I am outside, walking up wide steps like those in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., except these were several stories tall. I had a lightweight wheelchair with me. It is tiring work, climbing these steps. I, and others, occasionally sat or lay on the steps, resting. There is always room for others to continue their climb. Rarely, people descend the steps. Eventually, I and some others crest last step, only to find that the doors we face are exit only. We look at this building, stories tall, which resembles one of the New York City public libraries in its Beaux-Arts architecture. A group of us stand by the exit doors until someone comes out and we let ourselves in. To our surprise, there is nothing unusal about our presence and an information desk is nearby. Break.

I am in a lounge with other people, mostly younger than I, although I am also younger. Maybe in our twenties? We are in what looks like a cozy research room with many comfortable couches and over­stuffed chairs, with pull-around tables for books or laptop computers. The room feels like an atrium, at least two levels tall, lined with bookcases facing a wall of glass looking outside. It is afternoon with ample lighting from the outside and lamps inside, but the light is even, not harsh, very easy to read by. I am with a group of other young women. We have a lively discussion, but I don’t recall the topic. It is friendly banter, not confrontational. Sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I see something rotating outside the building. Or is it the whole outside rotating? I have to close my eyes and keep myself from vomiting from nausea. A couple of the other women notice and stand over me, blocking my view of the outside. It takes minutes to recover. I try standing but catch a glimpse of the outside again, rotating. It is too much. I am sensitive to the sight and the nausea instantly overtakes me. One of the women is ready with a container because this time I must purge myself. My long, dark hair is held for me. Is it only me who is overwhelmed by nausea, and the others look out for me? Or is it commonplace and everyone is prepared? Break.