The automated patient monitoring system detected a change in the physiologic status of the patient. The oxygen levels were dropping and the carbon dioxide levels rising in the patient's blood. This was associated with a drop in the heart rate and blood pressure. Alarms were sounded and the automatic resuscitation equipment became active. Small robotic levers began positioning the body as a capsule descended from above. The body was soon sealed, from the neck down, inside the capsule where pressure changes began to force air into the lungs. A small piston began chest compressions to produce simulated cardiac function. This unit was a high-tech version of the "Iron Lung" devices which were used during the polio epidemics 190 years prior. By the time humans arrived on the scene resuscitation was proceeding well. Sometimes death ruled over technology and sometimes death was delayed by technology.
***
Jim was continuing his vigil at the bedside of his lifelong friend. From morning till evening he sat quietly in his wheelchair next to Henry's bed. He had not practiced medicine for almost 60 years but recognized the signs of impending death. Technology had changed medicine beyond his wildest dreams but death remained an absolute. Henry's breathing had become erratic with quiet periods interrupted by gasping sessions. It would not be long now. He spoke silently to Henry, "Damn it Henry, it was your idea to prolong our lives and now you are getting ready to leave me. I don't want to be alone. It's not fair that you are dying before me."
They were the two oldest humans living, a direct result of an unauthorized experiment they had performed 90 years prior. Harry had first presented his idea for controlling aging by using a vaccine to protect the cellular mitochondria around a campfire during one of their many fishing trips. Tony, the third member of the "Three Musketeers Fishing Club" had objected saying, "We all have to die of something."
Henry had only partially disagreed admitting that if we lived long enough we would all die of cancer because of the cumulative genetic damage that we sustained through living. The three of them had collaborated on the research project which progressed to the point of human trials. A change in the political situation made the project politically incorrect. Prolonging life would increase the population problems exponentially. Henry was worried about the political change and had hidden a small amount of his vaccine in his home. After well-organized terrorists destroyed the research lab, this vaccine was all that remained of their 10 years of work. In an unusual act of rebellion they decided to test the vaccine on themselves. It was 20 years before the effects became noticeable. They were aging much slower than their colleagues. Now Henry, at 147 years of age, was the oldest human on earth. The hospital was working hard to keep him alive but Jim knew it was hopeless. The cancer had spread too aggressively.
Despite Jim's efforts his eyelids closed momentarily. When he opened them he saw Tony standing by the bedside. He said, "What are you doing here? You died 50 some years ago in the tractor accident on your farm. What are you, some kind of ghost."
Tony replied, "I am what's left of all my experiences and interactions after the death of my body. I have come back to take Henry to the other side."
"What other side?"
"The other side of life."
"What do you mean, the other side of life, either you are alive or you're not."
Tony smiled and said, "For almost my entire life I argued with you about the existence of life after death and now after being dead for 53 years I am still arguing with you. Does not my presence here indicate life after death?"
"This isn't logical. If you're dead you're dead."
"It may not be logical, but it is what it is. I've come to take Henry to the other side."
"If it existed, what would the other side be like?"
"I'm not allowed to discuss it."
"Why not?"
"That's just the way it is."
"Well at least tell me if there is pain on the other side."
"Why?"
"Doubling my life span seemed like a good idea at the time. How did I know I was going to come down with rheumatoid arthritis and spend an additional 50 or 60 years with constant pain living in this wheelchair. Out living my wife and my children has been hard and now Henry is dying. I will be even more alone now. At least if I knew there would be no pain on the other side it would help."
"There is no pain on the other side."
"One other thing, is there fishing on the other side?"
Tony broke into a large smile and replied, "You continue as the sum of your experiences and your interactions with everyone you have met. If those experiences included fishing trips then they are always part of you."
"Why can't you just answer the question instead of giving me your metaphysical answers?"
"You always ask questions that require metaphysical answers but you refuse to accept them. It is the best answer I can give you."
Jim was about to rebut Tony's reply when he realized that Henry was standing next to Tony. He glanced at the bed and saw Henry there too, still struggling to breathe.
Tony said, "It is time for us to go. Henry's body will not know he has left for a few minutes."
Henry added, "Jim, I have felt you by my side during the past several days and it provided me with comfort. I thank you for all of the support you have given me. Enjoy life."
"Why can't you guys stay for awhile and we can BS like the old days."
Tony replied, " Jim, we must go."
"But if you leave I will be alone. Everyone else has died."
"You're never truly alone, but you have always refused to accept this."
"Will you come back for me?"
"When it is your time, I will be back for you."
"Till then."
They were gone.
Jim's great-granddaughter had come into the room and asked, "Grandpa, who were you talking to?"
"Just my old friends."
"But I didn't see anybody else."
"No, I don't suppose you did. Why don't you help me move back away from the bed because it is going to get very busy in here."
"Grandpa, I'm sorry your friend is dying."
"Henry was a good friend."
"Grandpa, are you afraid of dying?"
"No dear, not anymore."
Just then the alarms began to sound and the automatic resuscitation equipment became active.