A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master — Adaptation Excerpts

Adapted by Bob Italia
Transcribed by Rob Nimmo

THREE

The next morning, Kristen went to school early. She sat alone on the front steps, rocking herself slightly. She was nervous and agitated. “Here you are,” Alice said as she approached. “Where were you this morning? Rick’s looking all over for you.” “Have you seen Joey and Kincaid?” Kristen asked anxiously. “I can’t find them. I can’t find them anywhere!” “I’m sure they’re around,” Alice said. “Yeah, well I’m not so sure.” Kristen looked at Alice. Both had bags under their eyes. “We have matching luggage,” Kristen said. Alice looked puzzled. Kristen smiled. “The bags under your eyes. Nightmares?” Alice nodded. “I hate dreaming,” Kristen said. “I love to dream,” Alice said. “I just hate the ones about my dad.” “How do you deal with your nightmares?” Kristen asked. “My mom taught me when I was little,” Alice replied. “Did you ever hear of the dream master?” “Sounds like a game show host to me.” “No, really,” Alice said, “it’s a fable. The guardian of good dreams. It was like my teddy bear when I was growing up.” “Great,” Kristen said. “Would you happen to know his phone number?” Alice laughed. “So what do you do now?” Kristen inquired. “I daydream. You have to dream about some place fun. Remember, you’re in control.” “How’d you learn so much about dreams?” “When they’re all you have,” Alice said, “you kinda become an expert.” Kristen gave Alice a sympathetic look. The two girls sat in silence for a moment. “I used to bring people into my dreams,” Kristen stated. “You what?” Alice said. “When I used to have nightmares, I brought my friends in to help me. Until they all started dying.” Alice looked confused. “Never mind,” Kristen said, “it’s too complicated. Let’s get in before your brother starts a search party.”

Kristen and Alice entered a filled classroom where Rick was already seated. Kristen stared at two empty seats—and all the blood drained from her face. She started to tremble. A murmuring began deep inside her and built to a tortured cry as she shook her head. “Nooooo!” she screamed. The other students were mesmerized by Kristen’s outburst. Some of them glanced over at the empty seats. “What is it?” Rick asked. “Oh no,” Kristen cried. “He killed them!” Rick got up and took hold of Kristen’s arm, but she pulled away with all her strength. The momentum of her violent move threw her off balance. Kristen fell back, slamming her head against the door. Then she slumped to the floor.

—

Kristen found herself in the nurse’s office. A school nurse was passing an ampule of smelling salts under Kristen’s nose. Kristen shook her head and blinked. The nurse leaned down and smiled. “Feeling better now?” “Yeah,” Kristen replied groggily. “I guess so. What happened?” “You had a nasty bump.” As she regained her senses, Kristen looked up at the nurse with an expression of extreme urgency. “I gotta get out of here!” “You just stay put. You need rest.” “You don’t get it. He’s after me.” “Don’t worry honey…” The nurse turned and set down the smelling salts. Then the nurse faced Kristen. It was Freddy Krueger. Kristen let out a scream… …and suddenly her eyes snapped open. The nurse was passing an ampule of smelling salts under Kristen’s nose. The nurse leaned down and smiled. “Feeling better now?” Kristen didn’t say a word.

—

Later that day, Kristen and Rick drove to the Crave Inn Diner where Alice worked as a waitress. Kristen’s friends Debbie and Dan were sitting in a booth. Alice was cleaning the table next to them. They startled her as they approached. “Alice,” Rick said urgently, “do you think you can leave early?” Alice frowned. “What’s wrong?” “Kincaid and Joey died last night.” Alice’s eyes flew open. “What? Kristen, what happened?” “You’ll hear all kinds of stories. And after all we’d been through together…” Kristen began crying. Alice reached over to comfort her as Debbie and Dan looked on with concern. “How could I let him get them?” Kristen said. “We were a team.” Suddenly, Kristen turned hard. “I’m gonna get that creep once and for all!” “Who?” Alice said. Kristen looked at her friends. “Come on, we gotta go now—before it’s too late!”

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