Doctor Oliver Thredson hurried down the stairs after Sister Jude, trying his best to keep up with her. "Sister I insist that you take the time to listen to my request before my report shuts this whole place down!" She laughed sarcastically and held her hands behind her back as she descended the stairs in front of him. "Ha! Doctor, trust me, one complaint isn't going to do any damage. This is God's establishment. There is nothing that can bring this building down, not even a worldly psychologists opinion." She scoffed at him, and, as he was about to protest, he caught sight of a large, popcorn colored head of hair facing away from him at the bottom of the stairs. Sister Jude noticed too, and paused on the last step, looking at the stranger. From what Oliver could tell she was definitely not a patient. Legs that could go on forever shot out of a semi-short, angular dress with a bright stripe running across the hem. Yeah, definitely not a patient, though he did think her crazy for wearing anything closely related to fashionable in the sister's presence.
Sister Jude walked up to her with a stony expression, and addressed her, as Oliver watched from the stair. "Can I help you?" She asked without kindness, as the girl turned around tearing her eyes away from the white nun statue. Good God, what was she doing here?!
"Oh, hey! I'm Dawn Maston, from Texas University. I'm the temporary assistant psychologist here at Briarcliff." She reached out her hand, which the nun silently declined. Oliver landed at the bottom of the steps, and slowly approached the two. Assistant psychologist? Had Briarcliff ever had an assistant in any field?
"I don't remember hiring an assistant psychologist. You've got the wrong asylum, chicky, hit the road." She dismissed her coldly and began to walk off until Dawn stepped in front of her, the smile unwavering and brave among the woman's auhtoritative presence. "Well, that makes sense because you didn't hire me. Monsignor Howard did. He said I had a great reference and assigned me to Briarcliff for a two month assessment."
Sister Jude brought her head back slightly, and blinked, a shocked, blank smile on her face. "He hired you, personally?" She asked, as the blonde grinned, readjusting the briefcase and book in her arms. "Sure did. I move in today and thought I'd arrive early to get familiar with the building." The nun didn't listen, and looked down disgustingly at her bare legs and lower thighs. Just as she was about to comment on the woman's attire, the doctor split into the conversation, interrupting the nasty insult that was ready to spew from the woman's mouth. "Excuse me miss, I'm Dr. Oliver Thredson, the clinical psychiatrist of Briarcliff. I didn't help but notice you said that you were the new assistant psychologist here." He wasn't necessarily smooth with his introduction, but effectively caught her attention, and received the same award winning smile from her.
"That's me. I'm Dawn, it's nice to meet you Oliver." She shook his hand, and looked down at the skinny tie lining his chest, and then back up to his eyeglasses. "How did you get the position here at Briarcliff?" He asked, standing slightly in front of the nun as if to cut her out of the conversation, which was his full intention. She smiled, seeing his tactic, and looked back into his eyes.
"I'm a recent graduate from Texas University, I have my degree in psychology and psychiatry, and the Vermont Mental Health Association offered me a position with the catch that I get some hands on experience first. My sociology teacher who was madly in love with me and also the Catholic Church pulled some strings and got me a position here at Briarcliff until Vermont feels satisfied with my performance and sends me up." Her voice was clear and low, showing no signs of intimidation or cheekiness. This woman was definitely not a kid, her semicircular hip jutted out of the dress as she leaned to one side, making unbroken eye contact with him. Classic psychology trick.
Oliver smirked, seeing the old crone fight to cut into the conversation once again. "You'll have to excuse Doctor Thredson. He's actually only part of one case here, which he should be getting back to work on. Don't you think?" She glared up at him, standing in between the psychologists as she snaked a hand onto Dawn's arm. Her tone was vicious as she spoke to him, and when she turned back to the younger woman he wanted nothing more than to strangle her with the rosary around her neck.
"Come with me, Miss Maston, I'll show you to your room and find you a modest piece of clothing to wear. God knows that'll reverse all the treatment we've worked on if a patient sees you" She turned away from her and gave one last shot at Dr. Thredson, before leading the girl away. And, purposefully or accidentally, she just happened to drop her briefcase in front of him, which he kneeled down and grabbed, placing it in her hands as she gave a half smile to him. "Thank you, Doctor." She silently dismissed him and followed the nun down the hall, turning her head slightly to catch one more look at him.
He thanked God that she wasn't a religious and primitive extremist like the workers at Briarcliff. He quietly hoped that her schooling had taught her some of the new age ideas that he had instead of the merciless and barbaric methods the asylum still clung to. But judging by the dress and smell of cigars on her, he opted for the first possibility.