I had a dream (last week.) I was drinking in Otto’s with Martin Luther King Jr. On his left was Abraham Lincoln and on my right was Baby Costello (recently released on parole.)

The bar was very dim and everything was wood which I’m told is a very accurate description of Otto’s (old enough to die for our country, too young to get into a bar). The room was filled with a smokey haze as we sat drinking at the wood table.

Baby was downing his second shot of Rumple Minze (alias Scope.) He had just convinced Lincoln to try a round. King and I were having tall drafts from the tap.

We were talking about life, death, after life…things of that nature when Baby asked King how it felt to be associated with a funnel sculpture.

“Is that what it is? I thought it was a giant Chia Pet,” he replied. “I would of preferred the Mike Singletary statue. I’ve always had the utmost respect for middle linebackers, especially him.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He has a noble personality. It seems he always treats others the way he expects to be treated. He’s a better role model than any politician I ever knew. I never asked for a statue or a holiday. I never asked for quotas or preferential treatment. I asked for a fair chance,” King replied.

“Was it worth it?” I asked.

“Was it worth it? Yes, it loosened the binds of racism and segregation. My death was one of the most productive instances in my life,” he replied.

“We have to go if we’re going to make the reservation,” Lincoln interrupted.

“Oh, right…We’re playing 18 holes with Chris Columbus and Josie Baker at ‘I in the Sky Country Club’ where the ball floats on air and every stroke is a hole in one,” King said.

“Except when God plays,” Lincoln added.

“What happens then?” Baby asked.

“Hail,” they replied.

“Wait, I have one more question. How far have we really come,” I asked.

“Far, but you still have a long way to go. Race is not about color; it’s about attitude. Race was once a beautiful word which has become twisted and dangerous. People need to learn to look beyond their color to see the many different hues of the human soul. Earth has very many different cultures but only one race. Racism rears its vile head when one culture alienates another. Perhaps, society should have a Civil Rights Day instead of a Martin Luther King Day to reaffirm humanities dedication to the belief that “‘All are truly created equal’ then again what’s in a name?” King said.

“You will be close when people of Martin’s culture, or any culture, do not have to go to the fourth dimension to get into a heavenly country club,” Lincoln mused.

“As a good friend of ours is so fond of saying ‘Together you stand, divided you will fall.’ Humanity, as with all living things, will face a date with fate. How you deal with that destiny will be determined by who is left. You will need all of you.”

With that, they were gone. I awoke with the reminiscent sting of hail falling into my eyes.