Therapy Part Three
The man behind the glass smiled. ‘That’s a boy. You figured it out.’ He clicked the button. The loud speaker sprang to life. “So, Nosos, you have figured out who I am. Tell me then, who Am I?”
“Well, mister, you say that you’re the narrator; and if I’m not mistaken, the narrator tells the story. In short, you are the story teller- the Author.”
“Very good, Nosos,” the narrator replied. “You’re right; I am the author.”
“Whoa, hold on,” Tinnese hollered. “You’re the bastard who trapped me in the spinning, fiery cortex?”
“It wasn’t me that put you in the fiery cortex,” replied the Narrator. “That was the Crow.”
The Crow turned towards Tinnese and spoke for the first time. “No hard feelings, kid?”
Tinnese ignored the Crow’s response; instead focusing his anger at the voice behind the glass. “How dare you play God with other people’s lives? Do you know what I’ve gone through? What kind of sick, twisted bastard are you to make us endure these constant torments?”
“Quiet!” hollered the Narrator. “Tinnese, calm down. The purpose of gathering you all here today is to have a question and answer session. This is my chance to get to know you- my characters - better. You’ll each get to ask me a series of three questions; and I’ll do my best to answer them as best as I can. Tinnese, you’ll go first since you’ve already asked me a series of questions, then Danny; following in that order…ending with Symphony.”
“Hey, why am I last?” Symphony complained.
“Because I said so.” the Narrator replied.
“She can go before me,” Nosos said; ever being the gentleman.
“And I,” said the old man.
“I’m ruler of all,” The crow crowed, “since I’ll be the one who survives you all. This is why I’ll go last.”
“Oh, for the Crow’s sake!” (the Crow frowned at this usage of his name), Tinnese said. “Let her go first. We don’t want her keeling over dead in her chair.”
“Your right as ever, Tinnese,” Danny cooed. “She doesn’t have long for this world.”
“Fine, Symphony, you may go first.” Said the Narrator. “Then Tinnese will follow; and Danny after him. We’ll go in that order, ending with the Crow. There are a few things that you need to know before we begin. First, when your fellow Character is talking, don’t interrupt him. Second, each of you are limited to three questions; and I’ll respond in like. Third, you will all be hearing your fellow characters’ thoughts, ambitions and schemes. As a natural result, you’ll most likely begin to make new plans to counter their schemes. Don’t! Any and all information you learn here today, will be wiped before you go back to your own particular place in the novel.”
The Crow swore loudly and threw his black pen and notebook on the factory floor.
“And another thing,” the narrator said, “watch your language. We don’t know who the audience is. You don’t want to give a negative example to young kids, and heart attacks to little old ladies, and stiff stand-up do-good people, do you?”
“No, you’re right.” Nosos and the old man responded in unison.
“Humph,” Symphony replied gruffly.
Manners are soooo important,” Danny began. “I remember when….”
Tinnese let out a loud belch that echoed off the factory walls. Danny looked at him, then they both burst out in uncontrollable laughter.
“Children these day…” the Crow began, then paused, and started up again. “I’ll always tell the truth. No matter what…. Oh and children, I like children and little old ladies as well. They’re fun to play with...”
“Sicko.” Tinnese said. “That’s part of the reason why I’m going to kill you.”
“Will you, now.” The Crow replied, pressing his lips against the tips of his fingers. “Will you, now?”
“Yes, I will.” Tinnese retorted.
“You’re more than welcome to try,” the Crow replied.
“Quiet!” the Narrator yelled. “Symphony, you may begin.”
