This. Be there, for all of them.
I have a job to do. And I do it.
When the first living thing existed, I was there.
When the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave.
And I'm not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie. And then there's your ongoing project. How's he bearing up after all this time?
I don't know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.
Well, I'm sure he'd love to see you. They're never too keen to see me, though.
I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.
They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear.
And yet I am far more terrible than you.
It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.
I thought about giving up. Walking out. This was a long time ago, long before this world. It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside. I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die. But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.
I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.
People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance. At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.
It's funny looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself.
No. At the end, I'm there with them. I'm holding their hand and they're holding mine. I'm not alone when I'm doing my job. And neither are you. Think about it. The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We're here to serve them.
It isn't about quests or finding purpose outside our function. Our purpose is our function. We're here for them. Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me. I've seen so many cool things and people and worlds. I've learned so much. Lots of people don't have a job they love doing, do they? So, I think I'm really very lucky.
Listen, I've got to head back soon.
You've taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.
Aw. That's what family's about, little brother. … One last appointment, then I have to go.
I, too, am late for an appointment.
SPSoccer player
Franklin!
FFranklin
Hey. Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.
Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something. [takes his arm]
See ya, Dream. Don't be a stranger, okay?
Look, I've seen death. I lost half my village to the Black Death. I fought under Buckingham in Burgundy. It's not like I don't know what death is. Death is … stupid.
BBarmate
You're a fool, Hob.
Nobody has to die. The only reason people die is … is 'cause everyone does it. You all just go along with it. But not me. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to die.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] Hobs, death comes for every man.
You don't know that. I might get lucky. There's always a first time. There's so much to do, so many things to see. Women to swive. Ale to drink. People to drink with.
Why would any sensible creature crave an eternity of this?
I could grant him his wish.
Do that, and he will be begging for death within a century, I assure you.
This will prove very interesting.
BBarmate
What will you do with all that life?
I'll find better friends than you, I can tell you that.
Are you gonna tell him, or should I?
Very well, little brother. Very well.
Did I hear you say you have no intention of ever dying?
Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.
Then you must tell me what it's like. Let us meet here again, Robert Gadling, in this tavern of the White Horse in 100 years.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] A hundred years and I'm Pope Urban.
Don't mind them. A hundred years' time, on this day? [Dream nods] I will see you in the year of our Lord 1489, then. [Dream leaves].
BBarmate
Who was that, then, Hobsie?
Haven't a clue. But tell you what, I'll ask him in 100 years' time.
[100 years later, 1489 in The White Horse Tavern]
[sitting across from him] How did you know … that I'd still be here? Who are you? A wizard? A … saint? … A demon? [fearfully] Have I made a bargain with the devil?
[puzzled] Then why aren't I dead long since? Is this some kind of game?
But why? Who are you? Why are you here?
I'm here because I'm interested.
Nothing. You live your life as you choose. Then on this day, every 100 years, we will meet.
[1789 in The White Horse Tavern] That lad, Will Shakespeare. He turned out to be a half-decent playwright after all. You made some kind of deal with him, didn't you?
What kind of deal? His soul?
Four hundred years now, I've been meeting you here and there is so much I still don't know. Who are you? Truly? What's your name?
JLady Johanna
I might ask both of you that same question, gentlemen.
Please, please, do not trouble yourselves to rise. These are Michael and Tobias. Smugglers by trade. Although, they're only too glad to augment their earnings by slitting throats. If you move, they'll slit yours.
They tell of a tale in these London parts, that the Devil and the Wandering Jew meet once every century in a tavern. Two years past, sewn into the shirt of a dead man, I found this. [sets down a drawing of them made at their last meeting]
Is that meant to be me? Oh, I look terrible. You look worse.
JLady Johanna
You return to this pub every 100 years, striking bargains with men, sharing gifts, immortality, which you will now share with me. … Well, have you nothing to say?
JLady Johanna
Fie. … What manner of creatures are you then?
JLady Johanna
I'm Lady Johanna Constantine. You will both follow me, sirs. My coach is without. I can see there is so much you can tell me. So much I can learn.
[1889 in The White Horse Tavern] You knew Lady Johanna. You know Lushing Lou. You know everyone, don't you?
I saw her again, you know.
She undertook a task for me — and succeeded admirably, I might add.
That might be the only thing I've learned after 500 years. People are almost always better than you think they are. Not me, though. Still the same as ever.
I think perhaps you've changed.
Well, I may have learnt a bit from my mistakes. But, — doesn't seem to stop me from making them. I think it's you that's changed.
I think I know why we still meet here, century after century. It's not because you want to see whether or not I'm ready to seek death. I don't think I'll ever seek death. By now, you know that about me. So, I think you're here for something else.
Friendship. I think you're lonely.
No, look, I'm not saying …
You … dare suggest one such as I might need your companionship?
[Morpheus stands angrilly] Then I shall take my leave of you and prove you wrong. [leaves]
[rushes out door, shouting to him] I'll tell you what, I'll be here in 100 years' time. If you're here then too, it'll be because we're friends. No other reason, right? …Fuck!
[1989 in The White Horse Tavern] Whiskey, please.
BBartender
Uh, you'll have to be more specific. We got a menu now.
Oh. … What's the oldest you got?
BBartender
Well, I've got a Glen Grant, old enough to be your father.
[smiles] I'm older than I look.
BBartender
You waiting for someone?
I think I've been stood up. We had a fight. Last time we were here.
It was my fault. Wish I could say I was drunk at the time, but I was just an idiot.
BBartender
I've seen plenty of friends get in fights in pubs. Even more of them laugh about it together later.
Maybe in another 100 years.
BBartender
Ah.… You'll have to have found a new pub by then. This place has been sold to make room for new flats. [Hob looks stunned] The borough council are trying to stop them, but if you've got enough money in this country, you can do whatever you bloody want. Pour you another one? While you wait?
[fade to Morpheus standing outside gated area around the abandoned White Horse Tavern, and sees a spray painted arrow pointing to "The New Inn"]
[looking up from paperwork he is doing in "The New Inn", he sees Morpheus has just come in and smiles] You're late.
[smiles] It seems I owe you an apology. I've always heard it impolite to keep one's friends waiting.
Also known as Dream, The Sandman, Kai'ckul, and Oneiros
We begin in the waking world … which humanity insists on calling the real world; as if your dreams have no effect upon the choices you make. You mortals go about your work, your loves, your wars, as if your waking lives are all that matter. But there is another life which awaits you when you close your eyes — and enter my realm. For I am the King of Dreams… and Nightmares. When the waking world leaves you wanting and weary, sleep brings you here to find freedom and adventure. To face your fears and fantasies in Dreams and Nightmares that I create; and which I must control, lest they consume and destroy you. That is my purpose and my function. Or it was, until I left my kingdom to pursue a rogue Nightmare.
