Joan Leland surveyed Jonathan across her desk. He was not a pretty sight. The whole left side of his face was a mass of yellow and purple bruising. She knew from the doctor's report that he had several cracked ribs and torn ligaments to go with the multiple bruises that covered his body. Ironically though, his broken foot had now completely healed.

She glanced at her notes. This was their first session since the incident with Palmer and Jonathan had spent the last week confined to solitary. She knew that wouldn't have bothered him. He had multiple personality disorder and if anything solitary only acerbated the problem. She would have to speak to Dr Arkham again about finding an alternative punishment. For now she had to deal with it.

Prior to the incident, she had been making some progress. However he was now giving her the silent treatment, whether in protest at his punishment or as a consequence of a week in solitary she wasn't sure. She hadn't become a senior doctor at the home for the criminally insane by chance though. She looked up with a smile.

"I see we were going to discuss Jervis. I'm pleased you've made a friend here, Jonathan." He rolled his eyes.

"Could you be any more patronising?"

"I'm sorry," she lied. "I had hoped you might be encouraged by his progress."

"Encouraged by it? I'm responsible for it!" Dr Leland paused as she considered again this latest delusion of Jonathan's. She wondered if it was a sign of Dr Crane's personality resurfacing? If so she didn't want to discourage him.

"Do you think about returning to psychology? When you're released from here?" He smiled at her in a most unpleasant way.

"Returning to it? I never left."

"You say you're responsible for Jervis' improvement…"

"A fellow that fancied himself a teapot." Joan raised an eyebrow at the quotation and noted it down.

"As I was saying, if you're responsible for Jervis' improvement, why use his technology to attack the guard? You must have realised it could have damaged his chance for parole."

"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge."

"If Palmer had acted inappropriately to you… why not simply say so at our session? I'm here to help you Jonathan." He suddenly sat forward.

"Are you?" he sneered. "It's a bit hard to tell from where I'm sitting." He gestured at his own damaged face. Dr Leland frowned at him.

"In all likelihood Palmer wasn't responsible for his actions. You had been psychologically torturing him and I don't believe for a minute you didn't know he was about to snap." Jonathan looked smug and Leland reminded herself her patient was not wholly responsible for his actions either.

"Was there any particular reason why you chose to single out Palmer?"

"Does it matter?" he shrugged. "They're all the same."

"No, Jonathan. It does matter. It is important for you to realise you cannot punish everyone for the crimes of a few."

"Isn't that what the guards do? When there's an escape, isn't it those still here who bear the guard's anger?"

"Come now Jonathan," Joan smiled reassuringly. "I think that's a trifle paranoid. Security is naturally tightened after a break out. The guard's have nothing personal against anyone here."

"No. They're equally obnoxious to everyone."

Dr Leland paused. This line of questioning seemed to be agitating him. She returned to her earlier track.

"I believe you enjoyed playing chess with Jervis. Perhaps you could play with Edward?"

"Nygma? Why should I want to play with him?"

"It's good for you to interact with the other inmates, Jonathan. That's why we give you free time. So you can practise the skills used in society…"

"I know why you want us to mingle," he interrupted irritably. "But why do you want me to play with Nygma?" She blinked.

"The duty doctor said you'd been talking with him recently."

"Yes? So?"

"Well… since Jervis is no longer with us…"

"What? What do you mean 'Jervis is no longer with us'?" She actually flinched back from the sudden fury in his tone.

"Jervis' parole was granted," she answered as calmly as she could.

"What?" If he hadn't been restrained Joan knew he'd have leapt at her. She held her position. "How could he have been paroled after everything with Palmer?"

"It seemed clear to the judges that you were the prime motivator in that. Though Jervis' technology was utilised it was very clearly your M.O. Dr Bartholomew successfully argued that you were a negative influence upon his patient and that Jervis would benefit from being in normal society." She was pleased to see Jonathan had calmed down during her explanation. Now he actually smiled.

"Society," he murmured. "And why should society treat him any differently now?"

"Admittedly he will have prejudices to overcome…" she began but Jonathan was clearly warming to his theme.

"Society itself selects us to represent those aspects of itself it would rather not accept. They wish to superimpose upon us the characteristics they wish to deny they themselves have… to lock them away… out of sight out of mind."

"And what aspects do you believe you represent?" she asked though she knew the answer.

"Fear. The fear that's lain inside humanity since it's inception. The fear that people believe they're too civilised to be prey to. You know every man fears his neighbour. Because ultimately we all compete for the same resources. While there's plenty they can pretend to be civilised but when those resources are taken away…" Jonathan's eyes glittered.

"And Jervis? What does he represent to society?" Jonathan seemed slightly taken aback.

"Jervis? Jervis represents the id. That part of us that wants something and won't take no for an answer. Jealousy, envy…"

"The id. If not compelled by reality it seeks immediate enjoyment. It is focused on selfishness and instant self-gratification," Joan recited. Jonathan looked at her coldly.

"I wouldn't have put it quite like that…" A knock on the door interrupted them and Dr Leland glanced up at the clock.

"OK. Well, I think we've made some good progress today, Jonathan." He was pulled up by his escort and lead to the door. "We'll continue this next time."

"Mark my words, doctor," he called over his shoulder. "Before our next meeting, Jervis will be back where he belongs."