New Mexico--or, wait--I think it was Spain. Well, no matter. Trudy needed my help whether I drove down Route 66 or caught a plane, headed for sunny Spain, with Chic Corea on my brain.
I am beginning to think it is not Trudy who has all the problems--have I fallen asleep again? Oh, I hope not. I would rather salvage these crazy thoughts during my waking hours.
I love Trudy (she probably doesn't know), but right now, my attention is focused on that book that called me in my dreams, and is there now in what I almost hope is still a dream. But I know it isn't. It's the gold lettering--geez--I haven't even thought about opening the thing. Why not?
Well, blast it all, anyway--if this is a dream, then opening the book will solve whatever mystery I did not ask for, right? Sheesh--Norma Desmond, Alfred Hitchcock, Jessica Tandy--no one even mentioned Billy Wilder, no! And Salvadore Dali?
The book is there--it was there in my dreams--it is there in reality. I will open it.
"Ian? Are you there, my love? Ian?"
"What? Oh! Trudy--are you okay? Listen--I have been trying to tell you that there is new software out there to help you with those troublesome taxes--when will you listen to me? And why do you put jelly beans on your peanut butter sandwiches? And what is this old, scary-looking book that you have apparently dragged home?"
"Trudy?"
"Ian," (in a near-whisper). "Ian? I really have to talk to you about that book. I hope you will forgive me, but...."