Water Show

Water Show
(A mermaid dream)

I did not know the location of the tank complex, but it seemed to have been built in an entertainment center. I saw a crowded and noisy gambling area here. I also remember seeing a rather large room full of people and monitoring equipment, but I never did learn what this room was for. There were two tanks located in the complex; a very large rectangular tank (much larger than the average neighborhood swimming pool), and a much smaller tank with a rounded, free-form shape. It had a flat wall on one side, with a large viewing window embedded in it. Impressive artificial waterfalls, and beautiful landscaping adorned both tanks. There were grandstand style seats for both tanks, but they seemed more established in the area of the smaller tank.

Most of the dream took place in and around the smaller of the two tanks. This tank resembled a theater, or show tank, more so than the larger tank, which was much more utilitarian in appearance. Near the water's edge, on the flat-sided end of the tank, was a speaker's stand facing what looked like box seating. Behind these rose more traditional grandstands with bench seating. Below these was a small enclosed food court that serviced both tanks. There was no access to the room below the water level from either the grandstands or the food court, and I never did learn where the entrance for it was located. The grandstands extended part way around the tank on either side. The opposite side resembled a stage surrounded by water. There were flat places for people to walk or perform on, and ramps that led up to ledges of varying heights that extend over the water. The tank's design was such that it appeared that sets could extend below the surface of the water and into the tank itself.

In retrospect, it is amazing how much I "understood" and yet still did not know in this dream. I didn't know what i looked like - I never really saw myself, except when arms, hands, part of my tail or hair came into my field of vision. I experienced the dream through my own eyes and never saw a reflection of myself. I knew I could shift from mermaid to human form and that I spent as much time out of the water as in it. I knew I was with a group of humans who seemed about my age, but I did not know what the group's purpose was. There were faces that were familiar to me, but I didn't know their names. I knew I was allowed to use the show tank and understood this arrangement had been worked out in advance, but I did not really know why I was here. There were other groups here, and I knew some of them were here to perform. And I was certain I would not see another mer while I was here.  

Like the vast majority of my dreams, the lighting was dark. It was near sunset. A crowd was gathering at the show tank, and my companions and I were finding our seats in the box seat area near the speaker's stand. The stage appeared empty of sets or props, so I thought perhaps I was in for a fairly typical water show. I was aware the microphone appeared waterproof. Understandable, given its proximity to the water. Many people around me were dressed as if prepared for a good soaking, and those who were not either sat in "safe" areas or had plastic covers at the ready for protection. I wore a loose-fitting dress and I wasn't concerned about getting it, or myself, wet. The air was warm and I thought getting wet might actually be a blessing. In time, the seats mostly filled with people and I simply waited along with everyone else for the show to start.

A man stepped into the speaker's stand and faced the audience. I "knew" him, but a part of me realized he was also a stranger. He addressed the audience with a practiced ease and his first announcement, of all things, was a warning about nudity in the show. I'm both confused and unconcerned. I'm an adult, and while I don't remember seeing any children present, nudity doesn't really bother me. Still, I can't help wondering what type of show I was about to see. He raised his voice in excited tones and the air filled with loud music  and bright, swirling lights. He then looked over his shoulder towards the water. His tone wavered and soon he was waving his hands in frantic gestures over his head. The lights went out and the music literally ground to a halt as it might in a comedy routine. A smattering of uncomfortable laughter could be heard from the assembled crowd. He glanced over the audience as though worried until his eyes fixed on me.

It was as if a spotlight had been placed on me, though I do not recall seeing an actual light. I looked around, not sure what was happening, but I saw the faces of my companions looking back at me with knowing smiles. The man at the microphone beckoned to me, wagging an index finger. I pointed to myself and he nodded. I saw no easy path to the speaker's stand. I was several rows back, surrounded on all sides by people and the railings around the seating box. It wasn't ladylike, but I decided to take the most direct path and crawled over the backs of seats while using the hand rests as stepping stones. I was aware of my elevated position while I did this and pulled down on the hem of my skirt. I heard laughter, and a part of me suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

I reached the stand, and the man looked at me with a stern expression on his face. Through a series of exaggerated hand gestures, it was clear I was supposed to be the one in the water. After several unsuccessful attempts to entice me into the water, he waved a fish in front of my face. He swung it back and forth as though to hypnotize me, and I followed the movement of it with my head. The fish was tossed into the water and I dove in after it.  I discovered the fish was made of plastic. As the show was about to resume, I threw the fish back - lightly hitting the man at the microphone in the back of the head. Over the course of the show, there would be several playful interactions between this man and the "uncooperative" mermaid. The entire show seemed based on twisting the premise of a typical SeaWorld show into one where all the well-known tricks are "ruined" when I don't perform them in the expected manner. At one point, I slid onto my stomach and raised my tail to wave to the audience--except I was not facing the audience when I'd done it, making the gesture seem rude.

It was great fun! Still, while there was no real 'ending' to the show, the dream would all too soon. One thing flowed into another in ways that seemed perfectly acceptable at the time but would be impossible if given careful consideration. Near the end, the visuals became less distinct or suddenly dissolved into a jumble of confusing images. People were there, and then they were not there. I saw people behind the glass pane that was set into the one flat wall of the tank, but I didn't remember giving them a second thought. I do not know if the audience saw a "real" mermaid or not. I couldn't see myself from their vantage point. I moved easily, and breathed easily whether in the water or not. A sandy bottom appeared on the tank floor that I could not remember seeing earlier and I "knew" I would be spending the night here. Then, just as suddenly, I'm out of the the water again, watching another group perform in and around this same tank.

And no one around me gave me a second look.



4 September, 2011