The evening breeze caressed the old, ivy-laden mansion as twilight encroached upon the countryside. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the mansion’s silhouette into stark relief against the girder-blue waters of the distant lake.
Jim and Eric, the two repairmen, finished packing up their truck and were ready to head home. The Doctor patiently waited for the next phase of his plan to unfold. Exhausted repairmen, unaware, stayed overnight in the mansion. Eric, unloading the last of the tools from their truck, turned to address Jim. “Maybe we could try to leave early in the morning? I know Dr Stanford offered for us to stay, but I feel bad taking advantage of his hospitality any longer.” “It’s not like we have a choice,” Jim shrugged. “The truck ain’t going anywhere tonight. I’ve been trying to start it for the last ten minutes, but it’s completely dead.” Jim scratched his head in frustration, brow furrowed. “What? Really?” Eric walked over to the driver’s side, and he tried turning the key. The engine remained silent, not even a click. “I’m unsure about the issue. It was running perfectly fine earlier.”
Dr Stanford, who had been watching them with an amused smile, suddenly looked concerned. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked, stepping closer. “No, thank you,” Jim replied with a polite smile. “There’s not much you can do. We’ll just have to call for a tow truck in the morning.” Eric nodded in agreement. “Well, I guess there’s no point in arguing,” he said, his shoulders slumping slightly. “We’ll have to take him up on his offer, won’t we?” Jim sighed, leaning against the hood of the truck. “I suppose so. I mean, we’re stuck here either way, right?” Dr Stanford stepped closer, offering a warm smile. “I’m so glad you shall stay. We will prepare a room for the both of you.”
The men exchanged hesitant glances before nodding in agreement. They followed Dr Stanford through the grand mansion, their footsteps echoing the Doctor through the dimly lit halls. As they reached the guest room, Dr Stanford flicked on the light, revealing a cosy and inviting space. The room held two twin beds, each made up with soft, plush bedding. A small, polished wooden desk stood in the corner, accompanied by a plush armchair, while a vase filled with vibrant wildflowers added a splash of warmth to the room. “This is lovely,” Jim said, glancing around appreciatively. “Thank you. I hope it is comfortable,” Dr Stanford replied. “I’ll have my staff bring up some fresh towels and toiletries for you both.” Dr Stanford, with a smile, clarified that the guest room has a bathroom nearby, concealing his motives. Eric and Jim obliged, graciously accepting Dr Stanford’s generosity.
Night fell as the men adapted to their temporary home. Exhausted from their labour, they retired to their shared bedroom, allowing their muscles to rest from the day’s work. As the darkness consumed the mansion, Eric lay awake under the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. He thought back to the peculiar antics of Dr Stanford, wondering what his true intentions were. Doubts crept into Eric’s mind about the mysterious inventor as the quiet, star-studded night settled around him. A light suddenly interrupted his curiosity, turning on and Jim shuffling in. “Couldn’t sleep either?” Eric asked, sitting up. “No, my mind is buzzing with anticipation about the work we’ll start tomorrow. Plus, I was thirsty,” Jim replied, pouring himself a glass of water from the bedside table. “You know how I get when I can’t sleep.”
Eric couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face at his friend’s earnestness. “Embrace the night,” he suggested, leaning on the headboard. “Really?” Jim asked, arching an eyebrow. “And what do you suggest I do, oh wise one?” Eric shrugged playfully. “I was thinking of exploring the mansion. There’s so much of it we haven’t seen yet. Maybe we’ll find something interesting, or at least understand why Dr Stanford is so fond of these secluded accommodations.” The corners of Jim’s eyes crinkled as he chuckled. “Killing time, I suppose, is one way to go about it. Although I’m a little hesitant, I don’t want to wander around in the middle of the night. My biggest concern is not being caught by the staff or, even worse, Dr Stanford himself. The man is undeniably peculiar.” Hearing Jim’s fears, Eric couldn’t help but agree. “That’s true. We must avoid succumbing to curiosity. How about we go to the main hall or one of the living rooms and find something to keep ourselves occupied until we fall asleep?” Mildly excited at the prospect of their little adventure, Jim nodded. “Let’s do that for now. I suppose it’s our best option. Since we’ll be here all night, let’s familiarise ourselves with the place and our host.”
The silence was almost eerie, as the mansion appeared to be completely still. “Do you think Dr Stanford keeps his staff around at night?” Eric asked, casting a furtive glance over his shoulder. “I doubt it,” Jim replied, tiptoeing along the marble floor. “I bet they all went home hours ago.” They ventured further into the mansion, the dim light illuminating their footsteps as they moved cautiously down the corridor. “Maybe this will be a peaceful evening after all,” Eric whispered, stepping into the main hall. The opulent furnishings and grand paintings that adorned the hall showcased Dr Stanford’s wealth and eccentricities. Their exploration brought them to a pair of magnificent doors, which stood between them and a room that promised answers. The doors creaked as Eric gently pushed them open, revealing a breathtaking sight.
The library was a two-story palace of books, with towering shelves that stretched up to the vaulted ceiling. A wrought-iron spiral staircase connected the two levels, creating an enchanting labyrinth of literature. Volumes on every subject imaginable, from ancient history to innovative science, lined the walls. It was an intellectual treasure trove, and Eric could feel the excitement bubbling within him. Jim’s eyes widened in awe as they stepped inside. In awe, he whispered, his eyes fixed on the vast sea of books. “There’s got to be thousands of volumes here.” Eric ran his fingers along the spines, each title a promise of untold knowledge. He pulled out a book on the mysteries of the human brain and flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the scientific diagrams and theories. Jim was more interested in the history section. He pulled out a book on ancient civilisations and settled into a nearby armchair, his eyes eagerly devouring the words.
Their immersion in literature caused them to overlook the creaking open of the library door. With a knowing smile on his face, Dr Stanford stood in the doorway, observing them. “Ah, I see you’ve discovered my little sanctuary. I got so carried away I forgot to show you this room,” he said, stepping into the room. “Explore and enjoy the books. They are my most prized possessions.” Eric’s eyes widened with excitement, taking in the sight of the expansive library. “Thank you, Dr Stanford. We’d love to explore your collection.” Jim nodded in agreement, already scanning the shelves for a book that caught his eye. Dr Stanford smiled, his eyes twinkling with delight. “I’ll leave you to it, then. I have some work to attend to, but I’ll be back to check on you later.” With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Eric and Jim to their own devices. Eric’s fingers traced along the spines of the books, each one a treasure trove of knowledge and stories waiting to be discovered. The scent of old paper and ink filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of beeswax candles. As he ran his hand over the books, he spotted something that intrigued him. One shelf seemed to be recessed slightly, as though it was hiding something behind it. “Hey, Jim,” Eric called out, excitement lacing his voice. “Check this out. I suspect a hidden area behind a bookcase.” Jim looked up from his book, skepticism written all over his face. “A secret area? Really? I doubt it, but let’s look.” They both made their way to the shelf in question, and Eric gave it a gentle push. To their surprise, the bookcase swung open, revealing a hidden chamber beyond.
As they stepped inside, they saw stairs leading down into darkness. With a sense of trepidation and excitement, they descended the flight, finding themselves in a large laboratory filled with strange machines and devices. Beakers, tubes, and various electronic components filled the dimly lit space, emitting a faint hum that filled the air. They cautiously moved through the lab, intrigued by the odd machinery surrounding them. “What on earth is all this?” Jim whispered, awestruck by the bizarre devices. Eric’s eyes scanned the lab, his gaze finally settling on a peculiar apparatus. “I think that might be some sort of sexual enhancement device,” he murmured, pointing to a strange-looking machine with a variety of dials and knobs. Jim raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? This can’t be real,” Eric chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
However, before he could take another step, an ear-piercing alarm rang out through the mansion, causing them both to jump. The sudden brightness of the overhead lights made them squint as they quickly looked around for the source of the sudden commotion. “What the hell did we do?” Jim shouted over the noise, trying to make himself heard.
Eric shrugged helplessly, looking as puzzled as his friend. They had only just stepped into the room, and there were no buttons or switches nearby that they could have accidentally triggered. As they cautiously moved towards the stairs, the sound of footsteps echoed through the laboratory. Dr Stanford appeared at the top of the stairs, his expression unreadable behind a pair of tinted glasses. “Ah, there you are. I was hoping to catch you two,” he called down to them, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Jim and Eric exchanged a puzzled glance before responding, “We didn’t mean to set off the alarms. The lab is just so fascinating.” Dr Stanford descended the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the space. He reached the bottom and approached the pair, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. “I have something that I think you’ll find even more fascinating,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small canister.
Eric frowned, taking a step back. “What is that?” he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice. Dr Stanford chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe. Just close your eyes and relax,” Dr Stanford assured them with a soothing tone. As Eric and Jim exchanged hesitant glances with nowhere to go, the doctor took a step closer and aimed the canister towards them. In the dim light, they didn’t have a moment to react before the potent substance filled the air. Their eyes widened in shock as their limbs grew heavy and their heads spun. The last thing they remembered was Dr Stanford’s voice echoing in their minds, “Pleasant dreams.”
