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REVERSATOL

story by Patrick Breheny

(which way do we want to go here?)

(story published by Straylight Magazine)

We couldn’t find anybody through closed documents, but when we advertised you

contacted us and agreed to be interviewed. How old are you?

I’m 80. Reversed five years ago.

You look to be in your twenties. You know you’ll keep getting younger.

That’s the price. A few years of mature adulthood, then a child again.

But you’ll know.

Up to a point, I think. When you get to being about three, it might stop making any sense to you.

And when you become a fetus?

They’re planning an incubator.

But---then?

Who knows? No womb, no egg, no sperm. Guess I’ll pass on.

Is it worth it?

For the good years I can have again. And what’s to regret? I’d be gone or decrepit.

You’re anonymous and guaranteed confidentiality, so you have nothing to lose by being honest. Are you in a relationship?

Of sorts. Kind of a youngster. Early twenties.

Chronologically he could be your grandson. Do you have grandchildren?

Older than him. I decided right away there would be nothing physical, but he—he’s as you might expect not too experienced. And from a strict religious background.

You were honest with him?

Once I got to know him. Mostly I try to pass, to be what I look to be, but no, after we got close I couldn’t pretend.

Does he care?

He must. But, you know, today there are porno DVDs, sex robots. I might be old but I look young and I’m real. Most of sex is fantasy, so I think he would. It’s me who can’t.

How did you meet?

An acting class. And this is ironic. He discovered your listing so we did improvs on your search.

I see...

I try to do things I‘ve never done before that young people do.

But the histories…

That's the reason there’s no sex. But I couldn’t let him feel rejected. I encourage him to believe in himself, tell him he’ll find confidence and somebody right for him, that things change

You’re his friend, his confidant.

I hope so.

What do you think the reality of you does to his religious convictions.

Well, I don’t think it’s affected them. What difference does it make if you can extend life and get younger. You’re still going to die. I think he saw it as a test of his faith that he was going to overcome.

Do you think he’d feel the same if there were intelligent aliens?

He might. Maybe his God visited them too.

And you? What do you believe in?

I think I’ve stated that by my choice. I want to stay as long as I can in this world, sorry as it is. If there was a way to go forward again at some point, I’d choose that too.

Could your poor cells take all that jolting?

Well, actually I’m 800 years old.

Come on!

Ha-ha-ha

You’re 80.

Ha-ha-ha

You’re putting me on?

Ha-ha-ha