Once again I am trying my hardest to refrain from commenting on all the usual crap! So here is another story for your Wednesday morning delectation.
Fly in the Ointment
Mr Shallack was fussy and his class could not stand his constant interference in their projects “don’t do it like that” “do it this way” “no Gordon that will never work” He never stopped pointing out what he thought was their mistakes.
They spoke often about him and what they could do about his confidence sapping comments. “We should teach home some kind of lesson, something he won’t forget” Gordon said vehemently, he thought Shallack picked on him more than the others.
“What?” replied Sheila a rather attractive lady whom Gordon fancied but had been rebuffed when he had asked out.
“Yes what?” Repeated several of the others
Gordon looked round at the group and realised he did not have a clue what lesson they could teach him.
Weeks went by and Shallack did not stop his relentless critique of their work. He was very knowledgeable and there was no doubt he had taught them much about the subject and it’s background and theory but when it came to any encouragement there simply was none. The grumbling and moaning from the students continued and a couple actually gave up and quit the course. True to form Shallack mocked them in front of the whole class and said he never thought they were any good!
Gordon had almost given up but if had one guiding principle it was to never give up. One evening Shallack was particularly savage in his criticism of ladies work, she had largely been exempt from his ire until now. She was quiet and from what Gordon could see one of the better students with a real control over her experiments. This evening however Shallack spared her no mercy as he lambasted her sloppiness and complete lack of understanding as he saw it. Freda, that was her name, looked at him in horror as he red faced tore her work apart she physically recoiled from him and the others stopped what they were doing looking on with undisguised hatred.
Gordon was boiling inside “Shallack you horrible bully you have gone too far and we aren’t going to take it anymore you owe that lady a sincere apology” was what he thought but somehow something stopped him from saying it out loud!
They were all relieved when the class ended and nearly all of them tried to comfort Freda who looked shell shocked and very upset.
Gordon did not consider himself a brave man or especially strong when it came to confrontation but he knew this couldn't go on. It was more than just demoralising but it might turn quite a few of them off of the subject for good. He wondered how other past students had tolerated Shallack and whether the college was aware of his behaviour. He had to do something but what?
The following day as Gordon arrived at the college he saw Mr Shallack arrive on his vintage Vincent motorbike. Gordon knew it was Shallack pride and joy and he had seen him warn anyone who got to close to it or stopped to admire it. He kept it in pristine condition and would often go out and polish it during the day or put a cover over it if it rained. An idea formed in Gordon’s mind and he smiled to himself as he visualised the outcome!
A couple of weeks later on a warm summer's evening as they were leaving, Gordon and his classmates were crossing the car park when they suddenly, they heard the most terrible scream and looked over to see Mr Shallack waving his arms madly and what appeared to be a black cloud forming around him. He was trying to shout but the cloud was getting in his mouth and nose. In his desperation to get away he knocked over his precious Vincent and it crashed to the ground heavily breaking the headlight. None of them moved, they stood rooted to the spot mesmerised by the scene unfolding before them.
“There flies” Sheila shouted “Hundreds of flies”
“Yes” said Gordon with a sly smile on his face “ I wonder how they got there?”
Stay well
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