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Not seen this serial before? Please start at:      http://authspot.com/short-stories/dream-marines-part-one/

Suddenly the doctor  from Star Trek Voyager materialised on the front of the stage next to Graham.

Janeway: “What are you doing here Doctor? You are not part of the away team!”

Doctor: “Forgive me Captain. I’ve been scanning this ‘show’ from ‘Voyager’ and felt it my duty to make a contribution. My readings show that Dave has suffered serious yet very subtle malfunction of his cerebral cortex and associated neural pathways. Even our technology could not ‘heal’ him in the short or medium term.”

Another shock as ‘Seven of Nine’ now materialised next to The Doctor.

Seven: “I’m Seven of Nine from the starship ‘Voyager’. I agree with The Doctor”,  your technology is inadequate. However, what you have will have to suffice.”

Merlin (from audience): “My spells will not work in this realm either, I’m sorry to say.”

Kyle: “I hear on my earphones that Dave’s employers have spent weeks trying to refer him to a Consultant for a possible Cure or Early Retirement!”

Graham: “That’s right. In fact his employer is negotiating with occupational health about a re-referral. I’ve read the notes from both his GP and his therapist, and none of these are conclusive. It’s all down to the Consultant. He may of course recommend other therapies such as CBT, which I happen to use here on this show. To be honest I do not think higher technologies, or even magic has any relevance here. In fact I suggest that Captain Kirk and his team should return to their own realm while they still can. Do you agree Dave?”

Dave: “Yes I do! I don’t think I need any help with that lot over there (pointing at his ‘enemies’). They’re a minor irritation to me these days.”

Graham: “Good, I’m pleased to hear that Dave.”

Kirk: “That’s good enough for me. Voyager, party to beam up, on the double!”

Right on cue all Dave’s heroes faded into the ether.

Graham: “Dave, what you are experiencing is a stress related psychiatric injury. There is nothing much wrong with you in a congenital or hereditary way. Yes, your Mum suffers from mild neuroticism and your dad had anger issues. And Mike also displays plenty of both! At least you still get on with them.”

Dave: “I think Mike’s in a worse state than me, in his own way.”

Graham: “That’s not what we are here for Dave! This is about you!”

Jess (laughed): “He nearly shouted then!”

Graham: “I think you should let us send all your associates back to ‘The Dream Institute’ or wherever they’ve come from, right now. Then we may sit backstage in private and talk over this quietly and rationally.”

Pam: “Here, here!”

Jess: “Do you agree Dave, yes or no?”

Dave: “I Do!”

With that, Graham clapped his hands and all Dave’s “associates” vanished. He then led Dave offstage into a quiet room. Now was the time to be rational and analytical, without digging too deep into The Id any more.

To Be Continued.

For more, please go to:

http://authspot.com/short-stories/dream-marines-part-eight/

Paul Butters