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

[acclimatized]

I'm very sure of that.

[ this is why john hates psychiatrists. ]

But if I do notice any twitching, I know whose office she can head to. I'm sure she'll be very pleased with you undermining her like this.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's smile doesn't go anywhere.]

... Of course she's always welcome. And I suppose breaking her own enforced quarantine is her prerogative. I'm certain nobody will have a problem with the hypocrisy.

[acclimatized]

[ well, he walked straight into that one. ]

Don't you have anything better to do? Jumping out from behind curtains? Planting rubber spiders around your practice? If they set you up with one, that is.

[restingstitchface]

[You're really begging for it, John.]

Well. That dig at my professional qualification is certainly a low blow. It must have been difficult to think of. I suppose it would be prudent to remind your bravado is just your defense against the fear.

Yes, and that if I wanted to scare you, you'd know about it.

[acclimatized]

I'll take that as a no, then. Crying shame that. They are usually pretty good at setting people up when they arrive.

[ oh crane. you make ella thompson look like freud by comparison. ]

Sure. Whatever you say, mate.

[restingstitchface]

[How apt, then, that Crane subscribes more to the Jungian school of thought.]

Right.

... You'd know I have a clinic, by the by, if you tried looking.

[acclimatized]

Sorry, I'll have to pass. Have things to do and all that.

[restingstitchface]

Yes. It would be best if you run along, now.

[What a polite way to say get lost, Crane.]

[acclimatized]

Will do. Have fun with your rubber spiders while the rest of us are being productive.

[ time to turn off his communicator and get back to work. don't worry crane. you'll be able to hold yourself against john when you're older. ]