I stared at the clock dreading the arrival of my next patient. She was well known for her incredibly foul temper, and the last thing I wanted to do was ignite it. I stood up as I heard the door open, and a heavyset woman walked in. Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, she wore a gold crown on her head and a red, white, black, and yellow dress, and her face was almost red enough to match her dress. She was definitely not a pretty woman, and not just because of her weight.

"Your Majesty," I said putting my hand out and bowing. "I'm Dr. Russell."

"It's nice to meet you Dr. Russell," the Queen said taking my hand.

"Please sit down," I said gesturing toward the couch. "If you don't mind I have some questions for you."

"Of course."

"So tell me what was it like growing up in Wonderland?"

"Well I spent my whole life behind palace walls that I was never really exposed to what Wonderland was really like."

"Okay then, tell me about your childhood."

"It was a wonderful childhood. I always got everything I wanted. And everyone knew that if I didn't get what I wanted, there would be hell to pay. If I wanted a pony, I got it. If I wanted a new dress, I got it."

"What about your teenage years?"

"I had many suitors, but all they were interested in was conquering me and my kingdom. I wasn't going to let myself become some man's passive little queen while he ruled over my land. So of course I rejected them all. In fact some of them made the mistake of trying to take Wonderland by force, but in the end I had their heads removed, making an example of what happens when you mess with me."

My eyes widened as she said this, especially since she was so calm about it. "So tell me about your husband. Why did you marry him if you were so against men taking your kingdom?"

"Because he was the only man I had ever met that wanted to marry me for me and not for my land. He knew that it was my kingdom and not his, and not to stand in the way of that. Plus he's the sweetest man I've ever met."

"How old were you when you got married?"

"I was somewhere around your age, in my early 20s."

"Wow, you've been married for quite a long time. Have you ever considered having any kids, especially since I assume you would want to produce an air to the throne."

"I have thought about it, but unfortunately it never happened. At this point I've given up hope of ever having a child."

"Why is that? What happened?"

"We've tried couple times before, and whenever we tried it turned out that I was sterile."

"Oh I'm so sorry."

"I suppose it's for the best. I don't think I would have the patience to put up with a screaming baby."

"But you do like children, right?"

"Of course. I love children."

"What about Alice? Tell me about your interaction with her."

"When I first saw her I thought she was a sweet little girl. And yet she was so improper and outspoken, both traits that could've been fixed. I wanted to get to know this girl, bond with her, hope to win her over to my side and potentially raise her as the daughter I never had. But after the way she embarrassed me during the game, I could never forgive her. And as you know, anyone who dares to mess with me is instantly beheaded. And yet, despite my hatred for her I had developed a little soft spot for the girl, which is why I allowed the king to go through with the trial. But she was not making it easy for me to forgive her, trying to talk back to me and calling me names. It's a good thing for her that she got away or else she would be dead by now."

"Okay, this brings me to my next question. Why do you want to behead everyone?"

"Because it's fun of course. I love the sound of the blade slashing through one's neck. And because if someone angers me I wouldn't have to put up with them anymore if they're gone."

Again I sat there wide-eyed. I should've known to expect this, dealing with loonies at an insane asylum, but still. At least her temper hadn't ignited at all, which made me feel better. "Okay, so one thing I never understood, in a land where rules are practically nonexistent, how do you rule over it?"

"There's only one rule in Wonderland, everything is always my way. And everyone there already knows it. But other than that, there's nothing to really control."

"And I assume your husband is ruling the kingdom in your absence?"

"That is correct."

"Does he ever visit you?"

"Of course."

"Do you think that since your incarceration you've noticed a change in your temper?"

Her face started to turn even redder. "What temper?"

"You know, your temper. From what I've seen you've been doing a great job controlling it."

"Are you saying that I have a temper?" she asked standing up.

"No, but…"

"Because I do NOT have a temper! How dare you say such a thing! Off with your head!"

"Okay thank you for stopping by," I said frantically opening the door wanting her out. The attendants who stood outside my office during these sessions ran into the room and held her down, dragging her out as she threw a temper tantrum like a child. Luckily the sound barrier was cut off as I slammed the door shut.

I sat down at my computer and wrote up my analysis on the Queen, stating that she was so close and yet so far from being cured. I then checked my email to see who was next. "Captain James Hook," I read. Finally a male, I thought. I'm hoping that a change of gender will do me some good.