samuraiprosecutor | 37: A tendency to overreact is not something I look for in a therapist.

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37: A tendency to overreact is not something I look for in a therapist.

Dr. Ellison appears to be unduly concerned. In spite of rather favorable results over the past months, he's seen fit to call on me multiple times in the past week. Often in the same day. At my office.

I might soon be in the market for a new therapist.

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Aside from the obvious reasons, including the fact there is no trial to prosecute because they've never been accused, both would be...out of my jurisdiction.

You aren't afraid they'll kill again?

...

No.

Why not?

I know them well enough to trust my own judgment of their character. Both have variables in their lives preventing any such relapse.

So you think the only reason they don't is because it would be inconvenient for them?

A child is hardly a mere 'inconvenience.' And the agent has a goal to meet, a purpose. Their motivations are binding.

That wasn't the question. The question was, "If they didn't have these other factors in their lives, do you think they would be killing people?"

If I did we would not be having this conversation.

Then what is it you expect a mother to do? Turn themselves in a risk losing their child?

I can't simply excuse this, doctor. Not-

If murder is so easily excused, what of von Karma? What of me?

There are different types of murder. Most people know that. There's a huge difference between a serial killer and a mother who kills someone protecting their child.

There are people who have killed that aren't necessarily bad people.
What's the point of being punished forever? What good comes out of it?

Maybe they're paying retribution by doing something useful with their lives instead of simply punishing themselves.

There are different types of killing. Murder is murder; whatever the motivations may be, whether or not you were the one to physically deliver the blow, if you killed intentionally and with premeditation it is murder.

The actions of the present don't excuse the actions of the past. I work towards changes in the judicial system that society needs to ensure justice is accomplished. This is not retribution for my crimes. The ones to whom I should pay recompense are no longer here to receive it. Punishment need not last forever, but it should be what society has deemed adequate. None of us knows yet what sentence that would be.

So what exactly do you expect them to do here?

...

There are responsibilities to be met, now. Neither of them can face what they should without causing grievous injury to people who aren't involved.

Doctor, to do nothing is to let them...to let us commit murder and face no punishment.

What punishment could a court of law dish out that's can possibly be more painful than what's already happened? For people who have lived on the streets and grown up in abusive situations, a place with shelter and three meals a day is hardly scary. There are even people who try to go to jail because it's better than where they are now.

If it wasn't for the baby jail would be a breeze. No one who has been taught to endure torture is going to flinch at that.

But the court of law isn't the only way people get punished.

In most cases prisons do what they're designed to. They remove criminals from society, keep them isolated, and keep people outside safe from their influences or harm. Regardless of the trappings, a complete loss of freedom can be a powerful form of punishment.

In any case, this is all irrelevant. I've made no claims about the prison system. My point is that they've not offered themselves to the court system for society to make that judgment, whether that judgment is truly sufficient punishment or not. We've all skirted our responsibility in that regard. Without judgment there is no closure for those people our actions injured. What other punishment could take that place? Nothing self-inflicted serves the same purpose.

You yourself said it would hurt other innocents if they did that. You also said you weren't worried about them killing again, so unless you're worried about them hurting other people it's unnecessary.

Have you ever considered those people may have approached them directly for retribution? It's a private matter between them and the people involved, not strangers on the street. I think the victims would have a better idea of what they want to happen than someone they've never met.

As far as the agent is concerned, he has approached the families of his victims. Yet he's also stated that he would willingly turn himself over to the courts if it weren't for the job he must do...though the stipulation was that the person who cares about him would have to agree to his surrender.

The other refuses to speak to me in any more detail, so I can only make my decision based on what I can glean from his prior statements, and from...educated guesses.

As for me, I'm not forgiven. Nothing I do and no punishment I face will change that, but there is work I still must do.

Ellison, I can't force them to do what the law demands. Furthermore, I won't. The only thing I control in this situation is my association with them. Both have done things I can't condone. Regardless of my opinions of them as my associates...

I am not Wright. He was far too lenient with me. This isn't something I can accept easily, nor should it be. I find myself unable to even answer the question of whether I want to reconcile what they are with what they were.

I guess that's up to you, then.

But they're the same people they were when you first met them.

...For a therapist you're being decidedly unhelpful.

I never said I was a therapist.
What solution would you have me give you?

Then what am I paying you for?

I wouldn't accept a solution if you had one to give. This decision is mine to make.

...I would, however, take your suggestions and opinions on the matter into consideration. It's unfortunate you seem to be lacking in both.

I'm not getting paid.

And I gave you my input. I can't make your decision for you.

37: A tendency to overreact is not something I look for in a therapist.

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