The Strange Case of Randolph Haigh

The Strange Case of Randolph Haigh

[A strange recurring nightmare]

Randolph Haigh, 58, was a researcher in dreams at the Miskatonic University, Arkham, Massachusetts, for five years. He was very familiar with dreams and their origin. One evening at 8 PM, he returned home from the university Institute of Dream Research and went to his kitchen to make tea. He boiled water and inserted the tea bag; and then he poured a cup of tea and sat down. Randolph neither watched his TV nor listened to the radio. There were reports of epidemics in Asia. Despite his standard health, Randolph feared a rise of epidemics in the country. He was disturbed visibly by thoughts of sickness and death. Nonetheless, Randolph began to think about the news. He had overlooked his knowledge of dreams.  He slowly fell asleep and began to dream.

He started to dream that the university reported a strange, alien strain of bacteria, whose origin and qualities were unknown, floating near the earth’s orbit. Within moments, the bacteria entered the atmosphere around Arkham, Massachusetts and affected the whole community. Randolph manifested in the dream and was consequently affected. He returned home from the university, feeling tired sand physically distressed. He went into his bedroom and lay down to rest. But rest was scarce. Moments later, his stomach churned and wrenched, compelling him to run to the toilet.  No sooner had he entered hos bathroom when he was stooped over the wash basin. He vomited as though affected by a gastric ulcer and all the contents of his stomach fell out. He stared for a moment. Then he lost consciousness. His limbs lost all strength, as did the whole body. A moment later, his skin began to dry and grow coarse.

Slowly, he tried to remember his research and he woke from the nightmare, shocked and peaked. He was thoroughly exhausted and weak. He searched his memory and found his fear of diseases. He realized at once that it triggered his nightmare. Randolph set at once to preoccupying his mind with less serious matters. He turned on his TV and searched for other networks than news. He found a sports network and began to watch coverage of a football game in San Francisco, California. Suddenly, coverage was interrupted by an update of the news. The epidemic in Asia, source unknown, had spread to the south. Nobody reported an incursion of the west yet. Randolph switched off the TV and turned on his radio, searching for music stations. However, within moments after he had started to listen, the broadcast was interrupted by the same news story.

Randolph shut his radio and tried to ignore the topic for the rest of the day. Yet grave news frequently lingers in our memories. Randolph knew that to dwell on such issues would make the dreams recur. That afternoon he returned to the university and resumed his research. He decided to research about deterrents. Amusement and leisure were the most common means. His research informed him that almost all the people of the world depended on this means. This gave him insight but he could not determine a failsafe means of escape. After all, dreams are due to factors within the subconscious or unconscious mind. He concluded his work open-endedly and returned to his flat in the town. After arriving, he tried to find networks that broadcast less serious matters on TV. That night, he watched a serial until 9 PM. Thus, he had the chance to relax and get some sleep for the night.

The next morning, he made coffee and headed off to the university as usual. He felt more confident and checked into his department. He continued his research as before and tried to preoccupy his mind.  Randolph resumed his research and determined to preoccupy his mind with that. He would attempt to find a more failsafe method that day. He contacted the HOD and requested more data, which was provided for him within an hour. Randolph set to reading through the articles and theses given to him. He viewed the microfilms too.   For that duration, he was busy with something that would not make him dream. Eventually, his latent fear of epidemics revived the next night.

Randolph finished his research at half past 7 that evening, thanked his HOD but added that he had not concluded as hoped.

“What were you studying?”

“The cure for nightmares, sir.”

“Hmmm. As far as I know, they haven’t found one yet.”

“Exactly what I concluded. I had one myself lately, about an epidemic.”

“Terrible. I wish you luck speedily. That Asian disease seems ready to spread further.”

Randolph wished that his HOD had not mentioned it, but he later admitted that speaking of his nightmare had led to that. He shrugged and returned home. That night, more or less as he had anticipated, he dreamed that nightmare again.