"The only way to be famous these days is politics or entertainment. You can no longer become famous for an invention, an idea, a conquest, or any of the other old channels, unless you're getting filthy rich doing it. You have to be there repeatedly to catch the public's notice. One shot fame just doesn't cut it in the electronic age. You'll be forgotten by tomorrow. Not even astronauts are famous any more."
     "True, in the real sense of fame. But you left out the criminal on the news. Do a serial murder spree of enough people, and you'll become famous."
     "No, infamous. Famous is show biz or buying air time in an election, and success is not easy to come by in either area. Lots of competition. But why do you want to be famous? It's not like it used to be. People are much wiser than they used to be, not that they've gained that much. But being famous means bodyguards and electronic security and monitoring services and cars with armored glass. I don't know how anyone could sustain the drive." David shrugged.
     "I don't know. There is respect and recognition." Sue mused.
     "You don't have to be famous to be recognized. You can be recognized among your peers without being famous. That is what most people seek these days. With that, you still retain some sense of normalcy."
     "I don't know. I just always wanted to see my name in lights."
     "Easier said than done, unless you buy your own billboard."
     "How gauche." A ball of light passed between them and headed out the window. "What was that?" she asked.
     "Go take a look."
     Sue floated off her chair and looked out the window. There she saw a billboard of lights announcing her forthcoming appearance at the big concert hall in town.
     "What do think?"
     "I appreciate the sentiments, but it's not exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more of the marquee at the theater."
     "My dear, fame is never what one expects it to be. My whole point."
     "David, are you here to help me or lecture me?"
     "Sorry, but you know me and dream fantasies. They have to be real enough to believe. If you want unbridled fantasy, I suggest that you leave me out of the process."
     "Just don't hand me your 'Be careful what you dream, it just might happen' routine."
     "Sue, we know each other better than that. Otherwise we wouldn't be here. Now, do you want to get on with business?"
     "I guess. What did you have in mind?"
     "Think of the act you've been working on."
     "The one woman show?"
     "Yes, now you know how tough it is. All the focus, all the time. It's a hard fall if you flop. But it's easier to control. You don't have other people feeding you bad lines. Just yourself, and it shows. Do you want to do this stand up or cabaret?"
     "Cabaret."
     "Okay. Small theater, packed house. Opening act?"
     "No. Just me from the start. I don't feel like waiting."
     "Okay. Opening effects from lighting for the build up. Do you know what you are going to do?"
     "I think so." she nodded.
     "Know your costumes?"
     "Give me a little time to think it over."
     "Let me know when you're ready."
     "What will you be doing?"
     "I'll be your audience, as usual. Just remember that I've done this all too often in the past. You'll have to impress me, and it won't be easy to do. I know talent from my years in the theater."
     "You sure are being redundant tonight. Are you going to give me another bad review?"
     "Only if you are bad."
     "You are such a realist."
     "So find another partner."
     "Like they grow on trees? David."
     "Just give it all you've got. Remember that energy projected is more important to an audience than the material done. Done properly, an awful number can bring the house down. And never doubt yourself. Uncertainty stands out like a sore thumb on stage."
     "Okay."
     "Let me know when you're ready. I'll be outside flying."
     David floated out the window and took off into the blue sky. Sue sighed and started putting together her show in her mind.
     It was more work than Sue imagined, but she finally got her show as she wanted it. There were doubts in the making, but she felt them fade away, undoubtedly from David's unseen presence. When she felt that she was ready, he popped back into being, dressed in a tuxedo, stylishly groomed.
     "I guess it's time." she murmured.
     "You seem ready to me."
     "Are you going to be a hard audience?"
     "Not if you come out of the gate smoking."
     Sue looked away from him and noticed that they were back stage. David presented her with roses to add to the floral bouquets already adorning the room. She moved to him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks."
     "My pleasure." A call of five minutes sounded from the hall. "Better get dressed. A crowd doesn't like to be kept waiting. Break a leg." He vanished, and Sue looked in the mirror. The image wavered a bit until she concentrated on herself in the first costume. Finding herself properly attired, she headed down the hall to side stage for her entrance.
     The lights dimmed to where she could barely see and she took her position on stage. She heard the count down to lights and then she was momentarily stunned by the blinding spot light that nailed her on stage. The music sounded, and she launched herself vocally into the number that she had written for this occasion.

     In the hours of sleeping loneliness, I needn't be alone.
     Cause I fully know that when I dream, I won't be on my own.
     Just one call of your name, and you'll be right there by my side.
     With you there in my dreams, I feel no need to hide.

     Come dream with me in the night, share my fantasies.
     Come dream with me, bring your love, so that I might please
     All your needs just as thoroughly as you satisfy mine.
     Come dream with me, share with me the things we find so divine.

     Oh, don't let me dream alone in a nighttime full of ache.
     Come to me inside my mind, give me all I can take.
     The dreams we share is why I live to wake and face the day
     In a world that has you living oh so far away.

     Oh, come to me in the night.
     We'll join our minds and make it oh so right.
     Dream with me, show me just how wonderful dreams can be.
     Come dream with me. Come dream with me.

     Come dream with me in the night, share my fantasies.
     Come dream with me, bring your love so that I might please
     All your needs just as thoroughly as you satisfy mine.
     Come dream with me, share with me the things we find so divine.
     Come dream with me through the night till the dawn light shines.

     The music slowly died out with her voice and the audience responded vibrantly. The applause filled her with a warmth and a happiness that had been missing from her life. She waited for the applause to die out as she prepared for the next number, a poem of hurt and determination.

     The show ended in a strong finale, bringing the audience to its feet. Sue bowed with a blush and a wide smile. Inside, she knew the reaction was David's and not the horde she saw, but it was just as welcome. She retired from the stage to her right and ran excitedly down the hall to the dressing room. A knock followed shortly. She opened the door to let David in, a crowd wedged at his back that got the closed door.
     "So, Mr. Critic, what did you think?"
     "You're getting much better. Any of the numbers in the show would go over well, except perhaps the first song. Not that I don't appreciate the sentiments. I thank you for that. But the reference is not common enough for the masses. The rest was very good."
     "Do you think I'm ready?"
     "Yes. I think so. If the director doesn't use you, he's an idiot. Do you want the rest of the treatment?"
     "Oh, I can wait for the real thing, should it ever happen."
     The door opened and a crowd poured through, but it quickly faded out of existence. "Just a taste. You are ready for the stage, Sue. I still wonder about the fame. Do you think that you can handle reading bad reviews?"
     "I can handle it."
     "Nervous?"
     "Yes." The room faded and became a field of flowers. "For me? David, you shouldn't have." she said with a smile.
     "I still don't share your need for fame."
     "There is money in fame."
     "For a few at the top. It's a long hard road, Sue, and a poor one."
     "As long as you're by my side at night, I can make it."
     "Well, you know where to find me."
     "Will you be able to make opening night if I get the part?"
     "Get the part and tell me the date, and I can give you an answer. I'll make it if I can get free and fly in."
     "Do try." she urged.
     "You haven't gotten the part yet."
     "Now quit being so pessimistic in my dreams."
     "My apology."
     Reality spun about madly, her legs suddenly the focus of her attention, tearing the world aside. She opened her eyes to darkness, a sluggishness to her body. She felt Mr. Peepers playing wildly about the covers at her legs. "Thanks a lot, numbskull." She kicked her feet up, lifting the spread with the cat between her shins. She felt the landing through the mattress. She heard him hit the floor and scoot off.
     "Stupid cat." she said as she heard a rustle from the other room, Mr. Peepers resuming his wild late-night hair. She sighed and wondered if she could get back to sleep, as excited as she was from the dream.

     The next thing she knew was waking to a dawn-brightening room. She yawned in disappointment that she hadn't picked up the dream again. She reached for the bedside phone and dialed. It took several rings before she got an answer. "Hello?"
     "I didn't wake you, did I?"
     "Brushing my teeth."
     "Sorry about the sudden departure. Did it wake you?"
     "Not for long."
     "Well, we have Mr. Peepers on a late night rampage through the house to thank for the abrupt ending. Well, today's the day. You've been such a big help. I don't think I could show up if it weren't for you."
     "Just go knock their socks off."
     "If I can."
     "Not if you can, rather if you will. You certainly can, but will you?"
     "I think I'm ready."
     "Well, I hope you get the part. I have to go. I'm running a bit late. Good luck. Want me to send a dead fish to the director if you bomb out?"
     "Very cute, David."
     "Bye."
     "Thanks. Bye." She dropped the phone on the cradle and got out of bed. Mr. Peepers was waiting for her in the kitchen, looking hungry.
     "Do you think you deserve attention after waking me like that out of an important dream last night? Maybe you need to go on a diet."
     "Brrrrt! Rrrow!"
     "Oh, hush. Serve your penance before breakfast." She went off to the bathroom to get ready to face the day ahead.

     Sue looked up at the sign above the door and steeled her nerve. The door hid a stairway that went up to a high second story, and the climb took energy. She paused at the top to get her full breath and then emerged into the wide open room where she was met by a lady at a card table. "I'm here for the audition."
     "Name?"
     "Sue Blalock. B L A lock."
     "Previous theatrical experience?"
     "None formally."
     "Are you serious?"
     "Yes. I've worked with a coach, though. He's been in the theater for some time and encouraged me to try out."
     "Well, we're looking for veterans."
     "I think that I can hack it."
     "Well, it's an open audition. You are welcome to try. Can you sing?"
     "Yes."
     "Dance? "
     "Yes."
     "I hope so. This is not an easy show to do."
     "I've read the script many times."
     "Any particular part you want?"
     "Annie."
     "Number two female slot. You are aiming pretty high. Top slot is already filled and there are seven others looking for the role. Are you sure that you want that slot?"
     "It fits me."
     "Okay. Have it your way. Wait over there with the others until you're called. Need a script?"
     "Please." Sue took the offered script.
     "The parts that we are doing today are underlined."
     "Thank you." Sue left the table and went to the waiting area. She pulled a folding chair from the wall and sat. A woman half way across the crowd asked her what part she was seeking. Sue responded and a group groan followed. "Not another one." she heard. She shrugged and started looking at the script to see where they were picking for the reading for Annie. She smiled when she found the passages. It was the solo that she had practiced with David there to coach her, along with a scene where the character got downright fussy. They were the parts she liked best.
     The auditions started. She kept her mind off of what was transpiring as warned, until they started selection for the part she wanted. She watched, to see what kind of competition she faced and to let watching give her more familiarity with the lines. She tried to keep out of the style that the others were using. She heard the two segments of the play, each started seven times before her name was called. She stood and walked over to the try out area.
     "You're Sue Blalock?"
     "Yes."
     "No previous experience?"
     "Not formally."
     "What makes you think that you can get the part?"
     "I've been working with a coach."
     "Where?"
     "Uh, mostly at my house. At night."
     "And this coach thinks that you have what it takes for the part?"
     "He said that I was ready to audition."
     "Are you familiar with the parts we're doing here today?"
     "Yes."
     "Okay. The solo first. Piano."
     Sue felt a choking up, but she was forewarned and countered it with breaths and relaxed. She caught the cue from the piano and started singing in character, doing the song as she remembered from her dreams. She wasn't cut off as had been two of the others before her. She finished the song strongly as David had instructed. When she finished, there was a dead silence. The director looked at her, then ordered an actor to the area. He took the part of Bidgie, and she read the part through with him, acting with the energy that she knew belonged to the particular lines. As she ended with the dimming lights, those around the director applauded and buzzed.
     The director remained still and silent, evaluating her with his eyes. "Well, you have the looks of the character as I see her, and the energy, and your talent is not in dispute. The question is how well will you fit in with the rest of the cast. I like your style, but I question your lack of experience. The theater is not a place for the faint-hearted or those without determination. Emotions can get very explosive. People in the business can't afford to hold a grudge and expect to be back. Can you hack it?"
     "Only one way to find out. I do have a good level of tolerance."
     "Okay. The part is yours. First rehearsal is Tuesday at eight in the morning, here."
     "Thank you."
     "Thank you for showing up. Don't make me regret my choice today."
     "I'll try my very best."
     "That is expected of you. Okay, let's get set for the role of Kooter. Snap to. We don't have all day."
     Sue left the building in a daze, about to burst with joy, unaware that she even had feet.

     Sue had a hard time getting to sleep from the excitement, but a full day of glee left her tired. She fell asleep telling herself to dream about David, as usual when she wanted to contact him.
     The first three contacts were little more than their meeting very briefly and Sue giggling, before her excitement interrupted the dream state toward waking and broke the thread of contact. But finally she managed to make and keep contact.
     "I take it that you got the part you wanted." he opened.
     "Yes!"
     "Easy, now, or you'll wake us both."
     "I was so worried before I tried out. There were seven before me trying for the same part, and they made such a big thing about no prior experience."
     "You have experience."
     "Not in my waking life. Not on a real stage."
     "So?"
     "I couldn't tell the director that you coached me in my dreams. I'd have been laughed out of there."
     "Well, I guess then that I'm stuck with this dead fish."
     "Oh, David! We start rehearsal Tuesday morning. I still can't believe I got the part I wanted. It's like a dream."
     "Oh?"
     "Oh, you know what I mean."
     "I do?"
     "David! Please. I'm just so happy. I have my foot in the door."
     "The question is which door?"
     "Oh, hush. Look, I want to do something in return for you."
     "Save that for when you get your first movie contract. If you still remember me then, then I'll feel amply rewarded."
     "No, I mean here in our dreams. You've worked with me for a long time on this. What do you need from me?"
     "Nothing you haven't been giving me all along."
     "No, I want to do something special for you. What would you like to do tonight?"
     "Basking in the glow of your happiness is enough for me."
     "Well, not for me. I want to celebrate with you. A romantic dinner by candlelight."
     "Not like the first time, I hope."
     "Oh, just forget that ever happened, huh? I didn't realize what was happening back then. It took me awhile to realize that you weren't a badly twisted dream. No, I want to show you how much I appreciate all you've done for me. I'd have never gotten the part without you."
     "You seem pretty aggressive about it. Careful not to wake us."
     "Okay. I'll calm down. It's just that we have spent so much time in such intimate contact in our dreams, yet you refrain from letting go with me."
     "Trying not to wake us up."
     "Well, we'll just have to get together in the waking world." She took a deep breath. "I want you." The words reverberated and brought Sue awake, sitting upright in bed. "Why did I say that?" She turned to the phone and dialed. "David, I'm sorry about that."
     "Well, no big thing."
     "I didn't mean to say that."
     "Well, I won't hold it against you."
     "No, I meant what I said, but I didn't mean to say it. I want to meet you. I want to be able to touch you without waking up. I want to do all sort of things with you that we can't do in dreams without waking up."
     "But you've never even seen me except in dreams, and you control the way I look. I'm not as handsome as you dream me to be."
     "Inside you are, and that is what matters. I love you, David. You've been so good to me. You've touched me deeply."
     "Dreams are funny things, especially ours. Sue, don't get carried away over me from our dreams."
     "But. . . ."
     "Wait. I'll try to make your opening night. If I can make it, we'll meet and talk and see what we think. Until then, try not to get carried away in your feelings of success at getting the part. That is driving you now, along with your impatience for results from getting the part. I appreciate the sentiments, truly. I'm honored that you give so much to me. But let's wait until we have some real contact before becoming committed to each other."
     "Okay. You make sense, to a point. But these dreams we share are just as real to me as are my waking experiences. I remember them just as plainly as real life. They even mean a bit more to me than real life."
     "They are important to me, too, but we can't make lifelong decisions based upon them."
     "You are always so cautious."
     "Life has taught me the value of caution."
     "Just don't overdo it."
     "No, too much is just as bad as none at all. Like everything, it is balance that spells success."
     "Okay. I'll think my thoughts, but I'll hold my tongue in the future, if I can. I knew I shouldn't have said it, but it just came out."
     "The nature of dreams. Even though our shared dreams are much more organized than our regular dreams, a bit of the uncontrolled nature still comes through. Sue, I have an early morning tomorrow. I hate to sign off while you feel like celebrating."
     "That's okay. Get on back to sleep. I won't bother you again tonight. Thanks for everything, David. I truly mean that."
     "Whatever I can do to help."
     "Thanks. Good night."
     "Good night, and congratulations."
     Sue had a hard time getting back to sleep, thinking about what she had said in the dream.

     Rehearsals came and went, and Sue got to meet the rest of the cast and make friends. Her inexperience brought a fresh breeze to the atmosphere, seeing as how she had the most positive attitude in the cast. She was cautious about stepping on toes, but was otherwise a bundle of energy that fed everyone else in the show to do better and give more effort. There were many of the guys that started paying attention to her, but she kept the contact from getting too deep, not wanting to alienate anyone for anyone in particular.
     Once the opening date was set, Sue felt comfortable in her role. She contacted David in her dreams.
     "Well, the date is set for opening night. A week from Saturday. Do you think you can make it?"
     "Possibly. I have this project hanging over my head and a near death threat to complete it. Depends on how much I get done before then. Maybe."
     "Well, I hope that you can be here. It would mean a lot to me."
     "I'll try my best. How are rehearsals coming along?"
     "Very well, for me and as a whole. It's certainly a lot of fun. Very enjoyable. Feels good to be working with such good people. I'm having no trouble getting all the lines and actions down right. I love it."
     "Well, good. Makes me feel that my hard work was worth something."
     "Oh, very much. I haven't told anyone about you, though my director wants to meet with you. I told him that you went off out of town. A little white lie. I just can't bring myself to tell people about this."
     "Yeah. That's why I haven't said anything either."
     "How are you doing?"
     "Busy, trying to keep my head above water."
     "Anything I can do to help?"
     "Got a couple of spare million?"
     "Not at the moment."
     "Well, then, how about flying with me?"
     "I could do that. But is there anything else?" she hinted.
     "No. Flying is what I need to do tonight." They joined hands and lifted off the ground with ease.

     Sue sat backstage in costume, going over her lines one last time, a touch unhappy that David had not been able to confirm his attending the play. He had promised to try, but it was uncertain as of a day ago, and she hadn't been able to contact him since. She finished going over everything just as five minutes to curtain was announced by the director.
     Not being in the first act, she was in no hurry to go upstairs to the stage when the overture sounded. She reported ready to the stage boss from the bottom of the ladder, to keep him from coming looking for her in a huff. She walked the hall linking the stage entrance to the dressing rooms, thinking of everything that could go wrong, until a delivery man arrived and asked for her. He gave her the two dozen long stem roses that he had brought in. She looked at the card. "Break a leg, David."
     "Do you know how these were purchased?"
     "Hmm. Phone order, bank card charge."
     "Local or long distance?"
     "Doesn't say."
     "Oh."
     A call came down the hall, stage call for the second act. She ran down the hall and placed the flowers in her dressing room, then hurried up the stairs quietly. Her part was on stage for lights up, but she didn't need to rush on stage when the lights went down. She stayed out of the way of the changing of props until things settled, then she took her place. The music sounded and the lights came up on the darkened house, and she filled her lungs and went into her solo number with energy, forgetting what could go wrong. Nothing did, and she stopped the show at the end of her first number by the applause she drew. They froze into place, waiting for the clapping and shouts to settle down. All she could think during the pause was "They like me." It was hard for her to keep still so as not to encourage them further, her nerves afire from the experience of the applause. The crowd finally died out and the show continued. It seemed to Sue to take forever to finish.
     After the finale, her dressing room door was swamped. She had quickly changed out of costume, but was unable to get out of make up before the door found its way open and the room flooded with people. The others from the cast were the first in the door, but the critics and well-wishers were right behind them. The director squirmed in behind with champagne on ice and the corks were popped with everyone ducking from the barrage. The room was total and frolicing chaos, hugs, kisses, congratulations, praise, favorite parts of the show flowing in high water fashion. Sue was dizzied by it all, but she never missed a beat, even though her attention was on looking for someone that could be David.
     The director proposed toast after toast, most of them going to Sue. The critics told him that he was brilliant in finding Sue for the part, a total unknown. The director thanked them politely.
     A post-show party was announced and everyone hustled off to get dressed. A few from the rear were slow to join the others, not getting the previous chance to speak to Sue. But they left soon, giving her time to do her make up. She was half-way getting it off when a knock sounded.
     "It's open."
     A man in a jump suit stood there with a cleaning cart. "They told me that they made a wreck of your room. I see that they were right. I wasn't told that you were still in here."
     "Oh, come on it. I won't be bothered."
     "Okay. Quite a show you put on there tonight. I heard it was your first stage appearance."
     "Yeah. Kinda scary."
     "It didn't show at all."
     "Did you see the show?"
     "Oh, yes. I see the shows. Helps to know what's trash and what isn't."
     "Are you talking shows or props and costumes?"
     "A little of both, I guess."
     She stopped just as she had cleaned her face and looked at the man, struck by a funny feeling. "David?"
     "Hmm? You say something?"
     "Are you David?"
     "David? Me?"
     "Yes, are. . . . Never mind."
     "You know, you don't seem as pushy as the rest of the actors I see. This David mean some to you?"
     "You could say that."
     "But you don't know what he looks like?"
     "It's hard to explain. It's kind of like when you get to know a writer by his work."
     "What does this David do?"
     "You'd think I was crazy."
     "In your dreams?"
     "What?"
     "In your dreams?"
     "In my dreams?"
     The man stopped cleaning up and then smiled at her. "You're not the only actor in the room."
     "David?"
     "I hope a dozen roses were enough."
     "Why, you sneak!"
     "Expect me to change my spots? I told you I knew something about theater."
     "You lied to me."
     "I did?"
     "Yes, you are more handsome than my dreams of you."
     A knock came at the door and the director stuck his head in. "Are you about ready?"
     "A few minutes. Sherman, this is David, the coach I told you about."
     "Well, nice to finally meet you, David. Are you coming to the party?"
     "I doubt that I could avoid it. This lady has a grip like a vise."
     "Well, good. We'll get a chance to talk. I have lot's of questions, and I think that you have the answers." He vanished out the door.
     "Get into your make up. Don't make your new fans wait on you."
     "But. . . ."
     "I'm here for a couple of days. Tend to your duties, my lady. I'll be outside stirring up trouble."
     David left the room. Sue had a terrible time getting her make up on correctly. But she persevered and finished. She got the address from one of the last of the cast to head that way. David appeared when she was standing alone, wondering where to start looking for him.
     "Oh, there you are. Ready to go to a party?"
     "Sure. But don't hog me. This is your night for the public. Don't let me ruin it for you."
     "How was I?"
     "You need to ask?" He mockingly felt her forehead.
     "Oh, you are incorrigible."
     "True."
     She laughed and hugged him fiercely, then kissed him brashly. "Ahhh, I didn't wake up."
     David laughed. "I'm glad that I could make it."
     "You aren't the only one. Don't plan on anything after the party. We have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you took your vitamins."
     "What the heck, I'm suffering from shell shock anyway. May as well compound it. Come on, Miss 'New Star on the Horizon'. Time to make your social debut. Remember, you're still on stage. Play to them, not to me. Save me for afterwards."
     "Won't be easy."
     "It will easier than what I'll give you if you start messing up. One disadvantage is that you can't wake up when I get on your case as a coach."
     "That's right. Act for me, David."
     "You'll soon be able to tell the difference if you mess up. Now. let's get you to your waiting public."

     The show ran for four months, a record for the theater. During her last week, she was besieged with offers. She said neither yes nor no to any of them. She waited until the show ended before she considered any offer. After closing night, she went to sleep telling herself to dream of David.
     He stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. She cautiously stepped toward him, but didn't dare join him so close to the lip. "Are you afraid that you can no longer fly?"
     "I don't know."
     "This is your future. You have to step off, having gotten on. One success is not a career, and you have a long way to drop. Do you have the desire to jump and fly away climbing? Or are you afraid of falling? Where do your dreams take you?"
     "I don't know."
     "On way to find out." He gestured toward the sea.
     "You want me to step off?"
     "I want you to take a running leap."
     "Why?"
     "Because that is where you are headed, and it's scary. If you can't do it in a dream, you surely can't do it in real life."
     "What do I have to do?"
     "You just have to want to do it."
     "That's it?"
     "You make it sound easy. If it's that easy, fly on."
     "Will you go with me?"
     "No, though we may meet here and there, my place is not at your side for this. I've been through the grinder once, and that is enough for me."
     "I must go on alone?"
     "While you are flying. You will still have your dreams."
     "This is the way you want it?"
     "As long as you want the fame. It's there for the picking. Opportunity like this doesn't come often. If you want it, fly."
     "I don't want to leave you behind."
     "Just remember me when you sign your first movie contract."
     "I won't forget."
     "I'd be shocked if you did. Get flying."
     She moved next to him and looked down. Then she turned and kissed him fondly. Then she flexed her knees and leapt into the open air and rose.

     Sue woke the next morning, knowing which offer to accept.