THE SHRINK

“You said this was a dream and I’d soon awaken.” Elliott said.

“What makes you think that you’re not awake?” the shrink asked.

“You are trying to confuse me.”

“Not at all, I want you to get well.

'“All of you, you are the same, probing and twisting, turning everything I say around to suit your needs.”

“Such hostility, Elliott, good let it all out.”

Elliott picks up a chair to throw it and then thinking better of it, sets it back down.

“It’s Bill isn’t it; he put you up to this!” Elliott said emphatically.

“There isn’t any Bill, you know that Elliott, don’t you!” the shrink said sternly.

“Then who the hell am I?” Elliott asked.

“You are who you’ve always been; a product of Bill’s imagination.”

“But you just said there isn’t any Bill!” Elliott protested.

“There is not a whole until the two of you reconcile your differences.”

“I’ve had enough for one day.” Eliott/Bill said pushing a chair roughly away.

“I’ll see you next Tuesday at 11 as usual?” the shrink asked.

Elliott let out his breath through clenched teeth and replied

“Yes, Tuesday as usual.”