1.

Dr Hartley's call buzzer rang.

"Yes, Carol."

"A Miss Valerie Samuels to see you."

"Show her in."

"Yes, sir."

A girl with long black hair came in. She wore a medium-length blue dress and sandals.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Samuels. I'm Dr Robert Hartley."

They shook hands.

"I'm 10 minutes late, aren't I."

"Actually, it's 15 minutes. But that's all right. It's common for new patients to be late for their first meeting with me. Sit down, make yourself comfortable."

"OK." She sat on the couch. "This is very comfortable."

"Thank you."

"Would you mind of I take my shoes off? I feel more comfortable when I'm barefooted."

"If that helps you to get comfortable, why not."

"Thanks."

She took her sandals off. Then she stretched herself on the couch.

"What now?"

"Do whatever makes you feel like, Miss Samuels. Talk about your life, or your parents, or you don't have to say anything."

"OK."

She grew silent, for a minute, or so.

"I am, what some would call, 'hot to trot.'"

"I see." He began writing on his pad. "And do you feel that this assessment of you is justified?"

"I do tend to go through a lot of men. Last year, I was going to get married, but my fiance caught me with another man."

"Can you think of why you did that?"

"I'm not sure! I just couldn't help myself."

"I see. Tell me a little about your childhood."

"My mother ran off when I was 10, so my father raised me alone."

"I see."

She got up and began walking around the office—still barefooted. She looked at some of the books in his bookcase. Then she walked over to his desk. She looked at the photo of Emily.

"Is she your wife?"

"Yes, she is."

"She's pretty." She then looked at him. "You're a very handsome man."

"Thank you, Miss Samuels."

"Call me Val. Everybody does."

"OK, Val."

She walked close to him. "I could really go for you!"

"Now, hold on, Miss Samuels!"

She kissed him.

"Miss Samuels, that's very inappropriate!"

She kissed him again.

"You're my patient, and besides I'm a married man."

Kiss.

"On the other hand. . . !"

They began kissing and necking! Val sat on Bob's desk, despite the papers on it.

"STOP IT!," he suddenly yelled.

She stopped.

"Get back onto the couch," he commanded.

She complied.

"Clearly, there's something wrong with you, mentally. Perhaps it's related to your mother leaving your father. Now, we can explore this together, but you must promise to behave yourself. Otherwise, I can refer you to a female psychologist, if you prefer."

"No, that's OK. I'm sorry for the way I behaved, Dr Hartley."

"It's all right. Now, tell me a little bit about your father."

2.

It was the end of the session, and Valerie was leaving.

"So, I'll see you next Thursday at 2:00, Miss Samuels."

"Yes. And I promise I won't be late."

"Good."

He closed the door, and she walked to the elevator.

"Honey, aren't you forgetting something," said Carol.

"What?"

"Your shoes!"

She was still barefooted!

"Oh, year! Thanks."

She walked back to Bob's office. At that very moment, he opened it, sandals in hand. He gave them to her. She said, "Thanks, Dr Hartley."

"You're welcome."

She put the shoes on and went to the elevator.

"I tend to take my shoes off, a lot," she said to Carol.

She smiled. "That's OK, honey. I also like to take my shoes off, when I'm sitting."

The elevator door opened. She went in, and Mr Carlson went out.