Illusions and Nightmares
He sat straight up. The pale orange light of the street lamp outside reflected off of a coating of sweat on his forehead and chest. A thin, stylized silver key that hung from a silver chain was stuck to her chest by the moisture. He took a couple of deep breaths and then ran his fingers through his black hair. With a very faint sound, the key swung free of the skin. Another deep breath, this one more of resolve than a desire for control, and the man swung his feet over the edge of his bed.
The hardwood floor felt cool and reassuring. It was a fairly warm night so he didn’t bother putting on a robe in addition to the pajama pants he already wore. He grabbed a bottle of water from on top of his refrigerator. The green numbers on his microwave proclaimed it was 2 AM. The man groaned; he knew he wouldn’t be getting back to sleep anytime soon. Crossing into a carpeted room, he pulled a chair out from a desk which held a computer. He pressed the power button with his big tow. The computer began to come to life. Lights came on, fans whirred, a few beeps issued forth from the plastic casing. Then, it died.
The man sighed, bent down and took a look at the computer. It was old and had been acting up lately. He swore he would buy a new one when he had the time, money and inclination. Problem was the computer worked fine when all of those three were in cosmic alignment. He tried pressing the start button a few more times with no result. He checked the plug and all the other connections. Standing up he muttered, “In man against machine, machine will conquer all.” He half wondered whether he was cursing his own dependence on them or the fact they were just so frustrating.
He gave the box a not so gentle kick. As if awakened by the physical violence, or appeased that it had a destiny of conquest, the computer started to boot up again. Settling once again into his chair, he watched the screen come to life. He took the mouse and double clicked his instant messenger. There weren’t a lot of people online, Jinx was idle (Never could track her down…), Glyph had some archaic quote (Probably asleep), but Sarabi was online.
Veritas: Hey, Sar.
Sarabi: Morning, Veri. You’re up early.
Veritas: I could say the same.
Sarabi: I’m usually awake. Insomnia, you know.
Veritas: They have doctors, Sar.
Sarabi: I know, I like the early hours.
Veritas: *Shrug* Takes all sorts, I guess.
Sarabi: So, what dragged you out of bed tonight?
Veritas: Isn’t it technically tomorrow?
Sarabi: *shrug* Splitting hairs, and trying to change the subject.
Veritas: You caught me, Sar. I’ve just been having weird dreams lately.
Sarabi: Hmm?
Veritas: Well, tonight, for instance, I was dreaming that I was in class, at my desk. I remember the board said the “John of Patmos”. Kinda weird, now that I think about it. I was dreaming of a class about a dreamer. Anyway, these guys in government suits kicked in the doorway.
Veritas: They said that I was wanted for sedition or something. No one else in the class moved, the prof didn’t even stop lecturing. It was like I was the only one who could see.
Veritas: Then suddenly, I was in another room. There was a woman I’d never seen before and she told me that nothing was what it seemed. That I was special, important. You know, the kind of thing every 20 something year old guy with delusions of grandeur and a dead end job wants to hear. Then another guy in the same suit walks in and shoots her. I looked him dead in the eye, I think he looked like the German from Enemy at the Gates.
Sarabi: Never saw it
Veritas: Real pale blue eyes. Well, the dream ends that I hear a click and then I wake up.
Sarabi: Yeah, I could see how that would keep you up. Think it means something?
The man, Veritas, snorted. That wasn’t exactly the answer he was expecting. But, then again, Sarabi always made for an interesting conversationalist/
Veritas: Yeah, right. Next you’ll be telling me to follow some white rabbit.
Sarabi: What? You never took PHIL 1? We could all be living in a dream, Plato’s Cave. Maybe you woke up.
Veritas: Huh, I suppose. I’m guessing it was some bad Chinese and a flashback to philosophy class. Besides, if I figure out I’m in the cave, aren’t I supposed to achieve nirvana or something?
Sarabi: What, do I look like a prophet? You’re probably right. Most people go through their day to day lives their entire life. We don’t live in a movie. Still…we can dream can’t we?
Veritas: Sure.
Sarabi: Knock Knock, Neo ;)
Veritas was startled when a knock actually sounded at his door. He stared at the door for a few seconds in near-incomprehension. It wasn’t possible, was it? He looked back at the computer screen.
(Sarabi has signed off)
posted by C R Coda | 00:52
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