Dream

My computer had a dream yesterday. I am damn sure about it but my wife does not believe it.

I went to bed at 1140 pm after shutting down my computer. As usual, I couldn’t sleep immediately. Sometime later, I was disturbed by a noise from the hall, where I had set up my temporary office. It was my boss screaming at me about the mess I had created with the client’s work. My computer was defending me that the client had not stated his requirements clearly. This went on for a few minutes as I lay awake. After that, it stopped. I checked the time. It was 230 am. My wife was deep asleep.

I am calling it dream because during the day, the computer works with me, assists, reminds, entertains me and is always close to me. At night, after I shut it down, it comes to life for a few minutes, picking out random activities from its memory.

I am used to these dreams by now. In fact, I guess there is an anticipation…

I don’t remember when it started. But I remember the first time. The dreams occur at around the same time in the nights.

From what I heard that night, the sequence of the dream runs like this.

The computer took a slide deck from the recycle bin and was shouting at my boss:

“How dare you say that his (the computer is referring me) performance last quarter was bad. Look at the graph here. This is better than those dudes hanging around you. This power-point is not rubbish.”

My boss thundered, ha, ha, ha! “You do whatever you want. I hate to see you.”

I could imagine a giant on the screen.

The dream ended abruptly. I slept immediately with a smiling face.

This started to happen regularly. Once I got up and ran towards the computer. It was slowly shutting down. It was real.

I noticed that all the dreams were about me. Sometimes I heard the groaning sounds one hears in adult screen performances. I guess it also needs to release frustration — probably built-up tension due to system crash, slow speed, etc. I also notice that all the dreams were about negative experiences. All in all, the computer had become my alter ego, my companion and my protector. The computer has become an extension of my body and my brain.

One part of me wanted these dreams to continue. Another part wanted to stop this somehow because it has been sometime since I slept peacefully. Waiting for the dreams was taking on my nerves.

But, none of these weird events of the past few weeks, would my wife believe. I have a suspicion that she is stressed out due to work and has become reclusive, of late. Our communication has become more of yes and no. I observed that she finds something wrong in me. On the contrary, I strongly believe she needed psychiatric support. I had a nagging feeling that she was going to psychiatrist without informing me.

Today she confided with me and asked whether I would join her. The appointment with the psychiatrist was in the evening. I agreed with reluctance.

After much thought, I decided to inform the psychiatrist about her distrust in me. I would tell him about the dreams by the computer. I have heard the doctor is very knowledgeable about computers and their intellectual powers. I am sure he would believe me.

Yes, I am going to the psychiatrist with my wife.

Today I will make my wife believe in me. After the visit, I am sure my wife would believe that my computer has dreams.