Publish Novellas 5 February 2023
EPISODE 3 – CELEBRATION
Most of the time the portal is a tourist attraction, since reaching age 100 is rare. In this conclusion, follow the lives of two who qualify to use its features.
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Byron Rebirth
Because of all the publicity surrounding the renovation at Flagler Hospital, Byron does not need to take extraordinary measures to assure his arrival. His entire family accompanies him on the road trip.
He checks in at 9:00 AM to enjoy the relaxing amenities. Byron provides the hospital with digital images commemorating memorable moments of his life. The family hugs and offers well wishes. Ten minutes before his birth anniversary, Byron enters the private room for reflection, and to capture his last photo booth images.
These merge with lifetime moments to create a collage of digital images that fade and flicker on the elliptical walls surrounding the portal. Then the entire room dims and fades to galactic stars that fully encompass those within. The process is complete.
His family is impressed with the experience. “This is far better than any memorial service we could have planned,” says Byron’s son, Anthony.
The hospital even has a record of the birth occurring at the exact moment. Protecting the privacy of children, it does not release the information until adulthood.
Fargo Rebirth
Ulysses Fargo continues his global appearances and videoconferences. For ten years, he has been hyping the Flagler Hospital Rebirth Portal. News reporters, hospital administrators, and doctors from around the world plan to attend the special extravaganza.
One month prior to the event, Ulysses rushes to a local Alabama hospital for treatment of chest pains and numbness within his legs. He tells the doctor, “I don’t want to risk dying on the operating table to insert stents. Give me something for my asthma. In a few weeks, these health issues will be a thing of the past.”
“I know exactly who you are, Ulysses. It is an honor to treat you. I respect your decision. But as your physician, I cannot approve flying in your condition.”
“Then perhaps I can take a bullet train?” Ulysses suggests.
“Either the aircraft cabin pressure or prolonged sitting may release a blood clot, hinder your breathing, and result in a pulmonary embolism.”
“You do realize that I have waited one hundred years for this moment?”
“Yes, I do. While I will not forbid travel, I can say that it is probable that you may not reach your destination. I will prescribe a blood thinner and recommend assisted short walks in your neighborhood along with bedrest.”
Ulysses follows the doctor’s recommendations but does not cancel his flight. Instead, he changes the day and flight number. People are expecting him for interviews in the week leading up to his entry into the portal. However, he is not in Florida.
On the crucial date, Ulysses boards an airplane from Alabama. At the precise moment of his birth, it flies over Flagler Hospital, intercepting the stars and he vanishes, leaving his seatbelts coupled. A thorough cabin search does not turn up his body. The pilot lands the plane in Florida.
Before disembarking, other passengers who witnessed the event pause for a moment of silence. The flight attendant provides vouchers for champagne in the airport dining bar. Upon exiting, a crowd of news reporters awaits.
“Where is Ulysses Fargo?” reporters shout.
Passengers shield their eyes from the camera flashes and hurry along without comment. An airline representative makes a brief statement:
“We are privileged to announce the successful rebirth of Ulysses Fargo from our aircraft. This is the first of its kind. We can confirm from the flight manifest that he did board the aircraft this morning and was no longer present upon landing.
“His disappearance occurred at the moment pilots were flying over Flagler Hospital. In honor of his contribution to this phenomenon, we will rename this aircraft the Ulysses Fargo.”
Anastasius Rebirth
Anastasius hears of the occurrence and follows through with the celebration of his life at Flagler Hospital. She is nominated as the new spokesperson on rebirth but declines assuming the arduous schedule of her predecessor.
Instead, at age 62, she retires to focus on personal health and to enjoy time in her own Ana Rejuvenation Pod. For the sake of her career, she did not marry or have children this time. Past the age of menopause, pregnancy is no longer an option in this life.
Anastasius exercises to remain fit.
Anastasius begins making plans for the next time around. With accumulated knowledge, her IQ will skyrocket above 160. She could achieve anything she desires with this much wisdom. But she finds herself focusing on more ordinary things like nature, religion, and raising a family.
Decades pass as she fills journals and publishes novels. When the time comes to enter the rebirth portal, she is the first known woman to undergo two successive rebirths at over 200 years old. She hopes to grow up and read the books she previously published as she teaches her children how to better the world by bettering themselves.
The End
Are you truly interested in living forever? —John 11:25, 26.
Return twice weekly for miniseries. Any relation to actual persons or events is coincidental. Login provides the most immersive experience. Depending on gender, your name might appear within story text (but not audio), unless you request cameo disablement. Audio may include sound effects or omit superfluous details.
