Magnifisyncopathological

[Author's note: amazing how a song can trigger old memories. I wrote this in early January '07 to a special someone after a particularly weird morning wake-up.]

The golden-haired fox he'd been chasing through the æther had finally given up and playfully collapsed on a bed so fluffy the coffee-colored comforter and red flannel sheets took an eternity to flare out and settle back down from her impact. Charles recognized something about this bed, but pushed it aside as he drew closer. She was on her back, legs dangling over the bed's edge, squirming in a way that indicated she wanted one very special thing and wanted it soon. Charles was close enough to smell her as he--

Dawn's arrival struck an unpleasant note, waking up Charles from a dreamy slumber that had just reached a critical moment.

"Beeepbeeep...beeepbeeep," said the alarm clock.

"You bastard," he groaned. His right arm instinctively shot out from under the covers, seeking the magical switch that would end the electronic misery broadcasting two feet from his ears. Suddenly, the darkness was shattered by an intense cobalt light aimed straight at his eyes. Confused and disoriented, Charles sat up to locate his attacker. Just before his environment began to take on a shape, another sound erupted nearby, the sound of a hard rock guitarist strumming intently for something big.

"Oh, no! Whoever's playing this is about to shove fiery-hot modern rock down my consciousness if I don't act fast!"

With a sixth of him still left under the warm protective covers of the bed, Charles began a frantic sweep for the device. The note progression was reaching a critical point. Within seconds, not only would the main riff kick off, but the accompanying percussion, bass line, and singer as well! Still shocked by the sapphire explosion (now taking on a distinctly square shape), he had to spend precious moments seeking out some evidence there was a device making this accelerating noise, needing to convince himself this wasn't some elaborate prank - or worse - a nightmarish dream-within-a-dream scenario from which he may never wake.

There!

Pushing through the unnaturally calm glow of the evil rectangle was a dot of steady green light. His vile sapphire tormentor blinked out. He lunged.

DEAD BULL WITH THE LIFE FROM THE LOW!
I'LL BE MASSIVE CONQUISTADOR!!
GIVE ME SOUL AND SHOW ME THE DOOR!!!
METAL HEAVY!, SOFT AT THE CORE!
GIMME TORO!, GIMME SOME MORE!!!

"Shit."

The Queens of the Stone Age had won the battle. The room stopped vibrating as Charles realized what was going on. He returned to the bed with a thud and a sigh. It was 6:30 in the morning and he wanted back in his dream.

"Beeepbeeep...beeepbeeep," said the alarm clock.

"You're next, you lousy motherfu-"

Wait! --- was that a giggle he heard near the door…?