I keep having this weird dream where this red and green hole/slide in a mall, or some area, leads you to this arcade looking place. And some wacky guy who’s hidden behind a large screen knows my name and always asks me some random question while I play games or eat. And sometimes I would bring friends into the hole. Like I’d immediately think “hey, is the shop here? Is there the hole??” “You GOT to see the hole, it’s so fun!” And it would just. BE there. First, the hole brings you to this open tent looking area with a large white screen. Then, you fall down a trapdoor to the actual arcade. Where screen guy says welcome to the ###### and to have fun. I’d play all sorts of games, not winning anything despite the MANY plushies, just playing and talking to the screen guy. He calls me my full name and gets jealous when I want to leave. Or when I bring friends. Anyway, there’s snacks and all sorts, but you can’t stay in the hole FOREVER, I always get distracted and end up almost left behind (I always have to catch a bus?? At the end??) everything goes all distorted, music starts getting creepy, lights start turning red, the hole starts getting smaller and smaller, screen guy doesn’t help, he wants me to stay, he always kicks my friend out and leaves me alone the millisecond I’m distracted, always smiley-sounding. He always says he’ll get me to stay eventually. Creepy part is, I genuinely felt hands on my face when I woke up this time, I thought it was my dad, but nobody was there and my hands were beside me.
Dreams can be highly subjective and personal, but several common themes and symbols can help guide the interpretation of your dream. Here are some elements to consider based on your description:
The Red and Green Hole/Slide: Holes or slides in dreams often symbolize transitions or portals to new experiences. The colors red and green can be significant; red often represents strong emotions, danger, or excitement, while green can represent growth, renewal, or balance. The combination may indicate a thrilling yet potentially unsettling change or journey in your life.
The Arcade: Arcades can symbolize a desire for fun, nostalgia, or escapism. They might also represent a place where one can temporarily forget responsibilities or realities, which aligns with your experience of focusing on games rather than winning prizes.
The Screen Guy: This character could represent an aspect of yourself, perhaps a facet that craves attention or validation. His knowledge of your name suggests familiarity, but his jealousy over your friends and willingness to keep you from leaving may hint at fears of isolation or dependency in your relationships. This could reflect concerns about being 'held back' by someone or something in your waking life.
The Trapdoor and Distortion: Falling through a trapdoor to reach the arcade could symbolize entering into a state of distraction or a break from reality, while the feelings of distortion and creeping unease could represent anxiety about losing control in situations where you seek enjoyment or friendship.
The Transition and Ending: The recurring motif of needing to catch a bus suggests that, despite the allure of fun and distraction, you are aware of responsibilities and life moving forward. The urgency indicates a tension between your desire for enjoyment and the necessity to face reality.
The Creepy Elements: The distortion, creepy music, and the hands you felt could symbolize underlying fears or anxieties that you're grappling with in your day-to-day life. The sensation of hands on your face, especially when you perceived no one was there, may indicate subconscious feelings of vulnerability or a need for protection.
Overall, this dream could be reflecting a tension between your desires for fun, connection, and escape versus the responsibilities and realities of your waking life. The haunting presence of the "screen guy" may also be a manifestation of anxiety about your relationships or a fear of being manipulated or coerced in some way. Consider reflecting on how these themes might relate to your current situation and emotions in your life, including your connections with friends, your sense of self, and your responsibilities.