Curvaceous 8 asks a question

By Ray Manuud

I see a flesh color of reddish orange. The sun beats down the other side of closed eyelids. It knocks me into drowsiness and a lucid state of television messages mixed with a mid summer’s daydream. My loved ones are reciting commercials followed by we now return to our program. Amidst the dream fog is a bad daytime talk show starring characters of my subconscious. The warmth of a sun ray smack pushes me over sleep territory. Finally, R.E.M. goes into overdrive as I see myself outdoors with a neighbor complaining about the humidity.

The conversation is interrupted by a change of dream sequence. Elevator music plays overhead to the tune of a Clash song followed by slogans of shopping happily and matching price reductions. I stand in the frozen meat section of the supermarket wondering what to get for tonight's dinner. A curvaceous 8 passes by. She stops to fondle vegetables. Curvaceous 8 turns to my side to ask a question I anticipate would have to do with ripeness and fresh produce. Instead she talks about irregularity of cycles and the side effects of brand X; dry mouth, insomnia, sexual side effects, diarrhea, nausea and sleepiness. And so it ends. Hooked line and sinker, snagged with eyelids popped open with disorientation.

I am pulled up from a hazy slumber. Fruits and vegetables disappear, replaced by the noise of an annoying buzzing fixture. The small animated figure on the screen hops from side to side. Consult your physician if side effects persist, the message concludes.