Chapter Text
2ND OF APRIL, 1967
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Psychologist: Hello! Welcome! Please, sit anywhere you feel comfortable. Chair, the couch. Wherever.
Patient #77: …Thank you.
Psychologist: I’ll be your psychologist, as your doctor prescribed. Now, what is your name? Oh, that’s alright. You don’t need to tell me. I have it here.
Patient #77: The pleasure is all mine, madam.
Psychologist: Oh! *giggles* what a gentleman! I unfortunately do not see that often anymore. Men should really be more like you. I find that us ladies have just been thrown aside from uncouth men nowadays that we really don’t get the respect we deserve.
Patient #77: You definitely deserve respect. Especially for dealing with someone like me.
Psychologist: Well, thank you.
Patient #77: You're...very young. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?
Psychologist: 26.
Patient #77: Wow. You must be brilliant at what you do.
Psychologist: I certainly have my moments.
Patient #77: Where's your recording device?
Psychologist: Recording device?
Patient #77: Don’t you wish to remember what we talk about?
Psychologist: Well, I have what’s called an eidetic memory. My ears and brain are sort of like a recording device. Millicent back there is here to transcribe our conversation per your doctor’s request.
Patient #77: I see.
Psychologist: So, let’s just start out with small talk. How are you today?
Patient #77: I’ve been better.
Psychologist: Yeah. Me as well. I suppose it’s the weather. You’d think we’d be used to it by now, huh?
Patient #77: Yes, I suppose so.
Psychologist: I had to go back across town to get a new set of clothes the other day since one of the buses stained my dress.
Patient #77: Oh dear! I do hope it’s alright!
Psychologist: It shall be, since I washed it.
Patient #77: Very good. I was worried for a second there.
Psychologist: *giggles* well, no need for concern. It’s currently hanging in my closet all neat as a pin…so it says here in your file that you’ve been transferred here after being in prison for 5 years, is that right?
Patient #77: Correct. They tell me that I am up for parole in 6 months, since my behaviour has been exemplary.
Psychologist: Yes. So, I’ve been told. I’m very happy for you.
Patient #77: Have many of your other clients have had the privilege of parole?
Psychologist: No, actually. The court ordered me to just do yours. I’m normally a police psychologist.
Patient #77: Oh?
Psychologist: Yes. I work with police and detectives, and I normally work at the Yard.
Patient #77: That makes sense. I suppose police have seen things that would make them want to talk to someone, is that right?
Psychologist: Yes…sort of like you.
Patient #77: …
Psychologist: Oh, I’m so sorry. Forgive me for putting you on the spot like that.
Patient #77: *sigh* It’s alright…You…You do know what I did, right?
Psychologist: How could I forget? The hole is right near where my family and I used to live. Also, it was in the Times for many months.
Patient #77: Is your family alright?!
Psychologist: Yes yes, we made it out in time.
Patient #77: Thank god…..
Psychologist: Listen, I know what you did was wrong but that’s why you’re here. You’re here to fix yourself and therefore, you’re here to fix everything.
Patient #77: I don’t know why I’m even here! I don’t know why I was shown so much mercy! What I did to people and to our city was unforgivable.
Psychologist: Oh I wouldn’t say that. I’m certain that lots of people have forgiven you.
Patient #77: You think?
Psychologist: Sure. What people don’t know is that there’s a difference between forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiveness is a sign of respect for you as a human, while acceptance is acceptance of actions. People say “They forgive you” because that’s just the least we can do for another human. That means that we acknowledge their apology and that they are just human, while at the same time, we don’t accept their behavior. Does that make sense?
Patient #77: Sort of.
Psychologist: Well, philosophy aside, what makes you think that you don’t deserve a second chance?
Patient #77: I’ve disappointed so many people…destroyed homes…separated families…I’m a sick sick person with no hope…nobody wants to see me succeed, I bet.
Psychologist: Nobody?
Patient #77: …well, there is one person.
Psychologist: Please tell me about this person.
Patient #77: You must know him. He’s a professor at Gressenheller and he’s always in the papers. He and his…apprentice of sorts have come to visit me often and were the ones who vouched for my parole and for my stay here at the hospital.
Psychologist: This friend of yours must see you in high regards then. Must mean you aren’t as bad as you think.
Patient #77: Perhaps.
Psychologist: Besides you have one more person on your side, rooting for you.
Patient #77: Who?
Psychologist: Me.
Patient #77: *blushes* Oh. Well, thank you Doctor.
Psychologist: Doctor? *laughs* Please! I am no doctor. Call me Rachel.
Patient #77: Rachel…. alright. I suppose I shall.
Psychologist: You positively beam when you talk about your friend from Gressenheller. I suppose you really value him as a friend, is that right?
Patient #77: Correct. I even reached out to him to stop him from my madness. I suppose the approach I made wasn’t the most logical, but I’m just so thankful I got his attention because of it. If it wasn’t for him, I would be even more lost…even more mad…perhaps even dead.
Psychologist: *smiles* I wish I had a friend like that.
Patient #77: You mean you don’t have a close friend like him? But…you’re so pleasant! It’s rubbish for a fair woman such as yourself to be without a close friend.
Psychologist: *blushes* well, my job doesn’t really allow me to participate in many social affairs…
Patient #77: I’d like to…perhaps see if we could be friends one day.
Psychologist: I’d like that. Oh! Your time is up today. I am to see you Wednesday and again on Friday.
Patient #77: Oh…well thank you for taking the time out to talk to me.
Psychologist: If you don’t mind me asking again, how are you feeling today?
Patient #77: Much better than before. Thanks to you.
Psychologist: Good. That’s what my goal was today. To make you smile.
Patient #77: *blush* well, it worked.
Psychologist: I’m glad.
Patient #77: Thank you…so much. I know it wasn’t much but I’m thankful you took the time out to talk to me today.
Psychologist: Of course. See you in 2 days, Mr. Dove.
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