antihistamines and wedding gowns

I went to bed at eight, but woke up at around nine with a bad allergy. The skin around my eyes were swollen, and so were my lips. I asked Ate Anna to whisk by the store and get me some antihistamines, and after I took a pill, I went back to bed.

Thus began a long and very strange dream…

In my dream I was named Marcellini Marcellino and I was a criminal, I think, of some sort, trying to pose as a regular working girl. One of my officemates (who looked remarkably like Kiko, only much better-looking, and he had a dangerous-guy-Clark-Gable-ish air about him, so let’s call him Kiko) started to make amorous advances, and I politely tried to discourage him.

The man did not know the meaning of the word quit, so I ended up going to a family gathering with him wearing a rented wedding gown. It was a garden party – a birthday of a family member, I think, and each table had a “queen” – apparently the point was to elect one to be the lady of the ball. Kiko kept trying to play footsie with me, and I was so nice I told him politely to please not be so rough. At one point, he went up onstage to make a speech. Our table was at the stage’s left side, and I don’t remember now what he was going on about but suddenly one of the stage’s heavy background props rolled off and missed me by inches.

Right then Kiko announced that he was in love with me, and that the falling prop was planned so that he could rescue me (which he didn’t; I rescued myself). At this point I felt that I was in grave danger and that I should run, and I launched myself across the garden with Kiko in hot pursuit.

I ran into the building right next to the party and found myself in a maze of kitchens and dining tables, holding a small bird that I had to set free (wtf?). I found a good spot and released the bird, and when it was perched on the window ledge, it turned into a girl (who looked like RJ from church) wearing a white gown and laughing. At this point, I realized I had two of my friends running with me (I don’t remember which, but they were also at the party). We took mobile phone pictures of RJ-on-the-ledge-laughing-and-flashing-the-peace-sign. Then RJ flew away. Back to the chase.

I ran out of the building (I wasn’t even panting from the exertion, yay me!) and took a blue tricycle home. Home was apparently underground, and I remember mentally patting myself on the back for selecting such a good hideaway. Yes, I am Marcellini Marcellino, criminal. Of course, the other trike drivers told Kiko where I lived. Grr. Stupid.

Anyway, at home in my room, my two friends and I hurriedly squeezed into my Special Hiding Place – a rat hole in the wall hidden by boxes of pale blue-green blankets – gowns and all. Kiko rushed into the room just as I was disappearing into the hole, and he caught a glimpse of my fuchsia high-heeled pumps (again, wtf?).

I don’t remember how, but we were being chased again, and I had only one friend left with me. I heard someone say, far away, but very clearly, “She’s Marcellini Marcellino. That makes her twice a Marcellino.” At this Kiko gave an anguished cry and ran after the two of us, brandishing his pistol. I had stripped of my skirt (you know those strip-away gown skirts?) We found ourselves – Kiko, me, and my other friend – in a cool green forest clearing (but it was too manicured to be a real forest, so it must have been a park).

Then he pointed his gun at me and fired. I fell face forward to the ground. Apparently he was some kind of a private investigator or undercover cop. Suddenly the point of view changed, and I saw everything from far away. Think silent, cinematic long shot. I was shot from behind, and I crumple down onto the grass. My friend, who had lagged behind, stood behind Kiko, also holding a gun. I never knew if she was going to shoot him to avenge me, or if they were in cahoots, because I woke up.

And that was the end of Marcellini Marcellino, at precisely 12:37 p.m.

I’ve had a most restful sleep. They say REM is a Very Good Thing.

Photo by Sofia Sforza on Unsplash