Rorschach
Chapter One: Meeting Buddy Pine
It has been a long day of sessions, and Meranda Castellanos is tiredly going over the notes she took during her consultation with her latest client. Castellanos' office is a tidy, small room with books lining the walls, two comfortable leather chairs and a large computer. Her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology hangs above her head in a simple black frame. She's adapting to the new office well, although some of her fellow pracititioners leave something to be desired. Castellanos did not choose to become a therapist so she could play petty mind games with her colleagues. She's in it for the thrill of the human mind, and for the knowledge that she can possibly help someone in changing the course of their life. It's why she left her previous job, and the job before that: she doesn't quite find what she's looking for anywhere, and she's hoping she can get it here.
Castellanos is strikingly attractive and somewhere in her mid twenties. She has high cheekbones, large almond-shaped green eyes and long, straight that spills over her shoulders in a fresh new style. Another client's father has already asked her out on a date but she politely declined with the knowledge that the man couldn't even provide his daughter with insurance- she cannot imagine dating a man who has to get pro bono care for his mentally disturbed child! Castellanos is no stranger to the cutthroat world of social-climbing. A private school education among other financially privileged young women taught her quite a few useful tricks. It's not the ethical predicament that makes her wary: she'd push the code of ethics, sure, but not for peanuts.
Her new client certainly has piqued her interest. They only had a 15 minute meeting, standard practice at this set of offices to determine whether the client's needs will be met by the therapist and whether they are a good fit. Castellanos believes that the session went well, especially considering the records that came along with her client. His previous therapists were not very lucky with him. In fact, hardly any progress was made and the client had been in therapy from age ten until now.
She cracks her knuckles and takes a sip from her dinner: a non-fat latte'. She studies her notes, making certain her thoughts are making sense. She's a workaholic, always has been, and she's intent on achieving perfection even when she's the only person who will be aware of it. Turning on the tape recorder in front of her, she begins speaking. Her voice is smooth and calm, with a slight Cuban accent.
"4/2/1969. Client name, Buddy Pine. Client age, fifteen years. Male. He was referred by his family doctor after a series of events took place at his high school that drew suspicion to his mental health. See also elementary school records, where similar events allegedly took place. Doctor Maurice Steckler recommended a mental health evaluation, with concerns about displaced emotions due to Buddy's father leaving the family and mother's possible physical and verbal abuse. None of this is confirmed, though the child had lacerations on his arms, documented when child was approximately eight years old. In past, child told tall tales of his father dying a gruesome death when in fact he moved out of state and is no longer in contact with the family. Child suspected to have a warped reality that reaches farther than lies, due to his obsession and now hatred of public figures (Supers) and unrealistic expectations about them. Restraining order against Buddy from one Mr Incredible, though now dropped post Supers gone into hiding (dropped on Buddy's fourteenth birthday). Good grades but low level of ambition, possible depression or perhaps he is bored. High IQ but according to his teachers he struggles greatly with completing work. Often has clever ideas but does not follow them through well enough to complete the assignment, or becomes easily side-tracked or distracted."
She turns the page of her notes, and continues.
"First impressions. Client very chatty and vivacious. Intense eye contact, staring at practitioner's below-neck area- typical of a male his age though this must be surveyed as it could be a sign of sexual aggression. Has much to talk about though very roaming thoughts. Spun around in office chair. Touched books on the shelves. Put hands in pockets repeatedly. Seemed to laugh the way others do when nervous but was visibly content throughout evaluation. Asked many questions, asked twice "AM I CRAZY", while smiling and laughing.
A point of interest—client states, "You're my third therapist. Well, you're Buddy's third therapist anyway." (When asked what this comment meant, more laughter.) Other questions more typical of a precocious teenager: "Are you married? How old are you anyway? Did you graduate young from college? I could graduate college now and I'm only fifteen but I won't because I have better things to do." Very pointedly : "Do you like kids or are you in this for money or some sort of power trip?" At this, practitioner had to laugh, assured client she likes kids. Client seemed satisfied with answer.
Client says, "People don't like me at my school." When asked why this is, client laughs uncontrollably. Client's mother requests that Buddy be given another medical evaluation. Mother states he does not sleep. Buddy seemed to hold no opinion as to his meds but stated, "My mom wants me to take them. She says I need to be normal." All in all, a good start. Taking Buddy on as regular client."
Castellanos switches the tape recorder off and gathers up her work, placing it in her shiny black briefcase. She can still hear Buddy's jubilant and slightly manic tone of voice in her head and ready for the challenge, she smiles and turns out the lights.