Short Story: If I had time

The last twenty minutes were not easy for him. He knew he was to make the most important decision of his life. But never did he realize that it will be this difficult. He fixed his eyes on the biometric microphone lying beside his bed. He will have to say three words – “Yes, I agree”, if he is ready for the procedure which he is to undergo in fifteen minutes. The room was equipped with biotech sensors which have been monitoring him since he entered.

While David was immersed in deep thought, his doctor Krishnan entered the room.

“So, it seems your mind is still in dilemma Mr. David”. David gave him a wry smile.

“Well, when I gave my nod for the procedure, I was excited. But now, the thought of losing my memories is preventing me from going ahead”.

Krishnan smiled calmly. “Everyone who signed up for this procedure goes through such mental conflicts Mr. David. You will lose your memories for the last fifteen years but it will also make you fifteen years younger. We are fortunate to be living in this period of human dominance Mr. David. 

Fifty years ago, in the 22^nd century, people would never have dreamt of this”.

David knew that his doctor was right. “Age transfer” technology between two humans, as an idea materialized only in the start of the 23^rd century. The technology allows age to be transferred between individuals. More than 5000 humans in the super-rich economic centile have undergone this procedure. The technology has not met with one failure. All the recipients of the ‘age’ transfer were the poor, the condemned, who have no chance of earning enough money to enjoy luxury. For the age they traded, they were paid very handsomely.

“Have you spoken to the one who is to receive my ‘age’?”

“Spoke to him just now Mr. David. He is more than ready. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people like him to make huge sums of money. And you are also lucky not to lose even a pinch of your wealth even after paying him.”

“Well, that is credit to my inheritance.”

On nodding Krishnan told him, “There is ten more minutes Mr. David. The procedure will be called off in ten minutes if you don’t say those words. The choice is yours. I will leave you alone.”

When the doctor left, David closed his eyes and skipped through his memories in a blitz. He had lived a life of pleasure. His difficult phase in his life was his twenties when he was addicted to drugs. He recalled how hard he had to fight in rehabilitation centers. He ruined the complete decade. The procedure would allow his to relive his youth purposefully. But on the other hand, the prospect of losing his memories all together made him nervous.

Following the procedure David knew that he will be directed to the ‘Know yourself’ room which has videos narrating his life. He spent the past one-month recording and narrating the events of his life of the past fifteen years. But those videos could never be the actual record of the life he has lived. 

Memories are registered following perceptions by all the senses. His narration could never match the actual potential which senses create. He knew that the last fifteen years was a dark phase in his life, but what life without pitfalls is, he thought. Though he struggled there were happier moments intervened in part of the pie.

But the prospect of ‘buying time’ tempted him to say those words. Humans rarely value things when they possess it and time was no exception. Time is the most important commodity anyone could have. When the thought sank in, that the invaluable currency has been set a tag through this procedure, he was ready.

Seven minutes from closure, he uttered those words – “Yes, I agree”. The robotic voice asked him to wear the mask which was attached to his chair. Without any second thoughts, he wore it over his face with the words, “I own time”. Seconds from then, he lost his consciousness.

Krishnan entered the room with the robots which would shift him to the theater where the procedure is to be done. All the physical indicators were normal. He paced out to the adjacent room where the poor man was waiting.

“You’re lucky that he has finally chosen to accept. At least, you were ready from the start”.

The poor youth laughed at the doctor. “Do men like us have a better choice to earn such money doctor? We trade only what we have. Our youth”.

“Hope you make good of the fortune which you earn”, said the doctor.

Three hours from then the doctor added one more successful ‘age transfer’ surgery. After taking an hour’s rest, he updated his database and raced fast to counsel another rich man on the positives of the procedure, which made humans do the impossible- buy time.