she would be able to keep the lot. However, she did recall any interest from her winnings was subject to government tax, unfortunately.

  In the morning she would call to inform Tom that she would no longer be able to work at the museum because returning each day to the scene of Mr Harman’s murder was too traumatic for her.

  Undergraduate

  “Hello, Sam. It’s Dr Julie Dunn from the museum,” said the caller when Sam answered her mobile just after nine on Monday morning.

  “Oh, hello, Dr Dunn, can I help you?”

  “Tom just told me you called him to say you will not be back to work because you are still having issues dealing with Charles Harman’s murder. My dear, you take all the time you need. I have arranged counsellors again for you so don’t worry about a thing. We are all here for you, my dear. You have my mobile number now so if you feel like talking or when you are ready to come back, please feel free to call me any time, okay?”

  “Thank you, Dr Dunn, it means a great deal to me that you called.”

  “I know this is a bad time, but Professor Kenneth Tenth just called me and would like to meet you if you’re still interested in furthering your studies. If not, I’ll text you his mobile number and you can call him when you feel like it.”

  “Wow, that’s very nice of him. Yes, please,” Sam said calmly, trying not to show too much excitement.

  “Okay, bye for now.” Dr Dunn hung up without waiting for her goodbye.

  As soon as she received the professor’s number, she called him and didn’t even need to use the book glasses. “Hello, Professor. This is Samantha Page. Dr Dunn gave me your number.”

  “Yes, yes. You know I look after the Master of Clinical Psychology classes and also supervise several research PhD students here at the University of Sydney. They are postgraduates, but if you are interested, I would be happy to introduce you to my colleagues who look after the undergraduate classes. What do you think, are you up for it?”

  “Yes, Professor. I am interested in studying law.”

  “If you are thinking of perhaps a Bachelor of Arts degree, psychology could be your second major. How about that?” The professor sounded hopeful.

  “Sounds good, but I really want to do law, sir,” Sam said confidently, determined to not be coerced into going down a different path.

  “Can’t blame me for trying. Okay, today is Monday. How about we meet in my office on Thursday around 10:30 a.m.?” he said, now sounding slightly disinterested.

  “Thank you very much. I look forward it,” she said, full of gratitude.

  Sam was overflowing with happiness and hopefulness at the thought of being able to study at university and how it could change her life. She shivered when she recalled the ghostly visions while wearing the book glasses. Her chances of succeeding at university were dependent upon the glasses, but the onset of these visions raised questions about her ability to continue to wear them.

  She slumped down onto a chair at her kitchen table and wondered why the visions had suddenly appeared after all this time. It may have been a result of wearing the glasses for an extended period, but she still couldn’t understand the ghost-like visions of people.

  Her mobile buzzed with a text, interrupting her musings, but she couldn’t read the name of the sender. Afraid of wearing the glasses again, she pushed her phone aside. A few minutes later it buzzed again, and she retrieved the book glasses. She’d had enough of thinking the worst and decided to take a gamble and put them back on. After all, it had been over twelve hours since she’d last worn them. Hopefully, that was an adequate break to avoid the visions re-appearing.

  She put on the glasses. No visions! She let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding.

  The text message was from Billy. Sam’s joy returned when she read his message. He said he couldn’t wait until Saturday to see her and pleaded wi
th her to meet him that day after work for a drink. She replied that the wait would be worth it and to leave it for Saturday as planned. His eagerness to see her again warmed her heart; absence did make the heart grow fonder, but she needed to focus on her upcoming meeting with the professor. Billy reluctantly agreed to wait and promised to minimise his texting until Saturday.

  On Thursday, as she walked to the University of Sydney, Sam felt confident about meeting with the professor. Reading a strategic selection of academic law books aimed at undergraduate students over the past few days had prepared her for any entrance exam or pre-entry test to which she might be subjected.

  Her self-confidence was at an all-time high. Also, via trial and error, she had discovered that the book glasses had a time limit of five hours. Wearing them any longer would result in the reappearance of the ghost-like visions.

  She had been immensely relieved to work this out. Whether or not she took small or long breaks in-between, she couldn’t wear them any longer than a maximum of five hours. After that, she had to take a minimum of twelve hours’ break before attempting to wear them again. Anything less would result in the return of the horrible visions. Working this out over the last few days had been terrifying but gratifying.

  “This time it is you who is lost, and it is I who can assist in showing you the way. Welcome, Samantha, welcome indeed,” said the professor, coming up from behind her.

  “Hello, Professor. How did you know I was here?” Sam asked with a smile.

  “Simple. I’m old and wise, you see. Not really. I saw you coming in from my office window.” He seemed delighted in her laugh. “That’s a most impressive suit you have on, very lovely indeed. You certainly look much different from the way you did when we first met. Good for you.”

  He started walking and showed her the way to the school of law building.

  “Thank you, Professor,” she said, pleased he had noticed.

  He looked her up and down again. “You can’t possibly want to do law. Come with me and you will not regret it. Law is ghastly; no one wants to do it. What can I do to change your mind? My office is just upstairs.”

  “Nice try, Professor.” Sam stood her ground with both hands planted on her hips.

  “Okay, okay, follow me. The law faculty is nearby, and I will introduce you to a wonderful colleague, Professor Alexander Grasim. Here he is. Alex, this is Sam. See if you can persuade her to change her mind. I told her that all of you in the law department are trouble and only I could give her a future that she deserves,” he said in between a chuckle or two.

  “Don’t listen to him, Sam. He does this to all my students because he can’t find enough for himself. Isn’t that right, Professor Tenth?” said Professor Grasim.

  “It’s not too late. What do you say, Sam?” said Professor Tenth.

  “It’s law for me, sorry,” Sam replied.

  “Look after her, Alex!” Professor Tenth called out as he walked away.

  “Will do, Ken,” Professor Grasim replied. “Samantha Page, it that correct?” he asked while taking an envelope out of his jacket pocket. “Professor Tenth was kind enough to brief me about your aspirations and I put together an information package for you. The first semester of 2014 isn’t until March, so you have plenty of time to look this over. I have included my contact details. Feel free to call me anytime. Enrolling can be very confusing. Professor Tenth told me where you work but do you have any tertiary or other qualifications?”

  “No, none. Sorry,” Sam replied without showing any disappointment and maintaining eye contact.

  “That’s fine. I covered that. It explains that you will need to fill out a prerequisite assessment. It is mostly based on maths, English and general knowledge. Plus, a short essay on your desired subject, yours being law, of course. It’s designed for mature age students, like yourself, who wish to study but do not meet the admissions criteria because they don’t have any qualifications and are not working within the sector. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, thank you for meeting me and for putting this together for me.”

  “Well, it’s up to you. You have certainly impressed Professor Tenth, but you will need to do the hard work. Are you ready for it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “See you next year, then, in the School of Law. The dates and times are all there for you. Good luck.” He waved at her as he walked off.

  Sam stood there for a minute or two before walking back out of the university. As she walked, she felt as if her feet weren’t touching the ground. She was euphoric at the thought of having two professors interested in her and talking to her about her studies within the very grounds of the university. She was taking the next step and didn’t plan to look back. Things were happening for her at an alarming pace and she owed it all to the book glasses.

  Once out of the university grounds and into the adjacent park, guilt reared its ugly head and Sam was paralysed with fear.

  Taking a seat on one of the many park benches, she was horrified to think she had somehow benefited from Mr Harman’s death. This thought appalled her, and in her panic, she struggled to suck in a breath. To ease her breathing, she started taking rapid short breaths and was soon breathing normally, but the feeling was still there, and she didn’t know how to deal with it.

  Then it came to her that she was just as much a victim as poor Mr Harman. After all, she was just following his instructions. Since it was his last wish for her to take the glasses, she started feeling good about having them because that’s what he would have wanted.

  Her guilt dissolved, but the sadness lingered, and she felt more determined than ever to use the book glasses to help her achieve extraordinary heights.

  She made her way to the refuge. She couldn’t wait to tell Sue all about it.

  “Sister Sue, I need to talk to you,” Sam said in one puff of breath after running up to her.

  “Wow, you look amazing, Sam. That business suit looks remarkable on you. That doesn’t look like something from one of our bins. Did you steal it?” Sue asked.

  “No, of course not. Can I talk to you in private, please?”

  “Of course, let’s go to my office,” Sue said, pointing the way.

  “Sister Sue, excuse me, ma’am. Oh, it’s you, Sam. I didn’t recognise you. Wow, you look fabulous!” said Sister Jan.

  “Yes, what is it, Sister Jan?” Sister Sue asked.

  “Nothing. It can keep for later. Lovely to see you, ma’am, I’m mean Sam.” Sister Jan kept staring at Sam as she walked away.

  Sam waved goodbye to her. “What’s with her?”

  “You, that’s what with her. Come with me!” Sue said, a scowl pulling at her features.

  Sue closed her office door behind them and sat behind her desk. “What’s going on, Sam?”

  “That’s what I want to talk to you about. I’ve got a job and a boyfriend and I’m going to university next year. Can you believe it?”

  “Honey, what are you talking about? How? Tell me from the start.”

  Sam felt it was time to tell someone and Sue had been there for her, right from when she’d first moved to Sydney over five years ago. She had helped her when she was alone and frightened in a new city with no friends, job, or family. If it hadn’t been for Sue, Sam knew she would either be in jail or dead. She was indebted to her and felt it was time to return that trust and be open with her about what was happening in her life.

  She began to tell her about Joyce, Mr Harman, the book glasses, Dr Julie Dunn, Billy, the two professors, even her winnings. She talked until Sue said she couldn’t hear anymore and told her to stop.

  The sister jumped out of her chair and walked out of her office. She soon returned with two glasses of water and after sitting back down, said, “The ghost-like images you described after wearing the glasses for more than five hours are dead people, you know. Lost souls walking around in purgatory. That’s what you’re seeing.” She was shaking in fear and took a drink of water.

  “How do you k
now?”

  “It doesn’t take an expert to figure it out. Tell me, why do you call them the book glasses?”

  “Because that’s when you get the full effect when reading a book. You don’t get the full effect reading anything else.”

  “Give me some examples of what you mean by the full effect.”

  “Let’s say I’m reading a book about prehistoric dinosaurs, then the drawings or pictures appear right in front of me in full-size 3D showing every detail and almost looking real. The words are also sent straight into my mind; I don’t even need to read anything. They just appear in my mind and the difficult words are all explained in a way that makes it easy for me to remember. I’m able to remember and understand the content of all the books I read using the book glasses and I can read them at an incredible speed. I can get through a four-hundred-page book, on average, within an hour,” Sam explained while taking the glasses case from her bag.

  “Is that them?”

  “Yes.” She opened the case and placed them in the palm of her hand.

  “I can see tiny writing up and down the frame both inside and out,” Sue said.

  “I’ve done some research. It’s seventeenth-century neo-Latin. The engraving on the outside of the frames says, ‘Commissioned by Pope Leo XIII, The Papal Basilica of St Peter, Rome.’ And on the inside, ‘The Holy Father’s Book Glasses blessed by God, sent by angels for all imminent Popes.’”

  “How can you read the frames while you have the glasses off?” Sue asked.

  “I didn’t. I have a mobile phone now and I took a photo of both the inside and outside of the frame and then I put the glasses back on to decipher them,” Sam said with a grin.

  “How did you come up with that idea and where did you learn to talk like that?” Sue looked terrified.

  “I told you, it’s the book glasses.”