- IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

[slightlyoffchilt]

"Hello.

You've reached the direct line of Doctor Frederick Chilton. As I am not available at the moment, you might assume I'm quite busy with something pressing. State your name and business, and I will return your call."

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

In due time, perhaps, but I want to discuss the nature of your anxiety.

[Chilton exhaled, frowning, and interwove his own fingers together as he stared over them at Reggie.]

There had to be a catalyst. Something, or a sequence of something, that created this circumstantial anxiety. [But Reggie wasn't about to tell him, that much was clear.]

What was your childhood like, Reggie? In this small town of yours.

[mantlepieces]

[ Sitting up more, Reggie made a low noise of frustration. ]

It's probably just insomnia, Dr. Chilton -- nothin' that pills can't solve. My childhood's got nothing to do with it. It wasn't even anything out of the ordinary; middle class, both parents, yadda yadda.

[ His head tilted so as to hide his eyes somewhat behind his bangs. ]

Anyway, I've always been gettin' myself into trouble, but the stakes are just different... now. You know, with all the demons and cannibals and witches around.

[slightlyoffchilt]

And your relationship with both parents?

[Chilton was clearly ignoring the direction that Reggie wished to take -- very little was psychologically healthy amidst the rank of a middle class small town. In terms of a personality disorder spectrum, Reggie could easily be Hitchcocked.]

Did they acknowledge your troublesome habits?

[mantlepieces]

Yeah. Not like it's any kind of secret.

[ Reggie's shoulders slumped more -- he really didn't want to talk about or think about his parents. ]

I dunno -- normal I guess, hands-off at the best of times. [ A beat. ] I don't want to talk about them, all right?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Then we can talk about your social circle. [From the frying pan into the fire.] Your peers. They must have had some impact on your life -- is that fair to suggest? How would you define your role among them?

[And Chilton watched, carefully, knowing that whatever Reggie said might be nothing more than a half-truth -- but how he said it? That was key.]

[mantlepieces]

That-- none of this--

[ Reggie's reaction was to bristle, defensive enough that he almost stood up right then. ]

This has nothin' to do with anything. I don't care about any of those people, I just want to relax for once. [ A pause. ] And sleep.

[slightlyoffchilt]

No, Reggie. No, that isn't the face value of what you crave. You want a bandage of solution.

[His voice took a sharper edge, as if cut with granite.]

You want an easy solution, because a thorough examination causes you anxiety. But why would that be, I wonder? What are you afraid of?

[mantlepieces]

What, bandages are supposed to be bad now? Last I checked they're still pretty important. People need them to "heal."

[ For emphasis, Reggie did the air-quotes with his fingers, exhaling heavily. Almost defeated, but not quite. ]

Are you gonna make me answer that before you'll help me?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm going to make you attend a session, yes, before I consider writing any prescription up for you. But quite obviously, you are not yet at that point of conversation.

[Better to establish boundaries and structure now, he figured, than allow Reggie to reign an early, teenaged terror.]

Consider yourself dismissed, for right now. Figure out your schedule and get back to me on when you're ready to act like a communicative adult, won't you?

Shut the door on your way out.