The other night as I was falling asleep, a tiny spot beneath my lower lip kept twitching.

I felt the twinges in my sleep, and then within a dream, it became clear to me: my lip was pricking because I had a small syphilitic lesion. Even though I knew it was a dream, I thought so that's it, that's how it feels.

I know there was more to the dream, but I don't remember it. I just recall the the tiny, sharp tingling, and the way it made sense to me.

I think a dream of a syphilitic chancre wouldn't be a good dream to most, but it was to me. If the books I'm reading are even penetrating my sleep, it means they're taking root and becoming mine. 

That's how I'm researching these new characters. I read and think about their world, but I also live them and dream them.