04 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[Pristine is how Crane appears when he flicks on the video feed; it's a lovely display of smoke and mirrors that he's pulling off, after the events of the last three days. He has a clean, elegant, ascetic appearance - and enough calm professionalism to mask his excitement.]

You're all handling this outbreak remarkably well. It seems you're all keeping to the boundaries of the law, as the Major-General expects you to. That's a good thing, mind. It would be terrible news to hear people have been shot for breaking quarantine.

Anyway, I am here to help if this event has caused you psychological distress. I am a doctor, after all.

[A pause, and he tucks in his chin and folds his hands in his lap. He half-closes his eyes.]

Fears and phobias are my specialty, and there is much to fear in this situation.

[His head comes back up. He's staring at the lens.]

Be that as it may, fear is something everybody needs. It keeps you safe and keeps you on your toes. It will do you all well to remember that. That it's good to know we must always feel a little scared. It's good to see that most of you haven't submitted to bravado and dagger-tongued bragging.

[The corners of his lips lift in a boyish smile. He tilts his head slightly. His voice is disarmingly gentle. His soft inflection on 'most of you' is meant for one person in particular.]

And I wouldn't like to think that those with guts would put everyone in danger. I trust everyone to make the best decisions for each other in combating this disease.

It would be terrifying to think we couldn't trust each other. Wouldn't it?

[He crosses his right leg and rests his hands over his knee. His graceful fingers smooth his trousers, and he waits for his audience to speak.]

Comments

[ferrisbuellean]

[Crane deserves an award for such patience.]

I thought so.

[Smugness that quickly makes way to curiosity.]

So you're either just ridiculously interested in the zombie outbreak, or you've got the disease yourself.

[restingstitchface]

Or I'm ridiculously concerned. Take your pick.

[This is his most sardonic smile so far in this conversation.]

[ferrisbuellean]

Or ridiculously fishing for freebies in the way of personal info. You're the other therapist guy, right?

[Jeff might be just slightly smarter than he looks. Sometimes. Not always. Or maybe he can just read tags like a normal person.]

[restingstitchface]

Yes. Not that it's difficult to guess.

[He's read your conversation with Chilton, all right.]

[ferrisbuellean]

[Then you won't be surprised by the next comment...]

You come recommended.

[restingstitchface]

[Look at Crane. Look at how unsurprised he is.]

Perhaps I did. After all, you didn't fit Dr. Chilton's patient profile. He's a little neurotic like that.

[ferrisbuellean]

Hah, that's what I said-- Oh, right. [He gets it now.]

You guys are really selective about your patients, huh?

[restingstitchface]

[There's the slightest tilt of his head. He swallows the urge to laugh.]

... I suppose Chilton is. Of course, selectivity comes from the need to defend one's self. Most humans don't enjoy being taken for fools.

[ferrisbuellean]

You know usually it's the patient who's the more selective. I thought therapists were just in it for the money?

[restingstitchface]

Well. Some are.

I hardly consider myself driven by such a base motivation. Although, if I'm being honest, money does make life easier.

[This coming from the guy who was going to hold 12 million people to ransom. Why? So he can run off with lots of money - and spend it on his research. And books.]

[ferrisbuellean]

That it does. You qualified to give out pills? Just asking for a friend.

[Not even trying to make the lie believable.]

[restingstitchface]

Yes.

Though they're not popping candy, I'm sure you're aware. You can tell your friend I said that, too.

[ferrisbuellean]

I was just seeing how much integrity you had. Congratulations, you passed. You should be very proud.

[restingstitchface]

[His mother's very proud of him.

Oh wait.]

I suppose so.

You've had problems with unethical psychiatrists, then?

[ferrisbuellean]

A guy can't be too careful in a system where no proof of education is necessary. We don't know what sort of characters are faking their way into your profession.

[There might even be creepy villain types!]

[restingstitchface]

[Jeff. Did you just claim anyone could do this job?]

Qualification is necessary to practice, Mr. Winger. You obviously lack even the slightest idea of the learning involved in becoming a psychiatrist.

[ferrisbuellean]

In this place? Not so much, surely. If a guy like me can get myself back into lawyering on the word of some randoms, then I'm guessing it's the same across the board for imPorts. We get special treatment, no doubt about that.

[restingstitchface]

We do.

Fortunately, I've earned my place in this community. I am qualified academically and familiarly.

I cannot speak for my colleague. In fact, he is quite capable of speaking for himself.

[ferrisbuellean]

How long have you been here?

[restingstitchface]

Three months.

And I have offered my skills since the beginning. In fact, my clinic serves both the imPort and local community. I have provided employment to interns and given them the benefit of my professional experience.

What have you done?

[ferrisbuellean]

Looked really handsome for the cameras.

[restingstitchface]

Well. I hope that means your beauty isn't in the eye of the beholder.

Either way, you place a lot of importance in your appearance, don't you?

[ferrisbuellean]

Hey, if you can't love yourself, then who can you love, right? Nothing wrong with a little narcissism, is there, Doc?

[restingstitchface]

No.

[Does he mean there's nothing wrong? Or does he mean Jeff is wrong? Hmm.]

[ferrisbuellean]

[Clearly he means Jeff is totally right.]

Exactly. My body is my temple. Gotta look after it.

Y'know, I could help you along the same track to self-love and help you get away from the sexy secretary look.