Pat and Tiffany were in another session together, but this time Cliff was presiding alone. "So, Patrick," he said, "did you do your assignment?"
Pat nodded and smiled. "What?" said Tiffany suspiciously. "What was your assignment?"
"Actually, we did it together," Pat said. "Remember, the movie?"
"Oh my effin' god," Tiff said, "you told him to watch The Thing? That's a horrible movie! I don't mean horrifying, either, just horrible!"
"The film is suited to certain tastes, and I would not have recommended it for you," Cliff said. "But for Pat, I felt it would be in line with his interests, while offering a little more substance. What did you think of the film, Pat?"
"Oh, it was a great movie," he answered enthusiastically. "Kurt Russell was great, everybody else was great, and the monster was great. But what I really liked was that it had a good message. At first, they're so afraid, and all the Thing has to do to win is trick them into fighting each other. But when they start working together, and trusting each other, they find a way to beat the Thing."
"Yeah, and they still all effin' die!" Tiffany interjected.
"No they don't," Pat said. "Kurt's still alive at the end, and that cool black guy, just sitting by the fire being friends again. That was a happy ending. All good movies have happy endings."
"Did we watch the same movie? They're in Antarctica, and the fire's their blown-up base! What do you think was supposed to happen after that? The fire goes out, and they freeze to death, assuming one of them isn't a Thing, the effin' end!"
"The ending was meant to be ambiguous, which is why I considered the film good for Pat to watch," Cliff said. "If you were telling the story, Pat, what would you say happens?"
"Well, people from some other base could have come to help when they saw the fires," Pat said. "That would be a great happy ending. But… I don't think I would tell it like that. The way it does end, they know there's a chance somebody could come to save them. But, like Kurt says, maybe it's better if they don't get out, because then there's no way the Thing can get out. So, instead of being afraid or fighting, they sit down and wait for whatever happens next, because they know it will work out for the best. It's not my idea of a happy ending, but maybe it's the best ending."
"I do believe you are improving, Pat," Cliff said. "What about you, Tiffany? Dr. Lily says you told her you wrote the letter, but have not shared it with her. She does not wish you to feel that you have to share it with her, but you gave her the impression that you were being evasive."
"I did write the letter," Tiffany said. "What I didn't tell her is, I gave it to Pat."
"I see," Cliff said. "Pat, have you read it?"
Pat shrugged. "No. It's wrong to read other people's mail."
"I see. I trust, then, that you have taken care to hold the letter for safekeeping, as you should. That will be enough for today's session."
As they left, Tiffany said, "Okay, I didn't say anything," she said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a paper rectangle. "Still, I have to say, this is insulting."
It was an unopened envelope, marked: To Tiffany. From Tommy.