Professor Layton and the Rewound Repercussions –Part 9—

"I brought something for you today, Clive."

"What?" Clive raised his gaze from the table to the professor slowly. "Why?"

"Flora was baking this morning and thought you should have some. Don't worry, it's already been inspected by the staff. There are no nail files present, I fear."

"I would have preferred a hacksaw to a nail file at any rate," Clive replied, eyeing the box suspiciously. "This isn't her version of revenge, is it? I remember her culinary skills rather well."

"Don't worry. I believe she's forgiven you somewhat." Layton pushed the gift through the slot. Clive hesitantly unwrapped the parcel and opened the container, then bit into a cookie.

He coughed. "Er…give her my regards."

Layton frowned. "They're that bad, are they?"

"N-no, just…what did she put in this? I'm no chef, but I have a feeling she switched the salt and sugar quantities."

"A classic," Layton replied. "I rather thought she was getting better."

"I still wouldn't rule out revenge, professor." Clive quickly put the biscuit back and shut the lid.

"I suppose it's the thought that counts."

"If the thought is punishment, I believe I can live without it." Clive subtly pushed the box to the side, out of his line of sight.

"How are you feeling today? Apart from the unfortunately salty biscuit, of course."

"Puzzled, actually."

"Puzzled? Perhaps I can help you, my boy. Every puzzle has an answer!"

"You see, I'm rather confused as to why you keep coming here."

"Pardon?"

"Are you bored now that your little apprentice is away?" Clive smoothed a lock of hair back behind his ear. "Are you trying to replace his company with mine? We were the same person for a brief period. I was actually rather fond of the name 'Big Luke'… There was no pain behind that name. As Big Luke I could create new, happy memories."

"I visit you because I feel it is what I should do. I am not trying to replace Little Luke." The professor paused. "But if you would like for me to resume calling you 'Big Luke', I will do so."

"No, professor. I believe that time has passed." Clive shook his head. "I cannot return to that time."

The professor cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject. "How are the psychiatric sessions going, my boy? Are you making progress?"

Clive smiled bitterly. "Oh, yes. I've gone through three of them already. No one here seems to appreciate my…particular intelligence, we'll say."

"Now, Clive…" Layton warned.

"Are you going to tell me to be a good boy and not toy with the staff?"

"Yes, I believe that is exactly what I was going to say."

Clive sighed dramatically. "Well, professor, I must admit that it's actually a compulsion. You see, I hate those who wrongly boast about how they can 'analyse' others. My classmates back in university were much like that, you know. They'd make wild claims about being able to determine so-and-so about so-and-so, when the truth escaped them so wholly it hurt to watch. The psychiatrists here are no different. They say they will analyze me, breaking my very conscience into parts, when they are doing the precise thing my classmates did: guess."
"Clive, I would have to argue that the staff here have a much better grasp of human psychology than—"

"Yes, yes. They have experience and theory to guide them. The guesses are more educated, but they are still guesses."

"A hypothesis is not a guess, my boy. I am sure you know that."

"Hypotheses are, yes. But there is more in the human brain than the limited framework of a hypothesis can contain. There are no restrictions on the mind, professor." Clive tapped his temple. "Psychology is no definite study. It is a very different sort of science than those used in engineering. A psychologist is no more than a glorified philosopher."

"That's a rather cynical approach, my boy. Psychology, unlike philosophy, can be test—"

"Oh, yes, there are many 'empirical' studies the theories in psychology are founded on. However, there are also many theories based on case studies and other such questionable conjecture. Did you know that there was a case involving repressed memories in which the psychiatrist managed to convince his patients of many false events that took place in their childhood? It wasn't even intentional, professor. Psychology is such an indefinite, shaky science that false conclusions can be made from the strangest evidence."

"Clive, approach this with an open mind. It may not be a perfect science, but if it will help you, you should at least give it a chance."

"Sorry, professor." Clive smiled at the man across the table. "I fear it's impossible for me to open my mind at this point."

Layton's expression grew concerned. "Why not, my boy?"

"It's impossible to open something I've lost."