Once Nola finished speaking to Walter, she went to Doctor Schmidt's office and found him seated behind his desk. He looked up and smiled, pointing to a seat in front of him.
"Well, how was your evaluation?" Doctor Schmidt asked.
Nola sighed. "Well, he does not have schizophrenia."
"You sound so sure."
"He remained coherent during the entire interview. He never became distracted, suffered no hallucinations, and his working memory is splendid. This being said, I must make a request on behalf of the patient."
"Which is?"
Nola leaned back in her chair. "I want you to give him his mask back."
Doctor Schmidt chuckled. "That is an unusual request."
"I'm serious. I believe it could really help in his recovery."
Doctor Schmidt began to frown when he realized that Nola was indeed serious. He folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"Doctor Armstrong, this could seriously set back Mr. Kovacs' progress."
"No, it will aid in his progress. As far as he is concerned, the mask is his face. He feels uncomfortable speaking with me, he feels exposed. Once he has opened up to me, I will attempt to persuade him that his mask is no longer needed and he can trust me. Then, when he has been weaned off the mask, I will show him that he can be just as open without the mask."
"You're a good doctor, Nola. Don't fuck this up."
Nola smiled. "I have no intention of doing that. Where's the mask?"
"Right here." Doctor Schmidt opened his desk drawer and handed Nola the mask.
Nola left the office and returned to Walter's room. He seemed to be asleep, so she laid the mask on the table next to his bed. She began to move quietly towards the door.
"Why?"
Nola looked over her shoulder and saw Walter was awake and starting to sit up. She turned back to him and shrugged her shoulders.
"You didn't deserve to have it taken from you. It was clear from my evaluation that you needed it back. So, I asked Doctor Schmidt."
"No catch?" Walter asked.
"Does there have to be one?"
"No one does something for nothing."
"Is that your philosophy?" Nola asked.
"No." Walter slipped his mask back on. "It's common knowledge."
