You be me for a while, and I'll be you

I was in a big public place like a shopping mall. But it seemed to be moving... everytime I looked out the window, the exterior location was different. It was like being on a ferry. A mall on a ferry? (Is this symbolic of the Internet?)

I was wandering around aimlessly, feeling a little lost, when I saw you walking around, smoking a cigarette. Your head was down, staring at the ground as you moved swiftly through the aisles.

I tried to catch up with you, but you were too far ahead and moving too fast. I ended up following you around all over the place, feeling a little bit like a stalker, wishing I could just say hello and then move on.

You made weird turns into strange areas. I couldn't keep up. Eventually you turned around a corner, and I lost you. I stood and thought for a minute, and decided it wasn't meant to be. Maybe I would see you again in another time and place.

I continued my aimless wandering. I was grabbing clothing from the racks and putting it on as I moved along. I had different shoes, a different shirt, some funny sunglasses. When I looked in the mirror, I saw you in the reflection behind me. You were following me!

You grinned like a little kid, and I suddenly realized you had been playing a game with me this entire time. You knew I had been following you, and when I wasn't paying close attention, you turned it around on me. You knew exactly what you were doing.

I felt silly and a little embarrassed.

Then you turned and walked away. Was I supposed to follow you again? I didn't know what to do. I just stood there.

While I was having this dream, "I'll Be You" by The Replacements was playing on the radio. My radio/alarm was going off and I was sleeping right through it (as I often do). I could hear the song like it was part of the dream. I wonder if the song somehow influenced the events in my dream? It wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

I love The Replacements.

If it's a temporary lull
Why am I bored right outta my skull?
Man, I'm dressin' sharp and feelin' dull

Lonely, I guess that's where I'm from
If I was from Canada
Then I'd best be called lonesome

And if it's just a game
Then I'll break down just in case
Hurry up, we're runnin' in our last race

Well I could laugh half the way to Tokyo
I dreamt I was Surfer Joe
And what that means, I don't know

A dream too tired to come true
Left a rebel without a clue
And I'm searching for somethin' to do

And if it's just a game
Then we'll hold hands just the same
So what, we're bleeding but we ain't cut

And I could purge my soul perhaps
For the imminent collapse
Oh yeah, I'll tell you what we could do
You be me for a while
I'll be you

Oh yeah

A dream too tired to get to
Left a rebel without a clue
Won't you tell me what I should do?

Oh, if it's just a lull
Why am I bored right outta my skull?
Oh yeah, keep me from feeling so dull

But if it's just a game
Then we'll break down just in case
Then again, I'll tell you what we could do
You be me for a while
You be me for a while
And I'll be you, hey