“Well, not exactly like this - but something similar, a couple of times. I guess Thorne puts a lot of stock in them. He might be right; it was rather a relief for me, talking to people who know what it’s like.” Lambert thinks for a moment. “He said something about being more receptive to the treatment, I believe.”
Lewinsky joins you as well. Once everyone’s sat down, Thorne opens with a few pleasantries - how was the meal, is everyone comfortable with their room, and that sort of thing. After a while, he kicks off the discussion.
“The first thing I’d like to say is, please feel free to be as frank or as private as you’re comfortable with. Many of our patients-” he looks towards Lambert with a smile “-find it reassuring and empowering to share their difficulties with others in a similar predicament. That’s up to you. Dragging things out of you isn’t productive at all; the reverse, if anything. And of course, we’ve all agreed to complete confidentiality* over anything we discuss during your stay here.”
*Not strictly true, anonymized versions might end up in their research papers, but it was agreed in a form you’re all happy with so it’s a fair summary.
“Why don’t Dr Lewinsky and I get started. As you know, I’m Randall Thorne, one-half of the research leadership in this institute. I graduated in '01 and served a decade or so in general medicine. In the aftermath of the war, I got involved in treating shell-shock and similar neuroses. These are often tied in with nightmares, insomnia, and similar sleep disorders, as well as traumatic memories - so I’ve ended up specialising in those areas. My part here is to investigate the underlying causes of your sleep troubles with modern psychiatric methods.”
Lewinsky chimes in next. “Stefan Lewinsky. I’m a physician, but also a qualified psychologist. On the medical side, I specialize in sleep, comas, hallucinations, fugues and trances - issues relating to consciousness and volition. Psychologically speaking, I follow the Jungian school, exploring the interaction between conscious and unconscious mind. I’m here to study your sleeping habits, and share some psychological tools to help you resolve any neuroses that are affecting your sleep.”
They settle back, and Thorne glances around. “Mr Lambert, would you care to follow?”
Barry nods, and gives a brief introduction. “I’m a public librarian. Recently I’ve been troubled with sleep paralysis - can’t move a muscle when I wake up, and I feel there’s a sort of awful presence looming. It’s darned unpleasant, I can tell you. Been here for a few days, and things seem to be improving, between the medicine and the talks. It’s a difficult thing to explain to people - it sounds ridiculous to most of them who’ve never experienced it. Good to have some understanding folks here.”
sorry everyone!))