episode 1 – secret desiresWhen a psychiatrist pioneers a new method to bridge fantasies to reality, two patients try to connect.
When a psychiatrist pioneers a new method to bridge fantasies to reality, two patients try to connect.
The Subconsciousness
AS Noah shifts in his sleep, his brow furrows. He isn’t sure why, but something feels wrong. The scent of spilled cognac lingers in the air, sharp and sour.
A dull ache hums behind his eyes. He forces them open, squinting at the dim room. The flickering television casts light on an unzipped duffel bag.
He blinks and murmurs. “I wasn’t expecting… this. I shouldn’t have it.”
The clock on the wall reads 3:03 AM.
Something stirs in his stomach, a vague nausea of déjà vu.
“Wasn’t that duffel bag in my dream?”
A Subconscious Subject
Shante breathes deeply, writhing in satisfaction. Her mind flashes to a spinning roulette wheel with a large stack of chips divided between three numbers. Amidst the flashing lights and muffled background noise, an anxious crowd holds its breath, eyes fixed on the ball.
There’s a gasp before the dim room slowly brightens to calming, warm hues. As Shante’s smile widens and her eyes adjust to the light, she asks Dr. Kahn, “Can you see my fantasies?”
While relaxing across the room, the psychologist responds. “Not at all. How was that one?”
“Exhilarating.”
The doctor taps his tablet, asking, “Have you had any problems experiencing fantasies at home?”
Shante slowly rises from a prone position, wiping her eyes. “No. There are zero complaints. I only wish you’d allow me to refill my prescription without coming in for an evaluation.”
“As mentioned before, this new drug is progressively available to select communities. We are studying the effects of endless ambition fulfillment.”
“Yes, but I awaken before fulfillment.”
“It may appear so. Yet, the dreams continue without interruption. Your sleep stage changes to one that obscures the outcome.”
“So I get the euphoric rush of driving an exotic car to my cherished mansion and looking around to admire the gardens. But I can’t see inside when I open the front door.”
“In your analogy, you may glimpse the interior before the dream slowly obscures.”
“So your role is to ensure that the fantasies remain such.”
“More specifically, I ascertain whether any illegal actions within them materialize.”
“Well, I assure you that nothing illegal is going on in my head.”
“Excellent. I’ll renew your prescription and see you back in a month.”
A Conscious Speech
Noah places bets on the same roulette squares as Shante, sharing her exhilaration before awakening. He sits up, stretches his arms, and shuffles to the kitchen for a hot cup of coffee.
After getting dressed, he begins a long drive. Lush trees blend with ocean views while listening to classical music. He reaches his destination, steps out, and opens the door. Upstairs, he sits behind his large desk, looks at his calendar, and heads to his first appointment.
Just before stepping on stage to deliver a speech, his assistant directs Noah to an email announcing the immediate termination of his government position. Security guards confiscate his access badge and escort him from the building.
“I don’t understand,” He says, shaking their hands off his sleeves. “Why is this happening?”
“It’s beyond our control. A government efficiency department deemed your position unnecessary.”
A Subconscious Crime
The scenic views on Noah’s ride home are dimmer than the ones he enjoyed in the morning. He drops his keys on the granite countertop before pouring himself a cognac.
The television news reports massive layoffs throughout the government. Noah’s belief in the stability of his position has been shattered. The alcohol combined with his prescription soon has him drifting to sleep on his sofa.
In a vivid dream, three masked gunmen shoot into the ceiling of a bank at 3 o’clock before ordering the tellers to fill three backpacks with $300,000 each. Within 3 minutes, the criminals disperse in three directions, changing clothes and escaping detection.
Noah awakens with a duffel bag filled with cash and no recollection of escaping. Miles away, Shante counts her $300,000 bounty. The two haven’t met.
A Subconscious Clinical Study
Through corridors in the deep recesses of the high-rise building where Dr. Kahn sees patients, he enters a large room filled with video displays. Here, scientists analyze audio dreams and watch camera footage at patients’ homes.
Each patient is instructed to wear a pair of special earplugs that they receive with their prescriptions while asleep. These plugs have smart technology that transmits audio signals to the scientists. Dr. Kahn can use this to validate the experiences patients share with him.
A Subconscious Assessment
Noah heads to his psychiatrist appointment with an expiring prescription and a baffling discovery. He’s unable to conceal his somber mood.
Dr. Kahn asks, “What’s troubling you today?”
“Troubling?” Noah responds with sweaty palms. “I lost my job.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Were you able to find comfort in a rewarding fantasy?”
“I had a vivid dream…” Noah pauses as he grapples with reality. “You could say it was… rewarding.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to share before I refill your prescription?”
“No. I just need to find another job.”
While exiting the office, Noah sees a familiar face in the waiting room. The eyes and stature match the woman with him in the bank heist—the same one at the roulette table. Their gaze catches long enough to confirm mutual recognition before she looks away.
Back home, Noah's expectation of an absent duffel bag has him breathing heavily. He opens the door and looks beside the sofa; the bag is still there. He then carefully counts out $300,000.
“This could be a nice severance pay, but how did this happen? Who’s that woman at the therapist's office? I need to find her.”
He runs back to his car and drives as fast as possible, swerving between vehicles and accelerating through yellow lights. His wheels come to a screeching halt within the parking structure. Quick footsteps echo before the impatient presses of an elevator button.
In the therapist’s lobby, he inquires, “Is the female patient who arrived after me still in her session?”
The receptionist smiles, saying, “I’m sorry. She’s already left.”
“Can you tell me her name, please?”
“Sorry again. That’s confidential.”
Noah leaves abruptly, taking the elevator downstairs to scan the restaurant patrons without finding her. He bursts through the outside doors and unsuccessfully wanders through the crowd of pedestrians. His head hangs while returning to the parking structure—disappointed but not defeated.
Continued…
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