Don't Sleep

1

Oh, go on, boy.

That's it.

Just keep going.

It's waiting for you.

There's no need to be afraid.

It's just a dream.

Right?

Oh...

Or is it?

Life is...

Just a dream.

Life is just a dream.

So, uh, how often

do you have these dreams?

I don't know.

Well, is it more than...

More than two times?

Yes?

More than five?

Maybe around ten.

Or more.

Ten?

I really don't remember.

So, uh, now you're...

You're afraid of the dark, yes?

Afraid to sleep?

I just don't want

to see them again.

And who are they?

What do they look like?

Girl.

She's in a mask.

Uh-huh.

And the other kid.

His face is all messed up.

But he... he sort of...

Go on.

He sort of looks like me.

So it's... it's you

that you see in the dream?

I don't really know.

I see.

Um...

What do you think

he wants from you?

This other?

To hurt me, I guess.

To take my place.

To replace you?

I see.

But it's... it's gotten

to the point where, uh,

just the idea of going to sleep

is making him sick.

He'll do anything

to avoid sleep.

Yeah.

I imagine it would be.

Hmm.

Look, Zach.

What you're going through

is, um...

Is really scary.

No?

It must seem

completely real to you,

but, uh, guess what.

It's not.

You're just a very smart,

imaginative young man,

and you're gonna be just fine.

Trust me.

He's just holding on

to some childhood fantasies,

which I'm sure

he'll grow out of.

I do think I should

continue seeing him...

Um...

Just try to relax tonight, okay?

Think of fun, happy thoughts.

I could stay here

all night if you want.

Yeah.

That might be good.

Okay.

Go to sleep.

I'm going to die.

It's not big,

but it's a well-maintained,

cozy, little house.

It's lovely.

I just adore it.

Aw, thank you.

It's where Vince and I lived

after we were married...

Until we bought the house

across the street.

Oh, yeah. Wow.

Yeah.

We were always so happy here.

So we kept it

for friends and family...

You know, a place to stay

when they visited.

Yeah.

About, uh, twice in ten years.

Well, if I were your family,

I'd come stay here all the time.

Aw. That's why we thought

it'd be nice to rent it out

to a young couple

like yourselves.

This place should be enjoyed.

Plus, we'd enjoy the company.

Where do you guys live now?

Well, we actually

don't live together.

This would be

the first time for both of us.

Aww. A little love nest.

What do you, uh...

What do you do?

Uh, Shawn teaches art

to third graders,

and I'm almost done

with law school.

No kidding?

You don't look

like a lawyer, man.

- Vince!

- No, I mean, look at him.

No, it's okay. No, my mom

actually thought the same thing.

She always thought

I'd end up owning a bar.

Ah. I like bars.

Zach, this would be

so great for us.

It's so cozy and warm.

I'd feel safe here.

Okay.

Um...

You guys didn't mention

in the ad the actual rent.

How much is it?

Um, well,

what are you kids

looking to pay?

I mean, we'd struggle to pay

more than, like, 850.

Today is your lucky day.

We figured about seven

and a quarter should cover it.

Is that all right?

That's perfect.

Thank you so much.

- Our pleasure.

- Thank you.

Aw, we are happy

to have you guys.

Oh, my god!

What is wrong with you?

You could scare

the hell out of somebody.

Hmm, what time is it anyway?

Hmm. Time for you to bone up

for your civil procedure exam.

Oh, god,

I was doing that all night.

It's so boring.

Mm, you know,

speaking of boning up.

If you don't get off me

in the next...

That's not sexy.

I'm such an idiot.

Okay. Ugh.

- Hey, Zach!

- Hey.

- Good morning, buddy.

- Good morning.

I thought you had a rule...

No classes before noon.

Ah. No, I got a test today.

I got to hit the library

before it starts.

- Anything I can help you with?

- Oh, yeah?

How are you gonna help him?

What, are you gonna describe

to him what the inside

of a courtroom looks like?

You've been dragged

in one enough times.

That's real cute, Jo.

You're gonna give this kid

a bad impression about me.

- You know that?

- No. Not possible.

Hey, why don't you guys

come over for dinner tonight?

We got some fresh eggplant

from pop's garden.

I'll make some eggplant parm.

Yeah. Yeah, that'd be nice, Jo.

I, uh... I'll ask Shawn.

You know, I don't know

what she's doing after class,

but, uh, thanks.

I'll, uh...

I'll catch you guys later.

- Okay, good luck.

- Thanks, man.

Cute kids, huh?

It's nice having them around.

Yeah, it is.

No pants! Naked!

He says, you lost a tomato.

That was the craziest thing

I'd ever seen.

And the guy says,

"you got to go.

I'm gonna call the cops."

You know what, man?

Pop started the business

just after six weeks after

he and mom came over

from Palermo.

He barely spoke

a word of English.

Started with a little

produce stand downtown.

By the time he was done,

we owned eight markets

all over the county.

That must've taken real courage.

More worry than courage.

I was always worried

that I'd do good, you know,

so I can support my family.

Of course.

You always did that, pop.

There was always food

on the table.

Thank you, Vincent.

Salut.

How did you two meet?

- What?

- I was down at the Lincoln...

I'm just gonna tell a story,

that's all.

I was down at

our Lincoln street store,

and I noticed

this beautiful woman

squeezing grapefruits.

Oh, wow.

- She was squeezing...

- Vince!

- This is stupid.

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