[ WP ] A PTSD support group for those who survive horror movie scenarios .

“ We were all there, just having a normal dinner, when this thing… well, first Kane started convulsing. We thought he was choking… but then this thing started coming out of his chest… we were all screaming. It ripped him apart from the insides out… it was an abomination… ” Ellen Ripley broke down into tears. 
 
 Sarah, the group therapist, passed a little package of tissues down the row of seats. “ Good… express those emotions… this is a judgment free zone. Let it all out. ” The rest of the group sat awkwardly, waiting for the tears to stop. Sarah cleared her throat. “ Excuse me, Chief Brody, there ’ s actually no smoking permitted in this room. ” 
 
 “ Hmm, what? ” Brody said. He looked around, startled. He had that thousand yard stare plastered onto his face. He looked like he had just woken from a nightmare and wasn ’ t sure if it was a dream or not. He looked down at the cigarette in his hand. “ Uh… right. Sorry. ” 
 
 “ Well, we haven ’ t heard from you in a while, Chief, ” Sarah said. “ Why don ’ t let us into your world. We ’ re all friends here. ” 
 
 “ I ’ ve seen some shit, ” he said, taking another drag, as if he had already forgotten their conversation. “ I ’ ve seen a grown man devoured by a shark before my very eyes… Quint was his name. A good man. He died for the safety of Amity Island. We killed the bastard, blew his goddamned head off… ” His voice trailed away, his eyes glazing over. “ Stay away from the water… ” 
 
 “ Right, Quint. You ’ ve brought him up before, Brody. ” 
 
 “ Eleven hundred men went into the water… ” he muttered. “ You know the thing about a shark… he ’ s got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll ’ s eyes. ” 
 
 “ Right, ” Sarah said. “ It ’ s good that you feel comfortable enough to talk about the event. I think talking helps us process our feelings… Now, I wanted to open up the group discussion to Patrick Bateman. ” 
 
 Patrick sat in his immaculate, pin-stripe suit, smiling pleasantly. 
 
 “ Now we all know this is a support group for survivors of horror scenarios. In the literal sense are you a survivor of horror scenarios, although you were never the victim. In fact, you actually slaughtered dozens of people throughout their crime spree, brutally mutilating them without remorse… so how does hearing a victim ’ s point of view make you feel? ” 
 
 “ I feel absolutely no emotions. I haven ’ t for years. My mind is cold and calculating. I have no empathy. ” 
 
 “ Right, ” Sarah said, nodding. “ It ’ s good that we can admit our shortcoming here. Well, on that note, I say we end the session for today. Detective Sterling, I want you to bring in an object of sentimental value to kick off our next discussion. Have a wonderful day everyone. We ’ ve all made wonderful progress. ” 
 

