doctor_j_crane

Speaking with Scarecrow can be enlightening.

[Eddie pauses, reconsidering his words.]

Your parallel self has dissociative identity disorder, triggered by his mask. I was wondering if you also suffered from the condition.

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[Crane didn't answer straight away, instead rubbing his face.]

I don't have any disorder. It's not an internal issue. When exposed to external stimulus, of the chemical variety, sometimes symptoms similar to one of those disorders do appear. [Crane gives Eddie a hard look.] You just enjoy wearing a mask, I suppose?

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Does that knowledge exasperate you?

[Edward can't help but grin at that expression.]

Oh, I only recently stopped wearing sunglasses in favor of these. It's a protective measure.

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It does. [Crane shifted back in his seat, crossing his arms.] It's a defence mechanism, and a fairly blatant one. It may protect your identity in some contexts, but it seems useless within the limited social context of the barge.

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I've never attempted to conceal my identity. [Though Crane was right to a certain degree.]

Gotham city is well aware of my person. Frankly I'm the only newsworthy subject they've got. No ones interested in villain escapades these days. Joker murder/maim/kill this, Mad Hatter kidnap/hostage that. I've interrupted a line of graceless spiel with my intriguing cases, and I daresay presence, too.

It's not to protect my identity at all, and god forbid it be a defense mechanism. You're loosing your touch and you haven't even adequately expressed it yet.

[Eddie lifts his hands in a shrugging motion.]

That was disappointing. Are you going to try again?

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Oh? And what would you like to share with class? Doctor Crane.

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If you don't give me the correct context, how can I be expected to make a proper diagnosis? [Crane shrugged, irritated.] While the Joker's killing spree doesn't surprise me, the fact that someone would take on a name as droll as the "Mad Hatter" does. Do you also have the Terrible Tailor?

[Pause.] No. I don't think I'll try again. I may need to make more observations.

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No. I'm not as interesting as one would suspect. You, however, seem to deliberately take on a more colorful persona. Or is that just representing how you feel inside to the greater universe?

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Oh, now, don't put yourself down. Your fascination with fear. That's interesting.

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always-thewoman.livejournal.com

That's debatable. And irrelevant, in any case - Barge rules, Doctor. They're seldom generous.

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You were given the correct context, and instead of waiting for additional information, you jumped to premature conclusions. [He waves a dismissive hand.]

Yes, we do in fact have a Terrible Tailor running the streets. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn't create fashion disasters. He fixes them. [Staring at Crane's attire so very pointedly.]

[Blinks.] More observations? I wasn't actually encouraging you.

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It's strictly professional, I assure you. Judging by your antics, you have more then a passing interest yourself.

Edited Date: 2010-07-05 12:51 pm (UTC)

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I had noticed. However, it did surprise me to see how your apparent desire to encourage group survival in the port didn't extend to the flood.

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[Crane sighed.] You seem to say a great many things, Mr Nygma, but I'm unsure of their worth.

[Crane would have said more, but didn't want to risk their deal by offending Eddie.]

Is there anything else I can do for you?

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Try not to lose sleep over it.

[Eddie takes that as a sign to leave and gets up out of his chair.]

Nothing accomplishable at this time, no.

Your cooperation is much appreciated, Jon; I'll be around later to check up on progress. Enjoy your evening.

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always-thewoman.livejournal.com

Perhaps it was the unholy fate which faced us in port, perhaps the mind of a cat. Perhaps I'm simply a fickle woman. One really can never tell.

As for yourself - and please don't take this as any form of insult, it's not meant as such - you may consider some training in hand-to-hand combat or self-defense. There are plenty of talented men and women aboard who could show you the ropes, I'd imagine.

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I will. [Crane left it at that, turning back to start continuing his notes.]

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I doubt that it's simply being fickle. There are always far deeper motivations for such things.

I'd rather not. I have alternative resources.

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In fear? What make you say that?

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The makeup, primarily. I was under the impression that you constructed your current demeanor to increase the discomfort of those around you.

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Now why would I do a thing like that?

[Wet smack of his lips.] Does my appearance unsettle you?

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No, no me. I can see how it may perturb the general public. Even citizens of the barge. You've created a fair amount of interest.

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Not my doing. It's all these... other people. People who've... heard of me.

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always-thewoman.livejournal.com

Trying to psychoanalyze me, Doctor? I should assure you now that it'd be in vain. There isn't some secret inner-working at play.

Oh, really? Such as?

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