I was working in an open-plan office: Lots of people milling around lots of desks in a big open room.

My boss called me into his office. He said I was going to be reassigned to another department. Didn’t say which department or what I’d be doing, but said my new boss would talk to me soon.

My telephone was ringing when I got back to my desk. It was my new boss. He didn’t say what his name was. Said he’d heard good things about me, was looking forward to working with me. Then he said he was leaving town for a couple days and when he got back on Wednesday he wanted a report from me on which universities had the best programs. He gave me the names of a couple universities he’d found with a quick internet search, but he didn’t say which programs he’d searched for.

I noted the names of the colleges, then admitted I didn’t hear or forgot what programs he wanted me to research. He laughed and said that was pretty funny, then said he had to go, and that he was looking forward to meeting me on Wednesday. I tried to interrupt him to get him to tell me exactly what he wanted in that report, but he hung up as soon as he was done talking.

So. I worked for this guy but I didn’t know his name. I didn’t know what office he worked in. I didn’t know what my job was and I didn’t know what I this report was about that I was supposed to write in two days.

And then I woke up. It was worse than waking from a nightmare. I tried to shake it off but I couldn’t get over the feeling of anxiety I had about not knowing what to write in my report to my boss. I couldn’t get back to sleep. That was at four o’clock this morning.

I guess that’s what I get for feeling smug about being retired. Oh well. I’ll have to take TWO naps today, I suppose.