One night, after we had rather passionate sex, I knew something had changed. It had seemed like he wanted me to enjoy it. He was attentive. He went down on me, which had not happened before. He held me after, and ran his fingers through my hair. I felt at peace.
Later that night, after a few drinks, he started explaining what this island was all about. He began by talking idly about some of the social dynamics going on between the men and the power plays over some of the women, which I won’t bother writing down. Eventually, he began explaining what has going on here, and why are there no older people.
“I know you have a lot of questions about our situation here.” He was hesitant. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but some of the other girls know. You will likely hear it from them eventually, and I trust that you can keep a secret. You must not let anyone else know what I tell you. In fact, from now on, everything we talk about stays in this room. No exceptions. Your life depends on it.”
He paused to let that sink in, then continued, “Officially, it is forbidden for the guests to discuss with you, what I’m about to say”
He paused again and it seemed he was collecting his thoughts or having reservations, then he said, “I was born in 1937. Myself and the other guests here have been taking rejuvenation treatments. ~~We are, essentially, immortal.~~ We are all wealthy, powerful people who have retired here to this island. We may all look like we are twenty five, but some of us are well over a hundred years old.”
At first, I was not sure I believed him. I also could not imagine why he would make up such a story. My body flushed with conflicting emotions. I waited for him to start laughing and tell me it is a joke. When he did not, I asked him, “How is that possible?”
“We take a rejuvenation treatment which was invented in the 1950s.”, he continued like it was everyday knowledge that he had a casual understanding of. “It triggers our cells to rebuild themselves. The treatment repairs our DNA and cell functioning, which in turn rejuvenates our bodies, protects against diseases, and increases our healing abilities.”
“You’ve been here since the 1950’s?”, I almost laughed when i said it.
“I have been here for close to twenty five years, but others have been here since the 1950’s. The resort has been on this island since 1952. This complex was originally built in the 1960s, but has been renovated in recent years.”
I was speechless. I was still trying to deal with the shock understanding what he was saying. I could not think of what to say but I must have had a look of astonishment.
After a pause for a drink, he continued in a very serious manner. “You must understand, we are all very powerful people in the modern world. Only after we have proven ourselves, are we invited to join the club which manages this island.”
“Club?”, I asked.
“The club is made up of those who have shown that they have what it takes to succeed in life and make a difference in the world’s affairs. We age normally as long as we can, in the outside world. As masters of industry, we play our roles in society, but when our health suffers or bad publicity overtake us, we fake our deaths, retire here to this island, and begin rejuvenation treatments.”
I can not explain why, but suddenly, I believed him. I had this sensation of everything I knew about the world changing at once. Like when you suddenly realize that a relationship which you built your whole life around is suddenly over. What does my life mean in the face of this change? How could things be this way? I felt slightly ill and had the sensation that the ground was moving for a bit. It’s good we were sitting down.
I think I became distracted with my own thoughts and forgot some of what he said. I tried to stay focused. Next, I remember, he said, “We built this place shortly after the treatment became available. We needed a place where we could live outside of the public awareness. Some of us have been here for decades. We are prepared live here for decades or centuries more, or as long as it takes.”
“As long as what takes?”, I asked reflexively.
“The necessary social changes that need to take place before society will accept us”, he said. “If we were to remain in the public view, someone might notice that we are getting younger. People could compare videos or pictures. If the rest of the world were to see that we are not aging or getting younger, or if our health problems magically go away, there would be questions.” After a pause he said, “Questions which would expose our situation and disrupt our plans.”
“Once we are invited to join the club and become immortal, we cannot start the rejuvenation treatments until we are officially declared dead. At which point, we are secluded on this island or at another facility”.
“I don’t understand why people can’t know about this treatment?”, I asked. “It seems like a very important breakthrough.”
“If rejuvenation were to become common knowledge, we may not be able to control it. The technology is not complex or expensive. The treatment could be created in a kitchen."
He continued, "It is impossible for the vast majority of humans to rejuvenate without very severe consequences to society and the environment. We can’t just give the treatment to anyone. Rejuvenation and immortality must be earned.”
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