I dreamt this morning that I was at Readercon, walking down a hallway toward the hotel restaurant. I have no idea whether it was time for lunch or dinner. When I stepped through the entranceway, all of the tables were occupied, and the joint was jumping. I surveyed the room in search of a table of friendly faces into which I could insert myself.

As I checked out the restaurant, I realized that I knew everyone there, which wasn’t so unusual, at least not for a Readercon. But what was unusual was that I saw Eric M. Van sitting at one table as part of a group, and then I also saw Eric M. Van sitting at the next table with a different party, and then at the next table as well!

And the next, and the next, and the next …

In fact, there wasn’t a table without one of him. There were dozens of Eric M. Vans scattered throughout the restaurant, each one taking part in a lively conversation.

How did he do that?, I wondered. In my dream state, I didn’t think this impossible. I was just … curious.

As I stood there, unable to decide at which table I wanted to try to squeeze in, I woke. I guess I won’t get to have a meal at Readercon until Readercon itself.