December 15, 2005
Week 33 - Impossible Dreams 14
Episode 4
Dr. Seren guides Lucy and Powell on a tour of the Home. They step into a large room furnished with several couches, where a fat patient sits watching television. The volume is set very low. When he notices Lucy the patient's eyes pop open and he stares at her.
"I know you were concerned that your father wouldn't immediately agree to a rest here," Dr. Seren says. "Have you spoken with him yet?"
Lucy shakes her head. "I guess I've been a little worried about how the conversation will go. My father can be very stubborn."
"Ms. Lamont, you mustn't concern yourself with that. It's an unfortunate matter we run into often. We have an excellent legal team on call who can guide you through the process of the Incompetencey Hearing. The most important step is securing your father's physical presence on the Sleepy Meadows grounds. Once here, our staff is qualified to provide all necessary psychological evaluations to insure that the legal proceedings unfold as they should."
The fat patient leans forward on the couch and pulls himself to his feet, never taking his eyes off Lucy.
Powell stares at Dr. Seren. "Wait a minute... Um... Are you talking about forcing him to stay here? Even if he doesn't want to?"
"Daddy is in no condition to make decisions!" Lucy says. "You know that!" She looks at the doctor. "But, if he doesn't agree... How will we get him here in the first place?"
"We can assist you in that matter as well. We can..."
The fat patient walks in front of Lucy and throws his arms around her. She leaps back and pushes him away. "Calliope!" he shouts, beaming. "I knew you'd return!"
Dr. Seren grips the man's shoulder and gently pushes him back. "Now Steven..."
The man shakes away and runs back to Lucy. "Calliope has returned to me! Now the sonnets shall once more flow freely from my lips!"
Dr. Seren shakes his head. He pulls out a walkie-talkie that had been clipped at his belt and presses a button. "Phillip? Phillip, can you please provide assistance in the East Lounge, at once? I'm afraid we have a small situation with Steven."
Powell positions himself between the patient and Lucy. The patient glares at Powell, but doesn't move. After a few moments, a very large man, with thick, wavy red hair, walks into the lounge. He looks at Dr. Seren, who nods. He pulls out a syringe and steps up to the fat patient. When he sees the needle, the patient recoils. "No!" he shouts, backing away. "Calliope has returned! Please... let her sing to me!" The large man grips the patient's arm, pushes up the sleeve of the gown, and administers the shot. A moment later the patient slowly slumps over.