Cecil couldn't sleep after Carlos walked him back to his room and left. He was caught somewhere between wanting to dance because he'd finally kissed the man, and crying because it seemed as though it'd never happen again.

The next day, Cecil couldn't bring himself to visit his psychiatrist, knowing that his psychiatrist was all Carlos was at that point. Carlos didn't stop by his room to check on him, the way he usually did when and if Cecil was ever late.

Three days passed, and there was still no sign of Carlos. Cecil stepped into Mr. Harlan's office to ensure that the psychiatrist hadn't quit.

"He's taking a break," the man said, only looking up from his paperwork for a moment before gesturing at the door. "He'll be back tomorrow, Cecil. He'll return to his regularly scheduled visits with you after that."

"Did he say why? I mean-"

"He said it was for 'personal reasons', and it isn't my place to ask further about it. Or yours. Now, if that's all… I have work to do Cecil."

Cecil nodded and turned toward the door. "Of course." He sat in his chair once he got back to his room. "Listeners," he began in his radio voice, "something extraordinary has happened." The patient was vaguely aware that a woman had entered his room, but failed to blink out of Night Vale. "I've kissed Carlos. The scientist, as you all know, is beautiful. Perfect in…," he bit his tongue, "almost every way. But, he decided we can't-"

"Cecil?" The voice was cheerful, sweet, and suddenly closer to him. "May I join in for today's radio show?"

"Lauren Mallard," Cecil said bitterly, not bothering to look up from the floor he was staring at. "I know you. You're from Desert Bluffs."

Lauren narrowed her eyes, but her smile never faded. "I'm not sure what you mean, Cecil. I am an employee of the hospital, I work in the-"

"You hurt people."

"I would never hurt anyone, Cecil. I simply help with medication. At my most extreme, I sedate unruly patients," the woman explained. "But back to your report! What exactly has happened between you and your psych… scientist friend?"

Cecil couldn't help but smile. "Well, listeners," he began, making sure to emphasize that he was talking to the public of Night Vale, and definitely not to Lauren, "we went on our first date! Now, I know what you're thinking, and you're right. It's about time!" Cecil sighed, shaking his head. "But, as I tried to tell you, before I was so rudely interrupted by Lauren, Carlos and I cannot be together. He thinks it's… I'm not sure what he thinks, listeners. But, I find solace in remembering our last night together. We were in his car, just about to leave, when, suddenly, he leaned over and kissed me. I'd never been happier." Cecil was holding back tears, shifting uncomfortably in his chair as he whispered, "I'm not sure I'll ever be that happy again."

Lauren clenched her jaw, her smile nearly having faded into a glare as she snapped her fingers in front of Cecil's face. "Cecil, come on," she demanded. "Out of Night Vale. Now."

Blinking, Cecil took a deep breath and shook his head, rubbing his temples. "I'm sorry, I… I was-"

"Yes, I heard you."

Cecil looked up at Lauren, who stood in front of him with her arms crossed. "I don't remember what I said." He widened his eyes. "Was I talking about Carlos?"

Lauren was silent a moment before she squinted at the patient with a near smirk on her face. "You mentioned someone by that name, yes," she stated casually. "Must be another hallucination of yours."

"He's not a hallucination," Cecil said, shaking his head. "He's my psychiatrist."

Tilting her head, Lauren frowned. "Are you sure? You hallucinate all the time, Cecil."

Cecil's jaw dropped slightly as he stared, wide-eyed, at the nurse in front of him. "I-I've seen you talking with him! Of course he's real!" When Lauren did nothing more than glance upward and shake her head with a small smile, Cecil jumped up from his chair. "You were asking him to dinner just the other day! I know you know him! You have to! He has to be real!"

"Cecil," Lauren said in a harsh whisper. "Quiet down!"

"No! Tell me he's real! Tell me Carlos is real!" Cecil demanded. "I know he is! Stop lying! Why are you lying to me?!"

"Orderlies," Lauren shouted over her shoulder, not even moving from her spot as she smirked at the patient before her. Two men were at her side within seconds. "We need to restrain this patient immediately! He's become hysterical."

Cecil was biting back tears as his arms were suddenly being held behind his back. "Why are you doing this?" he asked as the orderlies took him away. "Lauren! Why are you doing this? Tell me he's real!"

The woman did nothing more than smile as she watched the patient leave the room. As soon as he was gone, she entered the hallway and headed the opposite direction, straight to Mr. Harlan's office.