The Doctor is In

[thecounselor]

[Dr. Price's office is just about exactly what you'd expect from a psychologist's office in the year 6972. There's a large chair next to an equally large and comfortable couch, and a coffee table within reach of both. On the other side of the room, there's large desk with some kind of a computer screen made of glowing light. The metal walls in here have been covered with dark wood paneling, and the lighting is warm and comforting.

There is one of those shitty brass-handled green plastic-shaded lamps on the desk. Why is it there? Aesthetic, apparently.

The desk is flanked by bookshelves filled with nonfiction. There's of course the DSM-40, right next to the DSM-238. Both editions look about the same age, curiously enough. There are also various other books on psychology, psychiatry, and... Artificial Intelligence?

Huh. Everyone's gotta have some hobbies.

There's a long counter with various kinds of tea and a kettle that sits on the counter next to a button, as well as a small sink expressly for washing dishes. There's also a door in the back of the room that probably leads to Dr. Price's personal quarters (good fucking luck).]

((OOC: This is where you can tag if you want to chat with Dr. Price one on one. Y'all know how office hours work by now.))

Comments

[thecounselor]

I had... Different priorities than the Director of the project I was working for, which led us to part ways.

[Yeah that's.

A way to say it.]

[goldrighthand]

[There's an arched brow. That hesitation says something, but he doesn't linger in it. Instead, he nods.]

You understand, I was not given this...opportunity in the past. [He'd probably have been fully secured if he ever asked to speak with a therapist.] In fact, I do not know how much you know of me. I assume you have some sort of file.

[thecounselor]

I understand that this is a step down in security from the last prison you were held in.

[But despite the fact that he understands this, he doesn't seem to be at all intimidated, either by the size of Akande's body or the size of his rap sheet.]

It's not freedom, but what have you thought of your accommodations here?

[goldrighthand]

[Akande isn't trying to intimidate.

It just happens naturally.]

Would you like my honest opinion, Doctor?

[thecounselor]

Of course.

[goldrighthand]

I think if we weren't in the middle of a vacuum, I would have already found my way out of here.

[Unashamed. Unrepentant.]

Your superiors are clever, I will grant them that. Though I do not understand why you have so many babes in with the beast.

[Not that he's made any move towards any of them. Unless you count scaring Mako.]

[thecounselor]

[Dr. Price makes a thoughtful sound, at that. His gaze is appraising, but muted. They're both trying to read the other, and he's not giving anything up.]

I wouldn't insult you with the insinuation that everyone's crimes are equivocal, but some of your fellow inmates may surprise you.

[goldrighthand]

I can but hope, Doctor. I also imagine that demonstration I provoked earlier this week would be a fine way to keep us from assaulting one another.

[He tilts his head. It was effective, anyway; he's not in a hurry to really cause trouble. There's more than one way to establish control, after all.]

My main curiosity is why you have this so mixed. Given time, there is bound to be some sort of incident, whether or not you had means for control.

[thecounselor]

[Price folds his hands in his lap, elbows resting on the arms of his chair.]

There is one thing that all of you have in common. The hope is that the adjustment to life outside the penitentiary will be made easier by exposure to people from all walks of life.

The key to successfully completing this rehabilitation program is to demonstrate that the inmates have become capable of resolving conflict in a peaceful manner - or at least, non-lethal violence that both or all parties consent to.

[Sometimes, you gotta.]

[goldrighthand]

[somtimes u gotta punch a dude]

And what do we have in common?

[thecounselor]

[As long as everyone goes into the encounter with the understanding that someone's getting punched, adults are free to work out their differences however they see fit]

Why do you think your profiles say other crimes?

[goldrighthand]

[...]

Considering some of the crimes listed include excessive politeness, I will admit to not placing much stock in them.

[thecounselor]

You would be well within your right not to believe the truth, either, especially because until certain memories return some of your fellow inmates would argue against it.

[Still, buckle up buttercup because you're gonna get it.]

Every inmate in this penitentiary has committed homicide.

[goldrighthand]

[. . .]

You're right, I don't believe it.

[He leans forwards, though, a hand by his chin. It's...well, he can believe Rick. A few others. But all of them?]

I do not, however, believe you are lying.

[He thinks he has his read, now. It does open up more questions, though.]

Why take away the memories?

[thecounselor]

Sometimes, it can help to recontextualize an event or a series of events outside of the immediacy of that situation.

That's why a counselor was chosen to monitor you, so that I can lend my experience to anyone who needs assistance unpacking their memories as they're restored.