Telepathy Test
Flash fiction by Bruce Kasanoff
“I’m going to check now if you both give us permission to proceed,” said Dr. Edwards.
“To preserve a record of this first telepathy session, I’m going to refer to you as participant One and Two, according to the numbers on your reclining benches.
“One, do you authorize us to proceed with the experiment?”
One said, “Yes, I do.”
“Two, do you authorize us to proceed with the experiment?”
“Sure, and One, I literally know what you’re thinking, so that act isn’t going to work anymore.”
“What act?” asked Two coyly.
“Excuse me,” Dr. Edwards interrupted, “But given the experimental nature of our program, I need an unambiguous response. I know you’re both giddy and nervous and excited, but please bear with me.
“Two, do you authorize us to proceed with the experiment?”
“Yes, I do.”
Dr. Edwards checked his equipment and looked at his two assistants, who each gave him a thumbs up sign. “This first session will last just a few minutes, during which time you each will have full access to the other’s thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. We will not have access to those elements, but we are recording a wide range of physiological data that tracks each of your responses.”
“I wish I could see you,” said One, whose recliner was facing away from Two’s.
“You will in a minute,” said Two.
“Starting… now,” said Dr. Edwards.
One/Two felt instant warmth. It was like a gentle flood of…
ACCEPTANCE
A mishmash of images flooded their awareness, but few lasted for more than an instant. ACCEPTANCE crowded everything out.
They began a dialogue… it was unclear who was saying—or feeling—what:
ACCEPTANCE is...
I/we accept our dreams
goals
fears
obligations
quirks whims
color preferences
bad habits
bad habits?
occasional incoherence
and pasts.
I/we accept all this
and own
each others
everything
I/we are bound to
embrace
nurture
adopt each other
as we are
ACCEPTANCE is not passive
it is active
Another flood of warmth pushed words away.
Like water bouncing off the shoreline and gradually returning to the sea, words returned in bits and pieces…
Your
art
is
my
art
Your
dreams
are
my
dreams
It is not enough to give you room
your urges and desires
are my urges and desires
ACCEPTANCE
the deepest
level
humans
can
attain
ACCEPTANCE
frighteningly rare
exquisitely beautiful
extremely fragile
ACCEPTANCE
transcends
distance
bodies
geography
yoga class
dinner
children
dogs
dogs?
ACCEPTANCE
not a decision
for I/we
inevitable
this
is
inevitable
this
is
inevitable
this
is
Music started playing in the background. The words, images, emotions, feelings, and warmth receded.
Dr. Edwards glanced at his assistants. They were staring back at him, pale.
He fumbled with his dials, unsure of what to say.
After a moment, he managed, “Uh... I have never seen that before. Your readings were identical.”