Posted by Major Stanley Wong (Professor of Psychiatric Medicine) in Fantail Lounge Feel free to interrupt!

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Troy Hunter (General Medical Doctor) in Fantail Lounge Feel free to interrupt!

Posted by Major Stanley Wong (Professor of Psychiatric Medicine) in Fantail Lounge Feel free to interrupt!
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Stanley had fears just like everyone else. Unfortunately, unlike everyone else on the Merrimack at the moment he didn’t have a professional to talk to at the moment. His particular phobia was one of space. Not the traveling through it. Just the vastness. The unending endlessness of it all. So today he had made himself take a very light meal consisting only of a few pineapple chunks in a small bowl and went to the fantail lounge to, of all things look out the window at the emptiness of space as it fell away behind the ship.

At first, he had sat there with his eyes closed unable to even think about opening them. Finally, though he took a deep breath and opened his eyes enough to spear a piece of fruit and lift it to his mouth before whispering to himself, “Physician, heal thyself.” Then as he chewed on his pineapple, he looked out the window at the vastness of space. He felt his stomach start to do odd things and his hand start to shake. “Sin Meido! “He chided himself

Doctor Stanley Wong

‘’Is it fearless or unafraid? ‘’ a soft voice came from behind which Stan would recognize .Now by his side Hunter gazed in the same direction that the psychiatrist had been looking ‘’Don’t expect to see Cross out there cleaning the windows Stan’‘.

His next move was to get the barman’s attention and soon the doctor was holding a glass of vodka which Hunter drowned in one go,seeing the pineapple he took one ‘’Hope you don’t mind…so what’s up ?’’ the doctor asked.

Hunter Dr.

Stanley having been unaware of anyone else having come into the lounge leapt at the sound of Hunter’s voice as if he had been shocked by an electrical current. Upon catching his breath, he turned in Hunter’s direction and asked in a confused voice. “Is what fearless or unafraid?” Stanley was even more confused by Hunter’s comment about Cross cleaning windows. As Hunter returned with his drink in hand Stanley looked at him and asked. “Are you quite sure you need one of those Mr. Hunter?”

Dr. Stanley Wong

Hunter put a hand on Stan’s shoulder ‘’Hey calm down its only me ,how come you’re so agitated ?’’ the doctor asked a little concerned.

“Are you quite sure you need one of those Mr. Hunter?” .
‘’Actually I’m not sure about having just one ,maybe three more would be enough for now ‘’ the doctor replied ‘’ Stanley what is wrong you were more confident the first time I met you but now I’m not so sure ‘’ Hunter wondered what the reason could possible be ‘’Want to talk about it? ‘’ he asked with compassion and kindness .

Hunter Dr.

Stanley couldn’t help but to repress a smile and finally fail miserably at it. “We all have things that are problems Doctor Hunter. I was just taking the same advice that I give to my patients. That only the person with the problem can cure it. It is after all their mind. ”

Stanley raised his hand palm out and laughed saying, “Yes, I know it is not popular opinion. It is easier to medicate people. Stanly turned to look out of the viewport as he said to Hunter. “There is my phobia. Traveling through deep space like this. An eternity of nothingness. Something without end in a tube built by robots run by humans.” Stanley chuckled as he turned away and looked over at Hunter. “And you doctor? Trouble sleeping?” he paused a bit before finishing as he said, “You should know as a doctor that while alcohol will cause unconsciousness you don’t get the REM sleep that you require.”

Dr. Stanley Wong

Hunter shook his head ‘’I have no trouble sleeping at all’’ he replied ‘’Stan I have no idea who send you on the Merrimack but who ever did made in my opinion a blunder,see you were never on a ship before,never got a chance to know what it feels like ‘’ the doctor paused though he made sure to keep eye contact with him ‘’The ship is not just a piece of metal floating in space ,we have a crew who’s task is to make sure that the ship runs smoothly ,the engines are being taken care of by engineers as we speak and the Bridge with the Captain and his first officer,they have years of experience between them’‘.

He now led the psychiatrist nearer a window ‘’Out there is far from being an eternity of nothingness,we know there is life,we have met some of them and yes it can also be a hostile environment but the ship is equipped to deal with that too, while the crew members chose this career path willingly .What I cannot wrap my mind, is about the infinite of the universe but then as a human its something I cannot comprehend ‘’.

‘’Years ago Cross gave a lecture on the importance of having a psychologist on every ship,not just any psychologist but one who has been trained on a ship to better understand the needs of the crew .Stan you understand that a psychologist cannot prescribe medication though he could ask the medical officer and talk about individual cases and the best way to treat them.You said its all in the mind and I disagree with you,its in the brain and what can effect negatively the brain can have consequences on the body or the other way round’‘.

Now Hunter put both hands on Stan’s arms ‘’ I know you have not quiet been welcome with open arms ,most of the crew does not trust you,we have no idea who send you,we never had a psychiatrist onboard,for all I know you could be an imposter .Years ago the crew had experienced some thing similar but all they need is to forget about it and not to reappear ‘’. the doctor felt he had to be morally virtuous with regard to the truth.

Hunter Dr.