This is Klon Calling

by Walter J. Sheldon

One sure way to live dangerously is to become a practical joker. Should you have any doubts about it you might ask Professor Dane.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

7 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2009

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short piece that was published in the 1953 August~September issue of Fantastic Universe magazine.

Professor Lyman Dane was brilliant, had a goofy sense of humor, and did consultation work for the Air Force Development Center which was close to the university where he gave classes.

But one day an FBI agent comes to tell him that the agency is concerned about certain lights in the sky, and Professor Lyman would be monitored closely for his safety, since he was an expert on reactive propulsion of rocket motors and therefore would be a target in case any of those lights turned out to be caused by the proverbial little green men.

This story was funny, with a completely different ending than the Professor and I expected, and is worth a few minutes of your time. It won't take you much longer to read than it took to read this review, so here is the link for the Project Gutenberg edition of This Is Klon Calling. Enjoy!
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28954/...

[Jaksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read - quick and quaint. (Is it okay to call a scfi story 'quaint?) A prominent scientist, who is being watched by the FBI due to the knowledge he has - regarding rocketry, astrophysics, etc. - and who is also a great prankster, tries to pull a prank on a fellow colleague.

Hah! The key word here is 'tries.'

Loved it, four stars.

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joking professor gets the to close to the truth.

Audio Book MP3 downloaded from
http://librivox.org/short-science-fic...
Public Domain stories from Project Gutenberg, that are read by volunteers.
I listen to these short stories while walking to and from work.

Play Duration: 00:09:20
Read By: Gregg Margarite

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little story with an unexpected ending.

I've read a couple of short stories by W.J. Sheldon. He has a broad sense of humour, but like all good comedy, there is a nasty sense of darkness underlying his humour.

This story is a good demonstration of that concept.

I often wish I had one of those "silvery tubes" whenever I listen to some of the crazier UFO-ers.

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Librivox SSF Collection Vol 018. An academic practical joker interferes with matters ....Short but neat .

[Kikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny in a bugs bunny way

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

scifi short story, fun

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✔️ Published in "Fantastic Universe," August-September 1953..

In this short story, a college professor is the consummate class clown, until the government starts keeping tabs on him. In fact, "you didn't have to be a potential Einstein to take Professor Dane's course. For one thing you got a few easy credits and for another you were entertained—without letup—by Professor Lyman Dane's celebrated wit."

Yes, indeedy; Professor Dane was hilarious. "Or the afternoon he played boogie-woogie on the Huyler Memorial Carillon." Who wouldn't get a charge out of that?

Dane "could say a thing . . . and make it sound funnier than anybody else could. It was partly the way he looked—tall and mournful and sly, with wispy hair that had once been blond, drooping like a tired willow over his forehead."

And then the government reveals its hand as the ultimate killjoy.

I liked this story, mostly for the writing style of Walter J Sheldon. This is Klon Calling is worth reading.

🟣Kindle version.
🟤Project Gutenberg.