When the Dreamer Dreamed

3

3"He's still thinking he's in a dream. What gives?"

Clicking her pen against her thin-framed glasses, Factor 2 commented, "Perhaps we are changing these too quickly. Give him some time to adjust."

Factor 1 turned and looked at her directly, "It's more difficult when he figures them out and doesn't take them seriously. It's busting our budget to keep creating new situations to put him in when he just sees through them. Let's hope the hospital scenario sticks this time."

"It should be interesting enough to keep him wanting to stay there."

"We'll see. Betcha he moves on and goes back to waking up again. I'm getting the next scenario ready, but I need some time."

Factor 2 paused over the control screen, clicking the keyboard. "Here, I can put an old friend in there - that should slow it down. Usually does. Keeps them occupied."

The other glanced over, furiously typing in his own work to build the next scenario. "Better. Otherwise, we have to drop him back into his own 'reality' for awhile. Prefect won't be happy."

"Ole' Fuddy-dud? He's just busting our chops because he's got his star progenies working on one of his toughest cases. If we can solve it, he writes another paper and gets all the credit while we get a little by-line and a passing grade. Screw him."

At this, Factor 2 stopped and looked up at her. He grunted, glanced at the clock, and resumed his tackety-tack rhythm at the keyboard.