Obama Dream #2

I am waiting at West Dulwich station in a suit, near- but not affiliated with- a group of other similarly-dressed men. As I buy my ticket then spiral down the staircase to the platform I think to myself how nice it would be to be a part of such an 'incestuous' company: they seem self-important, excited and charged up. Every step of the way I am being shadowed by Loren Coleman, one of whose essays (on lycanthropy) I have in my pocket.

The train pulls in; it's crowded but I find a seat towards the rear. Not long afterwards I reach my destination: a large lecture theatre, for a presentation given by President Barack Obama. I am very near the front; not only does Obama look directly at me on several occasions (he is as good looking in the flesh as he appears on television), he seems almost to be using me to guage 'official opinion' in the hall. I do my best to look alert and fully on-side. Sat next to me is Todd Campbell, and in the far corner, Loren Coleman.

At one point Obama makes a casual reference to the music of Tchaikovsky, a historal analogy. He isn't certain exactly when the piece of music in question was written (he is ad-libbing at this point), but we all have a rough idea: his point is made. A few seconds later his mobile rings; it's Coleman. From my position near the front I watch as Coleman, always the pedant, informs Obama exactly which year in the nineteenth century the piece in question was composed. Obama handles the interruption with typical aplomb; but when he resumes speaking, Coleman starts streaming the music on his laptop. Obama shoots me a quick glance (as if to say WTF?), then looks irritatedly at Coleman.

Obama surprises us by reciting lines from Coleman's essay (on werewolves and other mythical beasts) during his address. 'He's gonna talk about vampires and then move straight on to the CIA,' I whisper to Campbell, about which we share a discreet laugh. Obama then unveils plans for a huge new headquarters for the CIA at Langley, and major expansion of the Agency's powers. Didn't mention that during the campaign, I think to myself.

The President is then replaced by a bluff military general whose speech is littered with references to Jews as 'gooks'- making me and a few others laugh out loud. I reassure the young Jewish man sat on my right that I'm not usually in the habit of referring to Jews in this fashion, 'especially not when I'm in Israel.' He smiles politely and says: 'You wouldn't last long if you were,' and we both laugh.

Note: This was one of my 'Block A' specials- straight out of deep, REM sleep. As soon as I woke up I reached for my pen and notebook and transcribed it straight away; something I haven't felt like doing in quite a long time. Now I feel excited about exploring my dreams again... However depressing the message contained in them seems (often) to be, there is great value there as well; and a strange, slightly skewed humour. I remember telling you about the IMAX spectacular I had a while back... I think I misplaced the transcript unfortunately, but if I find it again I will make an effort to type it up.