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Extract 3 of 4 - Chapter Nine

Inside it looked like an art gallery that Felix had visited on a school trip. Large imposing portraits hung on every wall. Fierce and friendly faces looked down on them.

“Go and take a look. There are a few names that you might recognise amongst these paintings” Cassandra said with a playful edge to her voice.

Felix went up to the largest portrait and read the sign underneath. ‘Leonardo Da Vinci. Dynamo Apprentice fifteenth century, went on to be Grand Master of Art and Set Design’.

He moved on to the next picture. ‘Orville and Wilbur Wright, Dynamo Apprentices nineteenth century, went on to be Grand Masters of Flying (current)’.

He looked up at the next picture, which was very worn and tatty. ‘Aristotle. Served no apprenticeship but went on to be Grand Master of Dream Philosophy’.

“Quite a list of teaching staff isn’t it?” Cassandra grinned proudly as she watched Felix’s face.

"Teachers?” he cried in astonishment.

Cassandra chuckled, but Frankie wasn’t much interested in the portraits. She had made a beeline for the rows of glass cabinets in the very centre of the Hall of Fame. She was transfixed at what was inside. Then she put on a pair of goggles that lay next to the cabinets and a look of wonder came over her. Cassandra sighed when she saw Frankie’s reaction.

“We are apprenticed to the best minds, bodies and visionaries from history. Here in the State of Sleep we have everything and everyone from past and present at our disposal. At the circus, we can ask any one of them to join us and help teach the apprentices. We’re not famous for nothing you know. Now do you understand why we can only take on the very best”.

“What is it you're looking at Frankie?” Felix asked.

Cassandra marched over to her side and pointedly removed the goggles from Frankie’s eyes.
“Those are the dream chronicles of all of these people. The cabinet contains their original dream dust. When you put the glasses on, you are transported to viewing windows where their dreams play over and over. It is their whole life in dreams.

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Text © Kerrie Clifford 2008
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