Jeffrey was a bit disappointed at the patient steering away from the story. He had revealed significant emotional connections to this Mosa character and was probably venturing fairly close to the traumatic event that triggered his delusion. Such backtracking was to be expected after a week of reflection and rebuilding of mental defensive walls. He would let the patient wander back to that point on his own. Forcing the issue at this point could be quite harmful.
“Well then let me put it to you,” Dr. Holmes conceded. “Where would you like to continue your revised version of my people’s recorded history?”
Hastelloy leaned forward in his chair so his elbows came to rest on his knees and pointed an index finger toward Jeffrey. “How well do you know the story surrounding the rise of the Roman Empire?”
“I am aware of the legend of Romulus and Remus being fed by a wolf and eventually founding the city,” Dr. Holmes said.
“No, no, that’s just about founding the city of Rome itself. I am talking about one man rising above all the senators, generals, and wealthy aristocrats to grab hold of civilization itself and mold it into perfection. Despite insurmountable adversity all four pans of the Neo Scale: technology, social conscience, leadership ethics, and religion were brought into flawless balance to propel mankind tens of thousands of years ahead of schedule.
Jeffrey expressed a sheepish grin before giving his reply. “I must have been asleep for that history lesson, but it certainly sounds interesting to me now. Maybe it all has to do with the man giving the history lesson because my seventh grade teacher was all about memorizing dates and names.”
“It’s a pity you slept through those lessons,” Hastelloy said with genuine regret. “There is no more fascinating time in the history of mankind than when a simple centurion rose to rule the known world and made civilization all the better for it.
“Roman legions did not go undefeated for a thousand years by accident. Roman engineers did not just stumble upon the formula for concrete to construct mesmerizing structures so long ago by chance. Everything transpired by careful design for the greater good.”
Jeffrey felt his hands go numb with excitement. Hastelloy’s brand of history was infinitely more interesting than that of the text books. He licked the tip of his pencil and made ready to take notes.
Origins Page 37