Second Time Around by Nancy Moser

danger.”
    “I’ll have to take your word on that.”
    “Actually,” Dr. Rodriguez smiled, “yes, you will.”
    The pretty nurse cut in. “Let me assure you, I am an expert at pricking and probing.”
    He winked at her. “I’m sure you are, Nurse…?”
    “Connor.”
    “First name?”
    “Doris.”
    David sat on the bed. “With Doris by my side, I’m ready for anything.” I just want to get this over with.
    But Dr. Rodriguez wasn’t through showing off the tools of his trade. He moved to the curved machine that would soon wrap around David’s head. “The roots of this machine are in the fMRI—the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging—that is used to map the body. Since we are only interested in the brain, we have minimized the size. To be even more specific, we have perfected a technique for pinpointing the neurocircuitry enabling system called the Loop—that part of the brain that’s activated by the stimulus of memory. Through this machine, we will continuously monitor the brainwave signature of the patient as the Loop uncoils.”
    He patted the machine. “It works the same as a traditional MRI, through the use of non-ionizing radiation. We tap into the Loop through the use of the MRI’s magnet and radio waves and then go a step further and map your unique brainwave signature.”
    It sounded good. And normally David would have enjoyed the tech-speak. But not today. Not now.
    Doris touched his shoulder. “Would you like to lie down so we can get started?”
    “Now you’re talking.”
    Mac stepped away and they pulled a curtain around the bed. Nurse Connor was right. She was good at pricking and prodding. She also smelled wonderful. Like honeysuckle. When she was done she smiled down at him. “How are you doing?”
    “Don’t leave me.”
    She took his hand. “I won’t.”
    Dr. Rodriguez pulled back the curtain, letting Mac back in. Then they positioned the MRI machine around David’s head. David was glad his eyes weren’t covered. It would have been unbearable not to see.
    Mac came into view. “This is it, Mr. Stancowsky. Would you like to say anything?”
    “Don’t screw this up, okay?”
    He felt Doris squeeze his hand. It would be all right. In a few moments he’d be seeing his Millie again. That was worth any risk.
    Dr. Rodriguez stepped beside him. “I’m going to give you a shot now. All you have to do is relax and think of the time you want to visit and the new choice you’d like to make. Don’t worry if nothing happens right away. The Serum will take effect within minutes and help you hold on to the memories. Bon voyage, Mr. Stancowsky.”
    David felt the prick of a needle, then a warmth. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the past—his new present. I live in Bangor, Maine. The year is 1958. My fiancée, Millie, and I are on a pre-wedding weekend trip to Bar Harbor. We’re staying at the Rocky Ledge bed-and-break —
    He was flying, weightless. Soaring through his thoughts until suddenly, the color of David’s memories intensified, as if a light had been turned on. He smelled the combination of salt air and cinnamon. He heard a scratchy record playing “Mona Lisa.” And there, standing next to a porch swing, was his lovely Millie. She turned and looked at him.
    His body had weight again. He had substance. He smiled and moved toward her.

    The VIPs had left and Mac stood alone on the balcony of the Sphere. He looked over his charges: Vanessa, Lane, and David. They appeared serene. Sleeping. But he knew their minds were busy, working hard in their Alternity, living out a choice that would take them to places undiscovered. It used to be said that space was the last frontier. Perhaps. But a frontier that was just as unfathomable, just as exciting, just as limitless, was the human brain. These ordinary people lying before him were explorers, every bit as brave and adventurous as Lewis and Clark or any astronaut.
    He watched the technicians at the computer terminals, manned