Conrad

“Have you ever dreamt you were awake?” She lifts her head for a moment, taking a long drag from her cigarette before continuing. “…I mean, like, you’re awake in this dream, right? But as soon as you realize you’re awake, you fall asleep.” Another long drag. “So you begin to dream within your dream… but it’s not at all like you’re dreaming. You watch yourself sleeping… dreaming, until you wake up.” Finishing her sentence, she jams the butt into the dirt, watching the last bellows of smoke disperse in the breeze. She pulls another cigarette from behind her ear and places the filter between her lips. “Light?” ### “Sure” He fishes through his pockets for a second, pulling out a forest green lighter. ### “Thanks” ###
“No problem… You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a dream like that… I haven’t really been dreaming that much lately. Or maybe I have…and I just can’t recall them in the morning. Sometimes it’s like trying to make out a faint shadow on a dark wall” His legs slowly extend and he falls abruptly onto his back. “It’s so warm. Too warm.” ### “I like it. I can’t remember the last time it’s been this nice out.” She inhales and exhales, a plume of smoke trickles from her nostrils.
“These cigarettes taste awful.” ### “They smell nice. Pass me the thermos.” He reaches across her chest before she can respond. Lifting the open jug to his mouth, he takes a couple short gulps. Some of the liquid escapes his lips and cascades onto his shirt.
“It better not rain tomorrow." ### “I don’t think it’s supposed to, but in this city you never know. Hey, are there anymore smokes in the pack?” Her brow furrowed, she reaches for her pack. Three left. She pulls out another one. “I think I’m pregnant.” ### “Then you better stop smoking.”