...and, I can still remember many of the details (unusual for me), not to mention the overall feeling of something deeply foreboding.
It involved Donald Trump.
He had (apparently) won the election and was, at least on the surface of things, solidifying support (or coercing it, as he had promised to do while campaigning). And, for some reason, he was in our (relatively) small town.
As he walked through a surrounding crowd, It almost seemed like he was working a list of some kind. He called out a friend of mine (lucky you, Tim), who is also a relatively well-known member of our community, by name. He leaned in, with his fat arm wrapping around my friend’s neck like a python, saying, "I've got some things I want you to do for me...".
With no other way to know my friend, it was as if someone had supplied Trump the names of key individuals in our area. I couldn't help but feel a cold-draft on the back of my neck as the big-brother effect descended on the scene. It was a litmus test; a test of loyalty. And, it came from those who had already pledged their allegiance, not to the flag (mind you), but to the power of this man. A man eager to use it.
I thought he probably wouldn't notice me, though (pretty vivid dream, no? …I can't believe all the details I recall)...until I remembered a couple of things that were causing what felt like a growing pit in my stomach.
I was now President of a local company (a small one, but nonetheless...I could be on the list) — so, it was possible I wouldn't be exempt from the experience I was watching my friend now in.
And, then, there were my blog posts about...Donald Trump. I didn't think many people even knew about my blog, but...what if more did than I thought?
I tried to wake myself up, but fell right back into what was now becoming a bit of a…nightmare.
Sometimes we collectively make a deal with the devil; and, sometimes, he makes a deal with us (whether we solicited it or agreed to it, or not).