realityshifted | Astrophobia

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dcu (d1) jonathan crane/scarecrow

Astrophobia

[Jonathan Crane, PhD, scans the Plane with bespectacled eyes in his very nice suit. To all appearances, the Plane has just won itself a new university professor]

Acrophobia would hardly be an irrational fear at present. Indeed, it would be very [takes a step] very [another step] practical. This is possibly one of the very few instances in a normal individual’s life where siderophobia might be considered rational as well. And so they would cease to be phobias.

Incongruous but coherent structure... far too lucid to be any breed of hallucination or dream. The idea of it being true space is out of the question, of course.

[picks up a discarded hat, examining it] The two most likely options are thus illusion or reality. I wonder which it is. [sets the hat down again and carries on his way]

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[laces his fingers together] How?

[pauses considering Crane] You're very nonchalant about the entire thing, aren't you?

I can't say I believe it.

What do you believe, then?

That while there are more things in Heaven and Earth, one must approach such things with scepticism and reason.

If there were a way to escape death, there would be an upheaval. Everything would change. I don't quite know how people would handle it.

Well, no one outside of this place seems to have that escape clause. Back in the real world, no one even remembers or knows the person died, it seems.

What? Even if they missed the death itself, they would notice the blood.

It's...there's some sort of perception filter going on out there in the real world. The blood only appears changed to people in this place, back in the real world it seems to look as it usually does.

And what is a perception filter?

It's - it effects people's perceptions. Makes them want to ignore certain things, see things in a certain angle. I don't know if that's what they are using though.

[pauses]

Why is this feeling more like an interview than a conversation?

A type of technology? Sounds like SEP.

[a slight smile]

I am a psychiatrist.

Just because you're a psychiatrist doesn't mean everyone has to be a patient, does it?

Learned behavior, reinforced in high densities over long periods of time, is often the behavior which takes over when no conscious effort is put into altering one's actions. I sometimes forget that I'm not still in my office or in the lecture hall.

I apologize.

Suppose that means you don't get out of the office much?

I suppose not. We're very busy.

I'd imagine so. Well, time stands still while you're here, so at least you won't miss anything while you're gone.

Perhaps I'll finally be able to have a coffee break.

They keep you busy at the university? It is a university, right? You mentioned lecture hall.

At the university and at the asylum.

Asylum?

Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane.

[awkward pause]

Oh. That's....well I imagine it has to be one of those sorts of things that keeps you up at night, criminally insane.

I know Jeremiah hasn't had a full night's sleep since he took over the place. I have the relief of my other occupation.

I'd imagine. And teaching that's good. Well, good if you can find anyone that's actually worth being taught. Sometimes with that sort of thing, it just seems like they're phoning it in at times.

[oh don't get him started about students]

Sometimes we get lucky. Often, we do not, but every once in a while there comes some student worth teaching.

that's it; I'm filing for a restraining order

I highly doubt Commisioner Gordon or the Gotham PD would take that very seriously

People take many things seriously when held from great heights

Yeah, but we're talking GORDON here

We're talking a weak-willed judge with a paper and a pen.

But restraining orders can be revoked. I wonder who judges find scarier Crane or Bats?

...that was low, Arkham. Are you really going to use the Bat to fight your battles?

He will use the Bat to ensure his kids come home to him. Parents make sacrifices for their kiddies

CRANE IS OLDER, DAMMIT. HE IS NOT JERRY'S KID.

Age is just a number, he is SOOOOO Jerry's kid

Re: Age is just a number, he is SOOOOO Jerry's kid

So obviously I win since you failed to respond! Ha!

oh dammit. Jerry better appreciate what Crane's about to say.

:D Oh, he loves it when they talk behavior. Jerry is fondling a B.F. Skinner book right now.

pervert

Nothing wrong with a healthy love for B.F. Skinner

that isn't healthy

it's perfectly healthy

not at all

I say it is!

Your word is not law.

Like hell it's not!

Gordon's word is law. Yours is just a word.

It is NOT just a word! It is significant and things.

Only as much as it signifies.