by Bill Evans
Imagine…discovering the root cause for the formation and then cognitive denial of emotion done volitionally by a highly intelligent human being. Imagine…altering and shaping this mind through medical science. These imaginings unceasingly permeated the brain of the Dr. Pricener. Nothing or no one would stand in the way of possible discoveries that lay at this scientific doorstep. And for now, the only roadblock was the man in front of him. Yes-Dr. Pricener would pull strings. He would get his way with the obstinate Dr. Coy. The grant and research money was available. This particular hospital environment was perfect for the conducting of Dr. Pricener’s grandiose experiment. Gregor would co-operate too. He was comfortable here. Gregor considered this facility “home”. Besides, his options were limited. Gregor would quickly realize this. No-Dr. Coy would not stand in the way. Dr. Pricener would make sure of that.
Dr. Pricener would show the world. His exploration of the depths and boundaries of psychopathic behavior would be groundbreaking. Who knew? Maybe he would win a Pulitzer Prize when the inevitable book would be written. Did he even dare dream that a Nobel Prize in Science would be in his future?
_____
“This is a kangaroo court. I will run my psychiatric units the way I deem fit. Why, I have been the director of the Cogan County psychiatric wards for nearly 27 years. Surely you don’t think…”
“Dr. Coy, we demand decorum and civility. These outbursts will not be tolerated.”
Dr. Fred Hohman was quick to take control. A seasoned administrator and current chair of the Vermont Medical Board of Regents, Dr. Hohman had little patience with those who did not adhere to the strict rules of medical board procedure as mandated by the VMUCC handbook. The five-member panel present at this hearing consisted of renowned scholars and medical doctors who were certified, long standing members of the Board. The Board members appeared to be equally annoyed and perplexed by the antics of Dr. Coy.
The scolding seemed to dishearten the now intimidated Dr. Coy. He knew he was out of order. It was a mistake to vent his emotions at this hearing. He had shown disrespect to the illustrious and powerful Board members. He should not have done that, and he knew he would come to regret it. For now, Dr. Coy slumped back down into his chair in silent resignation.
_____
Dr. Hohman raised his gavel and struck it sharply three times upon the large oaken desk.
“It has been determined by this Board that Gregor Schuster, patient # 8003666-24 will forthwith be assigned to and be under the auspices of Dr. Joseph D. Pricener M.D. effectively immediately and until a time and date deemed appropriate by this Board of Regents for consideration otherwise. Dr. Pricener will determine location and methodology of treatment regarding said patient. Dr. Pricener will submit quarterly reports to this Board for inspection. Dr. Pricener will maintain full autonomy over the subject patient.”
A dismayed Dr. Coy sat forlornly in helpless dejection at the ruling. After hearing the words of Dr. Hohman, he began to stand. It was assumed that the ruling had been completed. It was not.
“Dr. Coy. Please be seated,” Dr. Hohman said curtly. “We are not finished just yet.”
Dr. Coy gulped audibly.
“Dr. Horatio Coy. Your medical license will be suspended for 30 days. During that time, you will be placed on unpaid leave of absence. Any further interference with the patient or Dr. Pricener will be dealt with swiftly and punitively. I hope this message has been received clearly Dr. Coy. This meeting is now officially adjourned.”
The five members of the Board slowly arose and silently shuffled out of the meeting room. Dr. Coy sat motionless, with his head in his hands.
Dr. Pricener, who was seated at the rear, also sat in silence.
He was beaming a radiant smile.
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part six)
Gregor found himself seated yet again in the familiar interview room on the seventh floor of the psychiatric unit. As usual, he was waiting. One always waited when dealing with important people. And nobody was more important than Dr. Pricener.
He was a real legend in his own mind, Gregor snickered to himself.
Gregor knew this interview was important. Dr. Pricener had somehow figured out a way to circumvent the system in order to allow Gregor to stay. Dr. Pricener obviously wanted something back from Gregor. But what could he possibly want? Gregor was surely in no position to accommodate anyone, with the exception of uttering a gratuitous “thank you” every now and then. This so-called altruistic gesture on the part of Dr. Pricener to “look out for…and take care of…” Gregor was not logical.
Come on Gregor. Be thankful. Why can’t you accept that sometimes people do things to help others?
Gregor tried to internalize this self-talk. The more he tried to concentrate on the motives of the doctor, the more distrustful and skeptical Gregor became.
The door suddenly flew open and Dr. Pricener busily shuffled into the interview room. A large black fly followed behind and entered before the distracted doctor could close the door behind him. A look of pleasant surprise showed briefly, and then quickly disappeared on Gregor’s face.
It was the large bloated horsefly that Gregor had encountered earlier. It was his friend! The fly had coyly trailed Dr. Pricener into the room. He had come to be with, and support his friend.
“Good morning Gregor,” Dr. Pricener said off handedly. ”We will culminate with the interview shortly. Just try to relax and be yourself. Don’t feel threatened or intimidated. You’ll be just fine.”
Gregor did not feel threatened or intimidated. Why should he? It was the doctor who should be wary. After all, it was the doctor who was outnumbered two-to-one.
_____
“Let’s be clear from the start Gregor. You seriously owe me. I saved you from being banished to the hospital at Druxberg…you know- the one designated for housing of the criminally insane. That would have been no picnic for you-I assure you. You would have been miserable with little or no chance for release. I now have expectations of you. I need to know that you are grateful. You are home now. You will be counted on by me and others. You will have great responsibility bestowed upon your shoulders. Are you ready to show your gratitude? Are you ready for the responsibility that will be entrusted to you?”
Gregor sat there looking the part. He tried to feign astuteness. When he felt prompted, he smiled gratuitously, and shook his head affirmatively every time the doctor looked his way.
Gregor had lost interest. He heard the words…but wasn’t ‘listening’. He had shut the doctor out almost immediately. His focus was on his friend-the fly. Gregor tried to stifle a snicker, but it slipped out. Gregor quickly put on his “stern face” when the doctor suddenly looked up. The fly was buzzing overhead of the unsuspecting doctor. Gregor could swear the fly was making silly faces at him. He hoped the fly wouldn’t make him burst into laughter.
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part seven)
“Alright then Gregor-if you’re comfortable, shall we begin?”
Gregor readjusted himself in his high-backed oaken chair, sitting a bit more upright.
“Yes, of course Dr. Pricener. I’m ready. Please begin.”
For the following 15 minutes or so, the interview went smoothly.Dr. Pricener seemed fine with the “canned” responses Gregor had given him. Age, date of birth, background information regarding upbringing, interests, etc; all seemed to sound normal and non-alarming to the doctor. None of the rehearsed answers was true, but Dr. Pricener seemed not to notice. Gregor felt quite confident and very much in control.
Then he became distracted.
After a brief respite, the large black fly resumed buzzing around the room. The bloated winged insect hovered over the head of the doctor, who continued to be oblivious to the maneuverings of the creature. It appeared that the fly was actually looking over the shoulder of the doctor, carefully scrutinizing the document
s that the doctor was studying. The fly then circled wildly away, only to return to a place approximately three feet directly overhead of the studious physician. The fly seemed to be suspended there in mid-air. This was apparently his way of taunting or mocking the stationary-seated figure below him. Again, Gregor had to stifle what would have been a hearty laugh.
_____
“Gregor this now concludes phase one of our interview process. We must now continue promptly with the next phase. I hope you are prepared. This one will be-how can I put this euphemistically…perhaps a bit unpleasant?”
The outward disposition of the seemingly amiable Dr. Pricener quickly turned dour. His face had the expression of sinister delight. Gregor was quite familiar with that “look”.
“Orderlies, you may now enter,” the voice of Dr. Pricener boomed. The two large ruffians, whom had been assigned to Gregor, came rushing through the door. The larger of the two immediately pounced on Gregor’s right arm and held it in a locked position. The second orderly embraced Gregor’s torso in a bear hug, effectively immobilizing him. A frail, slightly built bespectacled lab technician of indeterminable gender, gingerly brandished a hypodermic needle full of a clear substance, and squeezed between the two large orderlies. The technician quickly and deftly injected the contents of the syringe into the forearm of the stunned patient before he could even utter much of a protest.
“Whaaa…what are you doing? No…noo. I don’t need a sedative. I’m cooperating. I will continue to cooperate. I’ll…”
Gregor began to feel woozy. The room began to spin, and the figures holding him in place appeared wavy and distorted. After another moment, Gregor went limp.
“Alright then boys, you can release him. He won’t resist any further.”
The orderlies and the lab technician quickly and quietly scampered from the interview room.
“Gregor, don’t be alarmed. The paralysis you are experiencing is temporary. I know you can hear me, so listen closely. You think you are clever. You think you are smarter than everybody else -including me. Be assured that you have met your match. I have taken the necessary next step in ensuring that this interview become a complete and unmitigated success. Therefore, I have had the technician inject you with a special mixture of 3-quinuclidinyl benzoate. In nonprofessional terms Gregor, it is a powerful truth serum. Even you cannot circumvent the effects of this specialized drug. I soon will have access to your inner thoughts. I will explore your psyche, as no one has been able to do previously. Within a few minutes, you will be in my complete control. Your truths will belong to me. They will be your gift to me. And I in turn, will gift them to the world.”
Gregor sat catatonically, and stared blankly at the doctor. Gregor realized he had allowed himself to become complacent. He had fallen into a trap. He would learn from this mistake.
The doctor really felt he could access the thoughts and emotions of Gregor. The doctor thinks he has the upper hand, the limp Gregor thought as he continued to stare straight ahead. Well, guess what? Perhaps he has another thing coming.
Just then, Dr. Pricener let out a yelp. A large black horsefly had just stung him on the back of the neck.
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part eight)
Today would be the day. The impactful moment was now finally at hand. This was the culmination of a brilliantly orchestrated plan that had finally come to manifest in what would be one of the most impressive and brilliant psychological “uncoverings” in many years. The techniques espoused in Techniques of Psycho-Therapy Involving the Criminally Insane, would finally be implemented. The many skeptics of the book and its theories would be silenced at last. Dr. Pricener figured his results would help catapult the science of Psychotherapy ahead by at least 20 years. With the simple yet ceremonious click to the “on” control of a digitized digital recording device, Dr. Pricener was about to begin.
_____
“Gregor, I know you can speak. Are you comfortable? Do you feel any ill effects of the serum?”
“No- not at all Dr. Pricener,” Gregor responded truthfully. Of course, after having been injected with truth serum, he had no choice but to respond honestly. He then decided to amend the response-honestly of course.
“Errr…perhaps a cup of water would be nice. I feel a bit parched.”
“Yes admittedly, a most unfortunate side-effect of the medication. Regrettably, I am not at liberty to offer liquid refreshment. It would not be prudent, considering the amount of medication in your system. The liquid consumption would invariably lead to vomiting. I hope you understand.”
“Indubitably Dr. Pricener. I would not want to be an inconvenience, or heaven forbid-make a mess. I’ve already been enough trouble.”
Dr. Pricener took a moment to make a note.
Sarcasm, wit, (dark) sense of humor-all intact.
_____
“I am pleased that we are in agreement Gregor. It is important that we be in accord. Now then, try to relax, but remain astute. It is imperative that you answer the questions as quickly and spontaneously as possible. Remember, you are in a safe place. You are among friends, and you can trust me.”
Dr. Pricener bent over to scribble a few more notes. To his astonishment, an unprompted Gregor started to voice a response to his most recent remarks. The doctor quickly put his pencil down and looked up at Gregor attentively.
“We can never be friends Dr. Pricener,” Gregor said without intonation. “And above all,” he continued, “I certainly cannot trust you.”
Dr. Pricener took no offense to the remarks. Rather, he was delighted beyond measure.
“Why don’t you think we can be friends, Gregor?” the doctor said with hurried excitement. “And perhaps more importantly, why don’t you think I am worthy of your trust?”
“I thought that would be implicit Dr. Pricener. Your inability to face reality and your heightened sense of delusion make you incapable of being a trusted confidant. Your self-absorption lends itself to carelessness, and will eventually lead to your demise. This is an abundantly clear rational observation.”
Dr. Pricener frantically scratched notations on his writing pad while attempting to maintain some semblance of eye contact to the unblinking Gregor.
“If I may follow up on that thought Gregor, why is it that you view me in such terms? More precisely, why can’t we be friends? Why can’t I be trusted?”
Again, Gregor responded quickly and without emotion.
“I have seen the devil inside myself. I clearly recognize his presence in you, Dr. Pricener.”
GREEN MAN MUST PAY
(part nine)
Dr. Pricener looked with intensity at the stoic psych patient sitting across from him. Gregor was sitting catatonically, yet the doctor could see what looked like combustible energy beneath the surface of his eyes. Gregor was primed by the medical staff, and ready for the second and most important phase of the interview. At last, a glimpse into Gregor’s very soul was now within reach. The candid remarks elicited at this point, would only be a precursor of things to come. With excited anticipation, the doctor continued with the questioning.
“Do you believe that I have not been truthful, Gregor? Have I sinned against you in some way?”
“Your truth is a truth that needs to be corrected. Sin is only in the mind, as is a random thought. And just like a thought, is as easily dismissed.”
The doctor quickly scribbled on his notepad. He wanted to write much more, but abruptly halted to resume the interview. Pace and rhythm were important. Momentum was essential in any interview process, but especially in the groundbreaking exchange that this one promised to be. The doctor nervously cleared his throat and continued.
“I feel horribly that you feel some sense of betrayal, Gregor.”
There was a pause.
“Do you care for me to respond to that comment doctor? The phraseology was not in the form of a qu
estion.”
Dr. Pricener nodded in assent.
“Very well then.”
Gregor paused just for a second. This was probably more for theatrics than for a need of reflection.
“You should never scold yourself doctor. When entering a self-directed discourse, it is always safe to assume the argument is not a fair one.”
The doctor quickly pressed on. Was it possible to ignite any emotion from the stoic and passionless Gregor? Perhaps elicit an angry response? The doctor was now primed to make such an attempt.
“You are disappointed with me Gregor, of this I am certain. Would you like to punish me…strike me perhaps?”
“No doctor. I will be patient.” Gregor hesitated for a perfectly measured three seconds before continuing. “If I ever decide to strike you, I will strike you with mercy…at least with as much mercy as the act of striking allows.”
The doctor took a moment to collect his thoughts and scribble some more notes. The rapid-fire responses by Gregor had taken the doctor aback. Gregor was not hesitating with the mesmerizing deep-rooted answers. The doctor then beamed a radiant smile at the thought of his prized patient. Gregor was so deliciously high functioning, a medical marvel in so many respects. How exciting it would be to analyze, scrutinize, examine and share the results of this experiment with prominent colleagues.
The doctor took only another moment to reflect excitedly about what has transpired so far during this interview phase. He had to quickly pull himself back to the task at hand. He looked up and saw the motionless Gregor staring blankly straight ahead.
_____
“Sorry for the slight delay Gregor. However, upon reflection, I must say that I feel responsible for your mistrust. I feel guilty.”
“If you don’t acquaint yourself with guilt, then you’ll not feel culpability.”
“That may be true Gregor, but haven’t you sinned in the past? What of your flaws? Do you have concern for your past actions?”