The static smell of frying dust brought Guy out of his slumber

Guy Montag found himself surrounded by a forest. It leaned in over him; a nude canopy.

He never knew the definition of stillness, he’d seen flailing spines after setting his regulated fires. Now here he was, under a serene sky, leaves falling around him.

He closed his eyes so he could settle back into the dream. But frying food and brewing tea told the time. He figured out his wife must’ve made the purchase and ordered the install.

“Mildred!” he called.

At the sound of his voice, all walls went blank, a falling leaf disappeared in mid flight. Mildred walked in, dressed for Television. “The Family is on” she warned, “And they might ask me a question tonight. Me! They might ask me for my opinion, it could change the entire story. Television is much better now that the fourth wall is installed!”

Guy yearned to open the book he’d hid under the couch’s cushion. He wanted to caress its sleeve and wear its jacket, under a sky in a quiet forest