RCx_Vortex

Fred and Gary + Fred\'s Dream (2 in 1)

Gary and Fred, brothers by blood, argue on the subject to wed. 
Older brother Gary wanted Fred to go marry, but Fred fancied the bachelor life instead. 
\"Alas, dear Gary\" said Fred to Gary, \"single life is the life for me\". 
\"Well you see, brother Fred\" he replied in his bed, \"bachelors aren\'t as happy as you believe\".

The argument kept going, both all the while knowing, that Fred\'s stubborn mind will not change. 
So eventually growing tired, the argument was retired, and goodnights and sleep tights were exchanged. 

Awoken with a jump, and he almost threw up - Fred; \"Gary!\", he screamed and shouted. 
He\'d dreamt a dream where he had seen the life he\'d wanted, but now doubted. 
He\'d been alone for fifty years, and a single one more he could not bare. 
And so with his eyes full of tears, he\'d drank \'til his mind was elsewhere.

With a reassuring hug, Gary spoke up, trying to gain back Fred\'s will. 
\"cheer up, young lad! don\'t be so sad, for time for you there\'s more still!\". 
And with a reassured feeling, tears gone and heart healing; Fred started to change his mind. 
\"A bachelor\'s life i want no longer; a second half i will hurry to find!\".
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**Fred\'s Dream**

He awoke in a mansion in a king sized bed, the room was dark and cold.
His mouth took a breath but his lungs didn\'t accept it, the air was raspy and old.
The blanket felt heavy as he threw it off, like a quilt made out of lead.
Feet touching the ground, he gasped once again, the floor felt icy and dead.

Echoes were heard again and again as he walked, his footsteps left marks behind.
And the paintings on the walls stared at him as he passed, a sick feeling grew in his mind.
The paintings were of happy couples, smiling as they looked each other with loving eyes.
He walked further, and yet still more paintings he found, each with someone holding their prize.

There were many doors in the hallway, one led to a ballroom. He looked in, fearing his life.
Couples were dancing, laughing with joy, even Gary was there with his wife.
Old friends were there, he hadn\'t seen in years. He laughed and jogged to dance too.
His smile went away when he noticed that they weren\'t there. Ghosts of a memory, too soon.

Through a different door he ran, not daring to believe what he saw,
He found himself in a restaurant full of people, a valentine galore.
Every table had a couple, eating and talking, lonely tables; there were none.
The waiter looked at him and cackled hard \"Would you like a table for one?!\"

Stumbling out the door, he fell through the floor, into a darker, emptier room.
There was nothing at all inside, but a mirror and the feeling of a depressing gloom.
Closer to the mirror he walked, for there was something off about it all.
To his shock, the mirror was empty too, not even himself he saw.

Suddenly in the reflection, he found a chair with an old man perched and drinking.
Tears were in his eyes, and all the more Fred\'s heart kept sinking.
Because the old man staring at him was Fred\'s older self, it was a fearful sight.
With a raspy voice Fred\'s older self spoke; \"you wanted to be a bachelor, right?\"