#some of my favorite people are dreams
@writerscreed prompt: 277: some of my favorite people are dreams
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Friday
2000
Benjamin reads an article about subdural hematomas while listening to a song about dancing to the rhythm of the night.
2330
Benjamin dreams of a redheaded woman wearing a black uniform. Pinned to her chest is a nametag that reads “Mango”. She floats above the boat he is rowing. She whispers a manifesto that he cannot hear. Somehow, he still knows it is a manifesto about sin. He feels guilty. She disappears.
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Saturday
2000
Benjamin reads an article about knee dislocations while listening to a song about never giving someone up.
2330
Benjamin dreams of playing cards. He has three opponents, all of whom are shadows, only differentiated by the appearance of their teeth and fangs.
Benjamin looks at his cards. The Queen of Diamonds features Mango’s face, her hair worn in a ponytail. The Queen of Clubs is Mango with a Mohawk. The Queen of Spades is Mango with a pixie cut. The Queen of Hearts is bald Mango.
The fifth card in his hand is the Jack of Clubs, featuring Benjamin’s face. He has bruising around his right eye.
The dealer yells, “Four of a kind!” He pushes a pile of chips towards Benjamin.
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Sunday
2000
Benjamin eats a hamburger while watching a baseball game at a sports bar. Chicago leads Los Angeles 1-0.
2330
Benjamin dreams of shaving. Bald Mango appears in the mirror in front of him. She is bleeding from a nick on the left side of her chin. He pulls out a towel to try and dab at her blood. She disappears.
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Monday
2000
Benjamin turns off the “Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!” screams of his cell phone alarm. He starts getting ready for his night shift.
2330
Benjamin is at work. He asks a woman, “Are you taking any blood thinners?”
“No,” she replies.
–
Tuesday
2000
Benjamin turns off the “Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!” screams of his cell phone alarm. He starts getting ready for his night shift.
2330
Benjamin is at work. He makes a telephone call but gets no answer. He leaves a message.
“This is Dr. Benjamin Hunt at Three Circle Hospital. I’m trying to reach the family for Enid Ottenbacher. Please call me when you get this message. I’m taking care of her here.”
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Wednesday
2000
Benjamin reads an article about esophageal varices while listening to a song about getting physical.
2330
Benjamin dreams of rowing a boat. Ponytail Margo floats above him. She is wearing a red uniform. She holds up a blank piece of paper. She mouths the words, “Where were you?”
He replies, “I was at work.”
She shakes her head left and right.
He repeats, his voice now apologetic, “I was working.”
She shakes her head again.
He looks down and says, “I have to do two night shifts a month. It’s in my contract.”
She disappears.
–
Thursday
2000
Benjamin eats a donut while watching a video about a cat who was raised by a dog.
2330
Benjamin dreams of a prairie covered by snow. A red fox watches him from a distance.
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Friday
2000
Benjamin reads an article about Harrington’s Plague while listening to a song about a bachelorette.
2330
Benjamin dreams about drowning in a vat of cow entrails.
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Saturday
2000
Benjamin eats a cheese steak sandwich while watching a video about a cat who is best friends with a horse.
2330
Benjamin dreams of a white hallway that does not end.
