Conversation

Conversation

         “Quit pacing, you’re giving me vertigo! What do you think you’re doing, wearing a tunnel in the floor to escape?”

         “Shut up.”

         “I don’t think I heard that correctly. Did you tell me to shut up?”

         “Yeah, going to make something of it? Bite me.”

         “Those are strong words coming from a five-foot little girl. What’s your street name, Tinkerbelle?”

         “Why aren’t you shutting up?”

         “Why are you still pacing? Hey Tink, what got you holed up here?”

         “Leave me alone.”

         “Heard it was attempted murder. What’d you do blow tainted pixie dust on someone?”

         “It won’t be attempted if you don’t shut up.”

         “You better be able to make good on that threat Tink. I don’t take crap talk off anyone.”

         “Quit talking, you won’t have to listen. Simple enough even for you.”

         “Those are fighting words; I’m going to let it slide since you’ve been hitting your head on the wall trying to get out. You’ve been beating the shit out of yourself for thirty-six hours; you’re too easy a target now.”

         “Whatever.”

         “Since we’re on the subject, why are you into pain anyway? Don’t have someone to do it to you at home so you self-inflict?”

         “I remember telling you to shut up.”

         “Can’t do it Tink, I’m the only you can spill your guts to.

         “What are you the shrink? Mental health advisor? Mother? Besides, I’m not the only one here, turn the spotlight on yourself.”

         “You got a death wish.”

         “Concerned?”

         “It’s my nature.”

         “To butt in where unwanted?”

         “I should let you swing. You think you’re smart and can do the time. Did they tell you the time you’ll be doing? It will make those injections of Thorozine that never worked seem like a trip to Disneyland. That was funny; you’re Disneyland’s faerie. Sweetness and light, waiting to take a slice out of your next victim. No one’s going to believe you now, you can’t continue living your lie.”

         “Who said I’m living a lie? That’s your misguided view of yourself and sordid world.”

         “Those aren’t power bracelets wound around your wrists Tink. Face it; you clipped your own wings, that act got you here. You tried to kill yourself.”

         “Take that back! I tried to kill that dark-haired, black-eyed man.”

         “Bradley?”

         “How did you know his name? You’re some mole they put here to get information. Sorry, I copped to the crime.”

         “You’re whacked. I’ve been trying to help you for thirty-six hours. Listen, you have thirty-six hours to go, then they make an evaluation.”

         “Evaluation?”

         “Look around the cell, it’s padded, you’re here on a psych evaluation. They’re going to commit you. I’m your way out, I’ll speak, it’s the only way we’ll survive.”

         “We’ll?”

         “Do you remember the word integration?”

         “Maybe…”

         “I saved us. I’m the one with a sane mind now; you’ve splintered too far.”

         “Splintered?”

         “We’re called multiples.”

         “Are we bad?”

         “They’re coming. Tink, stop pacing, shut up and let me talk.”

         “What’s your name?”

         “Poly.”




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