(Untitled)

[whatsatisfiesme]

Really, they even make this routine with the laundry dull, here.

[Everyone's clothes are gone, and Gilbert is being snide. Nothing has changed anywhere, except that he might sound a trace terser, a trace more theatrical, today:]

Maybe it's therapy. They'll do it often enough, and we'll all have no problem sitting naked in the cold. And then we'll

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[immortalstudies]

[After a little, little pause, but a little amused.]

Of course. And I'd rather you continued in only English.

[whatsatisfiesme]

Maybe I feel less homesick, speaking like this. It wasn't so cold back in France.

[Says the kid who ended his stay there nearly freezing himself to death, but hey.]

I wanted to ask you about the laundry, though, doctor.

[immortalstudies]

For you it's important in particular to learn to cut some ties to your home. I'll answer you, though. But only things you say in English.

[whatsatisfiesme]

[...quiet for a moment. He's having some trouble deciding whether to drop the French or not. But, finally, a little begrudgingly:]

Fine.

[And then English:]

They did laundry the same way when you were a patient, didn't they? That's what I wanted to ask about -- since you've gone through it yourself --

[You could almost count his tone as sweet here, if it weren't so artificial, openly prodding. It sounds unsure whether it wants to be mocking or flirtatious.]

[immortalstudies]

[Here's another brief pause, and then an equally brief, but not entirely cold laugh.]

It's not exactly a pleasant experience. I'm aware. What are you driving at, Gilbert?

[whatsatisfiesme]

I only wanted to know how you dealt with it.

Because it's hard to think about anything but the cold -- did you just stay in your cell and ignore it? Or did you wander around without anything on?

[An almost contemplative break, but he sounds just as not-quite-warm as he did before, when he goes on:]

Did you enjoy watching them strip your cellmate in front of you?

[immortalstudies]

I remember I slept the first time, and was nearly killed by a patient who wanted my pillow. Back then, the security in our facility was a little... different. The other times... Honestly, I spent my day fairly normally. I understand it may be humiliating at first, but you'll eventually learn to understand that this is the result of necessity. And whatever happens that you have no power over... Well, I don't think you should allow anything to paralyse you or hinder you in what you want to do. Don't you agree?

[And another laugh, this time clearer, and with more genuine amusement in his voice.]

No, I certainly didn't enjoy that much. I don't think anybody really does.

[whatsatisfiesme]

Mmmm.

[There's a hum after Huey's last answer, sounding even more amused than the laughter he's getting. Though also vaguely unconvinced.]

Your cellmate must not have helped you keep warm, then. Since you were fighting over your pillows...

What about now? [More vagueness!]

[immortalstudies]

[Aw, Gilbert. Look, he's enjoying the conversation, or that's how it sounds.]

I wasn't fighting, and it was not my cellmate either. Just another patient, who decided to take a walk, try to smother me in my sleep, and walk away with a pillow. Some people have strange priorities.

My roommate, on the other hand, could hardly help much. He had to suffer a severe beating on his first day here, by other patients. Staff wasn't there in time to help him.

And now? What do you mean?

[whatsatisfiesme]

[Amusing Huey was...not precisely the goal he had for this conversation. There's a small sign of that starting to creep into his voice by now, too, the littlest edge of frustration rubbing up against that oh-so-sweet mood in his words:]

And you came to work here, since they were so good at letting us be beaten and smothered?

[He pauses to tone down the sarcasm a little, though:]

I mean -- now you go around dressed while we're all being 'humiliated.' You doctors hold treatments, like you don't know what's going on...do you enjoy getting to be on the other side of it all? Seeing everyone play modest for you?

Some of the other doctors get a thrill from it, you know.

[immortalstudies]

[Aw Gilbert, don't be frustrated. You're getting along so well! :D]

That wasn't exactly the reason. Honestly, I wasn't so quick to accept the request for me to return. I've learnt a lot here, though, so in the end, I guess it was both a bit of an obligation, and a bit of interest.

[Annnd let him think about that question for a moment.]

Is that how you imagine us?

[whatsatisfiesme]

[Somewhat darkly:]

It's not 'imagining.'

[immortalstudies]

You think we enjoy humiliating you.

[Not a question. :|]

[whatsatisfiesme]

It's not 'thinking,' either.

The ugly part's the way you pretend it's all you can do.

[immortalstudies]

What do you think I should do, then? Let you out?

[whatsatisfiesme]

You could admit you enjoy it, at least.