I can’t tell you how many questions I answer.

How many numerical values I assign.

We take intermittent breaks, and at some point, they lead us to a room filled with enough food to feed all of Elytown. Hopefully you’ll find something you like, they said before leaving me and Ms. B alone, a white table with two place settings in the center of the room. The room is made of glass, same as all the others, except on their way out, our guides made it a point to press a panel beside the door, the clear glass darkening to a translucent frost. We’ll collect you in thirty.

And when they return, we’re taken to more tests.

Except for our meal, Ms. B and I are separated the entire process, but then, at the very end, I’m led to a large room the shape of a half circle. It’s like a college lecture hall, but grander, plush seats, synthetic wood detailing, and a massive screen in the center of the front wall.

“Any clue why we’re here?” I ask her.

But then the lights dim and the screen glows.

A woman in a tailored suit smiles at us from the screen. She’s standing in the Center’s main lobby.

“On behalf of everyone here at the Center, we’d like to thank you for your hard work today. Your willingness to participate in the reanimation of your loved one does not go unrecognized,” she says as she walks the lobby floor.

She goes on like this for a while, highlighting each phase of the reanimation process, except her version is even more watered down, and I struggle to understand the point until finally she looks into the camera and says:

“And to ensure your loved one the optimal reanimation experience, we must ask that you follow three basic rules.”

She holds up a finger. “One. Immediate family and close friends aside, you must not communicate what you’ve seen or heard during your visit here. For Q’s safety, it’s important that we limit knowledge of his procedure and this facility only to those who need to know. And this should be obvious, but please, no social media posts.”

She smiles. Holds up two fingers. “You have been assigned a personal reanimation adviser. In the unlikely event something unusual should occur with your loved one, under no circumstances are you to contact your local authorities. Your loved one is under twenty-four-hour monitoring, and as such, it is likely a team of trained professionals is already on their way. But, for your peace of mind, please feel free to relay any concerns directly to your adviser.”

Three fingers. “This is perhaps the most important rule. Enjoy these precious moments with your loved one. This is the second chance you didn’t know you could have. Have fun with it!”