I was at a hotel seminar led by former marine generals. The meeting was about turning a company around. I was one of the employees of the company that needed to be prepared to make a speech, but I was not called on to do so. The seminar was held in one of the large hotel conference rooms. Ballroom A? And there were about 100 people attending.

After the seminar was over, I was heading back to my room when I was approached by a short, plain, middle-aged woman who bore a remarkable resemblance to Madelaine Albright.

She came up to me and I looked down at her upcast eyes which seemed to be imploring me to do something. She begged me to come back to her room with her.

“I’m so all alone,” she said. It seemed as if we already knew each other and had had an affair in the past.

At the same time Madeleine and I were talking, I was approached by another individual who turned out to be Christopher Hitchens. He gave me a bear hug.

“I lost a dear friend last night old boy,” he said.

“Died?” I asked.

“No, he passed out with drink,” Christopher smiled.

“Where are you going now?” I asked his receding figure.

“I am going to the bar for a double scotch, old boy.”

“OK, I’ll meet you there later.”

“I hope you have more to say than you did at the meeting earlier tonight.” Then he was gone.

I looked back at Madeleine and told her I was very sorry, but I couldn’t be with her tonight. That I had to talk to Christopher.

Just then the dog barked, and I woke up.