User:Ermine/Prelude To Death

It was a cool summer day, the sun shining through the window. Michael fidgeted in the seat.

"Are you sure this will work?" he asked Dr. Conrad.

"Well, nothing is certain, but we'll do our best," he replied matter-of-factly. "It's not too late to back down, you know."

"No. I want to do this," Michael said. "But... I can't help getting the feeling that... I could really die from this."

"That's all we've been saying for the past month. But you always replied you wanted to do this. And I can tell you want to do this, right?"

"Absolutely. Well... what if something goes wrong? What if you can't put me back in my body? What if the new body--"

"We covered this all a while back," Dr. Conrad hastily replied. "Ever since the beginning. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. You'll be a first, as well. An example. A pioneer. You'll end up in history books."

"Please, no, I don't care about history books. I've... I've never been so close to death before. I mean, not that it's likely..."

"Mr. Green, you will not die. I will vouch my career on that."

"I know, I know. I know..." Michael fidgeted.

"So, nothing to eat or drink for 24 hours?"

"Nothing. I haven't had an appetite, anyway." He nudged himself against the seat. "I feel sick..."

"Do you?" Dr. Conrad looked up.

"Not literally sick, just... you know, uneasy."

"If you're feeling sick, you'll either need to calm down, or reschedule."

"I'm sorry, I can be calm... This is just a major decision. I don't know, really, if it is the right thing to do."

"We made that decision long ago. I've read your history. This is everything you long for, is it not? Your dream, we might say?"

"Perhaps... It wasn't a decision. I didn't have a choice to make. I would have done this anyway. It's what frightens me..."

"I need an answer, Mr. Green. Calm down, or reschedule."

"No, I can do this. I'll do it. I'm ready."

"Then come with me."

The two stood up and went into another room, one without windows or sun. There was an empty seat, and a cage with a white rat.

"Sit down."

Michael sat. He shivered. The seat felt cold. Dr. Conrad dabbed his arm with an even colder cotton ball.

"You're still very nervous, Mr. Green."

"I'm trying, sir. I'm trying."

"Relax. Just relax, and nothing will happen."

Michael took a few deep breaths, eying the IV needle. Dr. Conrad donned a surgical mask and picked up the needle.

"Doc... how long will it take to... lose consciousness?"

"A minute or two," he said, inserting the needle into Michael's arm.

"Tell me," Michael said, with sudden intensity. "When I lose consciousness... what will happen to my thoughts? Will they... just stay frozen... and I'll stay there... or will they... disappear?"

"Don't worry, Michael," the doctor said. "It won't... take... a while..."