Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Stormy Night in the Scientist’s Laboratory

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Starting point is 00:01:14 therapy. Connect with a credentialed therapist by phone, video, or online chat. Visit betterhelp.com to learn more. That's BetterHELP.com. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas and I'm your host. thank you for tuning in. Tonight we'll embark on a journey through the Swiss Alps. We'll arrive at the home of a mysterious acquaintance whose strange and wild experiments could change our very understanding of the nature of life itself. Every Halloween we release one story that is a little more eerie than the rest. For fans of our previous Halloween stories like Night of the Full Moon, The Core Maze, and a night at Sleepy Hill Manor, this tale will likely be your cup

Starting point is 00:02:27 of tea. There are no jump scares or truly frightening scenes, but there will be themes that are slightly spookier than our usual sleepy stories. However, this tale is still crafted to help you get a good night's rest. It was brilliantly written by Shady Grove, our head writer and editor. Halloween is Shady's favorite time of year, especially for writing stories, so be sure to send some love her way in the comments for those of you listening on YouTube and in the review sections if you're tuning in on a podcast app. By engaging with the show in this way, you help our episodes and the podcast as a whole to reach more listeners and to help other people around the world

Starting point is 00:03:26 get a better night's rest for themselves. We are so grateful to have you all here, our wonderful community of sleepyheads. So now, lie back, get comfortable and relax. Take a deep breath in through your nose and as you slowly release the air back out, feel your body letting go of any stress or tension from the day just gone. Close your eyes if you haven't already, And let my voice help you to drift back through the years to the early 1800s, before there were large highways and high-rise buildings, before there were computers and the internet, or aeroplanes in the sky. We're going back to a time when electricity was new and exciting,

Starting point is 00:04:53 and the fields of medical science and philosophy were ripe for discovery. Lamplight flickers on old wooden desks, and the few people who dare to ask what if, spend long nights with their books and scientific instruments, pushing the bounds of human capability. On a stormy night, a horse-drawn carriage rumbles up a winding mountain road. It's carrying you to the home of one such person, the secretive and brilliant Dr. Ambrose Edelstein. And this is where our story begins. A bolt of lightning paints a jagged streak across the dark night sky. Moments later, a crack of thunder sounds overhead. Heavy rain patters against the roof of the carriage, drowning out the clip-clopping of the horse's hooves.

Starting point is 00:06:50 The carriage wheels rumble over the hard-packed road, which winds its way up the steep mountain side. The carriage rocks steadily back and forth as you're transported deeper and deeper into the Alps. You are cosy in your warm layers, and a soft throw lays gently over your legs. A bit of moisture has crept into the carriage, fogging the windows and making the fabric interior slightly damp. But in spite of this, you are quite comfortable. It's a luxury, after all, to travel in this manner instead of on foot. You're on your way to the residence of someone you've never met before. He is a cousin of an acquaintance from back home.

Starting point is 00:08:13 It's a loose connection, but you're glad to have it on an evening like this one. Before you left home, you happened to mention in passing that you would be travelling through these parts at this time of year, and your friend told you they had a distant relative who would surely be happy to provide accommodation for a night or two. Your travels have taken you through the picturesque towns of Bavaria and through the river valleys of France. You've tasted exquisite meals in Italy and sipped the finest drinks by candlelight in small dark rooms where conversation is just as potent as the spirits. And now, you find yourself amongst some of the greatest mountains you've ever seen here in Switzerland.

Starting point is 00:09:32 Earlier today, before beginning your journey to your accommodations for tonight, you watched evening fall in this breathtaking landscape. The high, rocky peaks were bathed in rose and violet light as the sun made its descent. You stood at the confluence of two crystal-clear streams. A herd of sheep ambled lazily around you. The lush green valley spread out before you, nestled between the majestic mountains. nestled between the majestic mountains. You had never seen a shade of green so rich as that of the wild grasses there, or a palette of stone grey so gloomy yet changeable. When it was time to leave, you met the carriage at the local tavern. It was waiting outside, its driver shrouded in a black cloak, only his mouth visible beneath a wide-brimmed hat. The horses poured at the ground, eager to move, and perhaps

Starting point is 00:11:11 sensing the coming storm. As you began your journey in the moody twilight, you watched little homesteads and quiet villages flash by. But since nightfall, all you've been able to see are the jagged peaks that loom over the the valleys below like silent sentinels. In the darkness, without a single light to break the gloom save for the lantern on the front of the carriage, the mountains are immense immense and daunting. They cast shadows as long as rivers and as deep and dark as the caves that dot their steep slopes. After only an hour or so on the road, you heard the first pitter patter of raindrops on the roof of your carriage. It began as a quiet pebbling, but quickly rose in volume to a steady downpour. poor. The horses pushed on, confident on these mountain roads, and the driver made no sound. He gave no indication at all that he'd noticed the change in the weather, despite the river of water cascading down the brim of his hat. You sat warm and dry over the uneven ground,

Starting point is 00:13:33 you consider what lies ahead on your journey. You have very little information about your host, whose name is Ambrose Edelstein. You only know he is a distant cousin of your friend, and that he is generous enough to provide a bed and a warm meal to a relative stranger. Your friend wrote a letter to this cousin some time before you departed, and received a swift reply delivered by courier. He would be happy to entertain a guest for a few nights, so long as the guest didn't mind if he was occupied in his laboratory most of the time. He was working on something that could change the future of medical science and the understanding of the nature of life itself," he said. It was a bold proclamation, you thought, reading

Starting point is 00:14:58 the letter your friend handed to you. You noticed the cramped handwriting and errant blobs of ink that had trickled onto the paper. The writing seemed hurried, though the words were not unfriendly. Your friend told you that this particular cousin has always been a little different, keeping more or less to himself. He is a doctor and a man of science dedicated to his work and study above all else. Every now and then, he travels to Prague or Munich to attend a conference where innovations in the field of anatomy, experimental physiology, Chemistry and philosophy are shared breathlessly by his fellow scholars. You wonder what the character of such a learned man will be. Studious, you assume.

Starting point is 00:16:22 Perhaps quiet or easily distractable. In any case, you are eager to meet him, and hear more about these fascinating concepts that fill his thoughts and his days. As the carriage wheels rattle and crunch over the ground, the gentle swaying lulls you into a kind of reverie. Mountains and streams blur together in a streak of inky black as sounds and sights begin to fade. You aren't sure how long you exist in this half-dream state, but soon you feel the carriage roll to a stop. One of the horses whinnies and chuffs, and the stoic driver hops down from his bench. The door to the carriage is opened from the outside and you catch your first glimpse of the home of Dr. Edelstein. Based on what you've heard from your friend, you were expecting something large and lavish, but nothing like what stands before you now.

Starting point is 00:18:12 You'd describe it more like a small castle than any type of house, with thick gray stone walls Three stone walls and multiple square turrets. A large rose window stands in the middle of the central facade. Wide stone steps lead up to a significant arched wooden door with metal studs. But what catches your eye is a thin, forked metal rod perched atop the highest tower, pointing to the sky. Squinting through the gloom, you try to make out the purpose of the rod, but then a bolt of lightning flashes overhead. It strikes the metal rod with a crack. This must be a component of one of Dr. Edelstein's experiments with electricity you realize. It piques your interest, and you find yourself even more intrigued by your mysterious host. Just then, you hear the sound of a heavy metal latch being lifted and a wooden door creaking open. You turn towards the entrance to the house and see the outline of a figure standing in the

Starting point is 00:20:08 doorway. The figure is illuminated by the glow of the candles flickering in the hall behind him. Without a word, he motions towards you, beckoning you inside. You see the driver has already brought your trunk to the door, so you grab your smaller traveling case and hop out of the carriage. Your foot splashes in a deep puddle, which sends up a small spray of mud onto the lower edges of your clothing. Shaking off the excess water, you make your way towards the figure at the door. As you approach, you see he is a small man wearing a strange black outfit, halfway between a cloak and a suit. Halfway between a cloak and a suit. You begin to ask if he is your host, but he quickly shakes his head, beckoning you closer. Follow me, he says in a low voice. With a quick glance over your shoulder at the carriage, you step over the

Starting point is 00:21:50 threshold into the home of Dr. Edelstein. Candle flames flicker wildly in the draught from the door. Cold damp air swirls around your legs as you walk into the entry hall. The man waves you past him and then drags your luggage over the threshold. He motions you away from helping him. It will be delivered to your room in short order. Then, he turns and closes the heavy door with a clunk. The sound of the rain fades into the background, replaced by the mellow silence of the empty hall. You set down your case on the cool stone floor. The sound lightly echoes in the open space.

Starting point is 00:23:16 You turn to ask the man where to find your host, but realize he has already disappeared. Perhaps he's gone to locate him, you think. Biding your time, you begin to explore the entry hall, which leads into a large formal sitting room. Your footsteps sound softly on the walls and floor, like pebbles tumbling onto a rocky beach. From somewhere deep inside the house, you hear a faint clanging of metal, but quickly dismiss it. It's likely something being blown about by the storm. The sitting room is filled with heavy wooden furniture, upholstered in red, blue, and green velvet and brocade.

Starting point is 00:24:36 Everything has an air of opulence, and yet there is a time-weariness to the place, as though it is rarely filled with the laughter of friends or the hum of conversation. The closer you look, the more you notice how a kind of absent-minded neglect has marked the space. A fine layer of dust covers the mantelpiece and the tables, and the rich fabrics are smudged in places with that. It's not in poor condition by any means, but could do with some regular attention. In the far corner, above a solid oak writing desk, is a display case. Walking closer, you see that it houses dozens of pinned specimens, insects for the most part, with their scientific names carefully noted below. The writing matches the cramped hand on the letter your friend

Starting point is 00:26:09 received. This must be the personal collection of your host you realize. Just Just then, a smooth yet gentle voice sounds behind you. I am a humble student of the natural world, the voice says. You see it belongs to a tall, thin man, dressed in a nice, yet well-worn suit. Dr. Adorstein, I presume, you say in reply. The doctor nods, extending his hand. You shake it, noting the calluses on his fingertips and palm. This is someone who works with his hands, you think, and your curiosity grows deeper. He gestures to one of the velvet armchairs, inviting you to take a seat. It's quite comfortable, with ample room to move. He walks over to a sideboard and offers you a drink from one of the many ornate glass bottles

Starting point is 00:27:49 and crystal decanters on display. You accept and he pours you a small glass and one for himself. and one for himself. Settling down, he asks you about your travels. You've been comfortable enough despite the weather, he hopes. You nod, praising the carriage driver for a swift ride as you take a sip of the drink. It's smooth and ever so slightly sweet, the perfect you, a perfect stranger. He smiles warmly in reply. He doesn't get many visitors, he says. Few are hardy enough to brave the mountain road. road. You motion in the direction of the insect collection, saying your friend told you of his scientific pursuits. Ah yes, he replies. I am working on something different this time.

Starting point is 00:29:35 As he speaks, his eyes almost seem to glaze over as though he is lost in thought. It's an all-consuming passion, I'm afraid, he tells you, and it makes me poor company at times. I spend most of my hours hidden away in my laboratory. You shake your head, saying that you're simply grateful for a place to sleep. But perhaps you might also take a look at his library while you're here, you ask. He smiles again, happy, it seems, to have another scientifically-minded soul in the house. You are welcome to explore all his home has to offer, he tells you. There are many scientific journals and books on psychology and anatomy that you might find interesting.

Starting point is 00:30:51 interesting. You thank him again and say you'll have a look around later, perhaps after you've freshened up a bit evening if you don't mind, he says. Tomorrow you may dine together, but for now is in the midst of sorting out a particularly confounding part of his experiment. With that, he stands placing his glass on a side table. He nods briefly in your direction, but is already lost in thought as he turns and makes his way out of the room. As he disappears, you catch a few words mumbled under his breath. But if I succeed, he says, it will change everything. Everything. Moments later, the small man in the strange black outfit appears before you. Emotions for you to follow him. You set down your glass and retrieve your case before heading up the stairs to the second floor.

Starting point is 00:32:32 Here, the man turns right and walks down a long hallway. Near the end, he stops in front of a wooden door. Pulling a key from his pocket, he unlocks the door and gestures for you to go inside. You thank him, but he has already turned, making his way back to the stairs. Your room is large and comfortably furnished. A sturdy four-poster bed stands against the back wall. Heavy curtains are draped around it, which you think will help block out the light from any lamps you might leave on. A leaded glass window overlooks a small courtyard. The glass is streaked with rain. Flashes of lightning illuminate the grounds, which are dotted with craggy black trees. Peering out of the window, you see the man in black crossing the courtyard, an old shovel in his hands.

Starting point is 00:34:11 You wonder what he could possibly be doing with a shovel at this time of night and in these conditions. But he seems a strange sort of fellow, so perhaps he has his reasons. Turning away from the glass, you see your luggage has been set in the corner of the room. You place your travelling case beside it. A bowl of water and a cloth sit in the adjacent washroom. You splash some water on your face and pat it dry. Then, you change out of your muddy clothes and into something fresh and clean. It feels good to be out of your traveling attire and into more comfortable garments. Glancing at your pocket watch, you see there is still quite a bit of time until supper.

Starting point is 00:35:33 Perhaps you'll explore the house a open it, you hear the same metallic clanging sound coming from somewhere in the house. This time, it's followed by what almost sounds like an animal. You've never heard a lion roar or a bear growl, but you imagine it might sound something like that. But if there were exotic animals in the house, You're quite sure that your friend or your host would have mentioned it. Come to think of it, the roar sounded a little more human than you first thought. It must be the howling of the wind you, brushing the memory of the sound from your thoughts. The storm is still raging outside, and these old homes are drafty. Heading out into the hall, you walk towards the staircase, but instead of going back down

Starting point is 00:37:11 to the ground floor, you decide to explore the third floor. The stairs are smooth and solid beneath your feet. It feels good to walk up them, your muscles tightening with every step. When you reach the third floor, you find it looks quite similar to the second, a hallway with several doors stretching out before you. You try your hand on the first door and find it locked. The same thing happens with the second and third doors. Perhaps this is another floor for guests, and the doors will not be opened until they're needed. Returning to the stairs, you make your way up to the fourth floor.

Starting point is 00:38:28 Here, the first door is unlocked. You walk inside to find a large library filled with old and dusty tomes. filled with old and dusty tomes. Stacks of scientific journals stand haphazardly on reading tables, and a few gas lamps flicker quietly on the walls. You trace your fingertips across the first books and papers you find, an exploration of the anatomy of man, the mechanics of a static electric charge, understanding the mind, life and death the possibility. What a strange and varied collection your host has. He truly is a student of the natural world. But the lighting here is quite dim, so even though it is a library, you don't think it would be the best place to sit and read. You pick up a volume on experimental physiology and tuck it under your arm. You'd like to find out more on the subject, perhaps as

Starting point is 00:40:10 you enjoy supper in your room. Leaving the library behind, you head to the stairs. But this time, instead of continuing with your exploration, you decide to go back to your room. You deposit the book on your bedside table and then make your way up to the topmost floor. You recall the metal rod on the roof of the house and think it must be attached to something here for the doctor's experiments. Upon reaching the landing at the top of the final stairwell, you find yourself in a long hall with rooms branching off on either side. This part of the house is darker than the rest and quite a bit draftier. A cool breeze ruffles your clothing, a kind of balcony overlooking the courtyard

Starting point is 00:41:49 far below. A few lamps flicker on the walls here, casting golden pools of light on the ground. But there are large patches of darkness between them, beyond the reach of the lamplight. You walk down the hallway, pausing at the first door. Pressing your ear against the wood, you hear a kind of electric buzzing sound. At least that's what you think it must be, given that you aren't a student of electricity yourself and have had limited experience with such things. You push the door open with care, and for the first time, you see the laboratory of Dr. Edelstein. The laboratory occupies a cavernous room. A vaulted ceiling reaches for the heavens, narrowing until it becomes the interior of the central square turret. Thick ropes hang from the ceiling in places, attached to strange chairs and metal tables. You realize the ropes are for moving the furniture, allowing a single person to swing a table in another direction,

Starting point is 00:43:48 or turn a chair to face a different way. The walls are lined with wooden shelves, shelves filled with every shape and size of jar and canister. Many of the thick glass jars contain murky fluid whose opacity hides the details of the bulbous shapes floating within. Microscopes and curved glass lenses are scattered about on long, rough work tables. All manner of scientific equipment you cannot even begin to identify fills every open space. As you are surveying your surroundings, thunder booms outside, rattling the glass and metal in the room. A loud bang accompanies the thunder, somewhere in the recesses of the laboratory. Not expecting the sound, you turn quickly, but then realize it must have been the storm. but then realize it must have been the storm. A single wire dangles through the air at the back of the room, behind shelves of jars and books.

Starting point is 00:45:47 A flash of lightning brightens the room, and a streak of light travels down the wire. You hear the same buzzing sound, followed by a heavy thud on metal. This must be the experiment Dr. Edelstein has been working on, the one that, as he said, will change everything. You aren't sure if the good doctor would want you to see what he is working on, but your curiosity gets the better of you. Slowly, you begin to make it's connected to something, laid out on a large metal table. The thing on the table is covered in a heavy white sheet. For a moment, you think the thing has an almost human shape.

Starting point is 00:47:05 You think the thing has an almost human shape. But before you can get any closer, Dr. Adelstein steps out from behind a bookshelf. I see you've found my laboratory, he says. Though he doesn't seem upset, the doctor appears somewhat distracted, glancing over his shoulder at the large metal table. You smile, explaining that you are just exploring the house. He tells you in a friendly manner that you're more than welcome to continue looking around. But perhaps, let's leave the laboratory for another day, he says. After all, we wouldn't want to disturb anything before its time. Nodding in agreement, you let him guide you towards the door. towards the door.

Starting point is 00:48:26 I trust your room is comfortable, he asks. Yes, you tell him, you're very happy with your accommodations and are looking forward to a hot supper later on. Glancing at your pocket watch, you realize how much time has passed. Your supper is likely waiting for you back downstairs. He's happy to hear it. After all, he reminds you, he really doesn't have many guests, especially not one so interested in the sciences as he is. Tomorrow, he'll gladly tell you more about his work, but perhaps it's best to turn in for the night. You agree, and suppressing a yawn, you realize you are quite tired from your journey. A hot meal and an early night in bed will be ideal. And so, you bid Dr. Edelstein good evening,

Starting point is 00:53:06 Leaving him, his laboratory, and the secrets it holds, to the veil of night. The I'm going to go ahead and turn off the lights..... I'm going to go ahead and turn off the lights. The The I'm going to go ahead and turn the volume down. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume down a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. I'm going to turn the volume up a little bit. The You You I'm going to go ahead and start off the lights. The........ you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Stormy Night in the Scientist’s Laboratory

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