Aftertaste In The Morning

 It's half way between late-at-night and early morning.

Rain patters down on the roof of the camper.

The sleepers are dreaming.

Gaius dreams about slices of tomato. He is pulling them out of sandwiches, wraps and buns. He is piling them up on a saucer. The tower of tomato slices grows taller, and collapses. Soggy red tomato slices are all over the floor. He is wading through them. The tomato seeds stick to his toes. When he looks down at his feet, he appears to be wearing socks made from tomatoes.....

Wittgenstein is dreaming of water. Water is filling the Mazda. He is inside the Mazda. and can't open the windows. He fears he will drown.

Arthur is dreaming of a low sun spotted with mystic horrors. He has dreamed it before. Though it always seems different.

Sweezus is dreaming of French flies.

Because his bed is nearest to Terence, the frogs and Unhappy, who are deconstructing their earlier jokes.

Shorty-Tartus is explaining French flies to Terence.

French fries are long skinny potato chips, says Shorty-Tartus. And French flies sounds similar.

Do they buzz? asks Terence.

Some do, says Shorty-Tartus. But most flies are silent.

So how come they're French? asks Terence.

They're just called that because they're skinny, says Shorty-Tartus. They don't speak French. It wouldn't be funny in French.

No, says Quiet-Tartus. It's only funny in frog. Get this. What do frogs DRINK at Macdonald's?

Wait, wait, says Unhappy. I've got this...something to do with a penguin.....

No you haven't, says Quiet-Tartus. It's a frog joke.

What then? asks Terence.

Diet Croak! says Quiet-Tartus.

Ho ho ho, laughs Shorty-Tartus.

Sweezus stirs.

Shifts his position.

Diet Croak. His dream turns dark and carbonated.

There will be an aftertaste in the morning.