Grace was a hot coffee person—didn’t matter the time of year or hour in the day she *needed* hot coffee. Her favorite spot was Grey Star Cafe. Instead of the usual uncomfortable wooden tables Grey’s embraced luxury and privacy with tiny reading nooks you could rent by the hour. She paid for her coffee and 3 hours of nook time.

Cup of coffee acquired she moved to the back of the cafe towards her favorite nook. Bracing herself for the cozy pillows and the great view of the botanical gardens her city was known for she reached for the handle and it was locked. Disappointment washed over her. It was totally a first-world problem to be disappointed by a public service, but dang it she needed one thing to go right today. Knowing it was in vain she tried the lock again and, to her shock, it opened.

Inside was a softly snoring man. Maybe in his thirties. His discarded jacket and tie told Grace he probably needed the room just as much as she did. There were a lot of law offices, just like hers, in the sector of the city. Resolute, she went to close the door when she thought she heard the man say something…was that a cry for help?

Grace reached for the man’s hand and something was wrong. In this air conditioned space he should feel cool, but he was burning. The burning sensation raced up Grace’s arm becoming a white hot pain behind her eyes. She dropped her coffee and used the heels of her hands to soothe her aching eyes, but the burning continued. Just when she thought she’d pass out from the pain it stopped. She slowly opened her eyes.

She was in a dark room. An intense heat was coming from a fire at its center. She recognized the structure from one of those silly dating shows—it was a kiln to fire glass. At a bench near by was the sleep man. He’s was working with a delicate blue glass. Grace was overwhelmed by the heat and sound in the space, but he seemed in his element. She tried to reach out to him, to speak, but nothing happened. Frustrated, Grace wished and alarm would sound to get the man’s attention. And then it happened. The small space started vibrating with an unearthly sounds. Then jerked, dropped his beautiful creation, and looked directly at her. Scared, Grace closed her eyes and she felt the world shift under her feet.

“Hey, did you hit your head Miss?” a familiar voice said. “Help is on the way.”

Grace opened her eyes to realize she had fallen. Her neck was been braced by one of the barista’s and another was standing over her with a cell phone. She tried to look around, but the neck brace stopped her.

“I’m fine,” she insisted as she got to her feet. She dusted off her clothes in vain—her skirt was stained with coffee and her winter stockings torn.

“You!”

She looked up at the sudden accusation to see the snoring man starring at her in horror.

“What about me, sir?”

“You were in my dream!”