Read Online The Horicon Experience by Jim Laughter - Free Book Online

arrival. For over a minute, the man simply stared silently at the class. Then he began to pace around and stare at them individually, still without speaking.
    Several of the students became nervous but Delmar and Stan had faced much worse in basic training, so they weren’t phased. Finally, the instructor returned to the front of the room, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny of the thirteen students. He waited another minute and then addressed the class.
    The instructor, a small, thin man with sharp angular features, was dressed in a white lab coat, faded blue-striped shirt, and brown trousers that hiked two inches over the top of his black shoes. He wore his wire-frame glasses on a chain hanging around his neck, giving him the appearance of a schoolmaster looking for someone to whack with a stick. Delmar noticed right away that the professor wore mismatched socks, one black and one argyle, but he decided it was best not to point out the discrepancy.
    “I wonder where they found this character?” someone whispered at the back of the room. Neither Stan nor Delmar cared to look around to see who had made the insolent comment.
    “My name is Professor Orilious Angle.”
    His voice was high-pitched and just short of being shrill – nasal. He paused as if expecting someone to bolt for the door.
    “It is not Odd Angle, and it is not Obtuse Angle. Nor is it Right Angle. It is simply Angle,” the instructor said curtly. “You will address me as Professor Angle.”
    The professor glared at the class again. He perched his glasses on the end of his nose and examined his class roster.
    “This class is Computer History and Theory,” he said. “I already know who each of you are, and I’ve scrutinized your backgrounds from your student applications.”
    There was some nervous shifting in the back of the room.
    “I’ve also spoken with the registrar and there will be some changes in your schedules to better facilitate your training.”
    The room became very silent. Without asking any individual names, Professor Angle moved among the students and handed each of them a file from the registration office with their names on it. Delmar opened his and found a new schedule and the necessary paperwork all approved by the registrar. There were gasps from some of the students. Delmar looked over at Stan. His friend returned his gaze and raised his eyebrows.
    “We know this may be a shock to some of you, but for you to adequately learn the science of computers, it is best if you become immersed in them,” the professor said.
    “I know some of you may be wondering why you are in a specialized class that deals with history when you are here for advanced theory. There are two simple explanations,” he said, raising two fingers. “First, in order to understand and apply the advanced theories being developed today, you must be thoroughly grounded in all that has transpired to date.”
    The professor paused as if for emphasis.
    “The second reason this class is called Computer History and Theory is because we had to call it something when we filled in the blanks on the syllabus form.”
    The classroom was silent for a moment and then someone began to titter. It spread quickly until everyone was chuckling. Finally, the professor cracked a smile.
    “That’s better,” he said. “Let that be your first lesson under my tutelage. Always laugh at my jokes.”
    Everyone relaxed.
    “Now if you will review your schedule changes, you’ll see the registrar has combined some of your other classes into this one in its expanded form. Credits will be adjusted accordingly. In fact,” he continued, “you may have surmised that you haven’t chosen us, but instead we have chosen you. This is correct,” he finished to the astonishment and consternation of several students.
    Delmar and Stan originally expected to be in three different classes that morning. Instead they spent the entire time with Professor Angle getting acquainted with him and the