Disclaimer: I don't own FY…
Warning: Uhm, maybe mild language. Angst. I had such a hard time writing the last chapter! (Probably because I had a tummy ache…) My sister read it and didn't like it much. I wonder if you all will say the same?! I guess it was a little unnerving, a little too much in one mouthful. Oh well…read on, review if you want.
- How can I help you today?
- I just have a few questions.
- Oh?
- Pertaining to yesterday, actually. I'm a little confused about some things…
- Well, whatever I can help you with, Mitsukake. Ask away.
-…I just don't understand some of the procedures here, Headmaster. A lot of things don't seem..
- I told you, nothing is really what it seems, especially here. Even in the world outside these walls, everything is a tightly knitted sham. If things seem obtuse here, well…
- The staff is unquestioningly violent towards the patients. I don't like it.
- The staff must protect themselves in whatever way necessary should the patients become violent--
- Soi in particular. She really bothers me. She belittles them constantly until she gets them riled, then something will happen and she'll use it as an excuse to have them toted off to the Ward. That's highly unprofessional and I would think you'd look into it.
- I have the utmost faith in Nurse Soi. I have worked with her for years, and she appears to have the respect of the patients.
- Well, then how would you explain yesterday? It didn't seem to me that--
- Tasuki has been a recurrent problem. He's given to violent tendencies and other unsuitable behavior. If what happened yesterday came as a surprise to you, then I'm shocked, to say the least. After all, you're his overseeing counselor. You should know by now he can't be controlled.
- Maybe he would be less violent if he was treated more gently.
- We've already tried that approach with him, and all it got us was several nurses battered brutally. This institution is looking out for not only the patients, but also the staff. If you have a problem with that, Mitsukake, then I'm sure I don't really understand what it is your saying.
- What I'm saying is, things aren't…aren't right around here.
- Elaborate, please.
- Firstly, I don't think the staff is professional. At all. They toss the patients around like rag dolls, hit them, verbally abuse them, and send them off for shock therapy, which I thought had been out of practice, whenever they feel the need. I'm not just talking about Tasuki Ivannovna, although I've seen it done to him as well. Secondly, the patients don't seem to have a clue about regimen. You kept going on and on about regimen when I first arrived. They don't have a schedule at all, as far as I know! They wander aimlessly, get in fights, don't take showers, lie around, it's…it's certainly not acceptable! And--
- You're very angry, aren't you?
- What?
- Lower your voice, Mitsukake. I don't permit that kind of tone.
- Well, I'm not finished yet.
- …Like I stated clearly before, the staff do what they feel is necessary to keep the patients under control. If you feel, however, that they are being brutalized, I'll look into it. And it isn't shock treatment we're giving them, it's called bio feedback. And it most certainly is legal, as far as I know, and I think I know quite a bit more about these things than you do.
- I'm sorry for being so obtrusive, sir. But--
- The regimen here is very strict. No one is ever just 'wandering around', despite what you may think. If the patients get in fights, that simply means that they need to be controlled more securely. The take showers each night before six. They take naps exactly at two, then are allowed recreation if they feel up to it. If not, they are permitted to lounge in their rooms.
- …I--
- You seem a little stressed out yourself. Maybe that's why you're taking things out of proportion, hmm? I can understand, you have exams and studying and your own personal regimen to follow in order to function properly. Tamahome informed me yesterday that the heat is getting to you, as well, so I'm having and A/C unit installed next Tuesday.
- T-Thank you. But, I still have a lot more…to tell you…
- Well, please, go on. Don't think I'm disagreeing with you. I'm just trying to understand where it is you're coming from.
- You say…you say they shower every evening at six, right? Then why hasn't Tasuki been bathing as well? He's filthy, and his clothes are, too.
- All that means is he isn't following regimen properly, and that would be your responsibility to make sure that he does. After all, we never force our patients to do anything they are against; but there is some prodding necessary to get the results we want.
- Results?
- Well, someday we'd like to see our patients behaving a little more normally. That's why this facility is standing, you know, and functioning. We're not just trying to lock them away from the real world, keeping the troubled under wraps so as the protect the outside from them. We're trying to help them.
- But it really doesn't seem to me that any of them are progressing! And your staff-- they aren't doing what you claim! They're treating them like--like--
- Animals? Children? Or, more likely, as abnormal people?
-…You--
- No, no. You cannot ever treat the mentally ill as normal people. And sometimes it may be a little harsh to observe. But they are sub-human, and need the care as such. They can't even attempt to get well if they're treated as regular, everyday people.
- But to be beaten, and regularly?! And that reminds me of another question I meant to ask you personally.
- Go ahead.
- Why did you hit him?
- Hmmm? Hit who?
- Patient Number 77B. Li Chichiri. Yesterday, after his escape attempt. What condoned you laying a hand on him?
- He disobeyed the proper authority.
- He needed help! He was injured, distraught--
- I helped him more ways than you know. He is a smirch on society. He brutally slaughtered both of his parents without a qualm. He's a pathological liar and a former addict. He's out of control in the real world.
But I showed him, with that simple action, which you so harshly speak against, that I am his authority. He cannot and will not disobey me again.
- You can't go around hitting on patients. It isn't right and I won't…won't…
- What won't you do?
- I don't like it. I won't condone it.
- You….you won't condone it. Hmm. I don't think you can tell me what to do, Mitsukake. I know what is best for these absurd creatures and you do not. You are an intern, and this is your first year, no less. I am a doctor, of ten years. I have the knowledge and the power to gain respect from these beings, be whatever it is that I must use to get it. Do you understand that?
-….
- I hope you do. Anything else?
- Yes. I do have more questions.
- Well. I'm glad we're clearing everything up right now, it would be a pity to lose you. After all of your hard work, you know.
- Why aren't they permitted outside more often? I think this would help their overall attitudes, maybe give them some peace. They're terribly restless, always locked away inside the Barracks.
- We do allow them outside for good behavior. Your particular group is exceptionally bad. They don't behave, or listen when they need to, or follow the staff's commands. That's why they aren't allowed out as often. And if you're talking about Mr. Ivannovna, well…surely you know why we can't let him out. It's in his records that he tried to escape once, and almost did, for that matter. He nearly killed one of the attendants.
- But being inside all the time, in that environment is only making them worse. They're getting more and more depressed.
- I have made sure that they are provided with other means of entertainment.
-…Well, I don't agree. Hotohori's behavior doesn't strike me as offensive, and Nuriko, well, he's not aggressive.
- But Shido Nuriko is suicidal. And would more than likely jump at the chance to hurt himself in some way if permitted outdoors. Hotohori simply isn't ready for such advancement, especially since I'm still grasping at straws about his ailments. I'd like to put him down as retarded, but that won't do. There is something else going on in there, and I'm going to find out what it is…
- Setting that aside, I don't think Li Chichiri belongs here.
- Hmmm. That's interesting. I think this is exactly where someone of his stature belongs.
- I spoke with him yesterday. He…doesn't strike me like they do. He's different…
- Maybe you're perceiving him that way because he's criminally insane. After all, that would make him unlike the others. He's actually committed a crime, unlike them, upon other people. Even Mr. Ivannovna hasn't murdered someone, although I certainly think he's capable of it. He's also been in prison, you see. He was tortured by the other inmates for his crimes. You know normal criminals can't stand the abnormal ones…
- You must know; you sound like you do.
- We've had criminally insane here before him. Don't interrogate me, Mitsukake. You don't want to do something like that. So…I'm not going to release him to another prison system. I think I can help him more than they can. After all, that's what I'm about.
- Really. Well, if that's how it is…then I think you ought to seriously consider hiring a new staff. That includes that ogress you so highly recommend. She's unprofessional and very violent. I wouldn't trust her with the 'abnormal' as you so nicely put it. She harbors some kind of loathing for them, and I can't see how you would fail to notice that.
- I notice nothing shameful on Nurse Soi's part. She's perfectly well-behaved, and I won't mull about on this subject again. You're pressing me for something I won't do. If you're unhappy with this internship perhaps you'd better leave. I can't have a disruptive force in this sanitarium.
- I'm sorry, but I have to be honest with you, sir. And honesty may seem a little strange at times. But I can't help what I'm seeing and it's too bad if you don't.
- Forgive me, I do not understand you at all. Or…maybe I do. May I ask a question, Mitsukake-kun?
- Yeah.
- Why did you pursue this line of work if you cannot handle the strain?
- I-- I don't know what you mean, I…I've always been interested in helping people--
- Have you? I've flipped through your documents and read some rather interesting things about you.
-…
- Well, there were the obvious things. An excellent, high-achieving student. Serious, with a cold-streak. Perfectly sane. Middle-class family. Even was engaged…weren't you engaged?
-…Yes.
- To a very nice girl, too. I read about her. In fact, I remember the story in the paper. I'm sure you do, too. Never would have guessed she was so depressed, what with a stunning fiancée like you and such wonderful parents…planning on college and everything…how awful.
- What…what are you saying…
- Saying? I'm just relaying back to you some things you ought to already be familiar with. And I'm starting to think maybe she was the real reason you dropped Pediatric Development and decided on Mental Disorders. It was right after the tragedy that you did it, although I'm just assuming. Assumptions is all we go by anyway, you know.
- So…?
- Are you sure this s the right field for you? I want a straight answer, and you know it already. She's…she's not them, you know. She's gone. Helping them isn't going to help you find the answer why.
- …I specifically chose this particular field because it's what I always was interested in. I do love working with children, but….that held more interest for me. And perhaps it was because of what happened, and then again, I can't really remember. Maybe.
- I wonder.
- You know I couldn't save her, then.
- …Mitsukake. There is no saving anyone in this world. Everyone is responsible for saving themselves. Helping other people is all we do. But no one can determine what that one person will do, or not do. If we had that power, then we might be gods, no?
-…
- It was hard for you. I know how you feel. My mother died when I was young, and it's still hard remembering it. But somehow, I took that negative feeling and made it something good. I know I can't help them, anymore than I could help her; but I'm trying, and that's what counts. All of us are trying. And, true, our methods aren't always appealing. But if it means I can make them listen, or make them stop hurting themselves, even for a little while, I believe in it.
- But…
- Go on.
- But…please, could you just tell the nurses and attendants to be a small bit more gentle. It breaks my heart to see any human being, no matter how deranged, treated in such a way.
- I most certainly will see to that. You see, Mitsukake, you and I are actually very much alike; we both want the best things for others. We both have had unfortunate tragedy happen to us personally. So, although we have had a misunderstanding, I hope we'll be able to work together from now on…
- I am sorry for being so irate. I'll try to control myself better from now on.
- That's what I'd thought you'd say. Don't worry-- I won't drop you. I like you, quite a bit, and would like to see you working here within a few years, after you graduate.
- It would be an unspeakable honor.
- Anything else for today?
- No. No, nothing. Thank you for your time.
- Quite welcome. Please come see me tomorrow as well.
^^' phew.
Tas: Now what is this?
Chiri Mits is turning to the dark side, na no da!!!
Mits: Chichiri, I am your father!!!!!! *DOOM*
Chiri: That's just not possible. No da.
He has a point, Mits.
Mits: *DOOM*
Tas: But quit arguing' with him, 'cause it's makin' him mad!
Review? Myew?
