I closed the window firmly, blocking the city noises out as best I could. New York never slept but I occasionally liked to. It was late. I hadn't been tracking the time until I'd been walking home from work, cursing myself for not bringing an umbrella. I'd spent the first 15 minutes towelling my hair when I got through the door. Hadn't worked of course, my perfectly straight hair had bounced to life in all it's curly glory. I sometimes wondered was I destined to have an untameable bush atop my head for the rest of my life. I slid into bed and reached over to switch off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into complete darkness. I liked the dark, it was peaceful. Quiet. No constant conversation from anyone. Just my thoughts. Which in themselves were probably much more complicated than speaking with another person, but at least they didn't bore me. I couldn't say the same for some people I had met. I rolled from my back to my side for a little while, turning the sheets into a twisted mess before finally settling on my stomach and letting my eyes slowly drift closed. I guess that's where the dream started. Or nightmare. Depends on your point of view.