Every morning, Raphael wakes up at precisely 8 o'clock with the bell of his alarm clock. Every morning , Raphael's first reflex is to switch off his alarm clock by passing his right hand over his head to reach the button that will stop the noisy bell. Every morning Raphael passes his right hand over his head… every morning over his head to reach the alarm clock on the top of his small night table next to his bed… every single morning for the past 20 years. Then Raphael stands upon the right of his bed and wears his sleepers that are waiting for him on the carpet next to the night table. He goes to the kitchen straight away as usual and again uses his right hand to open the fridge in order to take the eggs and the bacon, some butter and some marmalade, some milk for his coffee and a bottle of orange juice.

For the last 20 years every single morning , Raphael wakes up that way. His brain knows exactly what to expect next because again, every single morning , Raphael sees, hears, touches, smells, and tastes the same. Raphael likes it that way. This comfort in the repetition brings him a feeling of security. Raphael would not like it to change because Raphael had never realised that every single morning , when he wakes up, he is in fact leading himself into a long deep sleep.

 

By Raphael Rispal