The Dream Machine

Twenty-Three

FREDERICK A.K.A. HARRY

We awoke back in my basement. George was still staring at his computer. The windows still showed a nice Monday afternoon. It appeared that everything was still the same. But it wasn't. 

I had a sister. A sister. The Williams had always told me that I was an orphan, my parents were dead. However, I now knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Elizabeth Gallagher was my sister. And, to not even make it crazy enough, my name wasn't my name. I'm not Frederick. I'm Harry Gallagher. 

That only meant one thing. If this Lizzie was the one that he was talking about, Bob could be my father. Possibly, there could have been an affair in my family tree or something, but if not, he was. Oh gosh, first I had to help Sandler, but now I need to help myself. 

"George," I stammered, "is there anyway you can locate Bob?" 

George replied, "I can pinpoint his location from his dream."

"You can't be serious," Sandler said, "None of this even makes any sense! If you really were that kid she was playing with, wouldn't you be my age?" 

"Go home, Sandler. George give me that address." I demanded. 

George swallowed, "416 Dresden Lane. Apartment number 13. New York City, New York. Are you sure this is a good idea?" 

Without looking back, I grabbed my coat and headed towards the door. I was gonna find this man who could so possibly be my father. I wasn't gonna talk to him in a dream. I was going to see him face-to-face in real life. It was time to get some answers.

SANDLER

I knocked on her door. I know she didn't wanna see me, but we had to talk about this. She answered within ten seconds. 

"I don't wanna talk, Sandler," Lizzie huffed. 

I disagreed, "We have to. Frederick..." 

"Harry." 

"Harry, he's your brother," I concluded. 

She looked at me like I was stupid, "I know. That's what this whole experience we just had was about. Now, since you are here, would you mind explaining the whole experience? What did I just go into? All I wanted to do was take a nice, relaxing nap after school. What was the whole white room thing and the whole time travel doo-hickey?" 

"You've had your first dreamscape." 

She seemed confused, obviously, "A what?" 

"A dreamscape," I insisted. 

"This is the first time I've ever had one of those. I don't get it," 

"I don't either," none of this made any sense. Frederick gets his powers. I get mine. Bob gets his. Lizzie gets hers. What is the cause of all this? Did we all fall in toxic waste?

"I just need time to process all this when I should be practicing my lines and songs for First Date. Auditions are tomorrow and I can't be distracted." Lizzie continued, "Where'd Harry go?" 

I sighed, "He's looking for your possible, real, biological father." 

Lizzie slammed the door. If she wasn't gonna worry about this extremely confusing crap, then neither was I. 

The school auditorium always made me feel welcome. The nice yellow lights that illuminated the stage gave me a sense of hope for all the things going on around me, for some odd reason. I had decided yesterday that I was just gonna worry and stress about things that a regular 14-year-old should be worrying and stressing about. 

First Date auditions were today, and I was determined to win the part of Aaron. That way, I would have a better excuse to hang out with Lizzie besides talking about stupid dreams. I saw Lloyd from where I sat in the middle of the third row. He was definitely auditioning for Aaron too. Oh, the competition. Strangely, I also saw Nathan. Maybe he's here for Aaron as well. 

Once Lloyd got onstage for his audition, he sung Aaron's solo "In Love With You" which is basically a song about how Aaron is totally done with his ex-girlfriend and that he wonders why anyone could ever be in love with her. He stared at Lizzie the whole time. I saw a lot of girls in the audience gasp. What a drama king. I looked at Lizzie during his performance and noticed a single tear fall down her cheek. Everyone else was looking at her, as if to judge her, she was embarrassed.

After Lloyd, it was my turn. I walked onstage and layed it all on the line, "Hello, I'm Sandler Jacobson and I am auditioning for the part of Aaron. Before I start my song, I have something I would like to say. Lloyd, when you die, I hope you burn and Lizzie, screw the haters." 

I saw Lizzie smile as I started singing Fun.'s "Some Nights".