[ WP ] You need to buy dreams to be able to dream at night .

`` Hey Mick, how you doin'? Same as usual?'' 
 
 `` Yeah, thanks man. Doin' alright, yourself? 
 
 `` Business as usual, kid.'' 
 
 The dark-haired man at the counter plucked up a Zip-Lock bag from out of sight filled with seven marbles, pink and white, swirling as if filled with smoke and handed them over. I counted the seven. A week's supply. I dropped $ 30 on the counter. Normally one dream for one night cost five, but buying in bulk gets you a fair discount. 
 
 `` You really got ta stop buyin' that shit, man. It's not good for you.'' 
 
 `` I do n't know what the hell you're complaining about, I'm a loyal customer.'' 
 
 The clerk put up both hands in mock surrender. `` Alright man, take it easy.'' 
 
 A call came from the other side of the shop. `` Hey, how come I ca n't take any of these ones here?'' 
 
 The clerk walked out from behind the counter and followed the voice. A burly looking man was examining a plastic box filled to the top with marbles of black and grey. The box was locked. 
 
 `` Need special permission to get those. Psych eval, court order, something like that.'' 
 
 `` Psych eval? What the hell for?'' 
 
 `` Those ai n't sunshine and lollipops over there, ya understand? People do n't usually buy them for personal use, if you know what I mean. Got ta make sure people do n't abuse this shit.'' 
 
 Hovering by the door, the clerk caught my eye. `` You alright buddy?'' 
 
 `` Yeah,'' I stammered, and pushed out of the shop. 
 
 I'd tried one of those black ones before. The clerk was n't kidding, those dreams will fuck you up. But there's always a market for something that can fuck you up. Always. I clutched the little Zip-Lock tighter in my fist, feeling the marbles rolling over my palm within the plastic membrane. constantly counting them. 
 
 I got home and instantly ran to the bedroom. There was already a glass of water there. Hastily, I ripped open the bag and dropped one of the pearls in, where it dissolved instantly. Greedily, I drank it, and flopped down onto the bed, fully clothed. 
 
 I only got my paycheck that morning, and cashed it after lunch. I had n't had a chance to buy a dream in over a week. I needed my fix. 
 
 Sleep assaulted me like a wrestler, dragging me into darkness quickly and efficiently. Her face swam into view, pale, blonde, blue-eyed. She smiled at me. I felt the muscles in my face tug at the corners of my lips, and a light burning from behind my eyes and in my throat. 
 
 I never wanted to go another night without seeing her face.
