chapter 5

Jake could not understand what was happening to him.
He did not always get a full eight hours sleep at night. That's what happened when he brought a pretty girl home with him. He could manage perfectly well on six.
But on Monday night, he'd only had five hours. He should have made up for it the next night, but he'd only had three hours.
He always had plenty of energy, but despite the lack of sleep, he felt like he had even more than usual. He could run further and faster, he could jump higher! He felt great! He was the most exciting, interesting person he knew! He was capable of anything! Yet here he was stuck in a dreary theatre day after day.
By Thursday he was staying up all night. He only went home to get showered and changed. He couldn't stop. He wasn't in the least bit tired! He didn't even want to lie down. Sleep was for wusses! Why sleep when he could enjoy life to the full, twenty four hours a day! On Friday, however, he'd made two minor mistakes in the choreography. They were only minor mistakes. They did not result in the show coming to a stop. He was likely the only person who noticed them.
By the time he reached the club, he was starting to analyse his mistakes over and over. He was sweating more than usual. He was jittery, he was shaky. His mind was racing, jumping quickly from one thing to another. He would not finish one sentence before starting the next one.
In the dressing room, earlier, he'd noticed how bad he looked. His eyes looked dark and blood shot. His cheeks looked hollowed out. He may not feel tired, but he needed sleep by the looks of things. He covered his dark circles with make up. The show had to go on.
On Saturday, he was getting very worried about his condition. He'd gone five days on only five hours of sleep. He could not think straight. He felt like a zombie going about his business on automatic pilot. He was clumsy, restless and uncoordinated.
He made more mistakes. People were starting to notice.
He needed to sleep. He knew he needed to sleep. But he still could not relax enough to do so. He thought he was coming down with something.
On Sunday, he skipped the afternoon rehearsal to try and get some sleep. He had lain down, tried to relax, but couldn't and then did an extra session in the gym.
He wasn't sure how he got though the show that night. He could not remember anything about it. Everything was a blur. He got to the club and he simply could not be bothered with any of the girls. He just wanted to be able to sleep. He was desperate!
Then Ian introduced himself. He could help.
Jake was so relieved! He would do anything just to be able to sleep!
Ian smiled. He would learn to regret those words.
He gave Jake a half a tablet to take. He called it 'calmit'. He said half a tablet would stop him feeling so worked up.
Ian offered to drive him home... just in case it took full effect when he was driving. He could take the other half a tablet when he was at home and completely relax.
Jake never made it home.
Within ten minutes of taking the half tablet, his mind was fuzzy. His legs were so wobbly that Ian had to help him into the car. Minutes later, he was out cold, snoring.
Everything else after that was so hazy he was not sure what was real and what was not real.