Session 2

Patient : So you’re recording today’s session, too, huh?

Doctor : Yes. Is that alright?

Patient : Sure, whatever. Did the specialist respond, yet?

Doctor : She did.

Patient : Did we convince her?

Doctor : You convinced her that you’re a serious case, if that’s what you are asking. I don’t think she’d travel all this way if she thought you weren’t.

Patient : That’s not what we’re asking... What do you mean, travel all this way?

Doctor : She’s not from around here. I’m not sure where she’s from, to be honest. I had to contact her through her agency. She booked a flight in time for your next session.

Patient : Our next session... with you?

Doctor : She’s asked me not to participate, although the session will be recorded so I can review it later.

Patient : You’ll leave us alone with her?

Doctor : As alone as you can be in this place.

Patient : Ah, yes. The ever-present orderlies. Silent soldiers on the front lines of mental health. Safe-keepers of the sacred straight-jacket. Always vigilant against disorder and chaos. Fucking grayfaces...

Doctor : Take it easy. They have a job to do. And anyway, they haven’t touched you in a long time. In fact, you’ve been a model patient most of the time you’ve been here.

Patient : Yes, well... Can we change the topic... back to our original question?

Doctor : Which was...?

Patient : Did we convince her?

Doctor : What exactly do you mean?

Patient : Did we convince her? Does she believe us?

Doctor : You mean, does she believe you are possessed? I wouldn’t know. That’s why she’s coming here: to give me a full assessment, her expert opinion...

Patient : And what will you do with that opinion?

Doctor : That’s a good question. I don’t have an answer for you right now. Ask me again after you’ve spoken with her.

Patient : When?

Doctor : She will see you the day after tomorrow. So, I will see you two days after that.

Patient : Alright. So, you say she’s a specialist. Does that make you a generalist?

Doctor : You’re funny.

Patient : What’s her specialty?

Doctor : Well, like myself, she has a PhD in Abnormal Psychology. She has written some fantastic papers and is considered an expert on demonomania.

Patient : Are there many experts on demonomania?

Doctor : Heh. No. She’s the only one that I know of. She likes to claim she’s the only successful one.

Patient : Successful?

Doctor : A significant number of the patients she has interviewed are now living normal, healthy lives.

Patient : Away from the four white walls?

Doctor : Outside a mental institution? Yes.

Patient : Is she an exorcist or something?

Doctor : I didn’t say they recovered right away. Most of those patients continued with their therapy until they were deemed healthy enough to be discharged.

Patient : Most?

Doctor : A few patients she considers to be disingenuous cases.

Patient : Which means that she doesn’t believe they have demonomania?

Doctor : She says that the patients themselves do not believe they are possessed by demons. Rather, they use the pretext of a monomania to conceal some other psychological problem. After being exposed as frauds, their demonomania often transforms into another form of monomania.

Patient : Are you implying that we are one of those cases?

Doctor : Your monomania may be a transformation from one form into another, yes. But, I’m not implying anything. I suspect as much and I expressed that to her.

Patient : We can understand how you might perceive that. Joseph’s belief that he possesses the spirit of Cain is very strong. we’re not sure that he truly believes it. That is why he committed himself to your care. He understood that there was something unusual in that belief and that perhaps he needed help.

Doctor : We tried to help.

Patient : Yes. We’re sure you tried. But your understanding is limited. He doesn’t need therapy. He was weak, spiritually and mentally. But he wasn’t wrong. We will help him realize his strength because the spirit of Cain does rest in this body.

Doctor : And that’s why Joseph is special.

Patient : Yes. The blood in him is much like Cain. Like Judas. Like Nero. He can fulfill a great destiny with his traitorous cells. He will be famous... infamous, we should say. We’re sure he will commit some grievous action. Probably against someone who he respects or loves. It is in his nature to turn on those around him. And eventually he will betray us as he has betrayed others... until eventually, he betrays his own life.

Doctor : Are you implying suicide?

Patient : Yes, we are. But you have no need to worry. We realize that we demons have a reputation for self-mutilation and bodily harm. We have enjoyed those pains done in past possessions. But we have no interest in harming this body. We need it to remain healthy until we fulfill our task.

Doctor : You keep mentioning that you have a job to complete. What is it?

Patient : We cannot say exactly. Only that it is important for the work of evil.

Doctor : It has nothing to do with this betrayal you just spoke of?

Patient : No, that is Joseph’s destiny. We will not assist him with what he will do. We are merely interested in continuing the work of Hell on Earth.

Doctor : Ah. You are merely a minion of Satan, then.

Patient : He has many names: Lucifer, Satan, Mastema. Yes. As we have said, if we return from a possession empty-handed, we will be punished. This possession itself seems a punishment of some kind, since you will not let us finish our work. But perhaps we will convince you to let us go free, and as we go free, Joseph goes free. Two birds with one stone, as it were.

Doctor : And after you finish your job...?

Patient : We will leave this body. Unharmed. Stronger than before, we hope. Joseph will understand himself, his spirit, his destiny.

Doctor : Do you know Joseph’s destiny?

Patient : No. Nor does he. If he knew, we would know. But he will know when the time comes.

Doctor : And does your task involve murder or harming anyone?

Patient : You expect us to say no but the truth is that even well-intentioned acts can cause harm. At this very moment Joseph’s poor mother wastes away. You try to help him while she sits at home, waiting for her son to come to his senses. She blames herself for his illness. Meanwhile, her father grows old and weak. He also blames himself, thinking he has left a curse on his own family.

Doctor : You’re right. But this is a discussion for another time.

Patient : Perhaps it is.