The Reincarnation

David awoke from a nightmare. In it, he was the only human being in a land of lizard people. He was on display for them, chained up in some kind of Circus of Freaks. Lizard men and their wives, and their little lizard children, would come to gawk at his naked and withered body.

When he saw Hannibal, David quickly forgot the dream. Today he started physical therapy. Laura brought him a huge breakfast, and winked at him when she set it down. She didn’t say anything, and left.

David gorged himself, regretting it later when they had him on a treadmill. He was only supposed to walk slowly, but he had started to jog nonetheless. Dr. Persey was right, he thought. Thank God his muscles hadn’t shriveled in the cryopreserver – frozen solid, he guessed they wouldn’t have. His sides ached though, as did his legs. He was back in his room long enough to watch three more of the films before he fell asleep.

In his dreams, he returned once more to his birthday party. The dream was especially cloudy this time. He could barely make out his grandfather and his mother through the mist. The certificate in his hands was the only thing he could clearly see. He finally fulfilled his mother’s demand, and read aloud:

“The Medical Church of America hereby blesses

David Arthur Sperling

with eternal reincarnation.

Through the power of The Medical Church of America,

his soul shall remain on Earth until Judgement Day.”