Requiem for a Dream

Not just a requiem—those were splendid funerals arranged in the city of Dream. Not for just one dream, but for all the dreams of everyone living in the city. It was decided that each person would voluntarily bury their Dream. But there are those who don’t agree to say goodbye to something so dear to the heart…

Contents: «They decided not to skimp on the coffin—so they ordered the most expensive one. Dark brown, with a reddish sheen, varnished, with a shining copper edging and corner ornaments shaped like unopened lilies; wide, sturdy handles—such that it wouldn’t be a sin to mount on the ceremonial door of some government institution. Inside—delicate pink satin upholstery, with a two-section lid. Though, the last detail was probably completely unnecessary.

On Friday, exactly at noon, the coffin was delivered to the cemetery. Empty. The guys from the funeral company did everything properly. Four in black, with uncovered heads, carefully pulled the coffin through the back doors of the black-lacquered hearse, which cast a dull shine, with neatly arranged curtains on the windows. They took it by the handles and carried it smoothly, stepping carefully, to the already dug grave. The weather was gloomy, like early autumn; a fine cold drizzle kept tapping down, and from time to time sharp, blade-like gusts of wind struck—but the men from the funeral shop seemed not to notice anything. They walked straight and sorrowfully, heads lowered; none of them ever stumbled or lost the rhythm of their steps.

By the grave, the coffin was set on pre-prepared blocks—nobody wanted to dirty that beautiful thing with mud. Although in the end, it was supposed to end up right there, in that gray-brown mud churned up by the rain. But no longer empty».