"Whatever you do, don't open the box."
"What's in it?"
"Just don't."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"You've heard of a Dream Catcher, right? It's a kind of Native American art. Beads. A couple of feathers. Woven into something like a pendant."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Well, they don't work, and I'll tell you why. The nightmares you're having, they come from inside your head. Not outside. It's not like evil spirits come riding on the night air."
"Well that's a disturbing image."
"A Dream Catcher snares the dreams coming out of you. But it's too late. You've already seem them. What very few people know is that Dream Catchers are really a tool of dark magic. A way of gathering the most delicate of energies for less than positive purpose."
"Oh...."
"What you need when you can't shake your nightmares is a dreamer. Something (or someone) whose dreams are louder than yours. Kind of like blasting ABBA music when Marilyn Manson is pounding in your head."
"I see."
"So put this box by the side of your bed. I swear, the volume is very pretty high."
"But what's in the box?"
"No matter what, you have to promise not to look. There are things better off not known. Kind of like death sometimes. Imagine what it would be like to live the most charmed, innocent life. What if you died suddenly? If you didn't know it, you just might go on imagining a most beautiful world of experiences."
"I guess. But wouldn't you eventually learn the truth?"
"You mean if someone threw a little light on the situation, and you learned that you were actually a mummified corpse?"
"Yeah.... Or something like that."
"Then I guess the horror would rip the most hideous visions imaginable out of you."
"Oh."
"You wouldn't want to be around something like that."
"I, I won't look in the box."
(Photo from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.)
5 comments:
Cool stuff, dude. Great dialogue. Very natural.
Ever consider writing plays?
Did you ever watch the show "Felicity"? The roommate had a box that could never be opened by anyone else. Reminded me of that, and I still wonder what's in that box 'til today. I loved the twist on the dream catcher - well done!
Even those interrupting shocks (while dreaming) you are able to describe. You are awesome!
Not really minding the loss of dreams I don't have, Jason, I personally would open the box. Illusion is hard to come by round here.
Shakespeare, very interesting that you say that! I've been told that a few times. The thing is, I have no real idea how to approach the form or if it has much of an audience.
Lee, that sounds very similar! I think I watched the first show or two, but not beyond that. I have a hard time keeping up with shows.
Deepshikha, I had fun writing it. Thank you!
Walking Man, that head in the box is going to to be pissed, though.
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