The Immortal: How Far Would You Go to Save the One You Love?

By Joseph Walton Alfred

This book is my intellectual repartee to Dmitry Itskov's stated goal to create a human avatar by the year 2045. In my estimation, it is a good thing that we as human beings are mortal. When a Spartan wished to praise another, he would wish upon him a glorious death in defense of his family and country. When a Spartan wished to insult another he would echo the immortal words of King Leonidas to Ephialtes, "may you live forever."

This book asks two questions: how far would you go to save the one you love, and could you live with the consequences? Love can make us do crazy things. Things we would never believe ourselves capable of doing. Yet the impossible becomes merely improbable when there is no choice.

This story brings to the fore how our society should view attempts to extend human life indefinitely.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483559759

Book preview

Depravity

Chapter 1: The Zenith of Human Existence

Roman stood in front of his mirror, cleared his throat and began, Today, we embark upon a journey never before conceived in the history of mankind. I use the word mankind deliberately. The word is seldom used except in instances where we rise together as a species, where we reach for what is best within us and showcase our progress for the entire world to see.

A woman appeared behind him for a moment before disappearing into her closet. Roman, your bow tie is crooked. If you want the entire doctoral staff to trust you with this project that will change humanity forever, it would be best if you looked the part.

Julia, I’m trying to get this speech right. You know how important this night is for me. This night will change neuroscience forever.

As you’ve said for the hundredth time, sighed Julia, holding two dresses out to show him. Now, should I go with the charcoal dress or the scarlet?

I hardly think that it will make a difference, dear. They will fund my work because of the insights that it will bring to our field, explained Roman. Dr. Jenkins already assured me that I was a shoe-in for the grant money.

It never hurts to press the flesh, said Julia. You know it will be closer than you think, and Dr. Jenkins isn’t the one who will be making the final decision. The room will be rife will pharmaceutical executives looking to snag a piece of this market. You will need to convince them that your study will lead to an actionable investment in a device or a pill to increase brain activity.

Better make it the red then, said Roman. Goodness knows how many men have swooned when they caught a look at you in that one.

Julia rolled her eyes as she put the red dress on. You know, that’s one of the things I love about you: your unfailing optimism in the face of unrelenting reality. That and you still use the word, ‘swoon.’

Roman smiled, put the note cards containing his speech in his vest pocket, and joined his wife in the closet. Julia was trying on her favorite Jimmy Choo stiletto pumps. As she placed her foot in the left Choo, she lost her balance and was about to fall.

Roman, she cried as she fell to the floor. Roman reached out and caught her on the way down. As Roman placed her back on her feet, Julia only needed to stand on her toes slightly to give him a tender kiss on the lips, her emerald eyes shining fiercely.

It is sweet that after ten years of marriage, Dr. Julia Capua, you still swoon for me. We must hurry, I hear the limousine downstairs. Roman effortlessly gave her a twirl before letting her go, and then crouched to buckle on his wife’s remaining stiletto.

Thank you, gasped Julia. I knew there was a reason I married that big oafish body containing that exquisite brain. Julia surveyed Roman more deliberately. Are you alright?, You look positively pale, and you are sweating through your suit.

It’s just stress, replied Roman. You know what is riding on tonight. This could launch our careers into the stratosphere.

Julia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. I know, but tomorrow, you will go and see Dr. Feinstein. I have to go to Rockview anyway, and his office is on the way.

Roman grimaced and said, Yes, dear, but only if you hurry. We are going to be late.

Roman left his wife to finish her makeup and went downstairs to check on the driver. On his way down the stairs of his porch he looked up into the second story window of their Brownstone to see his wife still making herself look even more stunning. Her honey-gold hair fell in easy locks around her shoulders, perfectly framing her lithe physique. Sometimes, Roman wondered how she ever said yes. How could he have found such a gorgeous and brilliant woman, and how did she put up with all his nonsensical grandstanding. As Roman approached the limo the driver got out to open the door.

Thanks. Let’s take Spruce Street. We’re running late and Baltimore Avenue is always backed up this time of night.

No problem sir, I was just about to suggest that too… The driver had stopped talking as his wife came down the steps to the limo.

All set? asked Roman to his wife to distract her from the driver’s momentary lapse. He needn’t have bothered. As usual his wife’s hands were digging through her purse to capture her wayward phone. Roman gave the driver a right-eyed wink and stepped back to let Julia in first.

Halfway to the hospital, Julia emerged from her perusal. State’s Attorney Byte wants me to examine the execution equipment again. He said he’s getting more calls than usual because of Danny Hydra. As if the world would end if a serial killer felt an ounce of pain before he died.

Roman replied, aghast, It’s not just the law, Julia. It’s why we’re more civilized people than those who have come before. Killing the man is bad enough; we don’t need to torture him, too. Don’t you think it’s important for us all to strive to be better?

Julia shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Not everyone shares your ideals, husband. If you ever left your ivory laboratory tower you’d find that there are those among us who would die sooner than they would change for the better or the worse. You have to make them change at the point of a gun...or a scalpel. It’s my job to look in the face of unrepentant men in their last moments. There have been few enough who would truly change even if it meant a full reprieve. As much as we reach for the stars, we are grounded by our baser desires.

Well, that certainly put me in the mood to inspire people, sighed Roman. Put that phone away, we’re almost there.

Hand in hand, the couple exited the limo right in front of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital entrance. Off to the side was the sign, Welcome, guests of the 23rd annual Neuroscience Seminar. Programs located in the lobby.

Oh, we should take a program home for posterity. It’s not every day that my husband’s name is in print. Roman’s chuckle turned into a violent cough that lasted half a minute. He took his red handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe away the spittle. Julia eyed her husband imperiously.

Someone else on our team can present. You should really rest, this could be a resurgence of the…

Roman shook his head vigorously, No, Julia do not say the C word. Tonight is the night for which I was born. I will not be beaten by a common cold.

Julia rolled her eyes and said, That’s probably what William Henry Harrison thought too. Julia leafed through the program to locate their table as the couple hurried to presentation room number three. They paused as they entered the room to locate the members of their team, when suddenly their ears were accosted by the strident shout.

Presenters, please make your way to the dais, guests please take your seats, called the master of ceremonies in a nasally drawl.

You’d better go, said Julia. Good luck.

Roman shook his head, No, let’s find your table first and get you seated. They crossed the room quickly, deftly avoiding the bodies of those in their way. When they reached their table, Roman took off their coats