Bert awoke in a cold sweat. It had all just been a dream! His dream girl, Rose Tyler, had been just that, a dream. She had not really died, for she had not truly lived. He sighed, because he had been smitten with the girl in his dreams. As it was, he would meet his cousin Sally for the barn dance, and forget all about his nightmare.

His morning and afternoon were spent doing his choirs and helping his father in the fields. He had a hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner, eating as only a farm boy could, without gaining weight. That evening he piled into his old car, wearing his new suit and headed out to cross county lines and meet his cousin.

He pulled up outside the Thompson's red barn, to find it brightly lit and decorated with streamers. Bluegrass music was playing and he could hear the chatter of the kids at the dance, over it. They certainly were having a good time. He approached the barn and stepped through the massive double doors.

His blonde cousin Sally waved at him. He waved back and grinned. It was then that he saw her. The girl from his dream was very real and dancing with the rough boy who had shot her. He pinched himself to see if he was still dreaming. "Quickly Sally, slap me." She obliged, and landed a hard blow across his face. It did not help. The horrible dream continued.