Inklings 2021

“So, you want to swap bodies?” “Yes, I was hoping to have it done before the end of the year.” “6 months? Do you have a body picked out? Aren’t you being a little hasty?” “Well I’ve thought about it for nearly two decades, so I believe I am ready for it. As for the body I thought I would design my own, and from what I’ve seen that should only take a month, especially because I already have something in mind.” “It’s not just about the process, it’s about the consideration of its effects. Although a body can be designed and made in a month, you shouldn’t rush it. I won’t do this until we can be sure that you are going to be comfortable with it. Please schedule another appointment in a couple of months, I will not even consider a swap before then..” “I… I… Ok.” I left that day with a pretty bleak outlook on the process. It was reversible within the short term, and loaners didn’t decay for nearly eleven months. It could be undone at any time before that with zero consequences. In retrospect, I should have mentioned the reversibility, asked further as to his reasons, but I was a little shocked. I had heard there was friction, but I thought it would be nothing more than a small debate on minutia. I didn’t even get to design a body, and I immediately knew my “end of the year” hope was gone. So I did what I could. I kept working to get the money I needed —overtime in fact. Another appointment was a cost that I didn’t expect. The first available appointment was in two months and had a similar routine. After getting there and waiting for twenty minutes, I was able to talk to Dr. Mackenzie again. He asked, “Have you been doing anything to adjust to how your new body will be?” I told him honestly, I had. I began to buy clothes of larger size and grew more aware of the height of everything. After all, one of the most immediate changes would be my stature, hopefully to increase by nearly a foot. I asked, “But how will I adjust if you haven’t even approved the body?” He simply said, “I have no problem with any design, as long as the calibration is precise, then there is no issue. No matter, I am glad to see you attempt to adjust, and hopefully soon you will be able to swap.” I pleaded, “Why do you hope? You are the only one stopping me, you could do it right now. It has no ill effects to revert to my loaner for nearly a year.” He responded coolly, “I think it’s best we wait a bit longer. Please schedule another appointment in a couple of months.” 41