Jekyll, Hyde, and Pride

Part IV: Trusting Jekyll

Mr. Utterson went to see Dr. Jekyll the very next day after encountering Hyde. He knocked upon the door, only to be greeted not by Hyde, but one of her assistants.

"Hello, Poole," Mr. Utterson greeted the man. "Is Dr. Jekyll in?"

"Yes, Mr. Utterson, although she is busy at the moment. Would you like to wait in the living room while she finishes up?"

Mr. Utterson responded in the affirmative. And he waited there for quite some time. His eye caught on some old photos on the fireplace. It was a photograph of him, Lanyon, and Jekyll. It was an old photo, all of them were much younger then. One could easily tell that by Lanyon's darker hair. Mr. Utterson frowned at that. He remembered a time he and Lanyon were quite close. Cold nights spent together, made warm by each other's company. Mr. Utterson adjusted his red tie, thinking about some of their more intimate moments. He was snapped from his musings by the sound of the door opening.

"John!" Jekyll exclaimed, unable to hide her affection. "It's been awhile, How are you?"

Mr. Utterson sighed as Dr. Jekyll sat down in front of him. "Not so well. Heather, I've been meeting to speak to you. It's about your will."

Jekyll laughed. "Oh John, you poor man. No one has been as stressed about this as you, except for maybe that fiend Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. Oh, I know, he is a good man- you needn't frown- an excellent man, and I've meant to see more of him, but we disagree on so much these days, and I've never been so disappointed in a man, especially his ignorance."

"You know I've never approved of it," Mr. Utterson said.

"You said this before," Jekyll responded sharply.

"Well, I shall tell you again," continued the lawyer. "I have learned something about Mr. Hyde."

Jekyll's face grew cold and distant. "I do not wish to hear more. I thought we agreed never to speak of it."

"What I've learned is quite horrific. Abominable, even," replied Mr. Utterson.

"It makes no change," Jekyll started, somewhat unhinged. "You do not understand my position. I am painfully situated, John. Utterson, you must understand, I am a strange position, a very strange one indeed. This is not a matter one can talk their way out of."

"Jekyll, you know you can trust me. Tell me what's going on, and I can get you out of it."

Jekyll shook her head. "You're a good man, John, and I thank you for your offer. I do not have the words for my gratitude, I really don't. I trust you more than I trust anyone else, even more than myself, but this isn't as bad as you think. To put your mind at ease, I will tell you one thing. I can be rid of Hyde at any moment, should I choose. That said, it's a private matter and I beg of you to let it sleep."

Mr. Utterson was silent, staring at the fire. Finally, he stood.

"I believe you, Jekyll."

"Well, and since we've brought up the subject for the last time, I should hope, there is one thing I would like to impress upon you," the doctor started. "I really do take an interest in young Hyde, I do. I know you have met, he told me so, and I'm afraid he was quite rude. But I do care for the man, and should I go, John, I want you to promise me you will bear with him and get him his rights. I think you would, if you knew all, and it would put me at ease if I had your word."

"I can't pretend I shall ever like him," said the lawyer.

"I don't ask that," Jekyll said, putting her hand on Utterson's arm. "I only ask for justice, that you help him when I am gone."

Mr. Utterson pursed his lips and let out a hearty sigh. "I promise."