A guy who does not want to live like everyone else and create something of his own is brought to an audience with the creator of the dreamy world. He dreams of helping others. This shatters the prime dreamer's perception of how his world is structured. To find out more details, they go on an excursion together, where the creator discovers the most unpleasant circumstances for himself. Now they have only one path.

“The intruder of the dreamy order,” they lead a young man into the bright, spacious, and luxurious hall.
“Good day,” the guest replies quietly and uncertainly, examining the far from expensive, but beautiful, decorations in the hall for discussing dream affairs.
“I hope you have used the word ‘good’ correctly,” the head of Somniatoria smiles in a warmly friendly way as he meets the guest. “Is the day truly good for you or is this a display of your politeness?”
“I apologize,” the man whispers guiltily, lowering his head.
“What’re you apologizing for?” the Prime Dreamer inquires, smiling.
“I lied. A day of this kind can in no way be good for me,” in a burst of brave truthfulness uncharacteristic of him, the man takes a step toward the head of Somniatoria. The escorts and everyone present calmly observe, without attempting to react to the sharp movement.
“What has upset you so much about today?” the Prime Dreamer sits down in a small but comfortable armchair, inviting the saddened guest to take a seat.
“You see,” the man sits down uncertainly in an identical armchair opposite. “It always seemed to me that the world of dreamers was created so that everyone could do what they genuinely like.”
“Of course, that’s absolutely right,” the Prime Dreamer agrees with enthusiasm and genuine interest, leaning toward the man with a smile.
“Then why can’t I do what I like?” he objects openly, looking right into the depth of the smiling and open interlocutor’s eyes.
“Of course, you can!” the Prime Dreamer exclaims approvingly. “And what exactly do you like to do?”
“I love helping others,” the man says quietly, smiling. “So what’s wrong with that?”
“But you carry out their desires, not your own,” the Prime Dreamer explains more seriously. “You do what everyone else wants, not bringing your own dreams to life,” wrinkles of incomprehension appear on his forehead.
“But what if helping others fulfill their dreams is my cherished desire?” the man looks with childlike sincerity not just into the eyes of the head of Somniatoria, but into his very soul. “It pleases me to know and to feel that my actions help others become happier. This makes me feel joy in my heart, too. That’s how I become happier myself,” everyone present glances at each other in bewildered surprise.
“Yes,” the Prime Dreamer drawls thoughtfully. “It’s still a little strange. When creating our Somniatoria, I was guided by the idea and the principle that a person can only be happy by bringing their own dreams to life. But I never imagined there could be another path to happiness.”
“And yet, look at me,” the man offers with a smile. “In my short life, I’ve managed to help hundreds of your friends become happier. And I became happier myself. After all, the dreams of others don’t just come true on their own. Every dreamer needs support, if not outright help. You must know how difficult it is for dreamers. And you know that it’s not enough to dream. You have to realize those dreams. But not everyone has enough strength for that. Some need dreamers like me, who dream of helping dreamers like them. So, we help.”
“So, you’re not the only one?” the Prime Dreamer wonders, asking his deputy with a look why there’s such a shortage of information about the state of affairs in Somniatoria.
“You’d be surprised,” the man smiles kindly. “If you roughly calculate it, for every dreamer in the world, there are about fifteen assistants like me. Sometimes the number grows to hundreds and thousands.”
“Thousands?” the shocked Prime Dreamer leans back into the armchair.
“You simply haven’t thought about it,” the man smiles more cheerfully. “Let’s take you, for example. You dreamed for many years of creating a world of dreamers. And in the end, you created it. Now, remember how many people helped you, including dreamers and dreamers’ assistants. At the same time, both became the Prime Dreamer’s assistants. So, how many people helped you?”
“Everyone,” the Prime Dreamer whispers in astonishment, staring into space, recalling the entire path of bringing his cherished dream of creating the world of dreamers into reality.
“There you see,” the man smiles contentedly. “Just like in any other world, we’re all interconnected. The dreams of one will never come true without the involvement of another. Even when everyone hinders the realization of that dream, forcing one to act even more assertively. Such is the process of dream realization,” the Prime Dreamer simply listens in silence to the unusual, but so truthful, view on dreams from a simple dreamers’ assistant, who quietly brings his own dreams to life by helping others in this.
“Everyone,” the Prime Dreamer repeats in a whisper, unable to recover from the realization. Those present split into those discussing, those protesting, and those silently stunned. The rest, unable to bear the shocking news, completely leave the beautiful main hall in the center of Somniatoria, which the Prime Dreamer created with the help of everyone who believed in him and sometimes doubted the reality of the unrealizable dream. At first, no one believed at all that such a world could even be created. “Please, leave us alone,” the head of Somniatoria addresses all the witnesses of the strange and completely unfamiliar meeting, speaking calmly and without any emotion on his face.
“Are you sure?” the deputy asks doubtfully, shifting his gaze to the man, who is surprised by the Prime Dreamer’s decision.
“Of course,” the head of Somniatoria nods with a smile. “We need to discuss something with my new friend. And, I’m afraid, with witnesses present, I won’t see the whole truth that I’ll be able to hear and see face to face.”
“As you say,” the assistant nods humbly and distrustfully, departing.
      The rest of those present leave after him, glancing back and discussing. The majority despise the man’s audacity in front of the head. And absolutely everyone envies him, since no one in the world of dreamers has ever been granted such an honor, not even the head of Somniatoria’s especially close deputy. And only now does the Prime Dreamer reflect on the fact that his own dream assistant, whom he previously considered just another dreamer, is exiting the beautiful hall. A lot has changed in just a couple of minutes. But even more will change after the conversation between the Prime Dreamer and the dream assistant.

“Are you sure this conversation is so necessary?” the dream assistant looks solicitously at the Prime Dreamer, who is lost in his own thoughts.
“I beg your pardon?” the creator of Somniatoria returns to the beautiful hall and the unusual guest.
“We don’t necessarily have to discuss my words,” the guest repeats, smiling easily.
“It’s absolutely necessary!” the Prime Dreamer insists resolutely. “We’re about to have a practically personal conversation, so we need to simplify it slightly. Manny,” the dreamer smiles genuinely, extending his hand to the surprised guest.
“Eddie,” the man readily shakes his hand, rising slightly from the armchair.
“No need for formality, we’re friends,” the Prime Dreamer quietly reminds him.
“Of course,” Eddie smiles. “Then, as a friend, I suggest once more that we call off the set topic of conversation and talk about something else.”
“No, forgive me, Eddie, the conversation is going to happen,” Manny insists more confidently, making it clear there’s no getting out of it.
“Well, then we’ll talk,” sparks of devilish self-confidence flash in Eddie’s eyes.
“Is it just me, or are you not who you say you are?” Manny gazes intently into the unusual interlocutor’s eyes.
“Yes, I’m not a simple dreamer,” Eddie reminds him, smiling. “Being a dreamers’ assistant is much harder. That’s why, in addition to desires and dreaminess, you need persistence and willpower.”
“Just like the dreamers themselves,” Manny adds.
“Oh, yes,” Eddie agrees, laughing lightly. “If all dreamers had the inner strength and confidence that their assistants have, the world would descend into chaos.”
“Our world?” the Prime Dreamer asks in surprise, shifting nervously in his armchair.
“Including ours,” the guest nods, smiling. “Any world would descend into chaos if the dreamer wasn’t restrained by limitations. After all, everyone’s dreams are different. And if every single one of them came true, or only the strongest ones, and not just the necessary and correct ones, it would be the end of everything.”
“Are you saying that if all dreams come true, it’ll be the end of the world?” Manny clarifies, thrown by his interlocutor’s words.
“I think the end of the Universe will come then,” Eddie answers calmly and immediately.
“It turns out that our world, which I created,” Manny says quietly. “We created with the assistants,” he adds, taking the news into account. Eddie nods in agreement, smiling. “Is our Somniatoria dangerous for the Universe?”
“Yes,” Eddie states confidently, without any fear of offending the Prime Dreamer and creator of the unusual dreamed-up world. “Our world will definitely ruin the entire Universe. Unless,” he looks optimistically into the eyes of his interlocutor, “all the dreamers’ assistants vanish from our world and all the others.”
“So, I’m confused,” Manny quietly admits. “It turns out that the main ones in the Universe are not dreamers, but their assistants?”
“Of course,” Eddie agrees with a smile. “Dreamers receive ideas directly from the Universe. But without help from those around them, ideas remain mere thoughts.”
“But there are dreamers who do everything themselves, without any help,” the Prime Dreamer clarifies hopefully.
“There are,” Eddie asserts more seriously. “It’s those dreamers who are the most dangerous. They can do anything!”
“And what do we do about them without the assistants’ control?” Manny panics. “They could destroy everything. Including my world,” he desperately imagines the death of his own dream.
“Don’t worry,” Eddie laughs. “Free dreamers only make worlds better.”
“How so?” the Prime Dreamer is genuinely surprised. “You said they’re the most dangerous.”
“Yes, because they have much more power than ordinary dreamers. And the power is given to them by the Universe itself, which guides them. It doesn’t control or limit them, it simply offers suggestions. The beauty of free dreamers lies in the fact that they create the best in the Universe.”
“But you said there are no dreamers without assistants,” the serious Manny reminds him.
“The assistants next to such dreamers become not just assistants, but a part of the dream, sometimes the dream itself.”
“And have you found such a free dreamer for yourself?” the Prime Dreamer asks, staring intently into the man’s eyes.
“Finding a free dreamer and merging with his dream is my cherished desire,” Eddie sighs with a smile.

“We’ve gotten distracted, Manny,” Eddie walks onto the balcony calmly and measuredly, as if he owned the place. “Let me show you something,” he indicates with a slight movement of his hand.
“What haven’t I seen there?” the Prime Dreamer replies in a disheartened voice, stepping out onto the balcony.
“What do you see?” Eddie asks with a smile, pointing at the city below.
“An ordinary city,” Manny says coldly, looking disappointedly at the small town with simple streets and houses. Some stand out with their special architecture and design.
“No, my friend. It’s not just a city!” Eddie protests. “It is your cherished dream!”
“It was. But it turned out to be a simple, useless endeavor,” the Prime Dreamer tries to leave the balcony, his head bowed.
“Wait, please,” the dream assistant gently restrains the head of the world by the elbow, like the friend he’d become a few minutes ago. “Look one more time.”
“Nothing new,” Manny mutters quietly. “I wanted to create a world for dreamers, where everyone would be busy realizing their most cherished desires. It should have been the most special place in the Universe. But what I got was a city with a few dreamers, whom all the other residents help. Everything is as it was before. Nothing has changed.”
“But you’re missing the most important and crucial detail,” Eddie assures him with enthusiasm. “Money isn’t needed here. You don’t have to think and worry day in and day out only about how to survive, provide food, clothes, shoes, and shelter for yourself and your loved ones. You gave everyone the freedom to create and to help the creators. Wasn’t your goal to make everyone happy?”
“My goal was only the creation of the world of dreamers,” the Prime Dreamer recalls with disappointment.
“And you did a wonderful job!” Eddie encourages him. “Without even knowing it, you achieved the hidden mission of your project. You made everyone genuinely happy. After all, everyone calmly does what they want. And the result of a beloved activity is happiness.”
“Strange,” Manny looks thoughtfully at his creation with a completely different perspective. Wrinkles appear on his forehead. Not from disappointment and anger, but from a complete re-evaluation of everything he had previously seen in a completely different light. “A mission,” he whispers, stroking the slight stubble on his chin.
“Happiness,” Eddie whispers with a smile. “You succeeded in everything. And even more. Rejoice, your dream brings happiness not only to you but to everyone else, too. You’re a deserving Prime Dreamer of Somniatoria!”
“But I’m not a free dreamer,” Manny recalls sadly, instantly becoming upset. “I didn’t create all of this by myself. Everyone helped me.”
“And there’s a huge plus in that. You’re surrounded by happy assistants and like-minded people. And free dreamers, due to their self-sufficiency, in most cases remain lonely for their whole lives,” Eddie says more sadly, recalling real-life examples.
“Do you know any such people in our world?” the Prime Dreamer asks with surprise, forgetting everything else.
“Of course,” Eddie smiles sadly. “Would you be greatly surprised if I said they live on the outskirts of our world or even in its remote locations, not communicating with anyone except the Universe?”
“A little surprising,” Manny admits thoughtfully. “But quite logical, considering their self-sufficiency. Can you take me to them?” With eyes burning with enthusiasm, the Prime Dreamer latches onto this unexpected novelty, which he never could have imagined.
“Finding such dreamers isn’t difficult,” Eddie considers seriously. “It will be harder to find a common language with them.”
“That’s not necessary,” Manny exclaims animatedly. “I just want to look at them.”
“I think we’ll be able to take a peek,” the guest, who has turned the Prime Dreamer’s entire world upside down, considers with a smile.
“Then let’s go!” the creator of Somniatoria commands briskly, powerfully throwing open the doors of the luxurious hall.
“But, master,” the dreamer’s deputy whispers in surprise.
“I don’t want to hear anything!” Manny insists persistently. “We’re leaving!” he urges his new, equally surprised, friend Eddie along.
“But where to?” the deputy pretends not to know, although he diligently eavesdropped on the entire conversation between the Prime Dreamer and the unexpectedly strange man.
“That’s none of your business,” Manny answers, smiling calmly. “I’m not your master. And don’t be offended, we’re still friends,” they hurry down the steps of the luxurious palace.
“And what should I do?” the deputy asks confusedly, pausing.
“You’re the deputy!” Manny reminds him with a smile. “So, deputize!” Everyone around them struggles to hold back their smiles.
“And when will you return?” the temporary acting head of Somniatoria clarifies, stopping on the threshold of the luxurious palace.
“When I become free!” the Prime Dreamer declares joyfully and optimistically, leading his new friend and assistant deeper into the streets of Somniatoria under the surprised looks and whispers of the dreamy residents. The palace doors close, the slam signaling a new era in the life of the entire Somniatoria. The residents of the world are not so much alarmed by the Prime Dreamer’s sudden impulse as they are by the deputy’s cunning and sinister gaze.

I am not urging anyone to do anything.

All events and characters are fictional.

Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

I sincerely apologize if I have offended anyone.

Highly Recommended Age: 18+

The author bears no responsibility for the reader's perception of the book.