Carla paced back and forth nervously. She watched the door, glanced at Steve, and looked back at the door again. Finally, the door pushed open and Rudy walked in.
"Oh, thank goodness," Carla exclaimed.
"I got here as quickly as I could," said Rudy. "What's wrong?"
"He's not responding. He won't talk. He doesn't move. He just lies there and stares at the ceiling."
"How long has he been like this?"
"Since I got here this morning."
Rudy walked over to Steve. "Steve? Steve? It's Rudy. Can you hear me?"
Steve gave no indication that he heard Rudy. He continued staring at the ceiling.
Rudy gave Steve gentle slaps on his cheeks. Still no response. He clapped his hands loudly near Steve's ear. That didn't elicit a response either. Next, he shined a light in Steve's eye. His pupil constricted but he didn't blink. Finally, he removed the restraint from Steve's wrist and moved his arm up. When he let go, Steve's arm fell back down.
Rudy didn't bother to put on the restraint.
"Damn."
"He has what?"
"Catatonic depression," Rudy repeated.
"How did this happen?" Oscar asked.
"I believe, in Steve's case, that it's the result of extreme stress brought about by the loss of his limbs, the loss of his freedom, and the lack of a support system."
"Support system?"
"Yes. Let me explain," Rudy replied. "Most men in his position would be in a hospital surrounded by friends and family members who would advocate for them and give emotional support. But Steve doesn't have any of that. He not only has to deal with the devastation of the loss of his limbs, but we keep him hidden away in that room where he can't see his friends and family. He has to go through this experience completely alone."
"Well, you're a psychologist. Can't you talk to him?"
"No, he looks at me as part of his problem. I'm the one keeping him from what he wants."
"So, is there any treatment for this?"
"Yes, there are drugs and electroconvulsive therapy, but I don't want to go that route unless I absolutely have to. No, I'm going to let him ride it out for now. I want to see if he'll come out of this on his own."
Oscar sighed. "When you said this was going to be a rough ride, you weren't kidding."