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

[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.

[restingstitchface]

[What a vain man you are, Jeff. How sinful.]

I cannot see why I should accept that offer. I am self-content, and would suggest you focus your efforts elsewhere.

[ferrisbuellean]

[Don't worry, he covers more than just vanity. He's like a walking sin machine.]

Just offering. Therapists are never usually happy with themselves. Figured you'd be the same.

[restingstitchface]

And that's the danger of making assumptions. You may be proved wrong.

[ferrisbuellean]

I'm never wrong, just mildly mistaken. There's a difference.

[Hdu think he gets stuff wrong!]

Do you drink, Doctor?

[restingstitchface]

No.

[What a short, sharp answer.]

You won't prove the exception to the rule, either.

[ferrisbuellean]

[It got cold up in here.]

It appears we've somehow started off on the wrong foot. Why don't we begin again?

Hi, my name's Jeff and I'd like to get to know you.

[restingstitchface]

And I would say, with all certainty, there is someone who'd like to get to know you too. But your need to know me isn't too much of concern. We don't even share much in common.

[Ugh. Go away : | ]

[ferrisbuellean]

[Rubs up against.]

Well obviously everyone wants to get to know me. [Duh.] But for now I'm talking to you so... maybe we just gotta work on finding some common ground. Weren't you just saying how we should all trust one another?

[restingstitchface]

[Sigh. That doesn't mean he has to like you, Jeff.]

Trust and affection are not mutually exclusive.

[ferrisbuellean]

[Everyone has to like him. It's important.]

But it's so nice when they go together. C'mon then, favorite drink?

[restingstitchface]

Water.

[Isn't he exciting?]

[ferrisbuellean]

Good choice. Important to keep hydrated. See, I like water too, so does the rest of humanity. Favorite car?

[restingstitchface]

[One that's crashed with you in it, he could say. But that's not appropriate, is it?]

I really don't care about such things. Are you going to ask these sorts of questions all night long?

[ferrisbuellean]

[Wow, rude.]

Favorite psychoanalytic theory? [Yup, going to go on all night long, baby, unfunf.]

[restingstitchface]

[Get out. He'll only indulge your whims if it's related to his research, Winger.]

I have my preferences.

Same as everyone else, really.

[How's that for a non-answer?]