Cognitive Deviance

10. Unrelatable

March 31, 2045 - 10:25 AM

Margo had been working with Psychwatch for a week already. Every day she learned more about the thoughts and perspectives of the people who frequented the organization's services. Some desired a better version of themselves. Others were still too stubborn to accept that nothing good comes without work. Much like how the less mature members of Psychwatch mistook the conditions of their patients for their identities, some citizens mistook Psychwatch for miracle workers rather than people, as if their blessing would cure them of every little flaw. It remained a mystery to anyone else whether they'd learn that perfection was unattainable.

Jack Holloway was one individual who had learned a long time ago that he would need the will to heal first before the healing itself would take place. He just didn't care. And Margo figured all that out as she placed him through another evaluation.

This time she was assisted by Inspector Andrade, who took Mason's place as supervisor. It was the first time Margo noticed her left arm was cybernetic up to the elbow. It looked like she was wearing a glove, but in reality the palm of her artificial hand was made of carbon-fiber with built-in sensors to give her the ability to feel. When she asked Andrade what happened, all she said was that she knows what it feels like to be attacked with a Fatemaker on its Subjugate mode, which was powerful enough to lob limbs cleanly off a human body. Apparently, she was once in Holloway's position, a cold and callous individual that could hardly be described as a human.

"What is your viewpoint on the world in its current condition?" Margo asked.

"Just conflicts and breakthroughs and humans who stand out more than others," Jack replied. "I'd say it's the same as it's ever been."

"How do you view yourself in your current condition?"

"Just a man finding his way through life in his own unique way."

Margo nodded her head as she lifted up a Rorschach card and waited as the blot transformed its shape. "Tell me what you see."

"A waterfall."

Margo quietly placed the card down, still aware of his purposefully mundane answers. "Next question," she continued. "Do you know what it feels like to be manipulated?"

"Having my strengths exercised for the benefit of another person? Haven't we all been through that, Sandoval?"

"I'm the one asking the questions here, Mr. Holloway." Margo paused. "However, that relates to my next question. Have you ever manipulated someone for your own personal gain?"

A creepy snarl stretched across Jack's face.

"You better tell her the fucking truth," Andrade muttered.

Jack chuckled as he returned his view to Margo. "Given the circumstances I'm in," he said as he took a quick glance at the SanityScan in the corner of the room, "I wouldn't exactly say I'm doing it for my own personal gain, especially since anything I do is given credit to Psychwatch."

"Then why would you manipulate someone?" Margo restated, leaning forward into her chair.

"Because it's fun."

"You think it's fun corrupting a person's views of themselves?" Andrade added, visibly frustrated. "Screwing with their minds so their values, interests, and goals copy that of another person?"

"Yeah. It makes me feel safer. Less lonely."

Margo gave the sociopath a dirty look before moving on to the final question. "I'm definitely gonna regret asking this," she groaned. "What are your views on violence?"