(After walking for a few minutes in near darkness, you come across a riverbank. You hear what sounds like the creaking of wood, and the strange faint harmony of strings.)

(Before you stands an odd house. It looks like no house you have ever seen. Or maybe, you have? You can't really tell. You put your hand up to the door. It seems to react when you touch it, as if it is shivering. The door gives way and creaks open slowly, with a sigh and gust of air coming from the depths.)

(Within the house stands a man. Is it a man? You can't really tell. The dark silouhette of his wide-brim hat and oversized trenchcoat are barely visible against the dark walls of the house.)

(The man begins to speak. His tone whimsical, and accompanied by the faint sound of creaking wood and strings as he moves his mouth.)

Oh! They said I would find you here! Hello, Elijah!

This is our first time meeting face-to-face! I did not expect it to take this long. We were meant to meet ages ago. I have been walking along this river for some time.

In any case...

I hope you are well! As I've been waiting for this meeting the time seems to have been... slipping away...

Last time I had a delivery pertaining to you was...

A "Valentine's Day"

Ha! A day of love! How curious!

Every day is a day of love, if you allow it to be. Do you allow it so?

Oh yes! The meaning of this meeting!

I have another delivery for you! From whom... I cannot remember?

I know it is an odd thing to forget... but I have been walking for some time. I can't remember everything, you know! Besides, in regards to my task, it matters not whom the parcel is from. Only that it has found its merry way to you! Besides, I get the sense that you already know the identity of its creator.

So... will you help me fufill my duty? Will you take the letter?

(...)

Hah... you are... odd. Responding out loud to a string of text that cannot respond back to you.

(He stares deeply into you. Too deep. He realizes this, and averts his gaze with a fabricated "cough" and a fist over his mouth.)

Well... in any case...

(The man pulls a sealed envelope from the folds within his trenchcoat and hands it to you. You run your fingers along it, and you can make out the shape and texture of a wax stamp.)

I trust that you know how to open an envelope!

Now, the time is now, and the now is the past!

(He grabs his collar with both hands and shimmies it around, straightening it.)

Now, put on your keffiyeh and wash your handsome face!

(Somehow, he pulls out the garment in question from within his sleeve, and tosses it to you. How did he get this...?)

Or... put on your face and wash your keffiyeh...

Not in any particular order... or perhaps... not in any order... at all?

(He goes quiet for a moment.)

Nevertheless, do what you do best! Look good! The waking world awaits your arrival!

(The man turns around as another door deeper in the house manifests itself within the sinews of the wall. He opens the door, hesitates, and looks back over his shoulder towards you. You cannot see his eyes, but you feel his gaze is benevolent.)

Until we meet again, Elijah! A parting need not last forever. Whether it be forever or a short time... that is up to fate. Dreaming is unpredictable, but not entirely without pattern. May we dream of a meeting once again! May your concrete make way for dandelions! Tally ho, then!

(The man taps the tip of his umbrella to the floor. You felt the floor beneath you pulse and groan. When you blinked, the silhouette of the man had vanished. It seems as if you were never in a house. The letter beats in your hand like organic matter.)