The Secret of Eternal Youth

I remember asking close friends of mine this question: do you want to live forever? Some answered positively, with the same scholarly intentions I’ve mentioned. One answered that he did not want to because all of his loved ones would be dead and he’ll be the only one left alive. Such state, he said, would be an eternity of loneliness.

This reminded me of the horror-comedy, “Death Becomes Her”, starring Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, and Meryl Streep. In the movie, Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) and Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) are two vain women vying for the attention of plastic surgeon, Dr. Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis). Madeline won, at first, and steals him away and Helen disappears. Helen returns years later, looking very young and fit. She has stumbled upon a “fountain of youth” spa, owned by Lisle Von Rhumans (played by Isabella Rossellini). Madeline was also able to seek the services of Madame Von Rhumans. Now both immortals and still rivals, they managed to “kill” one another only to find out that they are still living, even if Madeline blasted a big hole in Helen’s abdomen with a shotgun and Helen crashed a steel bar over Madeline’s head, resulting into a broken cervical spine. This series of events horrified the poor Dr. Menville and wanted escape from his two lovers. The two vain women convinced him to “repair” them cosmetically, in exchange for his freedom. He did so, unknowing that the two women were planning to take him to Madame Von Rhumans to make him an immortal. They needed someone to “repair” them once in a while and, if Menville dies, no one would be able to do so, unless they divulge their secret. Menville vehemently refused a taste of the elixir of long-lasting life, even at the threat of his own life. He survived though, and began his life anew. In his wake, his priest said something like this: Ernest has, indeed, found the secret of eternal life. It is love for his wife, his kids, his grandchildren, and for the people surrounding him. It is because of this that he will be remembered forever.

So, do I begin tearing my list of “things to do if I’ll live forever” in pieces? Nah. I think I still want to have a taste of what the Vampire Lestat has. And be as beautiful.

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