No Limits
Wealthy financier Burton Holbrooke gazed at the coffin-shaped sensory derivation tank. “Dr. Tam,” he said. “This research is hardly new. What’s the payoff?”
She opened her arms. “The outer limits of the human mind.”
“Seriously?”
“Unrestricted by external senses, the human mind can alter reality itself.”
“I doubt that,” scoffed Holbrooke.
“I’ve seen things that shouldn’t be possible.”
“For instance?”
Tam pointed to the tank. “This is our most experienced VR researcher, Dr. Horst. Last we knew, he was waiting for a train in Victorian England. Since then the IR sensors stopped working. That shouldn’t be possible. We can’t see what’s happening, so for safety’s sake we’re pulling him out of VR. Curiously, he’s resisting it.”
“Is that common?”
Tam grimaced. “It’s supposed to be impossible.” She pointed. “Ah! He’s coming out.”
Dr. Horst opened the lid and stood. A woman in antique clothing stood up beside him.
“That can’t be?” gasped Tam.
“What?”
“Just minutes ago, he was alone in the tank!”
Dr. Horst said, “Dr. Tam. I’d like you to meet my wife…from 1884.”
______________________________
Author’s Notes:
Isolation (Sensory Deprivation) Tank: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_tank
Featured in the movie, “Altered States.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altered_States
Written for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers weekly writing challenge. Look here to see the wonderful stories other folks wrote: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/fffaw-challenge-week-of-09-01-2015/
Wow! Great story! He has been reincarnated! I Love it! Thank you for participating in the FFfAW challenge Eric.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, a little more than that. One person went into the chamber, two came out. Even though his wife was a virtual construct in his mind, his own mind made his wife real. Thus, his mind altered reality by bringing/creating another person into it. Pretty freaky, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very freaky!
LikeLike
Brilliant ~ Your thought processes are only equal to the resulting brilliance that shines through. Well written Eric ~ 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Thank you! You’ve got me blushing. I really appreciate that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful lunchtime reading. Every bit as satisfying as my Laksa soup 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just had to look up Laksa soup. Sounds mighty tasty. Looks tasty in the pics. If my story was equal to that, I’m happy. Thanks so much, Lyn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like this! “The human mind can alter reality itself.” ….presents all kinds of possibilities. It would be interesting to see all the different things that people come up with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! So good to hear that. It’s a fascinating concept. I’ve spent some time thinking about this subject. It’s worthy of much exploration. Thanks again! 🙂
LikeLike
Always like to here the story behind your stories. Fantastic!
DJ
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always good to know those footnotes are as entertaining. Thanks much, Danny! 🙂
LikeLike