March 1, 2011

  • How It Begins

    His arms and legs were strapped down, allegedly as a precautionary measure. Any involuntary movements could cause a problem, especially when dealing in such a sensitive area. An IV bag was to his immediate left, with the needle taped to the inside of his elbow.  The room was dark, and not as clean as it should have been.  There wasn't time for that now, and soon an infection in his body would become a moot point anyway.

    He laid still as the nurse shaved his head. First with an electric razor, and then a straight edge. She then gently took out a blue pen and began marking.  She squeezed the IV bag, forcing more of the sedative into his arm. He began humming to himself, as he fruitlessly tried to keep his eyelids open.

    The doctor came into the room next, followed by two men pushing a hospitable bed, very similar to the one he was in now. The doctor sidled up beside him, examining the marker on his head.  As the doctor walked away, he turned to his right, just before the anesthesia delivered it's final blow. Opening his eyes for a last time, he saw it, in the bed next to him. The shiny, lifeless, metallic shell which would soon be his own.