Prospero's Ghost

By Mark Leslie and Kimberly Foottit

Decades after his death, renowned Shakespearean scholar Dr. Marshall Emerson returns from the grave to seek vengeance on those who dared disturb his fitful sleep.

Emerson, whose specialty was the bard’s The Tempest and was nicknamed "Professor Prospero" could never be spotted walking the grounds of McMaster University without the precious 1861 folio edition of Shakespeare’s works clutched in his hands.

When McMaster University library and bookstore staff begin producing replica versions of his original text on a newly acquired Espresso Book Machine, Emerson's ghost returns, intent to put a stop to this “desecration” of his precious text.

This short story of approximately 6000 words originally appeared in the book CAMPUS CHILLS (2009) and was written by McMaster Graduate Kimberly Foottit and Mark Leslie, whose alter ego ran the Espresso Book Machine at the McMaster bookstore from 2008 until 2011.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stark Publishing
• Release date: Apr 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386581239

Mark Leslie

Mark Leslie is a writer of "Twilight Zone" or "Black Mirror" style speculative fiction. He lives in Southwestern Ontario and is sometimes seen traveling to book events with his life-sized skeleton companion, Barnaby Bones. When he is not writing, or reading, Mark can be found haunting bookstores, libraries or local craft beer establishments.

Book preview

Stark Publishing

April 2018

Prospero’s Ghost Copyright © 2018 Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Kimberly Foottit

Cover photo Copyright © 2018 Peter Rainford

Prospero’s Ghost was originally written for and published in Campus Chills, 2009, edited by Mark Leslie (www.campuschills.com) and is available in print and eBook formats.

The characters and events portrayed in this short story are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the authors. The Espresso Book Machine, though now a ghost that haunts what was once the bookstore at McMaster University, was real and existed in the campus store formerly known as Titles Bookstore for several years. The McMaster library Kirtas scanner that can digitize texts is also real and still quite active.

No actual booksellers or librarians were killed in the creation of this story.

Visit Mark Leslie on the web at www.markleslie.ca

Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkLeslie

Sign up for Mark Leslie’s newsletter to receive a free eBook.

For those whose passion for books and reading is more eternal than even death

Prospero’s Ghost

McMaster University - 1964 

Dr. Marshall Emerson lost his balance as a student brushed past him in the stairwell, almost knocking the withered, leather-bound text out of his hand. Clutching the book to his chest, Emerson fell to one knee, sending a sharp pain up his side. With a grunt of annoyance, he checked the precious book to make sure it had not been damaged; he would sooner fall down the stairs than let it come to any harm. 

Sorry Professor Prospero, the youth said over his shoulder as he vaulted up the stairs. I'm late for class. 

Rapscallion! Emerson watched the youngster with the t-shirt and bell-bottom pants disappear through the doorway to the main floor of the library. Always rushing. Never pausing for deep thought or study. 

Still on one knee, Emerson looked at the collection of Shakespeare's plays in his hand. The pain in his bones receded quickly when his eyes rested on the rare tome. 

This single volume of Shakespeare's plays represented much of his life's work and focus. And though he thought his simple alliterative nickname was immature, he allowed a small part of him to warm with pride whenever he heard it. 

Professor Prospero, indeed, he said, shaking his head and briefly allowing a smile to cross his lips. 

The stairwell door opened again and the smile left as fast as it had appeared as a library assistant, this one dressed properly for an academic setting, rushed to help him. Dr. Emerson, she said. Are you okay? Let me help you up. 

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY - Present Day 

Richard Hamill pulled the text from the display shelf, closing and locking the glass case. He turned the book over in his gloved hand, caressing