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]

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?]

[ferrisbuellean]

Man, you suck at this. What is it with you imPort therapists being guarded, shady subject changers?

[restingstitchface]

Look at your sudden behavioral shift, then ask yourself that question again.

[He steeples his fingers and glances aside. Can he get Jeff to have a public tantrum? Oh, he wants to find out.]

[ferrisbuellean]

[Find the right subject matter and he just might. But Crane, it's so hard to find a subject Jeff cares enough about to actually have a tantrum over in the first place, especially considering caring about something involves so much effort.]

See, even then you're switching it up. Next you'll be asking me how it makes me feel.

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps I should take advantage of that opening, since you offered it so readily.

How does it make you feel, Jeff?

[ferrisbuellean]

Honestly? Wondering why I'm bothering. The things I do for the sake of making a few contacts.

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps you should learn from this and take away that not everyone wants to be contacted.

Fortunately, I'm not exactly everyone. Should you need psychiatric help, feel free to contact me.

[ferrisbuellean]

You sure aren't. You want to be contacted. You're a therapist, you know you need to have your options open.

So you ever do pro bono, or whatever it is you shrinks call it?

[restingstitchface]

For exceptional cases, yes.

Though my clinic was opened with the intent of outreaching to less finanically secure neighborhoods, and other such members of our little community. Why do you ask?

[ferrisbuellean]

Newbies like me might be a little strapped for cash. Might wanna consider that. Might also wanna consider me if you ever need any lawyering.

[restingstitchface]

I'll consider it, should my life ever become a lost cause.

[Well. It's a slim chance, but he's considering it. At least the thought's there?]

[ferrisbuellean]

Judging by the way you address the masses? That time might be closer than you think.

[restingstitchface]

I doubt it. But keep convincing yourself that I'm this lifeless figure, if it helps.

[He really doesn't care. Just don't interfere, please.]

[ferrisbuellean]

Aw, you're so sensitive. Maybe you should see a therapist. I hear Dr. Chilton is pretty good.

[restingstitchface]

Physician, heal thyself? That's your joke of choice?

[Unimpressed.]

Personally, Jeff, I'm feeling fine. But thanks for your concern.