The Sandman

So, I've been having these dreams.

And last night, I dreamed I found Jed.

And he told me

who his foster parents are and where they live.

So, when I woke up this morning, I went there.

But when I got there…

Jed was gone.

And they were dead.

I know it's hard to believe, but...

I believe you.

Because last night, I had a dream that I spent the night with Hector.

And when I woke up this morning…

Oh, my God.

I know.

Is it real?

Feel it.

- Oh, my God. - I know.

What is happening to us?

I think I know the answer to that.

I think it's me.

I don't know how she did it, but Rose just got Lyta pregnant.

What?

Apparently it happened in her dream, and when Lyta woke up...

- She was still pregnant. - Very much so.

Then it's starting.

Rose is weakening the walls between the realms.

You gonna tell the boss?

- No. - "No"?

It's none of my business.

Uh, since when?

Since Lord Morpheus reminded me that I'm merely a librarian

and should concern myself with my books from now on.

He said that?

He did. So…

What is wrong with him?

Nothing is wrong with him.

He's always been this way.

He's just been away so long I'd forgotten.

He's determined to deal with the vortex and the missing Arcana by himself.

Without anyone's help.

So any news must be reported directly and exclusively to him.

Okay. But can I keep you in the loop?

You'd better not.

In His Majesty's current mood, he could banish us both to the Darkness.

As he did Gault.

All right, fine. I'll go back to spying on Rose.

But you should make up with him.

I should make up with him?

Yes. Now's not the time to be fighting,

not when there's a vortex getting people pregnant

and runaway Nightmares doing God knows what.

Mm.

You want another one?

Don't we have to meet Rose?

- No, Rose is coming to meet us. - Here?

No. I have to go to a work thing.

It's a convention.

- We'll call her from there. - Like a comic book convention?

You like comic books?

I used to.

Back when you were a kid?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

- Can I ask you a question? - Shoot.

What's your name?

Have you ever noticed how people only ever use your name

when you're in trouble… Jed?

"We need to talk, Jed."

"Get in here, Jed."

You sound like my Uncle Barnaby.

- Exactly. - He's gonna come looking for me.

No, he's not.

He always comes looking for me.

Hmm, not this time.

Do you run away a lot?

- Hmm. - I do too.

And I'll tell you a secret.

I'm running away right now.

You are?

And once we get to Rose, we don't have to run anymore.

We'll be home free.

Are you ready to meet your sister?

Yeah.

Well, then let's go. Come on.

You wanna drive?

Ah!

This is all my fault.

Because you're a dream vortex?

I don't know how I'm doing it or even when I'm doing it,

but I promise you… I will fix this.

I will make it go away.

No, you won't.

Look, whatever's happening, however it's happening,

our dreams are coming true.

You found Jed in your dreams.

And I found Hector.

In fact, uh…

He's asked me to live with him there.

Where?

In your dreams?

How? That's impossible.

I have no idea. I mean, if this can happen, I have to try.

So, you'd just… give up on your life here?

- What life? - Don't say that.

It's true, though.

And… you can always visit.

How?

The same way you found Jed and I found Hector.

In your dreams.

- Hello? - Hi.

I'm calling because I found one of your flyers.

- About a missing boy? - Yes?

I think I found him.

- Rose? - Jed?

- Hi! - Hi.

I… I can't believe it. Are you okay? Where are you?

We're at a hotel in Georgia. Can you come get me?

Yes. I'm leaving right now, Jeddy.

Tell me the name of the hotel.

The Royal Empire Hotel.

Royal Empire Hotel.

You're about three hours from here. Is that okay?

She's three hours away.

I'll answer to her.

Rose. Take your time. Just call us at this number when you get here.

Thank you. Oh. I almost forgot. What's your name?

We'll see you soon.

All right, kid. Let's go.

Been on the road for three days. Drive was a killer.

Hate these hick towns. Wouldn't be caught dead here if it wasn't for the convention.

- What you looking for? - It's a cereal convention.

I thought there'd be cereal.

Are you still hungry?

Okay. Well, have a seat, uh, over there and we'll get you something to eat.

Tell ya, I could murder a steak.

A good, bloody steak.

They do this chocolate fudge whip to die for.

The TV version butchered it, but you can find it uncut online.

Hell, I thought this whole issue was dead and buried in the '60s.

That's when Harry killed the lights. I could've died.

He slays me, that guy.

Nemesis of Neglect, there you go.

There he is.

Our guest of honor doesn't need to wait in line.

We've got name tags and room keys for you and the young woman joining you.

I've got her younger brother with me as well.

You may want to advise him to steer clear of the convention areas.

Yeah.

Uh, Miss Walker? It's Gilbert.

Uh, one second.

Go. I'll be fine.

Our esteemed landlord tells me we're running low on these.

Actually, we don't need them anymore.

I just got a call. Someone found Jed.

What? Where?

He's at a hotel in Georgia. I'm on my way there now.

You're not going alone, I hope.

Uh, Lyta's not feeling well, so…

You must allow me to accompany you.

Uh, I believe America is a very large and excitable place,

and a young person traveling alone can get into all kind of scrapes.

As witnessed the other night.

That's very generous of you, but...

If you'll indulge me,

I should rather enjoy the role of amateur knight errant.

I have my swordstick and an ancient but serviceable revolver.

All right. But where we're going, we won't need to defend ourselves.

I, uh, actually got to meet him once.

You met the Big Bad Wolf?

The actor who did the voice.

Wow.

Hey. Fun.

Fun Land. Not "Fun." Fun Land.

Got it. Sorry about that.

- That's okay. - I see you've met my young friend.

Oh.

Is he with you?

He is.

He and his sister are my guests and under my protection.

Are we good?

We are. Yeah. We're good.

Glad to hear it. Come on, Jed.

Nice to meet you.

- You sure you don't mind driving? - No. Not at all.

When I left home, I made it my mission to see as much of this world as possible.

And home is England? You sound English.

Thank you.

Just, you know, to me, the object of travel

is not to set foot in a foreign land,

but at last to set foot in your own country as a foreign land.

So, it's all about going home?

Yes. I, I suppose it must be, in the end.

And, and you and Miss Hall will be going home, I assume. Uh, with Jed?

Uh, Lyta has other plans, actually.

Oh, yes, you said that, um, she wasn't feeling very well.

Is everything all right?

I hope so.

Are you sure this is okay?

Very sure.

What was that?

Uh…