Dreamer

Log off. Shut down. Go outside. Cross field to pretty girl. "Hello". No response prepared. Stammering. Fidgeting. Sorry, have to go. Stomp to food area. Hunger. Mass intake. Fight self-conscience. Struggle. Struggle. Need to talk pretty girl. Idea. Buy food. Walk to pretty girl. Here. Bought food. "Awww. You're so sweet!"

Warmth.

Embarrassment. Red face. Need hide. "Where are you going?" Evacuate. Flee to safety. "Hey! Wait!" Girl chase. Catch quick. Side by side. "You're not too quick, are ya?" Wink.

Warmth.

Slowing. Standstill. Look at girl. Pretty eyes. Great eyes. Perfect eyes. "What's your name?" Sudden data loss. Stammering. Fidgeting. Sorry-

Grabs arm. Surprise. Shock. "Don't be nervous. I'm Claire. What's your name?" Gulping. Sweat. Uh. My. Name. Is. Kyle. "Well Kyle, I'm glad I met you." Smiles.

Warmth.

"Break's almost over, you should head back." Deep breath. Concentrate. Speak. No. We. Don't. Have. Much. Time. Something's. Wrong. "What?" Small anger. Struggle. Repeat. We. Don't. Have- "Kyle, I heard you." Confusion. Repeat. We. Don't. "Kyle, you don't wanna be late, do you?"

No. No late. Can't be late. "Good. Let's walk back together." Smiles.

No warmth.

Step left. Step right. Back to facility. Claire lead. Follow. Back to room. C-451. Sit chair. Look forward. Strap in. Look left. Claire watching. Look forward. Stammering. Fidgeting. Power up. Log on and there I am, standing at the edge of reality, floating on air, skyrocketing between the earth and the moon. My woman is in tow, right behind me and we meet and we kiss and all is right and good in the world. For a moment I'm trapped between my knowledge of the dreamworld and my need of it.

She looks me in the eye, whispers "I love you," and I don't give a damn if it's not real.