[ WP ] `` There 's always a third option . Let me demonstrate . ''

“ You sure you don ’ t want to just get a coffin like everyone else? ” 
 
 Everett opened his eyes and saw his wife Amy looking down at him. He laughed and looked around at the doctors and scientists moving around him. The laboratory he was lying in had a blue tinge that made the cold air feel even colder. 
 
 “ Amy, we signed a contract remember? Plus, what would I do in a coffin? Rot? ” 
 
 She smiled weakly. “ But this is all just so strange… ” 
 
 “ Oh, they ’ re not even sure if it will work, and think of the money you ’ ll have when I ’ m gone. I ’ m doing this for you. ” Everett could feel the lie scrape between his teeth. He was doing it for himself. Years of being bedridden and enduring countless cancer treatments was not how he wanted to end his life. 
 
 A man in a white lab coat suddenly strolled in through the double doors with a group of men in suits. “ And here is what you ’ ve all been waiting for. ” He looked like a child waiting to open presents on Christmas morning. 
 
 “ Who can tell me, ” he continued, addressing the group, “ what we do with our dead? ” 
 
 Silence. Finally, a man in the back of the group spoke up. 
 
 “ Well, we bury them. ” 
 
 “ Or cremate them! ” another man chimed in. 
 
 “ Yes! Precisely! Now, what if I told you that I have discovered a third option? ” The man had a ferocious look in his eyes, as if he was playing with his food before the kill. 
 
 “ There ’ s a third option? ” 
 
 “ There ’ s always a third option. ” He snapped. “ Let me demonstrate. ” He spun around and began securing the bands holding Everett to the table. “ How are we feeling today Everett? ” He didn ’ t wait for a response and was soon at a large control panel flipping switches. 
 
 “ Honey, ” Amy held Everett ’ s face in her hands. “ I love you. ” 
 
 “ I love you too darling. ” Amy kissed him one last time and walked to the side of the room. They had said their goodbyes earlier. Everett took a deep breath and closed his eyes once more. 
 
 “ Everett, I need you to pick one of these three objects—and remember which one you chose! ” The man showed Everett three stuffed animals. Everett pointed to a cat that had an eye missing. “ Perfect! Now this won ’ t hurt a bit. ” He walked back towards the control panel and looked around at his lab assistances, who each nodded. 
 
 “ Gentleman, prepare to witness a miracle. ” He flipped a switch and electricity coursed through Everett ’ s body. Everett groaned as his muscles seized and he fought against his restraints. He heard his wife scream and then he felt nothing. Everything went black. 
 
 Moments passed and he felt as though he was being prodded. Images flashed before him and he could hear someone speaking. 
 
 “ Pay attention every—will choose—observe! ” 
 
 Finally his vision corrected and he could see the laboratory again, except he was at ground level. The man in the lab coat stood above him with his hand on his knees, wielding a long stick. 
 
 “ Come on now Everett, choose the same stuffed animal as last time. ” 
 
 Everett saw a line of stuffed animals in front of him, one of which was cat. He wearily got up and reached out to grab it, but lost his balance. Voices began to fill the room. 
 
 “ Dear God! ” 
 
 “ Impossible! ” 
 
 “ That is absolutely absurd! ” 
 
 Everett righted himself and looked down. Where his hands should have been were two enormous paws. He looked into the reflective surface of one of the metal carts beside him. 
 
 A lion stared back at him. 

