Charles E. Burchfield's Dreams, Journals, December 7, 1940

A dream last night-

In a strange city – walking through poorly lighted streets at night. A fine misty rain, a man with a dirty white beard and long faded overcoat following me.

I go into a movie-house, find a seat near the aisle. A minstrel show on the stage. Two suspicious looking fellows take seats behind me. I put my hand into my money pocket (right side) so they cannot pick it. I turn my head just in time to see one of the fellows about to make a lunge at my pocket with a knife. He jerks his hand back & tries to look unconcerned.  Fearful, I get up and go out of the theatre, where I again encounter the man with the beard. An officer coming along at the moment, I shout to him to arrest the man – who runs off into the darkness, the policeman after him.

I now walk northwards up another street which has a slight grade.  The first light of dawn is appearing in the northeast beyond the city. I come to a great round pool and fountain in the center of the street – a group of people come, wrapped in bathrobes, and although the weather is cold, they start throwing off their robes, and clad in bathing suits start diving in the pool.

Charles E. Burchfield, December 7, 1940