Last Night/This Morning's Dream
Let’s see if I can get this dream down before it leaves me entirely. It will probably be a bit disjointed and unclear, but hopefully I can piece it all together in time and fill in the gaps with creativity later on. Yet again, another dream that really needs to be turned into a story…
I recall that I was in a small auditorium of some sort, where the local rulers (regional? country? world?) held smaller events and gatherings. The rulers (there was more than two, I want to say a tribunal, or something) ‘collected’ talent, so people tended to hide their talent rather than show it, for fear that they would be forced to work exclusively at the rulers’ whims, with no life of their own. Two of my friends, a young couple, were in this predicament. I believe they were opera singers, and that I was actually their elder, perhaps a mentor or tutor? I get the feeling that those who used their talent did so in secret, underground events, and at their peril. Still, the world would be a horrible place without music, so there were those who risked it. I have the feeling that I was a well respected, honored opera singer, and that my students were unknowns, but that I felt they had enough talent to surpass even myself--especially together.
Anyway, they were at the front of the auditorium, looking sullen, waiting to be called on to show off to the assemblage. I don’t know how I got access to the limited showing, but I and a couple of my friends or companions were there hidden throughout the crowd. I don’t know what happened, exactly, but the “Queen” as she was called (not sure if it is her title as ruler, or just what she wanted to be called) eventually ran out of the room screaming, chased by her own reflection. On thinking on it, I get the feeling that one of my friends was probably a stage magician of some kind, and this was accomplished by some trick he used. The two remaining rulers (though I don’t see them in my dream I get the impression they are both masculine) were outraged and confused. It was quickly going to become pandemonium, possibly with many innocents sent to their deaths, so I took my cue…
and began to sing. I don’t know what piece I performed, but I recall being proud of my performance, and putting my all into it. I just stood up, in the middle of the song, and sang. Everyone fell silent, first in astounded confusion, and then appreciation. I sang the longest piece I knew, knowing that the rulers would be transfixed upon me. I was right. When I finished, I was praised, congratulated for my wisdom in revealing myself to them, and told that I would perform that evening at the more public event, as their new shining jewel so to speak. They wanted to show me off, as they were wont to do, and I would become little more than a possession to them.
The crowd, filled predominantly with nobles and high-brow personages, while loyal to the royals, were no fools. They thought me insane, and they pitied me. Though they did not argue with the decree, it was clear they regretted yet another talent being locked away and ignored until the royals wanted entertainment. The scattering of my colleagues who remained in the crowd were thunderstruck, and at least one was crying. I had not told them my plan. Throughout, I retained a professional air, and eventually bowed to the dais where the royals sat. I recall retaining an air of respect and formality that my words did not mimic. I thanked them for their compliments, bold and brashly returned them by stating that despite what rumors have been told, they did in fact know talent. I then, in mock politeness, declined their ‘generous offer.’
There was a sharp intake of breath from the crowd, all at once, as their shock increased. I explained that I was a (whatever the heck we called the talented folk who performed underground… there was a name to them), gave my full name and title, and stated that I had come to prove that I, alone, of that group was talented enough to perform before the royals and somehow secure freedom for my art. Affronted, the royals asked how I thought I would manage that. They said that despite the Queen’s absence--she was the worst of them all as far as strictness goes and meting out punishment--they were not soft touches and would not let me get away from them.
I touched my chin as though I were contemplating this, letting a long silence fall over the assemblage, before finally speaking, again with the same mock-respectful tones. I informed them that their newest charges had already taken this opportunity to escape (along with the help of several of my friends, but this I did not mention), and directed their attention to the empty seats. Once the outrage had finally set in, and they were about to assemble their guards/soldiers/what have you, I drew their attention again and quite calmly informed them that, as I was saying, the reason that I felt that I could secure freedom for my art was that they had to make a choice. Should they choose to secure my person, they would not have enough assembled manpower to also track down my pupils. Should they decide, instead, to hunt down my pupils, they would not only be faced with an extreme challenge, since only those of (name of group) really knew the underground well enough to navigate it, and they ay not catch the young couple at all… but they would also lose me, because I had already prepared my escape route.
I woke up before my words could really sink in, so I have no idea what course they took…
I recall that I was in a small auditorium of some sort, where the local rulers (regional? country? world?) held smaller events and gatherings. The rulers (there was more than two, I want to say a tribunal, or something) ‘collected’ talent, so people tended to hide their talent rather than show it, for fear that they would be forced to work exclusively at the rulers’ whims, with no life of their own. Two of my friends, a young couple, were in this predicament. I believe they were opera singers, and that I was actually their elder, perhaps a mentor or tutor? I get the feeling that those who used their talent did so in secret, underground events, and at their peril. Still, the world would be a horrible place without music, so there were those who risked it. I have the feeling that I was a well respected, honored opera singer, and that my students were unknowns, but that I felt they had enough talent to surpass even myself--especially together.
Anyway, they were at the front of the auditorium, looking sullen, waiting to be called on to show off to the assemblage. I don’t know how I got access to the limited showing, but I and a couple of my friends or companions were there hidden throughout the crowd. I don’t know what happened, exactly, but the “Queen” as she was called (not sure if it is her title as ruler, or just what she wanted to be called) eventually ran out of the room screaming, chased by her own reflection. On thinking on it, I get the feeling that one of my friends was probably a stage magician of some kind, and this was accomplished by some trick he used. The two remaining rulers (though I don’t see them in my dream I get the impression they are both masculine) were outraged and confused. It was quickly going to become pandemonium, possibly with many innocents sent to their deaths, so I took my cue…
and began to sing. I don’t know what piece I performed, but I recall being proud of my performance, and putting my all into it. I just stood up, in the middle of the song, and sang. Everyone fell silent, first in astounded confusion, and then appreciation. I sang the longest piece I knew, knowing that the rulers would be transfixed upon me. I was right. When I finished, I was praised, congratulated for my wisdom in revealing myself to them, and told that I would perform that evening at the more public event, as their new shining jewel so to speak. They wanted to show me off, as they were wont to do, and I would become little more than a possession to them.
The crowd, filled predominantly with nobles and high-brow personages, while loyal to the royals, were no fools. They thought me insane, and they pitied me. Though they did not argue with the decree, it was clear they regretted yet another talent being locked away and ignored until the royals wanted entertainment. The scattering of my colleagues who remained in the crowd were thunderstruck, and at least one was crying. I had not told them my plan. Throughout, I retained a professional air, and eventually bowed to the dais where the royals sat. I recall retaining an air of respect and formality that my words did not mimic. I thanked them for their compliments, bold and brashly returned them by stating that despite what rumors have been told, they did in fact know talent. I then, in mock politeness, declined their ‘generous offer.’
There was a sharp intake of breath from the crowd, all at once, as their shock increased. I explained that I was a (whatever the heck we called the talented folk who performed underground… there was a name to them), gave my full name and title, and stated that I had come to prove that I, alone, of that group was talented enough to perform before the royals and somehow secure freedom for my art. Affronted, the royals asked how I thought I would manage that. They said that despite the Queen’s absence--she was the worst of them all as far as strictness goes and meting out punishment--they were not soft touches and would not let me get away from them.
I touched my chin as though I were contemplating this, letting a long silence fall over the assemblage, before finally speaking, again with the same mock-respectful tones. I informed them that their newest charges had already taken this opportunity to escape (along with the help of several of my friends, but this I did not mention), and directed their attention to the empty seats. Once the outrage had finally set in, and they were about to assemble their guards/soldiers/what have you, I drew their attention again and quite calmly informed them that, as I was saying, the reason that I felt that I could secure freedom for my art was that they had to make a choice. Should they choose to secure my person, they would not have enough assembled manpower to also track down my pupils. Should they decide, instead, to hunt down my pupils, they would not only be faced with an extreme challenge, since only those of (name of group) really knew the underground well enough to navigate it, and they ay not catch the young couple at all… but they would also lose me, because I had already prepared my escape route.
I woke up before my words could really sink in, so I have no idea what course they took…