The Reset

Mike was still deciding if he had truly lived to see the day he’d carry out the mission he was recruited for, 12 years ago.

Or if his mind was just weaving dreamlike tricks about a ‘worst-case scenario’, once thought nearly impossible in his lifetime. Nevertheless, the occasion found him prepared, and he sat on what would unmistakably be the right place to meet the man who would reset the world; at least partly. He allowed nervousness to avail him as he thought about all the possibilities of how this might feel. What a strange thought to be one of the few people waiting consciously to ‘start it over’ he thought.  But start from where? That he couldn’t know. The secret organisation that recruited him had compartmentalised all information, so they wouldn’t tell him. It wouldn’t be too far in the past. Will all my recent memories be wiped out? Will I still remember my family? My son? It must be! He thought. Family contact was prohibited until his fifth was delivered. As one of the carriers of a fifth of the whole, he knew the stakes were bigger than anyone could imagine, so he tightened his grip on the creasy piece of paper, fully scribbled with numbers and letters. What history that piece of paper held. What have the others before me gone through to collect all the parts? He thought as he looked once more at those written numbers.

One question had been stuck with him all these years since he had vowed to this mission, and he had waited for this moment. He looked to see if someone would join to collect the final equation, and indeed, to break his adrenaline-causing thoughts, was a man in his 60’s who calmly approached him. Tall and slender, with a thin face, a man no one would guess was carrying the fate of the entire world. He sat right next to him. There was not to be any discussion. There was no time for small talk.

‘Have you got it with you?’ Pronounced the man in a calm voice.

‘I do.’ Replied Mike.

‘Good. You can g…’

‘Before I hand it over…’ Mike stopped him. Looked at the city square in front of him trying to avoid eye contact. His hand kept a tight grip on the paper.‘Have we done this before?’

But the man stood motionless.‘No questions asked.’

‘I know.” Mike replied. ‘But I thought… you never know. We are not going to remember any of this anyway.’ And his eyes met with the old man.  The old man smiled. His gaze then turned front, to the town square in front. People walked, cheered, played, called, ate. The look of a man in deep thoughts. His smile faded.

‘Have you ever had the feeling that you have met someone before?’ 

24 hrs earlier

Franz’s fingers tapped the rubber steering wheel at an indistinct rhythm. A rhythm his fingers knew spontaneously to play when he was nervous, like a sharp drummer doing his best solo without thinking. But not all fingers played. His index and middle finger held a piece of white paper seemingly empty for the most part. His eyes were lost in stare towards the opposite side of where he had temporarily parked his old Toyota, 2 wheels on the sidewalk. He didn’t blink. No clear thoughts. Just sheer hesitation. In front of him, a small cafe, easy to miss in the otherwise lush modern vibe of the street. A local favourite, as apparently busy even At 11.45 am. Franz wore his beige trench coat and matching round hat. His usual when he went to teach at the University. But this morning class was dismissed early, after he had received a mysterious letter with a one line incomplete equation on the top part. As the first carrier of a fifth, he recognised it immediately. That must have been the first moment his fingers started playing that rhythm on the desk, as he looked at his half empty classroom of busy students attempting to resolve a mathematical conundrum he had just assigned them. Then looking at the clock on the wall, he had broken the silence ‘Guys. Why don’t you just get out there and continue this tomorrow? Eh? Enough studying for today. Go enjoy some free time. It’s a lovely day outside.’ It wasn’t. But lying came naturally to a professor.

He found a high table next to the wooden wall. Sat and ordered a coffee. He hated coffee. His eyes scanned the whole bar, more specifically the counter and its workers. 3 young men in their 30’s, two of them twins, who were in constant motion either making coffees, sandwiches and payments, all the while they cracked jokes with each other and other customers. He nervously realised he must have been the only serious face in the place, so he turned his attention to the paper on the table in front of him. He picked the pen and started solving the equation, when a drop of sweat fell from his forehead onto the inked paper. ‘Fuck’. he tried to dry it with a napkin which only made it messier. Time moved faster, and he suddenly felt all its weight on his shoulders. He lined his half solution and restarted one line under. Not before drying his forehead this time.

He wrote fast but clear, as a professor in Mathematics for 30 years, his hand was efficient with numbers. Nonetheless he paid particular attention to these numbers this time, for they quite literally carried the weight of the world. He stopped and proudly smiled at himself wishing he could share his joke with someone. Not today. He carried on scribbling numbers, but as soon as the last one was written, a female voice snapped him back to reality.

‘All good Sir? Can I bring you anything else?”

He looked up too quick, like a naughty kid caught doing something he shouldn’t. He hadn’t noticed the girl working there.

“Oh no, no no, thank you… Actually… I’ll have the bill please.” He suddenly realised how nervous he was.

“Sure. I’ll bring it”

“Oh… could you get one of the owners to bring it?”

“Sure… was there something wrong?” she asked.

“Oh, not at all… he was an ex student of mine. And… I’d like to say hi.”

“Ahh sure thing.” she smiled and turned away.

Only then he noticed he hadn’t taken his coat off. An ex student? He thought as he blamed himself for the lie. The room felt warm. He had just enough time to think about the handing now, and that reminded him of all the essays and homework he handed to his students. This might as well be the last mathematical paper I hand to someone. He allowed another proud smirk at himself. But it bothered him his humour came out always when alone; then again I am alone most of the time. Then he thought about the University Campus: specifically a bench facing south near the lake. His favourite spot. If there would be a last image, that was to be it. For 25 years since working there, he sat on that bench everyday for lunch. It always felt like a corner of the world someone had created for him.

“It would be 8.50. You asked for me? The girl said you are my…”

“Oh I just wanted… to get your attention that’s all.” Back to reality he realised he needed to take a breath. The young man frowned in a confused expression. “Here is 10, please keep the rest.” He handed the note together with the piece of paper folded in 4 parts. He felt strange. Different. Then he thought that there was no secrecy in handing papers to his students. This was something he was not used to. His forehead was burning as he nervously added. “That’s… something personal.” He looked around as he stood up. “Please open it behind the counter. Alone.”

“Look. If this is a love letter, I am afraid I will have to break your heart sir.” The young man joked, smiling.

Franz suddenly feared the guy wouldn’t understand. That was a scenario they had to be prepared for. “Well in that case, I am sure… it won’t take us long to completely forget about it!” His irony was sharp today. Finally someone to share it with. But the young man understood too well his last words. His face turned serious in an instant. Franz smiled at him.

“How many hours?” He asked in a whisper.

“2” responded Franz, feeling slightly shy. He then broke eye contact and they parted ways.

22 hrs earlier

I should have noticed right away. Mark blamed himself as he fast-walked the counter. His face pale like he had just witnessed a ghost.”Niel, get in here. Now!”

Niel came back from the kitchen, drying his hands with a kitchen towel. “What is it?”

Mark loaded the coffee machine with new beans, like trying to do something normal would not catch much attention, perhaps even calm him.

“Whatup?”

He looked at his brother as a lump grew in his throat. He didn’t know how to let him know of something like this in public. Then he turned towards the waitress. “Jennie continue service for us please. We’ll need a minute.” the girl nodded.

“What’s going on?” Neil asked, oblivious.

“They made contact… the equation.” he stared at him, sliding the piece of paper on the lower desk towards him.

His brother looked confused. He expected that. But it took only an instant. He now saw the same ghost. His head turned quickly “How long?”

“2 hours”

“And we are the 2nd in line?” He lifted his eyes to see if he could spot the handler. Nothing.

“He probably had nobody. Take it as a generous gift. We can’t fuck around either though. I must take the flight at 13:45. I can make it if I leave right away.”

“Take a flight? Wait… It’s gonna take a bit to solve this. Let’s take a minute.”

“We don’t have a minute.” Mark turned, reaching for a small blackboard on the floor. “Here. Write on this.”

Niel felt the floor leaving under his feet. “How do we know this is legit? I mean, it could be a trick.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Think about it…”

“Niel! there is nothing to think about. What are the odds someone walks in this bar, hands me a mathematical equation and tells me that we will not remember any of this soon? You know the process. You were there with me.”

“I know I know. fuck…” He leaned on the desk near the sink. Looked at the paper again. “I guess what I mean is, how do THEY know they got it right? I mean, we are talking about…” Mark nodded at him to be quiet. Niel lowered his voice and continued “…we are talking about resetting life here. Think about it, times are good, no? I haven’t heard anything on the news. Internet. No hint on any war. Any catastrophes to come. Not even an asteroid falling that would white humanity. Why now the need to Reset?”

Mark squeezed his eyes and shook his head in confusion. “What?”

Niels stood back up, facing Mark. “How can they be so sure we’ve taken a wrong turn?”

“This isn’t the time to reconsider your responsibility. That’s the whole point of your existence you id….” Mark had a slight shift of thoughts. “What is this all about? Eh? Have you forgotten the magnitude of the stakes?” Mark got closer and madder.

“I have not forgotten any…” Niels matched Mark’s advancement when…

“Guys seriously not today! I know how much you love your betting games, but the place is full of clients.”Jennie didn’t look at any of the two, as she leaned forward to pick up the pay machine. Niel kept staring at Mark. His lips tightened.

Mark’s face didn’t hide the disappointment “Oh please don’t tell me…” His head bent down towards the floor, avoiding looking at Jennie who left right away.

“I swear I just wasn’t ready for… for the wave of fear as soon as you told me about the contact.”

“She is not part of this journey. You know it!”

“And what? I should have lived a life alone like you, in case SOMETHING MIGHT happen?”

“Something HAS happened!”

“WHAT happened? Even if anything had happened, for what we know we might not even be here to pay the consequences. Threat of a nuclear war? An irreversible fuck up on the climate? They don’t tell us what happens anyway. Whatever the case, it will take time before it is too late for everyone anyway. Perhaps generations. And for once I am happy with my life.”

“That’s not certain and you know it! We didn’t even know we would live to carry this mission, and yet here we are! The game of guessing probabilities is not ours to play. We are not the ones identifying the cause. Nor the ones pulling the switch. We are the ones delivering our fifth of the code, that’s all! Now it’s the time to take responsibility and do something about it for everyone’s sake.” Mark pushed the blackboard in front of him once more. “I am not asking you anymore.”

A defeated Niel looked at Mark for an instant longer, hoping he had something to say back that would still convince him. Nothing. His eyes watered slightly. He took a step back. “I can’t let you do this. I am sorry. I just ca… her. You.” Mark felt that in another situation, his brother was not completely wrong. But right in that moment, a real stab in his back would hurt less. He grabbed Niel’s shirt with both hands and pushed him on the wall. “Since when you became so fucking selfish eh??” Mugs and tools crashed on the floor. A few of the closer clients stood up alarmed. Jennie turned and ran back at the counter towards them.

Neil didn’t reply. He knew his brother was right. He was being selfish. But there was nothing in him that could motivate writing his part of the equation on that blackboard.

“Boys what the fuck!” Jennie had arrived and pushed both of them apart from the middle. The two separated.

Mark held his body on the sink with both hands. Taking a moment to make mental awareness. “You fucking coward!” He stretched his arm towards Neil. Neil’s hand reached and placed the paper on Mark’s hand.

“I am sorry.” repeated Neil with a broken voice. Mark didn’t exchange looks. He grabbed the paper, then took his jacket from the chair it was placed on.

“Jennie, can you bring the blackboard and that box in the car please?” and he made for the exit. Jennie agreed. “Sure, is everything ok?”

“Where are you going?” asked Neil curious. But Mark proceeded towards the exit without a response. Jennie passed Neil and followed Mark towards the door.

“Hey , is everything alright?” asked one of the guests.

“Boys, as usual Germain. Like you don’t know that.” Jennie replied carrying the blackboard and the box. Neil followed right behind her, but she stopped him. “Neil, please. Let him have his moment.” She exited the door as Neil lowered his gaze analysing the possible outcomes of his choice.

“Hey, sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some.” Germain the guest, tried to cheer him as he walked back to the counter.

Outside, Mark opened the car, he put his stuff on the back seats. So did Jennie. “Are you alright?” she asked with a serious tone.

“Jennie, can I talk to you privately inside the car?” Mark asked as he opened his driver’s door.

Jennie closed the backseats and opened the passengers door. “Sure.” as they entered. Mark ignited the engine.

Behind the counter, it took an instant for Neil to go through possible scenarios, morales and memories. Memories. It suddenly snapped! “Fuck!” He sprinted towards the exit once more, throwing a chair on the floor to clear his way to the door and pushing the guy Germain to the side!

But it was too late! The car was gone.

Jennie felt she needed to respect Mark’s silence, so she waited for him to open the conversation. Which he inevitably did, right as he turned the first corner. “Jennie. Listen to me. There is something really important I need to tell you. Something I shouldn’t tell you but…”

“Is it the Reset?” Jennie cut him off.

Mark’s eyes widened in fear and he turned his head to see her expression. “What?” That was definitely not a scenario he had foreseen. In disbelief “How..”

“The man who came in the bar today. He asked for you specifically…then things turned sideways.”

Things were now completely upside down for Mark. He accepted the fact that Neil must have told her about his secret mission. “Since when have you known?” Mark stopped the car on the side of the road.

“Listen. I love your brother. And I know he loves me. A lot. Couples in love share secrets to each other as a bond of trust.” she smiled at him. “Don’t worry I haven’t told anyone.”

At that moment Mark’s head wanted to go through all the past years and find a hint or even an instant that would have given away Jennie’s involvement. Scouting if she really hadn’t told anyone. But time couldn’t be wasted so he didn’t allow it. He took the new information and thought to move front. “Then you understand what this all means? I need your help to convince him, Jennie.”

“The more I got to know your brother and his ways. The more I understood how different you both are. I was happy he shared this with me, and he shouldn’t have. But after he did… I knew if it came to it, he wouldn’t be able to make that choice. I took it upon me to make sure that load was not just his to carry. So in time, I got him to tell me everything.” She leaned and grabbed the piece of paper out of Mark’s hand. Then pulled out a pen from her breast pocket. “Drive. You have a flight to catch.”

Mark was at a loss for words. He turned the engine on and got to driving.

Jennie wrote on the piece of paper with her blue pen, a little messy with the moving car, which resulted obviously different from the elegantly written 1st equation in black ink above hers.

The car slid through the highway. Inside, the two stayed in silence most of the way after Jennie’s revelation. Mark didn’t know what else was to be said. “Does this scare you a bit? He is acting like a coward, yes. But he wasn’t completely off with everything he said. This blind trust in the organisation. The uncertainty of it all. The two of you, possibly not be together anymore.” He kept his eyes on the road.

Jennie looked through the fast passing of houses and trees from her passenger window. But her gaze was not focused on anything particular “I don’t know. I like to believe the universe has its ways, regardless. This resetting the time thing. Bodies that are meant to orbit each other, will find their gravities. The hack is about keeping the species alive no? As for the rest, if something is meant to happen, it will happen, many times over.” He looked at her as his world was starting to turn back on its right side up. He didn’t know this side of her. Before he knew it, the car took the exit for the airport. “What if the flight is full? Or you miss it?”

He looked at her with the tale of the eye, and smiled at her curiosity. “They have a private that would be ready for me.”

“Oh wow. I wish you guys had inverted roles. Would have loved a little last perk.” She lightened the mood. Mark looked at her and his face turned thoughtful. He thought about her words. About the bodies finding each other’s orbit. No body had attracted his gravity in the past years. Nobody orbited around him. Or at least, none that he was aware of… He had passed the entrance and now parked in front of ‘departures’.

He hesitated an instant. Then “You… you can join me if you want.” and he turned to her. She waited a moment in silence. Her face was thoughtful towards the piece of paper on her knees. She knew he would understand the meaning behind her hesitation in answering. Then her lips formed a very soft smile. Her eyes blinked.

“Maybe another life…” and she let the irony of her answer carry the full weight of what it was pronounced for. He understood and opened the door. “I will see you around.” as she also exited the car.

“If you’ll remember me” he joked back. She walked to him and they hugged. A hug that lasted less than they hoped.

Jennie sat on the driver’s seat. A single tear made its way on her cheek. Mark entered the airport.

14 hrs earlier

The music changed and an upbeat tune blasted through the speakers. Lights synced with the beat, darting unpredictably, bouncing off every shiny surface in the dark room; poles included. The stage stood a low 50 centimetres, just enough for the girls to feel safe while the crowd nursed the delusions of a chance.

Mark shoved through the door, unbuttoned jacket to blend in, eyes squinting against the assault of sound and light. He looked like he’d stumbled into the wrong universe. Stiff shoulders, clenched jaw, a man who hadn’t danced a day in his life. The paper in his pocket crinkled as he scanned the room, searching for her. Nina. The name was all he had, and it better be enough.

The ecstatic turmoil swallowed him. A bass-line that rattled his teeth, and he froze. He had no clue where to start. A sharp doubt stabbed him: had Franz ever scoped him out back at the bar, watching from some shadowy corner, keeping an eye on him? Maybe he should’ve done the same with Nina. It’s too late now.

Mark pushed through, aiming for centre stage. The crowd, mostly men, buzzing with excitement—fanned out from the bar to the tables, pressing closer to the poles where admittedly skilled, striking dancers worked their magic. Nina could be any of them. He checked his watch. Time was bleeding away.

13 hrs earlier

Nina closed the book, took a sip from the fuming mug and leaned forward. The face in the mirror stared back, taking time to scan every corner of her face. The new makeup matched her striking wig perfectly. She smirked, approving.

The door banged open, music in the background played louder. “Someone tell that DJ it’s 2025! Music’s killing me!” A sweaty girl stormed in, wrapping herself in a gown.

“You are not 22 anymore.” Nina teased, grinning. “It’s not the music. You just dry faster now.”

“You wish you were half as juicy… bitch!” The girl snapped a towel at her, laughing.

Nina’s smile lingered as she turned back to the mirror, spreading bright red lipstick over her thin lips, subtly edging past the lines to plump them up. Her body did the rest, but her slick moves had made her the underground star everyone whispered about.

“Fuck, my tights are broken!” the girl muttered, rummaging nearby. “I knew it—I should’ve grabbed that second pair!” She stood, tossing skin-colored tights onto the desk. “I can’t go on stage like this.”

“Calm down,” Nina soothed. “It’s not the end of the world. They’re just waiting for you to take them off anyway.”

The girl spun around. “What happened to perfectionist Nina, anal about her hairpin matching her damn thong?” she snarked.

“Times like this you improvise.” Nina shot back, unfazed. “It’s not what we do” She picked the skin-coloured tights and ripped them with a sharp move, separating one thin line from the ruined fabric. She faced the mirror and tied 2 rounds of skin coloured fabric around her neck, leaving a little tongue sticking on the side. Then with a seductive tone “It’s how you sell it.”

The girl played the tense staring contest, their red lips got closer. “Why do I love men so much?”

Nina smiled. Kissed her nose, and stood up. “How’s the crowd?”

“The same as every night for the past 3 years.” The girl stated as she cleaned her nose from red lipstick.

“Exciting…” Her eyebrows pulled up in sarcasm as she turned. A pat on her ass cheek encouraged her walking out.

The heels had finally surrendered to the shape of her small thin feet, making her walk confidently through the narrow corridor that led to the stage. Music grew louder. Her heart pumped, the rhythm got in her bones. She felt her muscles relaxed and rested, ready to hit any pose in her repertoire. She could have done this walk blindfolded and know exactly when the pole in front stage was in front of her. But too much artistry was put in the design of her eyeline, to waste it on simple tricks.

Her walk slowed, her posture changed. The lights shone on her skin and costume. The crowd yelled in unison, some screaming her name. It was her time!

Sparkling eyes scanned the room like a laser beam. She needed a target. A lucky one who’d fall in love. But the challenge had become easier by the day. They were thirsty.

Mark walked in the midst of the cluster.