Friday 4 May 2012

Caught in time


The large iPad appeared from nowhere, as did the picture of a Canadian living room and two children playing. I touched the screen and immediately one of the children collapsed on the floor. An irate mother rushed out from the kitchen and stared accusingly, as though, somehow, she could see me. I put the screen to one side and sent B out on a panic shopping spree: Parsley, ham, eggs – wine.

“We will still be able to see Battleship Potemkin.”

It was a statement not a question, and I lied accordingly. “Of course. They’ll all be gone by nine.”

“It starts at eight.”

“They’ll be gone by eight.”

“It’s seven o’clock now.”

“No, half six.”

Jane nodded reassuringly from the far corner, a large glass of wine in her hand. Wine bends the truth.

“You must be fast readers,” says B as the door slams behind her. I return to the cooking. Fast reading is one thing fast eating another. Then there was the Canadian contingent including the vengeful mother, whose child I’d knocked over.  How had she recognised me? I knew that she had. And that we wouldn’t be finished by nine.

Pans bubbled on hobs; in the oven something was burning. It was then I remembered I’d forgotten the rice.
A text message to B – We need rice.

No!

That was more unreal than knocking a child over via a virtual screen.

 A knock on the door.

Canadian voices.

I looked at the clock.

Two minutes before the alarm

But I’d already re-entered time, the problem fading as I stretched.

Angry mothers, Potemkin, reading clubs and burnt food – gone, forgotten – escaped. It’s the beauty of dreams. Do what you want. No price to be paid. No consequences. You can escape them in a breath, which is akin to death, in a way.

11 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

Dream or not, I was willing to take everything you said at face value, but I have to ask...what does a Canadian living room look like?

Eh.

Mike Keyton said...

Orange

LD Masterson said...

What did you eat before bed that night? Don't eat that.

Mike Keyton said...

Not applicable, L.D. Whatever I eat I dream and actively look forward to it. I like life without consequences : )

Misha Gerrick said...

Hahaha sounds like your dream life is almost as interesting as mine.

Mike Keyton said...

Now if we could actually meet in dreamworld, we'd be leaving a very small carbon footprint : )

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Thanks for droppy by my place!

/OD

Mac

Jay Paoloni said...

Dreams? I don't agree: you cannot escape dreams, dear! Wish you could, don't you :)

Mike Keyton said...

R.M you're welcome. Jay, dreams keep me sane

Unknown said...

Ha. I never knew Canadian living rooms were orange. :)

Mike Keyton said...

Shirley, I thought everyone knew that : )