The Dreamer

I am a Dreamer. That is how I earn my living. I am not one of the psuedo-dreamers, those that write the books and vid-scrips, or those that sing, act, or dance. I am a Dreamer.

You see, here in the twenty-third century, Mankind has finally fallen victim to the "American" way. Capitolism at it's very worst has robbed Man of many things, but one of the first that was lost was his ability to dream. The "Making Money Stress Syndrome", or MMSS, has become so bad, that only a very privileged few dream any more. Sleep is merely a dark void in which time is spent. It was found out very early on, that Man can't survive without dreaming. There are all sorts of mental disorders associated with dream deprivation. So, hundreds of thousands of credits were spent, searching for a cure. They found out you can't cure the lack of a dream state, but you can insert new dreams. That's where I come in.

When I wish, I enter my bedchamber and don a small device called the Dreamer's Helmet. My dreams are transferred to dream discs, and then sent on to Dream Libraries all over the world. There, the dreamless can go and borrow a dream. The dreamless take the dreams home and plug into them when they lay down to sleep. It's funny, the dream discs act just like real dreams. The dreamless may not remember them at all, but the fact that they've dreamed keeps them healthy.

I consider myself lucky for a number of reasons. Not only can I dream, but my dreams are always in color, and I never have Nightmares. Don't get me wrong, Nightmares sell as well as Sweetdreams, or Wetdreams, I just never have any of those. The only subject I do dream about is the fantastic. I dream of the legendary beasts; the Unicorn, the Centaur, the Gryphon, and the Dragon. I dream of mysterious forests and magnificent castles.

I've mentioned before that I choose when I wear the Dreamer's Helmet. For some reason, I can tell even before I sleep, whether or not my dream will be a good seller. I can also tell when the dream will be a special one, one that I should keep to myself.

Three nights ago, I had that special knowing, the feeling that an intimate dream would come, and that I should keep my dream private. I refrained from wearing the Dreamer's Helmet, and went into the land of slumber.

My dreaming took on the colors of green and brown, and the shapes of willow, oak, and mimosa. It was a magical forest still in the first stages of birth. The location was difficult to recognise, for through the young trees, sky-scrapers and Helo-cars could be seen. Suddenly, my dreamscape shifted to a dizzying aerial view.

The woodlands were growing on a small island, that by small degrees was losing it's concrete hardness and modern annoyances. From this vantage point, the geography was easy to identify. I lived not far from what my dream showed me. My dream forest was slowly spreading over the whole of Manhattan Island. By the time my vision was done, the entire city island had become green again.

The polarized windows in my bedroom are set to lighten when the sun strikes them, and I opened my eyes to rays of sunshine pouring through them and catching the rare motes of dust dancing in them like fairies around an oak tree.

As dreams go, this one had been pretty uneventful, but it left me with a strange, wonderful feeling that permeated my being. All I can say is that it was good. Words are too inadequate. I spent most of my day puttering around my home and visiting the Park. I say "Park", but it is actually, one giant, climate-controlled greenhouse. The grass is off limits, as are the trees and flowers. You won't find lover's picnicing, or children braiding daisies into a crown. The restrictions of the Park depressed me so much, especially when the image of my forest kept popping into my head, that I went home.

Once there, I switched on the newsfeed. I was completely astonished to see my magical forest displayed on the media wall. A denial jumped to my lips, but I clamped my mouth shut to prohibit its escape. Who was I to deny the existence of a dream come true? I watched the newsfeed until it switched to another item. I turned off the media wall and sat back. A shivery chill had made it's way down my spine, and that feeling of wonderment had returned when I had gazed at my woodlands right on my media wall. There was something I needed to do.

Not bothering with the Helmet again, I darkened my windows and lay down to sleep. Before long, my dreamself returned to the newly grown forest. I stood on the very edges of the trees, and was shown by pearly luminescence and golden flashes, the beasts that had come to inhabit my forest.

Not one, not four, but an entire herd of pure white Unicorns had taken to roaming the island. I sat for a very long time in a clearing under silvery moonlight, and watched as other beings came home to the place I had made for them.

Mermaids and Mermen sported in a cove, splashing around and playing aquatic games. Centaurs blew their trumpets as loudly as Unicorns, and together, they ran races in an obstacle course that wove in and out of the trees. Winged fairies flew higher than the birds, and lent to my woodlands a music that was a magic all it's own. I could hear Dwarvenkind opening secret mines below the surface of the earth, and I was sure there were others here too. My suspicions were confirmed when, toward the end of my dream, I caught sight of a willowy, blonde, human-like figure that I knew instantly was not even remotely human. I had been gifted with the sight of a true Elf. A Tall One. The Earth and Animal Guardian.

Having greeted all of my fantasies warmly, I awoke with a start to find the sheets clinging to the sheen of sweat on my body. I felt electric, better than I had when I had come out of the first dream. I also felt a need to explore.

I showered. I dressed, and then I packed a few belongings in a carryall. I called up a Helo-cab and waited. Within minutes, my door sensor rang out the arrival of the Helo-cab. I threw the carryall on the front seat and slid in beside it. Bright yellow letters on the dashscreen lit up, demanding my attention.

"DESTINATION?"

"Manhattan." I told the machine. "Eastern side of the island, on the beach."

The Helo-cab took off, and I sat back, too excited to relax. I wondered what I would find.

I landed on the island just in time to see two Unicorns herald my arrival in their trumpeting call. The sound of them sent a thrill to my heart, the likes of which, I'd never known. I grabbed the carryall, transferred the proper amount of credits to the Helo-cab, and burst out, wanting desperately to follow the Unicorns.

Follow them I did, going deeper into the forest, toward the center of the island. Other beasts and beings of my second dream showed themseves to me that day, but I paid them no heed. My eyes would only see Unicorns. The sun began to set, and I fell exhausted at the base of a thick-trunked willow. Before sleep overcame me, I heard an unexpected sound and sat up, my eyes straining to see in the semi-darkness.

The Elf I had glimpsed in my second dream materialized and spoke to me in a quiet, whispery voice.

"There are too few dreamers left to this world." He told me, coming closer.

"I know." I agreed. "I'm only one. There are many more dreams to be had if only I'm allowed to dream them."

"Well come then, Dreamer." The Elf invited softly. "Here, where fantasy has come to life, you shall abide, and give to those that are dreamless, a gift beyond measure. Shall you come into our forest and live your dreams with us?"

I didn't have to think about it. It was, after all, my intention when I came here, wasn't it?

"Yes." I breathed.

"In one word you have loosed your fetters." The Elf said with a smile that broke my heart with it's beauty.

"Lay down and pillow your head on fragrant moss." He instructed. "A third wish must be used and fulfilled."

I nodded my understanding, trying to give him a smile that tried to match his. I knew that for one last time, I would dream for a dream come true. Contentedly, I closed my eyes, curled up in a ball, and searched for my subconcious.

I found it soon enough, mixing concrete and steel into a kalaidascope vision of every major city on the Earth. Within each city, like a spark of hope, was the greeness that foretold the coming of magic. Like a spell straight from a fairy tale, the strong hand of sleep took hold of Mankind, took away his petty fears, and gave back to him, his Dreams. When he awoke, one by one, little by little, he found that the world had become a wonder to him, and that his dreams would keep the Earth green and magical.

I awakened from the dream to see a greenness reserved only for me, the emerald eyes of my Elven friend. He held me close, and whispered in my ear.

"You, my lovely dreamer, shall live here with me." He told me. "The gift you have bestowed upon the world is not only meant for Mankind, but for all manner of beings. Without dreams and a child's laughter, we creatures of fantasy cannot exist. Mankind's progressive folly had murdered us all, but in your dreams, you have given us life once more.

"I know that you have been content in simply living your life, and selling your dreams to make your way." The Elf said. "I offer you the gift of a dream meant only for you, and someone to share it with. Myself."

So saying, he stood and took hold of my hand. I stood with him, and together, we disappeared into the forest.



The End...