Day 46: Doctor's Office 6 (Dr. Wilson) [Fourth Shift]

[oncological]

Things really could have gone worse with Lance. They could have gone a whole lot better, but at least it hadn't devolved into a staring contest and at least there hadn't been any throwing of heavy objects. Wilson counted those as pluses, since he really wasn't cut out for this. Maybe if he'd been trained to do this sort of thing, but all he was

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[oncological]

It was only a matter of time before a teenage kid walked in. It was usually teenage boys, at that. He didn't know why there were so many more male patients here than female (it's not like the mental illness statistics matched the jailed criminal statistics), but he had started to learn that he could question a whole lot here and yet not get any rational answers from... anyone, really.

He watched the kid walk in and take a seat. Much like Lance from earlier, this new patient wasn't so resistant as to stand at the door like a trapped animal, but he wasn't exactly spilling his life story either.

Wilson was used to the taciturn sulky attitude of the patients here, though, and so he didn't let Richard's behavior deter him. He smiled, but not too widely, and then offered his hand so that they could shake. "Good afternoon, Mr. Matthews. I'm Dr. Wilson and I'll be your therapist for the duration of your stay here." In his experience, people didn't stay for very long, but he knew better than to say anything like that out loud. He didn't know why the institute seemed to have a revolver door installed in it, but he doubted it was because of any sort of top-notch treatment.

[denied_future]

To be fair, Rey wasn't in the habit of "spilling his life story," to anyone, whether they be doctors he didn't even know or to his friends. Shinn had been the only instance, and that was under special circumstances. Either way, though, Rey didn't intend on giving this man too much information about himself. While he didn't know how much Wilson was already aware of, it wasn't safe to be reckless.

He shook the doctor's hand, firmly but not brimming with overconfidence. In a polite tone, he replied, "Good afternoon."

He was still wary, but he knew how to maintain a neutral facade, at least. Today seemed to be a day for them.

[oncological]

While Richard (or did he prefer Rick?) hadn't corrected him on the name Wilson had used, that wasn't necessarily a sign that he was on the mend. Chances were that he was just too polite to say anything about it, which was actually something that had seemed uncommon in Wilson's patients so far. Most of them were sarcastic and bitter with a hint of trauma, and while it was bad to generalize...

In any case, he needed to get the conversation going, seeing how Rick wasn't going to be much help there. That was all right, since Wilson could generally get the patients to talk about something; even if they didn't think it was relevant, every bit of information had the chance of being pertinent in some way.

"So, Rick -- would you prefer I call you that, or Rey? -- anyway, how long have you been here now? How have you been handling your time here so far?" They were basic questions, but considering how quiet the teen was being, there wasn't really any other way to start.

[denied_future]

"I prefer Rey, but anything is fine," he answered, briefly reminded of his thoughts when talking with Lockon. In the end, a name was just a marker. It didn't change who he truly was. "Today is my sixth day here. It's been all right."

The first was basic information and by no means a secret, and the second was a lie. The undead and nearly getting killed, he could handle. But the experimentation, seeing Gil again when he was still trying to heal from his death--Rey couldn't honestly say he was okay after that. All he could do was keep a straight face and try to move on. However, the latter was easier said than done.

(then you're an obstacle that needs to be removed)

[oncological]

Anything was fine? A people pleaser, then. A pushover, House would have said. Wilson forced that thought out of his mind as he focused his attention on his patient. His answers were short and vague, making it quickly obvious that he had nothing that he wished to share. Even if he apparently didn't mind which name he was called by, he was doing all he could to keep his secrets to himself.

The fact that he had only been here six days meant that this was definitely Rick's first shot at therapy, though. He was obviously just going through the motions and trying to scrape by without any trouble, but Wilson couldn't let him go that easily.

"Well, there has to be more to it than that," he pointed out. "What's been going on with you these past six days? There has to be something there worth talking about."

[denied_future]

"I'm afraid there isn't much that you likely haven't heard already," Rey said, his voice still calm. He had no doubt that patients before had talked about what this place was actually all about. If the doctors were doing nothing, then they obviously didn't believe them. Rey had nothing that would prove his words to be any truer, so he saw no reason to bother. If Wilson asked, he'd give him enough of the truth (his shoulder sling wasn't exactly inconspicuous), but otherwise he wasn't going to waste his breath.

Of course, Rey couldn't entirely blame him. If their positions had been reversed, he'd probably have been rather skeptical as well. Saying that a brainwashed patient had stabbed him with a sword did sound like a far-fetched story--though perhaps not so much to Rey, considering the science of his own world.

[oncological]

This one was a tough nut to crack, that was for sure. He was being nothing other than polite, but he was making sure that not even the smallest of details got through. Wilson pressed his lips together as he tried to look into the boy's face and determine what might make him talk. It was difficult to tell, though, when the kid was so closed off and traumatized. Wilson didn't deal with too many young people as an oncologist, and most of the cancer-ridden children that he saw were different from normal kids simply because of their unbelievable circumstances.

"Even if I've heard it already, that doesn't mean I don't want to hear it in your words," Wilson eventually said. Maybe all Rick needed was some sign that he was valued -- that his words, thoughts, and opinions meant something. Sometimes that was enough, and Wilson really hoped he wouldn't have to get too firm with someone who was still young. To be institutionalized while still a teenager had to be Hell.

[denied_future]

Unfortunately, Rey was well aware of what Wilson was trying to do--and it wouldn't have worked even if he weren't. He wasn't the kind of person who fell prey to tricks like that, even if the doctor meant well. In any case, he had enough confidence in himself to not need respect from others.

Still, he supposed he could humour the man. Otherwise, they were at a stand-still, which would only make this even less productive. Besides, though he was a private person, he wasn't known for being especially difficult as well.

"Another patient attacked me a few days ago," Rey said. "That was how I received these wounds."

It wasn't something that the staff didn't already know about, so he had no problems with giving out that piece of information.

[oncological]

An explanation for his wounds was certainly a good start, and Wilson nodded soberly in response. That seemed like a fair enough reason for how the boy had gotten injured, though the doctor was distinctly troubled to hear that someone so young had gotten into what must have been a bad fight.

"What sparked the attack?" he asked with a frown. Now that he'd been given a taste, he wasn't going to just leave it at that. "Did you provoke him or her, or did they decide to come at you with no warning?"

Both options would be possible, but it would be interesting to try and tell whether Rick would lie, tell the truth, or admit to his own part in whatever had happened.

[denied_future]

"He mistook me for someone he hated," Rey answered. That was vaguely what he'd gotten from the man's words the other night, at least--that Rey was a supporter of his enemy. Either way, he'd been more focused on trying to survive than listening at the time. One could argue that Rey did provoke him simply by entering a room that he shouldn't have, but such a thing was pointless now. How the fight started wasn't important anymore.

Though, on that note, he hadn't seen the man at all lately--perhaps he'd been "released." To be honest, that was probably a good thing for Rey. While he doubted that there had actually been any bad blood between the two of them, it was one possible nuisance out of the way.

[oncological]

That seemed like a reasonable enough answer considering that Rick and his attacker were both mental patients. Wilson nodded at first, taking a note about it before he glanced up at the blond again.

While he almost asked the quintessential therapist question ("and how did that make you feel?"), he was quick to catch himself. If House ever got wind of him speaking those words, Wilson would never hear the end of it. The doctor let out a sigh and revised his question. "How did you deal with that? It, uhh, looks like he gave you a real thrashing..."

It was worth finding out if Rick was the passive sort; whether or not he held a grudge; if he'd even fought back. Wilson watched the patient carefully, but also made sure his gaze wasn't too intense.

[denied_future]

This really was a pointless thing to talk about--which was why Rey was fine with talking about it. The fight itself didn't have any real emotional impact on him, as the thought that he was going to die there did. As long as they stayed on this topic and away from what truly affected him, then it was fine. And, of course, the end of the fight, but that was one thing Rey definitely didn't care to mention.

"I fought back, though he ultimately won," he said. Rey might not have looked like much, but he still was a soldier. Unfortunately, a kitchen knife against a sword (in the hands of someone obviously trained to use it, no less) didn't work out too well.

[oncological]

It was only logical for someone to fight back when they were attacked, so Wilson was glad to hear that. It wasn't good that Rick had been assaulted in the first place, but if he'd just given in and taken the abuse, that would have had far worse implications. Wilson nodded slowly, trying to decide if there was anything else of interest that could be pulled from this particular subject.

"I'm sorry about that," the doctor said with a shake of his head. "If he ever bothers you again, I'm sure that the nurses could take measures to make sure he stays away." Considering how large most of the rooms were, it shouldn't be that hard to keep two hostile patients away from each other. Besides, these nurses seemed quite willing to fall back on the sedatives if things got out of hand. Which wasn't necessarily bad, but...

"What else have you been doing with your time here?" he continued. "Have you made any friends?" He was stealing a question he'd already used on Lance, but it was something worth asking.

[denied_future]

Rey paused for a second, thinking the question over, before he replied. "A few."

A lie. They were acquaintances, not friends, which Rey was aware of--more than aware of. It'd crossed his mind several times over the past days that he didn't know too many people here, let alone be friends with them. It was as the doctor from nights ago had said: 'Now perhaps if you hadn't pulled that trigger, there'd still be someone who thought you were worth something. Here, though?'

Fortunately, Rey was able to look at it from a tactical perspective rather than an emotional one--being alone meant that he was on his own at night, which was the reason he'd gotten so badly injured in the first place. It meant his safety was threatened, with no one there to watch his back, like Shinn or Lunamaria.

(Though if one looked at it from an emotional perspective, it meant that no one honestly cared about him anymore.)

[oncological]

Talking with this kid was like pulling teeth, but Wilson realized he should have expected as much. If a teenager was so messed up that they landed themselves in a mental institution, then chances were that they either had attitude problems, socialization problems, or both.

All Wilson had to do was keep on Rick. No matter how few words the boy responded with, he just had to keep asking questions, and eventually something had to slip. Either that, or the patient would slowly become more comfortable around him, but that might take a while.

"How has that been?" he questioned. "Do you feel close to them? Are you glad to have them? Do you think you'll miss them when you get out of here?" He needed to know if Rick was making the sort of close bonds that indicated healthy human behavior, or if all of his relationships were as messed up as his mental state.