A Patchwork of Memories

Leaving a note behind and keeping a firm hold of Remus on his shoulder, the man left as quickly as he’d come. Maxim stared after them in bewilderment.

“But it’s so dull for a nightmare factory,” He could hear being yelled down the street. “I could help.”

With one last glance outside, he decided to stay out of whatever was happening and focused on returning his workshop to normal.

The peace didn’t last long before a knock came at his door and Maxim was faced with another man similar to his earlier intruders.

“Sup, I’m Virgil. Please tell me here is quieter than everywhere else?” He invited himself in, and Maxim decided that knocking was not enough manners for the intrusion.

Even if it meant he’d be involved with whatever was happening, he grabbed Virgil’s wrist, “I’m taking you back to Dallergut’s. That’s where the guy who carried Remus off said you’re meant to be.

Despite hunching in as they neared the more crowded main street, Virgil seemed unbothered about being led by a stranger. He looked around cautiously regardless but as he recognised the entrance they were approaching asked, “Was it Logan who got Remus?”

Maxim checked the note he’d pocketed while tidying, “That name is on the list so probably not. Didn’t introduce himself either. Penny might know a customer number but it’s rare we know names of sleeping customers.”

“Probably Remy then. Logan wanted to make Thomas sleep better so now we’re all here and Remy got mad over it.” Virgil muttered in reply.

Thankfully Maxim didn’t need to worry over where Virgil was meant to go as Penny spotted them immediately, waving them over. Along the counter, the man Virgil had guessed was Remy was stood with Vigo Myers and Dallergut discussing something seriously.

“Maxim! You found one of the wanderers!” Penny called, getting the trios attention too.

“Sup,” Virgil did a two-fingered salute, “You found all of us now?”

Remy groaned, taking a drink from a travel cup he hadn’t had earlier. “No, Patton and Roman are still missing.”

Virgil thought for a moment before rolling his eyes, as if he could have already found them, “Patton was fawning over the cuddly guys and Roman probably wanted to try something heroic or death defying.”

Dallergut looked at him shrewdly for a moment before turning to Maxim, dashing hopes that his involvement in whatever was going on was over. “Would you mind checking the Noctiluca Laundry while we look around town, Maxim? It seems you’ve connected well with Customer 765 so far.”

He started to nod as Remy moved to lean against Dallergut’s shoulder, “Dallergut, babes, there are seven of us currently. We can’t all be ‘Customer 765’. Just use our names.”

“That would be informal and impolite. You are Customer 765A. The tie wearer B, The one trying to make weapons C, the one with a cape D and this person here E. Now we should begin our search for F and G,” Myers insisted. “Preferably before B thinks of a new experiment.”

“Sure thing.” Remy huffed, reaching out to take Virgil’s wrist from Maxim’s grasp. “Virgil, I’ll show you where the others are. Be a dear and tell Remus something to focus him on Logan.”

Virgil snorted, “I’ll tell him everyone thinks Logan is doing his job better than he is. See what happens with that. Warning, it could make him try to learn how to do sleep experiments from Logan.”

Maxim glanced at the group there, sending a hesitant smile to Penny and debating asking if she’d come with him before deciding that he should just head straight to the Laundry before more could be asked of him.

~

The Noctiluca Laundry was the same as ever when Maxim arrived, moving quietly through the familiar caves, past all the work going on to see who was resting there.

“Maxim, you look like you’re on a mission.” Atlas greeted before he’d reached most of the sleeping customers.

He nodded, turning to his father, “Dallergut asked for help with Customer 765. We think 765 F or G might be here.”

“Remy, I believe, but I’ve not seen him recently.” Atlas replied, thinking of the current sleeping customers present. “But someone who introduced himself as Patton does look remarkably like him. He’s fascinated by the Noctiluca and has insisted on helping.”

Maxim sighed, pulling the note from earlier out again but already recognising the name. “That’s no 765. Whereabouts is he?”

“Through here if you’re sure?” Atlas was more openly confused than he was allowing himself to be.

Deciding to offer the partial explanation he’d been able to surmise and hopefully prevent gossip between Dallergut and Atlas over his involvement, Maxim shared, “It’s like this sleeping customers is split into multiple people after doing some kind of experiment.”

As he led them through, Atlas considered the words before smiling at his son, “You could make a dream about this happening once it’s resolved. Show people how their worries, fears or wonders change them perhaps.”

“The first no 765 I met said I already make him.” He commented, spotting the sleeping customer he’d come to find.

“Hi!” He waved at them enthusiastically, “How are you kiddos?”

Atlas coughed to hide a chuckle, clearly having expected the greeting but still amused by its use. “I’m still fine, Patton. I’m going back to my tasks now.”

Maxim shook his head after him before turning back to the customer. “I’d much prefer to be having a quiet evening working, but I’ve been asked to help find you. Want to come back to Dallergut’s store with me?”

“Wasn’t I meant to explore?” Patton asked, easily standing to join Maxim. “Logan said we were here to learn how to improve Thomas’s sleep then went off on his own without saying anything more.”

“From what I’ve heard so far tonight, I don’t think Logan should have been giving any instructions at all.” Maxim muttered, but tried to keep a neutral or welcoming expression in case no 765 F decided not to come back. “There should only be a number for each customer, so the fact that there are multiple of you, no 765 is something that needs resolving and the usual appearance you make here is apparently called Remy.”

Patton nodded eagerly, following without any need for a hand on his wrist when Maxim started to lead them out of the Noctiluca Laundry. “Yes, Sleep is what Remy is in charge of so if this is where Thomas comes to dream then it would be Remy you’d meet.”

“And what would you say you’re in charge of?” He asked, wondering if there had already been something unusual about no 765 before this happened.

“Morality, optimism and puns.” The words were stated proudly just as the commuter train pulled up to the station.

Maxim moved straight to the driver, his identification badge on show. “This is a sleeping customer who is having issues and needs returning to Dallergut’s to be cared for. Might no 765 be allowed on the train?”

“Special permission granted. Dallergut called the service to inform us you might be openly bringing a sleeping customer aboard.” The driver replied.

Hoping that this would be the end of his quests, Maxim relaxed into his seat after getting Patton to sit next to him.

Instead, Patton yelped, seeing something over the side of the train. “Is that Roman?!” He exclaimed, trying to lean over Maxim to see over the edge.

There does seem to be someone climbing the cliff-face of the Dizzying Downhill but Maxim can’t see them clearly enough to know if it is the final no 765 or not. He resolves not to be the person trying to get them back to the department store, and tugs Patton to sit down.

“If it is 765 G, then once you are back at Dallergut’s we will tell the management where we’ve seen him and ask them for a plan on how to retrieve him.” He explains.

“But Roman could be in danger!”

Patton seemed ready to jump out of his seat again, when the driver turned to glare at them, “Remain seated. If you are discussing the person attempting to scale the cliff, rescue services have been notified and are on route to retrieve them. They will then be directed to somewhere safe that they should rationally be.”

Maxim nodded in thanks at them, “See. If it is, Roman did you say?, then he will be brought to safety without you risking everyone on the train.”

“But-” For a moment it seemed like Patton would protest more before he gave up, “I still wish we could help him now.”

“Do you do a lot of climbing in your daily life?” He asked, knowing how some of the dreams he’d sold had focused on falling from heights according to the reviews, until the customer decided they could climb in dreams or do something else to conquer the fear.

With a pout, no 765 F huffed into his seat, remained still and silent for the rest of the journey.

~

“I found another Customer 765.” Maxim said when leading Patton over to Penny, the trio from earlier now absent. “And he’s fairly sure that the last known wandering 765 is trying to climb down the Dizzying Downhill.”

The greeting Penny had clearly been about to say remained silent as her face fell into concern, but before asking for more explanation she reached for the stores tannoy system. “Dallergut or Myers, please come to the front desk.”

Patton moved forwards smiling, though it was a strained smile. “Hi, are you someone that can arrange for Roman’s rescue? That cliff looked really dangerous to climb and-”

“And the driver of the commuter train said there was already a rescue team notified and on route.” Maxim cut off, trying to avoid any second teams being sent out when they weren’t needed. “Sorry, Penny. No 765 F is very concerned for No 765 G.”

“It’s fine. We’re all concerned to hear anyone attempting that slope, but I’m sure everything will be resolved.” She assured them, glancing over as Dallergut and Weather approached, learnt to keep an eye out for the staff members coming over.

Dallergut was smiling at Patton, “Looks like we’re a step closer to no 765’s issues being resolved. Vigo and 765 A are fairly certain they’ve got the solution once every 765 is gathered together.”

“Except we’re likely waiting for a rescue team to bring back 765 G.” Maxim responded, gesturing to Patton, “He’s certain that the man scaling Dizzying Downhill is Roman which according to this would make him no 765 G.”

“Ah.” Dallergut paused, looking between the customer and Penny before Weather made a noise of complaint.

Moving to be stood behind the counter with Penny, she took the phone, calling the rescue central to request that, if the person on the Dizzying Downhill is a sleeping customer they are brought to Dallergut’s Dream Department Store as soon as possible.

After this was done, Dallergut was quick to lead no 765 F off to wherever the other Customer no 765’s were being accommodated.

Maxim stared after them hesitantly, before offering an uncertain smile to Penny. “Perhaps you’d like to come over after your shift to tell me how that situation ends?”

“I will do. Thank you Maxim, for all the help you’ve given this evening.” She agrees cheerfully.

Both wonder if there a chance Dallergut or the customer could offer some reward for everything he’d done but remain silent about it.

~

That evening, Penny brings Maxim a dream recently released by Doje and the information that after becoming one customer, instead of seven, once more, customer 765 had purchased one of his dreams, saying he hoped it was something that would put Logan off from experimenting with Sleep for a good long while.

Maxim was sure that everyone involved in the night’s events felt the same.

~