SoC 3:1

The Rest of Us

 

T he old guy in the bed says, What's that sound?

What sound? You answer.

The rattling, there it is again.

That's you, you say.

It's odd. I don't like it. Make it stop.

When it stops, you die.

Oh, then never mind, let it stay.

You still die, you say.

The old man considers this—briefly—then says, that can't be right.

Pick a memory, you say.

I can't.

Then, pick something you believe in.

The old guy says, I believed what everyone believed in—I was against the Germans and then I was for them. Then I was against the Russians, then I was for them, now I'm not sure where I stand.

Maybe something smaller?

It's all a blur—especially the happy parts—it's all a blur.

Then that, sir, is your memory.