Keyboards clacker, pens scribbling over sheets, intercoms go off.

“Applicant #245, go to the License renewal window 8.”

A whole lot of coffee and uncomfortable lighting keeps the scuffle brisk. Applicant #245 goes over to the window 8 as instructed. He places his tiny pouch over the desk in front. A man with a bored expression sips his morning coffee.

“Excuse me, (sips coffee and gulps)”

So the officer behind the window nods and remarks,

Bureaucrat: What brings you here?

Applicant #245: License renewal.

Bureaucrat: Quickly go over that desk and get document no. A851.

(He scoots over and gets A851)

Applicant #245: here you go, Sir.

Bureaucrat: Okay, I will fill in these details for you. Your name?

Applicant: No,

Bureaucrat: Alright, here I enter. “N – O” No! What is your name?

Applicant: I don’t remember.

Bureaucrat: You don’t remember? You have amnesia? What about your documents? Old license or something

Applicant: No!!

Bureaucrat (groans in pain) : Ah!! Are you serious? How are you going to apply then?

Applicant: I have the documents with me here. (He points at his bag.) But I don’t want to look at my name.

Bureaucrat: Let me write that over in special remarks, “Does not want to recall his name”.

Applicant: Yeah, you would be right to note that down. I need my license renewed too.

Bureaucrat: Why?

Applicant: Why what?

Bureaucrat: My superiors would demand. Why don’t you want to recall your name?

Applicant: It is simple. My name is a reminder of my old routines. A collection of memories. So boring and dull that I don’t want to recall.

Bureaucrat: Reminder? But what about concepts, things? You must have some recollections of your house?

Applicant: Without my name, these are just empty possessions. I cant reclaim them.

Bureaucrat: You really are serious about this.

He pushes his chair rollers to the rotary telephone. He rolls a number in quick succession.

Yes sir, this is some serious case. Does not remember his name. ….. Yeah asked him. Does not want to recall that either.

No, not amnesia. Something about just not wanting to be in the same routine.

Yes, Yes, yes, Is that so? Are you sure, Sir?

Yes… okay.

(He puts back the telephone)

B: spooked about this telephone? This department just did not update since the 80s.

A: Yeah, things never catch up to the present.

B: So… what are you saying? That you don’t want to recall your name. Tell me some things you used to do which stand unconnected without your name.

A: It is simple. That man with that name used to walking, commuting to office, doing meaningless tasks, going back home to a wife, “I don’t remember about.” Going to some random restaurant once in a while. That man with that name led a life. But I am untethered from that now.

B: But are you sure? Your old tendencies do not come back to you. Do you visit those old places without you noticing

A: Yeah…. I do catch myself sometimes. Walking the same path, taking the same train, eating in same restaurants. But once I do, I retreat immediately.

B: I have the Amnesia form with me, Let me get it out. A2..29. Here you go.

B: Do you remember car rules? Car riding? Routes in cities? If you do, you are still that man. That man with that name.

A: No!! that cannot be possible. I made sure to erase that name. Except for my license, which I need for my car. I take it out, without looking and show it to anybody who wants to see. It cannot be.

B: Still your old habits have not changed. My suggestion as a Bureacrat for 20 years,

“take your name, but disown other things. Otherwise, you follow your routines like an automaton without knowing why.”

A: And yet. The Name is the one that tethers everything. If I have that name, I have to be that guy. Following the same routines. It plays a social role for me.

B: Then disown your surroundings. Change them, keep the name as constant. Keep something that carries over.

A: Hmm, I am still not convinced.

B: Take this, Buddha left everything behind. And yet, he never took away his name “Gautama.” It was his constant in the whole journey. You could do the same thing.

A: Huh, that is true. Oh wow. I never thought of it like that. That makes a whole lot of sense. So.. you think this will work out. Do you think my name will hold it?

B: Sir, anything held back or standing tethered to your name must be consciously untethered. It just needs a bit of push. If you let me know your name, I can say “x……… x, you must change your life.”

A: Sir, this is the most amazing things anyone has said to me. Thank you, thank you. Okay here you go.

(Applicant unzips his satchel bag while the bureacrat gleams a wide grin)

B: I am still waiting.

A: Here I am looking, by hiding other details. As it comes to me, Its Luke!!!!

B: Luke, you must change your life.

Luke: Which I will.

B: If you don’t mind, I will write your name.

(Puts down his name. )

Luke: if this is done, I will take my leave.

B: Oh wait!! What is your nationality?

A: No!!!

(Here we go again)