CEDRIC 009: Chintzy

CEDRIC’s eyes fly open. His foray into Elysion – the Dream – has concluded. He just barely loses his sense of self while he travels; a brief respite from the endless chains of reality. Since accepting the Gift, true sleep as the Mortals experience has been unknown to him.

Each waking, CEDRIC reviews what he’s seen of Elysion. He speaks aloud into the dim basement, as if speaking to his now-deceased Mentor. Light trickles in through side-windows, illuminating speckles of dust stagnating in the air.

CEDRIC

I WAS BUYING… A LEASH.

HE pauses a moment, reviewing the dream. He stands and begins to pace the lengthwise direction of the townhome basement. To and fro, to and fro.

CEDRIC

I WAS CONCERNED THE LEASH WOULDN’T BE STRONG ENOUGH. THE PRINT WAS FRIVOLOUS, THE – (pause)

CEDRIC presses his first-finger against his thumb and flares the rest of his fingers, fumbling for a word.

CEDRIC

‘CONNECTIONS’ – WERE PLASTIC, OR MAYBE A CHINTZY METAL…

CEDRIC halts his pacing for a moment, he rubs his fingers together as he tries to strengthen the sense-memory of the leash. His meditation is over but he tries to conjure the woven fabric.

CEDRIC

I THOUGHT HE’D BREAK IT!

His voice cracks; he’s despondent about his judgement.

CEDRIC

BUT… THE DOG –

THE DOG that he sees is indeed a large dog: small ears held aloft on his oversized skull. A large maw with too much skin laid sloppily over the teeth. A defense mechanism for a dog designed for fighting. Brown, short fur.

CEDRIC

I WAS CONCERNED THE LEASH WOULD BREA –