Into the Darkest Minds

Act II

A few days passed, and the murderer continued to have weekly interviews with the young psychologist to aid him with his doctoral research about Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and serial crime. The stage is set up like before, but the lighting is brighter and whiter. Everything can be appreciated with great precision, even the dullness of the cold interviewing room. Marcus and the Rose both have coffees and some snacks on the table, while he vigorously takes note of whatever she says. He is charmed by her, but he is aware of the nature of the people who suffer from ASPD. It is about three in the afternoon and, in today's session, he is looking to delve deep and break her mask. The woman sips the coffee cup while she listens for today's session outline that the doctor has prepared.

Marcus: (clears throat) Alright, you have recounted several of your murders in gruesome detail and your motives (money and pleasure), including the first murder in which you burned your family alive because they mistreated you because of your behavior. You had a driving force, it was not because you wanted to kill just because... you got revenge on them for how they treated you.
Rose: Hmm, you might be correct. However, since I was little, I had a strange fascination with killing. I would hurt animals and my own little brother at times. It was an uncontrollable urge, since nothing ever provided me a rush like killing a rabbit or something. I was longing to be normal, in a sense, but I used unconventional methods to feel the thrill.
Marcus: Yes, this is how far we have come. I thought you had sociopathic tendencies until you informed me that you have been this way all your life and your past just strengthened your symptoms and helped them develop into a very serious psychopathy with homicidal ideations. Regarding your recent crimes, did you plan them?
Rose: I did. I strategized for weeks. I first asked my client to tell me about the target and their reason for elimination. Then, I researched the target myself. I stalked them, even met them and became their acquaintance sometimes.
Marcus: Oh? That is interesting. Why?
Rose: I like my targets to suffer, to feel betrayal, and to be eliminated in the most fearsome way they could think of. I often used their fears against them.
Marcus: Ah, yes. We were talking about fear the other day. I remember you said you fear nothing.
Rose: Yes, and you told me about how you dislike needles and sharp things.
Marcus: (brushing off her comment) Very well, so you enjoy psychological and physical torture?
Rose: It is part of the elimination process, yes.
Marcus: Why is this your job?
Rose: What better job than to work in what you love the most, Marcus? Besides, it's not like I'm good at anything else. All my life I felt useless.

Marcus scribbles some notes in a very neat handwriting while Rose watched him expressionless. She looks empty.

Rose: I do not know if you were made aware, but my lawyer contacted me because they found evidence on some other murders I committed. I don't even remember the amount, all I know is that it was over three-hundred new targets. They will be reopening my case and sentencing me again... my lawyer nearly guarantees that I shall be on the death row soon. How anticlimactic. I always clean up well, but I guess they kept searching through my apartment and found my contacts. There is no way that they will know when and how I committed the murders, but I kept records of my targets and clients. Damn it, right? (Sighs). And so, the empire I built crumbles before me...
Marcus: (Marcus scratches his head). I was not aware, I am sorry to hear that. I hope you will continue to work with me until your execution arrives.
Rose: Yes, sure. I have nothing better to do, anyway. Say, may you lend me your cellphone?
Marcus: Why? I know you are forbidden to make calls or have contact with other prisoners. I do not think I could do that for you.
Rose: To call my caregivers to bid them farewell. I will never have such a chance.
Marcus: But if you behave, they might take you out of solitary confinement and you may call them. I cannot break the rules.
Rose: Not once have I asked you for anything and I've told you all my life. It seems unfair.
Marcus: (sighs). Okay, fine, but please do not take long. (Marcus hands the phone over to Rose. She receives it with absolutely no expression and dials seven numbers).