Theories of Insanity

24 | Mediation Part Two

24 | Mediation Part Two

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

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Insanity:

Yelling at your residents during a 'mediation.'

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            "So, I spoke with Madison already."

            Rebecca sat down with me on the couch in the living room on Tuesday night after having been in our apartment for over an hour meeting individually with Madison. Ashley and I had been wondering what in the world she could have been sharing for that long, but I supposed I was about to find out.

            "What did she say about switching rooms?"

            "Before we get to that, I want you to answer something for me." Rebecca said, "Do you feel like you're a good roommate to Madison?"

            I raised my eyebrows.

            "Well, I don't steal her stuff, I'm nice to her, and I keep our room clean, so...yeah, overall a good roommate." (1)

            Rebecca cocked her head to the side as if she didn't believe me.

            "Well, I think Madison feels differently." She began, "She felt a little offended when you pretty much told her you didn't like her last night...when you all were talking about switching rooms. She said you said that you hated her."

            "I absolutely never said that I hated her." I replied incredulously, "I only said that there are people in this apartment that get along better than others, which I didn't think was any sort of secret."

            "Nonetheless, I think it was hurtful to Madison to hear those words."

            I kept myself from rolling my eyes, but only barely. (2)

            "Alright, I'll keep that in mind." I said, "Is there anything else?"

            "Well...Madison has really been trying to be an above and beyond good roommate to you, especially at the end of last semester."

            I let out a short laugh, which seemed to piss Rebecca off slightly.

            "I'm sorry, but...how? She's stolen my things, she doesn't clean up after herself—"

            "She's been doing her own dishes." Rebecca said firmly, "And you know it isn't her obligation to do anyone else's."

            "Rebecca, with all due respect, (3) you don't live here." I replied, "I've done every dish that Madison has eaten off of for the past four months. So, forgive me if I don't think that her finally doing her own dishes is some big show of friendship." (4)

            Rebecca had a look on her face that I had never seen from her before—it looked like she was trying her absolute hardest not to reach out and strangle me. I was used to seeing that look on Madison's face whenever I walked in a room, but coming from the RA, it seemed a bit excessive.

            We talked for another ten minutes before Rebecca seemed to be completely done with me and excused herself to go and speak with Samantha individually.

            "How'd it go?" Ashley asked, walking into the living room after Rebecca had left. "Is Madison going to switch rooms?"

            "We didn't even get to that part." I replied, "She pretty much just told me how great of a roommate Madison is and then got mad when I refuted her stories."