Photo by: Ted Strutz
The trio shuffled towards the boat. At their advanced age they proceeded slowly.
“It’s a shame Human bodies wear out so quickly,” said Bernice.
“True,” said Wade. “But we saw so much. The Pyramids, The Afghan markets.”
“The living bridges in India,” sighed Morgan.
“Retirement was fun,” said Wade. “But we’ll get younger, more vibrant human bodies on the island.”
“I’ll miss playing with my grandchildren,” sighed Bernice.
“As younger humans, we’ll have to get jobs and slave eighty hours a week,” said Wade.
“Deal with obnoxious bosses,” added Morgan.
Bernice stopped suddenly. “Can we get younger bodies next year?”
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Written for the Friday Fictioneers: https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/07/25/27-july-2018/
EagleAye
Momus News 
My aunt called me the other day to wish me a happy birthday. She turns 89 next month, and said that while she was feeling pretty good in her 70s, the 80s suck.
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Yeah, in your 80s the constant trips to the doctor and the litany of pills to remember would be no fun at all.
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Of the three, Bernice needs a younger body the most.
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She does. I guess she loves her grand kids that much.
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There is always a flip side to youth…
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So true. During youth at least, you have to energy to cope with these things.
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Great use of the prompt. And boy, I can see their dilemma — hanging out and playing with grandkids (and sending them home when they get cranky) sounds a lot more relaxing than doing the daily grind.
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Thank you! Yeah, there’s downsides to aging, but there’s also benefits. Elders get to be kids again with their grandkids, and who wouldn’t enjoy that? Good to see you, Joy. Cheers! 🙂
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I loved this story – and I’m totally with Bernice. Let’s leave it until next year and then decide …
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Haha! She’s been saying that for the past five years. Who knows how much longer she’ll say that? 😉 Thanks Jilly! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
Younger bodies might be physically more pleasant, but oh the sacrifice. I find myself singing the body electric. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Right? The drudgery is definitely no fun. It would be nice to have the option to start over whenever you wanted though. Thanks so much, Rochelle! 🙂
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I don’t know if I could do the whole work thing again, it’s bad enough this time round! Better to grow old gracefully. Bet that island will be busy though 🙂
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Haha! Growing old gracefully sounds like a balm for all those years of hard work. 😉 The island isn’t that busy. There’s only a few like our friends. The folks who run the place hang out on the beach most of the time. 😉
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Ah yes. The old skin game. I recall seeing this in the original Star Trek. It was also Being John Malkovich’s central premise.
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Oh I loved that movie. Avoiding the perils of aging is an old plot idea. Even Dorian Grey tried it out. 😉
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Oh yeah. Probably started in Greece, but they burned the scrolls to heat the bathwater
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Feels like a Dr. Who storyline. Just have to hope they aren’t gaseous.
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I have watched a few Who episodes. Mostly the older original series. Then there’s Outer Limits and Twilight Zone. Who knows what could’ve influenced me. My inspirations are legion. 😉
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Islands and secluded places seem to be hotspots for wish fulfillment. Fantasy island. Shangri-La. but there is always a price to pay. If they do go it could turn sinister…
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They are aren’t they? The Island of Dr. Moreau comes to mind too. There’s many more. Who knows what really happens on that island. Hmm. Story fuel?
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Don’t forget Treasure Island by my compatriot, the great RLS
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Who can forget that one! 🙂
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Who knows what happens there. Hmm. Perhaps there’s story fuel there… 😉
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I dunno… there is a time for everything. I think we need to enjoy each phase. Going back to working full-time and dealing with all that stuff? Maybe not!
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I guess if you hadn’t been through the whole work thing before you wouldn’t know what you were getting into. Then, when you became an adolescent again . . . that’s a whole ‘nother story.
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Haha! Good point. I wonder if that’s Mark Zuckerberg’s original body. Who was Elon Musk before this incarnation? 😉 Thanks Russell! 🙂
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Maybe they can aim for mid-60s 🙂
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Haha! A clever idea. Go straight to the “travel the world as retirees” move. It won’t last as long but it would be fun! 🙂
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With age comes wisdom, but it’s a pretty lousy trade-off. Go for it!
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Right? Wisdom is nice, but beach combing in Mediterranean Spain would be much nicer. 😉 Thanks Sandra!
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Great one! In my heart I feel 25…then my body laughs at me and “You wish!” I feel everyone of my years lately… 😢
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Haha! I know exactly how you feel. Seems like the staircase is getting a little longer every week. 😉 Thanks Courtney!
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Yeah, being young sucks. Much better to be old and grumpy, full of aches and pains and shortage of breath, this is the life!
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Haha! I guess they’re not quite there yet. When they start having to pay continual medical bills, they’ll probably take that boat trip. 😉
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Haha! Loved your story, EagleAye! I can really feel for Bernice – I love time with my grandchildren. I think I’d do the same, and postpone my rejuvenation.
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It can be difficult to pull away from the laughter of the little ones, right? Thanks so much, Penny! 🙂
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Well spotted, one of the disadvantages of eternal life. In future i will view these oldies with suspicion, will they be after my body and job –they can have it.
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Haha! chances are they’ve done it before, in a previous lifetime. 😉 Thanks James!
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How much younger does Bernice want to go? They could switch into school kids but then will probably have to do homework and learn new slang words. Maybe a politician’s body will be a better choice. Has had a good life and the brain has hardly been used.
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Haha! That’s a brilliant idea. A politician’s body hasn’t done any hard labor, unless you’d call lifting a nine-iron on a golf course hard. And with a brain that hasn’t seen much use except during election years, their bodies are an excellent choice!
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I’d settle for a new knee…but not at the expence of missing out on playing with my grandchildren.
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And that’s the conundrum Bernice found herself in. It’s been just one more year for the past five… 😉 Good to see you Lyn!
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There’s always next year, right?
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Always. Perhaps she was a Cubs fan for a long time?
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This one made me smile. There are trade-offs for aging, after all 🙂
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So true. It would be a waste not to take advantage. 😉
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Very inventive.
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Thank you kindly! 🙂
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