Is this a recurring fantasy?

Why is it a fantasy?

Something approaching in the dark.

Yes.

And you think that with the lights on you’ll be safer.

Or it will be easier for them to find me.

You’re not serious.

Probably not.

But you do think that there could be things in the dark that intend you harm.

Yes. Dont you?

I’m afraid I dont.

Well. People have been afraid of the dark for a long time. The dark in every sense of it. They’ve always attributed a will to the forces of malevolence. Then suddenly in our day war and famine and pestilence are just random events. Is that a comfort to you?

I wouldnt particularly want to live in a world governed by superstition. I think things have improved. I think in fact that they’ve improved a good deal.

Because of science.

I’m not sure that it’s all science.

No? Name one thing about the world that makes it a better place than the world of 1900 that isnt due to science.

I’ll have to think about it.

It’s all right. I’m just being confrontational.

You were put on suicide watch the last time because of your seeming obsession with death.

It says.

Dr Horowitz says. Was there some particular incident that alarmed him?

I think I just made him nervous. I’m not sure what he thought. He wasnt all that forthcoming. Sometimes he would just sit and watch me.

Like he was trying to figure you out?

I dont know. Maybe more like trying to intimidate me. He never understood that there was nothing to intimidate. I would just say whatever it was that I was thinking. It really didnt make that much difference whether he was even there. Or not. The therapist has to believe that the patient is the doctor. That she contains the truth regarding herself. What do you think?

I suppose I would agree with that.

I think I was just a frustrating experience for Dr Horowitz. Is he a friend of yours?

I know him. Not well. You’ve never really spent much time with people.

Such as who?

I dont know. Anybody. People that you care about. Did you spend time with your brother?

Yes. As much as I could. I think I always knew what was coming.

Well. Sometimes people think that. After what was coming has arrived. How do you think that you knew?

I just did. I didnt make it up after the fact.

But you dont want to talk about your brother.

No.

Do you think that you’re honest with people?

Meaning you.

Okay. Me.

You have your doubts I take it.

Well. I’m not tracking down facts so much as trying to see what you think.

Are you just another Horowitz to me.

I dont think that. The doubts I have would be mostly that if you were in trouble you might not be forthcoming about it.

That’s what Bobby used to say.

Was he right?

Yes.