maskormenace

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I require an explanation.

[ Danger holds up a little handwritten note, on which a series of ones and zeroes is written out neatly in elegant purple script. The note reads: 01011001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100101 00101110, which may or may not mean anything to anyone besides herself. ]

I have been told that this is what humans call a "valentine."
I assume this is in reference to the commercial holiday, which I find to be both wasteful and beside the point.

[ She finally lowers the note. Even in her metal body, her face is clearly unamused-- possibly borderline suspicious. ]

Perhaps it is simply that my understanding of human courting methods is lacking.
But I fail to see how this is "romantic."
Particularly when the sender remains anonymous.
And I am uncertain how to respond.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No.
Perhaps you would be so gracious as to elaborate for me.

I wasn't his only psychiatrist -- simply his most capable one. The others? His other doctors, when he escaped because the state foolishly decided to humor his so-called legal whims, they were the ones who suffered. He cut them open at the throat, I'm told. Let their tongues hang out through that slit. Abel Gideon did not treat his acquaintances with deep respect.

[A beat.]

Myself and Doctor Bloom proved the exceptions.

[ another calculating pause before she responds steadily, perhaps unreadably. ]

He is very articulate, for a mad man and a murderer.

The psychopaths that I work with often are.

We spoke at length about you.
Perhaps you might find that flattering.

[He holds a beat for a couple of seconds -- that was an unexpected confession.]

And when was this? Why would you need to confer with Abel?

He understands me, to a point.
I find our conversations enlightening, and given that you are a mutual acquaintance, it seemed a logical enough discussion.
Now that we are housemates, perhaps we will have such a discussion again.

That seems unnecessary. Abel Gideon has a talent for using people -- what he cultivates with you could prove detrimental.

The same could easily be said of you, Doctor.

Then why continue to engage me? If you believe that.

[ a slight pause. then, maybe with a surprising honesty: ]

Perhaps I believe you may also be capable of understanding me.

Good. [More confidently:] You're an egotist, just like any other human. We crave identity and reflection, because we can be so easily defined by our environment.

And that can be so infuriating.

[ simply: ]

Yes.
It can.

Don't discuss me with Abel. He suffers from severe dissociation, he's unreliable at best. And this environment isn't the least of traumatic settings -- you cannot aid its potential over his self-definition.

For both your sakes, don't injure his delicate psychological state.

What are you so afraid of, Doctor?
What is it you are truly trying to prevent?

I am not the one being psychologically evaluated.

But I am always evaluating you, Doctor.

In a capacity that's equal to, or beyond your duty as an agent of Homeland Security?

Oh, Doctor.
You know very well that this is personal.

Careful, Danger. You're beginning to sound very much like your Valentine sender.

Do you feel that I sound possessive, Doctor?

You sort of did, just now. Should I be concerned?

Should you?
Would you like to discuss your feelings, Doctor?

You haven't got a chaise lounge to lay upon, have you? You ought to accessory correctly, if you're going to play therapist.

Do I need to be a therapist to be interested in your emotional processes?

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