I

           Sevendreamers.

           Youmustunderstandthattheywerenotprofessionaldreamers.Professionaldreamersarehighlypaid,respected,muchsought-aftertalents.Likethemajorityofus,thesesevendreamtwithouteffortordiscipline.Dreamingprofessionally,sothatone’sdreamscanberecordedandplayedbackfortheentertainmentofothers,isamuchmoredemandingproposition.Itrequirestheabilitytoregulatesemiconsciouscreativeimpulsesandtostratifyimagination,anextraordinarily,difficultcombinationtoachieve.Aprofessionaldreamerissimultaneouslythemostorganizedofallartistsandthemostspontaneous.Asubtleweaverofspeculation,notstraightforwardandclumsylikeyouorI.Orthesecertainsevensleepers.

           Ofthemall,Ripleycameclosesttopossessingthatspecialpotential.Shehadalittleingraineddreamtalentandmoreflexibilityofimaginationthanhercompanions.Butshelackedrealinspirationandthepowerfulmaturityofthoughtcharacteristicoftheprodreamer.

           Shewasverygoodatorganizingstoresandcargo,atpigeonholingcartonAinstoragechamberBormatchingupmanifests.Itwasinthewarehouseofthemindthatherfilingsystemwentawry.Hopesandfears,speculationsandhalfcreationsslippedhaphazardlyfromcompartmenttocompartment.

           WarrantofficerRipleyneededmoreself-control.Theraw,rococothoughtslaywaitingtobetapped,justbelowthesurfaceofrealization.Alittlemoreeffort,agreaterintensityofself-recognitionandshewouldhavemadeaprettygoodprodreamer.Orsosheoccasionallythought.