Weekend Write-In Story Collection

Perceptions

In 500 words, tell a story in which a character hears the same message for a third time. Written for the Weekend Write-In Challenge: "Thrice" 16-18 December 2016.

People look at the same scene and have widely different interpretations. Let's look in on two psychologists.

Perceptions

Dr Gillespie walked into the small, windowless room, its institutional-green walls unadorned and its polished concrete floor bare. Along the wall opposite the door sat three women on straight-backed chairs. He paced back and forth across the middle of the room, looking at each patient as he passed. After half a minute of this, he stopped and faced the first one, pausing for several seconds to examine her before nodding and stepping sideways to do the same with the next woman, then the next. He smiled at each from the centre of the room, then left.

Half an hour later, Dr Rowdon looked up at Dr Gillespie after reviewing the video clips. "These are good. All cameras show you with the same expressions and actions for each patient. You're a natural at this, a fine actor and your talent will add strength to our work. These videos will be an excellent base for the research."

"Thank you, Dr Rowdon. I do appear completely neutral, don't I?

"Please call me Denise. So how did you manage to remain so deadpan?"

"Please call me Peter." He smiled back at her warm expression. "I knew it would be difficult to hold my composure when faced with their reactions, so I recited some poetry to myself to provide a focus."

"Oh, I love poetry. What did you choose?"

"One of my favourites, Robert Service's classic about Sam McGee."

"A delightfully lighthearted and flowing piece. Good choice. But, I should continue to the interviews." She sighed and bit her lower lip. "We could meet for lunch. I can show you around, familiarise you with the facility."

Peter nodded as a smile wrinkled his face. "I'd like that, Denise. I've not yet had a chance to explore here."

At twelve thirty, Denise led Peter into a small bistro two blocks from the institution. "This is far finer than the cafeteria," she said as they settled at a window table and she gazed into his eyes. Besides, I have him to myself. Gives me an opportunity to sink my hooks in before anyone else has a chance. My God, what a hunk.

"You seem somewhere else, Denise. Are you still running the interviews through your mind?"

She shook her head and offered a sheepish grin. "Among other things. I need to allow those to settle a while before I do the analysis. I'm still too close to be objective now, so I've booked off for the remainder of the day."

"I've also the afternoon off. I need to finish unpacking and settling into my apartment."

"I could help if you wish." She tilted her head and licked her lips.

He shifted in his chair. "First, though, I'm eager to hear about the interviews."

"As predicted, one patient saw you as a menacing predator, her phobia made her deeply threatened by your presence."

"Yes, I saw that."

"The other three women saw you as their dream hunk. A deliciously hot man ready to..."

"Other three?"

"Yes, the other two patients and me."

Peter rose. "Come, help me settle in."