Nicotine Dreams: Work and Possessions

This post is part of a series of articles that reflect on nicotine induced dreams. During 2012 whilst attempting to quit smoking, I was using patches as part of a Nicotine Replacement Therapy program. I became very aware of heightened recall of dreams I experienced whilst wearing a nicotine patch and began to document them accordingly. This is one such dream.

I am stood in a cross between a school corridor, and my Dad’s laundry room. There are people walking past casually as if it is a public thoroughfare. Dave Mackenzie is sat on the sideboard talking to me but I cannot recall what about.

For some reason I begin emptying my bag and pockets over the side and organising them all how I usually do due to my OCPD. I turn around for some reason, glance up the corridor and look back at the side and there are lots of additional items amongst my own. I panic and start collecting mine together through fear of losing something. I go to pick up what I believe to be my bus pass and an Asian man begins accusing me of stealing his possessions. I look down and my bus pass is in my hand, so I apologise explaining it was an honest mistake. 

Once the side is clear of all items, I begin frantically checking my pockets aware something is missing but I’m not sure what. I open my wallet and there are loads of photos of me on small credit card sized slips; and there is a photo of Brett Lovatt, one of my friends really prominent, and one of Leone Smith a girl I know. I realise it’s my mobile phone that is missing and begin looking for it. Dave points at a mobile phone laying on the floor implying that it is mine, I look at it and advise it’s not mine. Suddenly Matt Handy appears and claims the phone as his, then vanishes as quickly. I see my phone on the sideboard and pick it up relieved. 

There are two asians beside me now discussing a car claim; the shorter of the two asks my opinion on the situation, I laugh and tell him I ironically work in insurance. Before we can discuss anything further, Viv appears and begins angrily telling me I should not be discussing claims with clients outside of work; I attempt to explain that I haven’t said anything yet but she talks over me saying I could lose my job.

There is a gold pen on the sideboard, presumably one of the asians as it is alongside a claims report. I don’t know why but I decide I am going to steal it, so I slip it up my sleeve and conceal it by holding a red coffee cup with a black lid. The asians give up looking for the pen and leave, so I chuck the coffee cup on the side and go to leave myself in the opposite direction. Dave picks the cup off the side and chucks it in the bin, and looks at me disapprovingly.

Then I awoke.