A common recurring nightmare is showing up for school as a student and being unprepared. I've often had a variant of that dream where I show up for the first day of class as a professor, and was unprepared to teach. In one dream I had years ago, I had to fake my way through teaching Pierson v. Post.
Last night I had a new variant of that dream, which was an actual Supreme Court nightmare. In the dream, I was co-counsel in a case set for argument. We are at the Supreme Court. The bench looks the same, but the bar section is much smaller. Chief Justice Roberts calls the case. Our lead counsel looks at me, and says "I can't do it." He steps down. I immediately panicked, as I hadn't prepared for the argument at all. But I realize someone had to go to the podium, so it would have to be me. I walk to the podium, and say "Mr. Chief Justice and may it please the Court." My mind then turns blank. I don't know anything. I can't even remember the name of the case. I don't even know the name of our client. I just stand there in silence (something that has never happened before.) Justice Thomas, as per tradition, asks the first question. I have no clue what he is asking me, though I realize it is a softball to help me out.
At that point I turn around to look at the lead counsel to see if he can jump in, and he shakes his head no.
