“So how long does it take?” Alan asked as the Administrator started to pack away the bowl.

Pausing mid task the Administrator looked back up at Alan and blinked slowly at him “Pardon?”

“The whole memory wipe thing.” Alan replied with a twirling gesture to his temple “How long after I drink you magic soup do I lose my memories and can reincarnate?”

The Administrator stared at him for a long moment before saying “It’s meant to happen instantly. You still remember your past life?”

“Yea.” Alan nodded.

“All of it?”

“Well, as much I ever did I guess.”

Turning to look at the bowl in his hand the Administrator asked “Are you sure you drank all of it?”

“Of course I did. You would have noticed otherwise when you took the bowl back right?”

“Right.” The Administrator said uncertainly “Let’s just try again shall we?” he suggested as he placed the bowl back in front of Alan. Picking up a small flask the Administrator uncorked it and started to fill the bowl, pouring out more of soup than could possible be contained in such a small vessel. Once the bowl was filled to him brim the Administrator slowly pushed it towards Alan who carefully picked it up as to not spill any and brought it to his lips. Gulping down the soup Alan set the bowl back down on the table and met the gaze of the Administrator who was watching expectantly “Well, anything?”

“Nope, still me.” Alan shrugged.

“I don’t understand…” the Administrator muttered to himself as he brought the flask to his nose and gave an experimental sniff. “Here, try drinking straight from the flask.”

“Sure, if you think it’ll work.” Alan said as he took the flask and brought it to his mouth. Swallowing as quickly as the liquid filled his mouth Alan drank continuously for several minutes before pulling it away and shook his head.

“This… This doesn’t make any sense… This has never happened before!” the Administrator cried out.

“So what do we do now?” Alan asked as he tried to hand the flask back to the Administrator only for him to push it back towards him.

“You just keep drinking!” he insisted as he got to his feet. “I’ve got to tell someone about this!” he said before fleeing out the door.

Shrugging his shoulders Alan brought the flask back to his lips and started to sip. After an indeterminable amount of time passed the door flung open as the Administrator returned with someone in tow. “It’s this one!” the Administrator said as he pointed an accusing finger at Alan. “He drank two full bowls and even straight from the flask but he’s still here and-”

“Calm yourself.” the Senior Administrator said as he held up a placating hand. “While such an occurrence is exceptionally rare it is not unheard of.” Taking a seat opposite Alan the Senior Administrator said “This is usually the result of a particularly strong memory having taken root directly into the soul. To exorcise it we simply need to identify the memory and pry it free from the soul. Now then, Alan was it? Can you think of any memory that could have such a hold upon you?”

“Nothing really comes to mind.” Alan shook his head.

“Come now.” The Senior Administrator said with a kindly smile “You were over 60 years old when you passed, there must be something?”

“I lead a kind of uneventful life to be honest with you.” he said awkwardly. “I never had any family, not many friends, I worked a dead end job; me dying was probably the most eventful thing to ever happen to me.” he finished lamely as he scratched the back of his head. “I was kind of looking forward to going back and making a better go of it this time around."

“mmm, then perhaps it was some form of trauma that you have repressed but still weighs heavily on your soul.” the Senior Administrator pondered as he stroke his chin. “Let us find out together, your hands if you please.” he said as held out his own hand on the table palms up. Doing as he was told Alan placed his hands in those of the Senior Administrator causing an image of a diner to appear between them “It seems to be a restaurant of some sort. Does it seem familiar at all?”

“Not really. I’ve probably ate at hundreds of places like this in my life. I can’t think of anything traumatic happening in one.”

“Let us see how it plays out.” he said as the image shifted to inside the diner where a twenty something Alan sat in a booth being served by a young waitress. “She is rather attractive no? Perhaps your deep seated memory involves this young woman?” the Senior Administrator suggested only to notice Alan looking pale. “Is something the matter?”

“I...er think I remember what memory this is.” he said evasively. “We don’t have to watch any more.”

“Of course we do. How else will we help you move on.” the Senior Administrator replied as the memory continued to show the waitress placing a plate in front of Alan.

“Here’s your meal, do you need anything else?” she said with a smile.

“No, I’m good thanks.” he replied with a shy smile.

“Enjoy your meal.” she smiled.

“Thanks.” Alan replied “You too.”