[ IP ] Sandman

`` Sandman.'' 
 `` What is it?'' 
 `` I need a dream.'' 
 `` Just go to sleep, you do n't have to ask me. That's my job.'' 
 `` No, a waking dream. Not the night-time slumber and evening dreaming... I need a dream to *live* for.'' 
 `` Hmmm. Is living so hard, that you ca n't come up with one on your own?'' 
 `` Yes. And you're the Powder Brother. The Dusty Man. You're powerful enough to give a man down on his luck a dream to live for, are n't you?'' 
 `` Sure. I could.'' 
 `` Then help me get -- -'' 
 `` I wo n't.'' 
 `` Why?!'' 
 `` Asking is n't enough, but even then... I do n't know.'' 
 `` I've tried everything else.'' 
 `` No, you have n't.'' 
 `` Then what more can I do Sandman?'' 
 `` Again, I do n't know. If you tried *everything*, then you would be dead. And you would be sleeping the Long Dream, having lived out your life to the best you could.'' 
 `` Because I killed myself?'' 
 `` No. Because you died trying *everything. * And it's too much for a mortal. The strain of everything is too much... hardly counts for suicide, I would think.'' 
 `` But... Look, Sandman, I do n't want to die! I want to live! But, it needs direction. A dream. Do n't you get me?'' 
 `` No, not really. The kind of dream you're asking for is n't on my pay roll to hand out.'' 
 `` Alright. Tell me who I need to ask then.'' 
 `` Why?'' 
 `` Because I want to live with *purpose*!'' 
 `` And you asked me to give you one.'' 
 `` Yes.'' 
 `` The Sandman.'' 
 `` Yes!'' 
 `` I have a hard time understanding the point of -- -'' 
 `` I *had* a dream you bastard! And it was n't good enough! Give me another one, *now! *'' 
 `` You know, I'm not used to getting yelled at by those who live temporarily.'' 
 `` Just... help me.'' 
 `` Very well. This may not be what you are looking for, but tomorrow morning, you will understand.'' 
 `` Fine. Whatever it is, do it.'' 
 `` Alright. *Sleep. *'' 
 ``...'' 
 `` Good. Lets see. Dreams are built, you see. Not conjured. I'm not a magician. And maybe the dream you are looking for is no longer in the speckled span of stars, or the deep trenches of the ocean... You have grown.'' 
 ``...'' 
 `` Yes, you *have* grown. But held on to the old dreams thinking they were right. The thing about that, dreamer, is that your dreams grow with you. If you understood that, maybe you would not have called out to me tonight so desperately. Yet here you are. Demanding the Sandman to give you a dream.'' 
 ``...'' 
 `` Oh I'll give you a dream. One driven by failure, and the maturity it spawns. You will find it in the impulsive email you send to a high school friend, who will remind you that the 10 year reunion is next Tuesday. You will then travel back to your hometown, and live the old dreams again in every face you see.'' 
 ``...'' 
 `` It will hurt. But as foundations go, it's the best I can do with what I have. Waking dreams are hard to plan out. I believe this will be enough. Hope so anyway. You're not due for the Long Dream yet. Maybe you'll find what you're looking for there.'' 
 ``...'' 
 `` You're welcome. Good night.'' 

