Chapter Text
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: Since you’re here, I’m assuming you filled out the paperwork you were given beforehand.
ERIK: [impatient] Of course I did.
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: Which means you understand that—
ERIK: I’m here to have my mind poked and prodded like a circus animal, I’ll be given useless little assignments to do, and if you tell anyone about this, I’ll sue you for all you’re worth, yes, I know. Can we get on with it?
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: Well, that’s certainly one way to put it.
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: Thank you for reading the forms. I appreciate it. It shows me that you’re willing to participate.
[No, he’s not. For a while, Erik says nothing.]
ERIK: What are you writing?
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: I’m glad you asked. Currently, I’m writing some notes about our session today. How it’s progressing so far. What future sessions may look like. That sort of thing. I understand that, in the beginning, it might feel somewhat impersonal—
ERIK: Very impersonal.
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: —and I respect that feeling. It’s a valid one to have. Please understand that, just like everything we discuss here, everything I write is strictly confidential unless you present a danger to yourself or others. Writing simply helps me remember our conversations. You always have my full attention.
ERIK: Do I, now?
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: You certainly do.
[There’s a tense silence.]
ERIK: If you cared, you wouldn’t need to write down our conversations.
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: What makes you say that?
[Erik raises his voice.]
ERIK: You know what makes me say that! How can you sit there and pretend to care about me? You don’t! You’re here because you’re paid to be here. Otherwise, you’d want nothing to do with me, just like everyone else! You and your… tasteless wall art, and your stupid, patronizing smile, and your sanctimonious little notepad, and your false platitudes, you… you…
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: [firm] Erik, I’m going to establish a rule now. Whether you want to be here or not is your choice. However, if you wish to communicate with me, I must inform you that insulting me is not a productive means of doing so. I must also ask that you please speak to me instead of yelling at me. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to end this se—
ERIK: Then go ahead! End it! Because I, for one, have wasted enough of my time here! Your kind make me sick!
DR. FRANKENSTEIN: Very well. Goodbye, Erik. I hope the rest of today treats you well.
[Before the doctor can finish his sentence, Erik storms out and slams the door behind him.]