Prologue: Catch the Rabbit
Rutledge Private Clinic and Asylum CASEBOOK
Patient: Alice Liddell Date Admitted: 4 November 1864 Physician: Heironymous Q. Wilson
I gazed at the cover of the little case book. Then I picked up my quill, dipped it in ink, and crossed out the former Doctor's name, writing in my own beneath it in careful cursive. Jonathan C. Harker. It is eleven years since this casefile was begun, and one year since it had been neglected. Oh, Alice Liddell is still alive. So is the former Dr. Wilson. Unfortunately, while Heironymous seems to grow mad, from what I have seen of Alice's progress, mostly unrecorded due to the lack of a personal physician, she ascends her madness. I make notes as such, under the date of 7 September 1875. They are both my patients, perhaps a twisted form of punishment by the Superintendent. I could swear he began to destest me on sight, and it's only gotten worse. He may actually be angry with me because Alice is getting better. I do not know for certain, nor do I perticularily care. My only concern is for my patients.
Alice came here at the age of ten. She is now twenty one. She would be a lovely girl, if not for her wide and rather empty green eyes, her long black hair bedraggled and tangled from lack of attentive care. Her poor stuffed rabbit, a constant companion, remains with one eye, but the velveteen fur has nearly worn right off. But her mind is sharp and cunning, full of poems and riddles and art. And nightmares, of course. And horrors upon horrors, quite likely beyond my own imagination. I have seen her pictures of the Twisted Wonderland, of the monstrous twins she calls 'Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee'. She's spoken to me of the Cheshire Cat, who's remarcably human but manic grin always preceeds the rest of him. Occasionally, she speaks of the White Rabbit. I was confused, believing her toy to be what she spoke of, but she was very clear with me. The White rabbit kept running away from her. She had to catch up, for he would lead her to the Red Queen. But her foul Card Gaurds were always in the way. She speaks of a most deadly knife, of razor sharp cards from a deadly deck. She calls them her toys, but they are weapons of murder, and they torment her mind. But I must away, to tend to her now.
8 September 1875
Alice drew me a picture today. Yesterday we talked of the Cheshire Cat again, her guide through the hellish wonderlands. The picture was of him. And I find it most strange, as she has simply drawn me a picture of a mangy cat I have seen a dozen times or more, lingering outside her little barred window. Perhaps if I could capture this beast...It may have some effect. Unlike Dr. Wilson, I do not believe that strange draughts of poisonous things are necessary for her health. Perhaps she is mad, yes. But there is Method to her madness it seems. The truly insane do not exist with such a cause most times. Her noble if bloody quest to defeat the Queen of Hearts is unlike any other derangement I have seen before. Then again, I am young, and my dealings with the mad have only begun.
17 September 1875
Upon re-reading Dr. Wilson's observations, I must conclude that this Cat I have seen has been on the grounds for some time, and is already fond of Alice. I will hire a man forthwith to capture the Cat, and see what happens. This may bring her to a state of Sanity, or it could push her back over the brink into true insanity. It is a risk I am willing to take.
28 October 1875
I've finally managed to capture that cat. It eluded the hired man with ease, and when he eventually Quit, I was forced to find him on my own. I scoured the grounds for two weeks before I finally gave up. And then, this morning, the bony thing strolled out of the bushes, and sat on the stoop, waiting for me as I came to work. He seemed friendly enough, if a little on the strange side. I've been feeding him all day almost, but he seems never full and always thin. His meowing sounds like insidious laughter, and I admit to being vaguely disturbed by the little beast. I will see if I can fatten him up a little before i take him to meet Alice.
31 October 1875
Alice's reaction to the cat was most strange indeed. She seemed surprised at first, then held out her arms readily, and accepted him. And then, she set him down at the foot of her bed, where he sat on his haunches, Tails swishing slowly behind him. They stared each other in the eyes, and I felt rather unwanted. As one, they looked at me, and Alice, quite clearly irritated by my continued presence, Frowned. "Thank you, Doctor Harker. You may go now." was all she said. I hastily made my exit, feeling quite small under the gaze of golden and green eyes.
3 November 1875
Alice's session went remarkably well today. She spoke to me calmly, the Cat on her lap, bony fingers playing over bony spine. He seemed not to mind the attention, or the bit of milk I brought him in a saucer.
6 January 1876
I did not think Alice could surprise me anymore, but she did today. When she came in and sat down, she was quite solemn. "Alice," I asked, "Whatever is the matter?" She looked at her fingers for a moment, tehn back at me, and cocked her head slightly to the side. "You see, Doctor. I've Caught the White Rabbit. And then I killed the Queen." she stated. "And what does that mean, Alice?"I asked her, honestly curious. She stared at me as if I were a fool. "Why Doctor Harker...It means I've come back from Wonderland." she stated calmly. That took me aback. I leaned back in my desk, and tried to think. It was quite difficult, with her calm eyes gazing at me. Finally, I nodded. "Congratulations, Alice. Welcome Back. Do you understand what is happening now?" I asked. She nodded. "I'm in a Madhouse. That's quite alright. I didn't want to be among Mad People. But the Cheshire Cat told me it didn't matter. I'm Mad. You're Mad. We're all mad, here. And we were in Wonderland, too. But I've killed the Red Queen, so it doesn't matter anymore." she smiled. "And what does the Cat have to say about that?" I asked her. "He just said thank you. That my Quest was over, and hopefully, i would not be called upon again. He told me to leave wonderland, and make my way in the world." she Replied to me. I nodded slowly. "That is Good, Alice. Now, I have much to do. Why don't you go back to your room, and have a little rest. I will see you tomorrow." She left then, and I had to write all of this down.
15 january 1876
Alice is being released. I find it strange; I will almost miss her, and that mangy cat. She understands that her old life is gone in flames, her parents dead. I have convinced my own Patron, a good friend of my father's, to take her into his care. He and his wife had no children of their own, and Lady Valeska had always wanted a daughter. Lord Ulrich agreed readily, and I am to take Alice to her new home myself, at the first of Febuary. She is eager to be free of this place. I am eager to have a place to keep an eye on her at, as I am often at the Sigurd manor. Alice will be comfortable there, and they've even said she can keep her cat.
1 Febuary 1876
Alice Liddell has been released into the Custody of Valeska and Ulrich Sigurd, pronounced with a clean bill of health, but under casual observation. Her casefile will remain open for one year.
Rutledge Private Clinic and Asylum CASEBOOK
Patient: Alice Liddell Date Admitted: 4 November 1864 Physician: Heironymous Q. Wilson
I gazed at the cover of the little case book. Then I picked up my quill, dipped it in ink, and crossed out the former Doctor's name, writing in my own beneath it in careful cursive. Jonathan C. Harker. It is eleven years since this casefile was begun, and one year since it had been neglected. Oh, Alice Liddell is still alive. So is the former Dr. Wilson. Unfortunately, while Heironymous seems to grow mad, from what I have seen of Alice's progress, mostly unrecorded due to the lack of a personal physician, she ascends her madness. I make notes as such, under the date of 7 September 1875. They are both my patients, perhaps a twisted form of punishment by the Superintendent. I could swear he began to destest me on sight, and it's only gotten worse. He may actually be angry with me because Alice is getting better. I do not know for certain, nor do I perticularily care. My only concern is for my patients.
Alice came here at the age of ten. She is now twenty one. She would be a lovely girl, if not for her wide and rather empty green eyes, her long black hair bedraggled and tangled from lack of attentive care. Her poor stuffed rabbit, a constant companion, remains with one eye, but the velveteen fur has nearly worn right off. But her mind is sharp and cunning, full of poems and riddles and art. And nightmares, of course. And horrors upon horrors, quite likely beyond my own imagination. I have seen her pictures of the Twisted Wonderland, of the monstrous twins she calls 'Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee'. She's spoken to me of the Cheshire Cat, who's remarcably human but manic grin always preceeds the rest of him. Occasionally, she speaks of the White Rabbit. I was confused, believing her toy to be what she spoke of, but she was very clear with me. The White rabbit kept running away from her. She had to catch up, for he would lead her to the Red Queen. But her foul Card Gaurds were always in the way. She speaks of a most deadly knife, of razor sharp cards from a deadly deck. She calls them her toys, but they are weapons of murder, and they torment her mind. But I must away, to tend to her now.
8 September 1875
Alice drew me a picture today. Yesterday we talked of the Cheshire Cat again, her guide through the hellish wonderlands. The picture was of him. And I find it most strange, as she has simply drawn me a picture of a mangy cat I have seen a dozen times or more, lingering outside her little barred window. Perhaps if I could capture this beast...It may have some effect. Unlike Dr. Wilson, I do not believe that strange draughts of poisonous things are necessary for her health. Perhaps she is mad, yes. But there is Method to her madness it seems. The truly insane do not exist with such a cause most times. Her noble if bloody quest to defeat the Queen of Hearts is unlike any other derangement I have seen before. Then again, I am young, and my dealings with the mad have only begun.
17 September 1875
Upon re-reading Dr. Wilson's observations, I must conclude that this Cat I have seen has been on the grounds for some time, and is already fond of Alice. I will hire a man forthwith to capture the Cat, and see what happens. This may bring her to a state of Sanity, or it could push her back over the brink into true insanity. It is a risk I am willing to take.
28 October 1875
I've finally managed to capture that cat. It eluded the hired man with ease, and when he eventually Quit, I was forced to find him on my own. I scoured the grounds for two weeks before I finally gave up. And then, this morning, the bony thing strolled out of the bushes, and sat on the stoop, waiting for me as I came to work. He seemed friendly enough, if a little on the strange side. I've been feeding him all day almost, but he seems never full and always thin. His meowing sounds like insidious laughter, and I admit to being vaguely disturbed by the little beast. I will see if I can fatten him up a little before i take him to meet Alice.
31 October 1875
Alice's reaction to the cat was most strange indeed. She seemed surprised at first, then held out her arms readily, and accepted him. And then, she set him down at the foot of her bed, where he sat on his haunches, Tails swishing slowly behind him. They stared each other in the eyes, and I felt rather unwanted. As one, they looked at me, and Alice, quite clearly irritated by my continued presence, Frowned. "Thank you, Doctor Harker. You may go now." was all she said. I hastily made my exit, feeling quite small under the gaze of golden and green eyes.
3 November 1875
Alice's session went remarkably well today. She spoke to me calmly, the Cat on her lap, bony fingers playing over bony spine. He seemed not to mind the attention, or the bit of milk I brought him in a saucer.
6 January 1876
I did not think Alice could surprise me anymore, but she did today. When she came in and sat down, she was quite solemn. "Alice," I asked, "Whatever is the matter?" She looked at her fingers for a moment, tehn back at me, and cocked her head slightly to the side. "You see, Doctor. I've Caught the White Rabbit. And then I killed the Queen." she stated. "And what does that mean, Alice?"I asked her, honestly curious. She stared at me as if I were a fool. "Why Doctor Harker...It means I've come back from Wonderland." she stated calmly. That took me aback. I leaned back in my desk, and tried to think. It was quite difficult, with her calm eyes gazing at me. Finally, I nodded. "Congratulations, Alice. Welcome Back. Do you understand what is happening now?" I asked. She nodded. "I'm in a Madhouse. That's quite alright. I didn't want to be among Mad People. But the Cheshire Cat told me it didn't matter. I'm Mad. You're Mad. We're all mad, here. And we were in Wonderland, too. But I've killed the Red Queen, so it doesn't matter anymore." she smiled. "And what does the Cat have to say about that?" I asked her. "He just said thank you. That my Quest was over, and hopefully, i would not be called upon again. He told me to leave wonderland, and make my way in the world." she Replied to me. I nodded slowly. "That is Good, Alice. Now, I have much to do. Why don't you go back to your room, and have a little rest. I will see you tomorrow." She left then, and I had to write all of this down.
15 january 1876
Alice is being released. I find it strange; I will almost miss her, and that mangy cat. She understands that her old life is gone in flames, her parents dead. I have convinced my own Patron, a good friend of my father's, to take her into his care. He and his wife had no children of their own, and Lady Valeska had always wanted a daughter. Lord Ulrich agreed readily, and I am to take Alice to her new home myself, at the first of Febuary. She is eager to be free of this place. I am eager to have a place to keep an eye on her at, as I am often at the Sigurd manor. Alice will be comfortable there, and they've even said she can keep her cat.
1 Febuary 1876
Alice Liddell has been released into the Custody of Valeska and Ulrich Sigurd, pronounced with a clean bill of health, but under casual observation. Her casefile will remain open for one year.