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Evaluation Sessions

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Evaluation Sessions Empty Evaluation Sessions

Post by SSmith Tue May 16, 2017 11:31 pm

Transcript of 2nd Session between Carter Heywood, M.D. and Mr. "Tom Van", Monday, December 12, 2016 at 12 am. (Excerpt)

Mr. Van:

For the record, I still think this is bullshit.

Dr. Heywood:

Tom, these sessions are mandatory for everyone transitioning from contract work to in-house. Just think of it as part of the job.

Mr. Van:

I'm just saying, it's stupid. Fucking stupid. Anyone crazy enough to do the work is going to keep getting assignments, but anyone who doesn't want to do them is obviously sane enough for the job...

Dr. Heywood:

So you've said. Have you actually read Heller's novel? You might get something out of it, given the nature of your work.

Mr. Van:

No. I don't read books about war.

Dr. Heywood:

That raises an interesting point. I hadn't pegged you as much of a reader in general, Tom. What do you like to read?

Mr. Van:

...(unintelligible)... don't see what that has to do with anything, but... I haven't sat down and read a book in a very long time. I used to read a lot. Before, y'know, the war.

Dr. Heywood:

What did you read then?

Mr. Van:

Y'know... Nerdy shit. Poe, Lovecraft... Why do you even care? What does any of this have to do with anything?

Dr. Heywood:

Relax, Tom. I happen to know that individuals suffering from your... condition... can be highly unpredictable when agitated, and you're sure to fail this evaluation if you kill me.

Mr. Van:

Doc, you have no idea...

Dr. Heywood:

(clears throat) So, moving on... Would you say your experiences in the war changed you?

Mr. Van:

Not as much as certain events afterward, if y'know what I mean... (chuckles) But yeah, they probably did. I don't think anyone lives through a war and comes out the other side exactly the same as they went in, y'know?

Dr. Heywood:

...and how would you describe the changes you experienced as a result of that?

Mr. Van:

Shit... I dunno. I was less interested in reading and writing. I never bothered reconnecting with any of my friends or anything. Moved as far away from my hometown as I could get. I guess it just sort of put things into perspective, y'know? Stuff just seemed less important after that.

Dr. Heywood:

Mm-hmm, I see. Anything else?

Mr. Van:

Had a hard time holding down a job after that. I guess I just didn't feel motivated, y'know? Like, fuck it. Who gives a shit? You see that many people die - like, really, up close and in your face - and after that who fucking cares about getting a house and a car and all that shit?

Dr. Heywood:

I see. How did things change for you after you... developed your present condition?

Mr. Van:

Well, this is gonna sound crazy, but a lot of things actually made more sense, y'know? I'd look in the mirror after that, and what I'd see made more sense than what I saw before. You get me? It was like, wow... Tom really did die on the Mekong, like he should've... and this is what crawled out instead. I kinda felt like I had an explanation for why I hadn't felt like myself.

Dr. Heywood:

So, if Tom died back then, who are you now?

Mr. Van:

Wouldn't you like to know, doc?

Excerpt End
SSmith
SSmith

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Evaluation Sessions Empty Re: Evaluation Sessions

Post by SSmith Sun Jun 11, 2017 8:30 pm

Transcript of 7th session between Carter Heywood, M.D. and Mr. "Tom Van", Monday, January 16, 2016 at 12 am. (Excerpt)

Mr. Van:

What's the haps, doc? What are we doing today? Inkblots? Electroshock?

Dr. Heywood:

You seem to be in higher spirits than usual, Mr. Van. Did something happen?

Mr. Van:

Nah... just eating right, plenty of exercise... but really, what's on the agenda?

Dr. Heywood:

Well, I thought, today, we'd talk a little about your childhood...

Mr. Van:

Not much to tell. I was born, I grew up, I turned into a sea monster, I eat people. Stay tuned for the sequel...

Dr. Heywood:

Well, specifically, I'd like to talk about your parents.

Mr. Van:

They're dead, doc. Who gives a shit?

Dr. Heywood:

I give a shit, Mr. Van. Let's talk about your father for a moment, hm? Did you know him well? How would you describe your relationship.

Mr. Van:

Okay, doc. I'll play along, but there's really not much to tell. I was a disappointment. Dad wanted a hunting and fishing buddy, a big, strapping son who'd try out for the football team and make him proud. I never went in for that shit. I think we've touched on this before, but I was a reader - and he hated that. He never saw the point of books.

Dr. Heywood:

I see. So that was a point of contention between you and your father? Did you resent him for that?

Mr. Van:

I see what you're driving at, but it wasn't like that. He was disappointed in me, and I was disappointed in him. It felt more like someone else had made a mistake, y'know? Like I'd just wound up with the wrong people.

Dr. Heywood:

Interesting. So, what would you have considered to be the "right" people?

Mr. Van:

(Inaudible)...some kind of smart family? Shit. I dunno. Maybe I would've been smarter if my parents had been the kind of people to nurture... uh... smartness? I dunno. Maybe I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to go off to war to get away from them if I felt like we had anything in common? What is it you want me to say, doc?

Dr. Heywood:

You're doing great, Mr. Van. Answer me this: do you feel like you're being properly nurtured in your current environment? Do you feel as though your talents are valued?

Mr. Van:

By the [REDACTED]? No. Flatly, no. They have my loyalty, some of them even have my respect, but have I ever, even once, felt like that loyalty and respect were mutual? No. I think they'd throw me under the bus in a heartbeat.

Dr. Heywood:

...and what about your other job? Do you feel appreciated there?

Mr. Van:

It's too early to tell. I think I'm doing good work. The fucking [REDACTED] want to drag us all back to the Stone Age, right? Gotta tear down to build up? No, I totally believe in all that. I'm glad I found [REDACTED]. I think they need someone like me.

Dr. Heywood:

Someone like you...?

Mr. Van:

Oh, y'know... Someone enthusiastic and experienced when it comes to tearing shit down.

Excerpt End
SSmith
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