Just a Movie

This Can't Be Real

How is this possible?  It can't be possible!

"You're...you're Tenner," I stutter. 

He smirks, looks back at his men, then turns to me.

"Isn't that obvious?," he asks.  

He blows out his smoke, and I cough.

"This can't be happening," I wheeze, wishing I could swat the smoke out of my face.  

"Oh, it is.  What are you?  A bounty hunter?  Or are you workin for my enemies?"

I gawk at him and everything around me.  I can't breathe.  I must be dreaming.  That's it!  I must still be asleep on the couch, and because I was watching Dust and Gold, I'm dreaming about it.  I smile to myself, probably making myself look like a crazy person.  I'm so proud of myself for figuring it all out.  Wait, I still have to prove it. 

"Tenner," I say, going along with my imagination, "would you mind pinching me?"

His face scrunches into confusion.  Plucking the cigarette from his mouth, he leans forward in his seat, cocking his head. 

"How's that?"

"I want to make sure I'm dreaming," I explain. "If you pinch me, I should wake up."

He blinks, staring as if I lost my mind.  I probably have.  Was it 2 years ago?  No, had to have been longer than that.  He turns around, his men shrugging, and he looks back at me.  

"Ok...," he hesitates, stepping behind me where my arms are folded on the chair.  "How hard?"

He gently takes hold of my arm.  Wasn't expecting that.  Man, those are rough fingers.  How long does he play the guitar, 8 hours a day?  I take a moment to think about this.  I want to be absolutely sure I'm dreaming.  It's of the utmost importance I wake up from this now. 

"As hard as you can," I say confidently, doing a nod. 

There's a silence, feet rustling, and then...

"OW!" I shout, feeling the pinch shoot up my arm.  

I clench my teeth, curling my toes in my shoes.  Maybe I shouldn't have said that!  Finally, the pain subsides, and I sigh heavily, my skin releasing from the pressure.  My God,  I can't believe I endured that.  Tenner comes around, standing tall above me. 

"Well?" he says, raising his eyebrows.  "Satisfied?"

I open my mouth to respond, then close it.  Why am I still here?  I should've woken up!  Hmm, maybe it wasn't enough pain.  I look around the barn until I eye a large stick that looks like a baseball bat.  Yeah...  I smile. 

"No.  Now I want you to take that stick and hit me on the head."

"Again?" he inquires in an almost surprised tone. 

Huh?  Again?  Is that the same stick he used to knock me unconscious?  No matter.  He'll just have to do a better job this time.  

"Yes," I affirm, "again.  Only, this time, do it really hard."   

He shakes his head, letting out a breath, and goes to pick up the stick.  I swear I can hear him muttering about me.  Something about how crazy his day is going, I top the rest of them.  Yup!  That's me.  Never a dull moment.  Well, except at work, 'cause who wants to be there?  He taps the stick in his hand, waiting for me to give the word. 

"Ok, I want you to hit me right here, and put all your effort into it.  It's gotta be good.  But warn me when you're gonna do it so I'm ready."

I bend down, my hair falling in front of my face.  I blow as hard as I can, but it just stays put.  He raises his arms.