Now that it had been settled that Dr. Fairlane would be doing one on one sessions with each of the transformed Board members, all that remained was just where these sessions would be held.
The waiting area where the transformees had been resting for the past few hours (attended to by Rachel McLewis, Dr. Elaine, and some other volunteers) was too out in the open. It was basically an open area near the meeting room that could be seen down hallways. Hardly a good venue for calm discussions between a psychiatrist and a patient.
As for the meeting room, it was still a mess. No one had stepped forward to perform the grim task of cleaning Mr. Dankworth's remains from the walls, table, and floor. The fact was, no one could do so until the police arrived and completed their inspection of the scene. So no one would be using that particular meeting room for a while.
"From what I've heard and seen from everyone I've spoken with, the situation with the Board started when Mr. Stragey was turned down a position on the Board. I take it Mr. Stragey has an office not far from here in the Marketing department." Dr. Fairlane said.
"Why is that any of your business?" Stragey asked, overhearing. The discussion had distracted Stragey from her attempt to struggle against her bonds.
"Mr. Stragey, would you allow us to use your office as the setting for my sessions with each of the transformees from the Board?" Dr. Fairlane asked.
"Nay! Iya! No!" Stragey replied, groaning a bit. "Aaah, my head!"
"It seems to me you need a session just as much as the rest." Dr. Fairlane observed. "Tell me, does your office have comfortable furniture? Such as a couch comfortable enough to rest on? I think you might need it. And so might the others."
"Fine." Stragey said. "Go ahead. It's not like I can stop you right now."
"So it's settled, then." Dr. Fairlane said. "I'll be talking with you later. In the meantime, I'll be speaking with your employer and the others."
Dr. Bryant approached Dr. Fairlane. "Aside from the occasional dizziness, the transformed Mr. McMillan seems healthy enough to move to the office. There do not appear to be any physical injuries or anything. However, the psychological trauma all of them have suffered might result in occasional dizzy spells. If any of them appear nauseous or ill..."
"I'll let you know right away." Dr. Anissa Fairlane replied. "Now, will someone show me and Mr. McMillan to Stragey's office?"
"We were just in the neighborhood." Arnie Amspoker said. "We can show you."
Larry and Carrie helped the transformed McMillan up from the couch. They then followed Arnie Amspoker and Dr. Fairlane to the Marketing department offices.
Darby Adaway's secretary Ms. Hitchens was still keeping an eye on Peggy Pegany, who was still duct-taped to a chair while also still under the efects of the Mime Gun. Ms. Hitchens was glad to lead them to Stragey's office.
There, Dr. Fairlane sat in a chair while Mr. McMillan, still in the form of an eighteen year old young lady in a cheerleader's outfit, sat on the couch. Larry and Carrie stayed outside the room with Arnie Amspoker and Ms. Hitchens.
Meanwhile, back at the waiting area, Rachel McLewis sat a bit with Samantha Duncan. "I'm sorry I snapped back there. It's just that Stragey..." Rachel stopped.
"It's okay." Samantha replied. "It's been a rough day. I don't think anyone can blame you. I think a lot of us would have reacted the same way."
"And it's not over yet." Rachel said with a sigh.
"Mr. Sallow wants to put a team together to go to the Legal Department and the PR Department." Samantha said. "We're hoping things aren't too chaotic over there. The next few weeks and months are going to be crazy enough for them as it is."
"I can imagine." Rachel replied. "So, are you going to be a part of that team?"
"I think so. Sallow needs at least one person who was in the lab when the Event happened, to help explain things." Samantha replied. "Oh, and I should probably zap Peggy Pegany with a Restoration Gun on the way there. I just realized that we left her tied to a chair while still changed by the Mime Gun. Meaning she can't tell people around her when she needs to eat or use the restroom, even with sign language."
Martin Stragey, still in the form of an Asian nurse, and handcuffed to a chair, overheard the conversation. She was grateful that she had not been gagged or zapped with the Mime Gun. Though she did note her personal pronouns alternated in her mind, and she sometimes spoke in Japanese. As she had just a few minutes ago when speaking with that psychiatrist.
Stragey wanted to escape, or at the very least be able to move close to any Restoration Gun that might be left lying around. At the moment, there were too many people there to even attempt anything without being seen. But maybe when Mr. Sallow's team left, there would be an opportunity. Or maybe when it was Stragey's turn to speak with the psychiatrist.
Stragey knew, on an intellectual level, that speaking with the psychiatrist (whatever her name was) was a good idea. There was still a bit of the Asian nurse's habits and mannerisms vying for control, plus vague remnants of the other personas. But Stragey also wanted to defy McMillan's edict, in whatever way he ... or she ... could.
For now, there were too many people watching to try anything. Stragey would have to wait until later. Some time an opportunity would present itself. Now was the time to watch and wait.
