Ignoring his baiting remark, I remain calm. “You seem defensive today.”
His smile falls. “That’s not a question.”
“We’re practicing free association. I’m able to voice my thoughts just as you are, without having to guard them.”
He glances at the camera again. “Are you worried about what you might say?”
I look down at my crossed ankles, feeling slightly more vulnerable without my glasses. “Actually, I am.” When I glance up, his demeanor is markedly different. More intense, dropping his performance as a result to my honesty.
“We can start with a simple word association,” I say. “I’ll say a word, and you’ll say the first thing that comes to mind. The point is not to take too long or to think too hard about your responses. Can I trust that you’ll do that?”
“You can trust that I’ll do anything you ask of me.”
I swallow forcefully, keeping my gaze fixed on him. “All right, let’s begin simple. Animal.”
“Pig.”
“Fish.”
He glances at the hallway. “Tank.”
“Flowers.”
“Lilacs.”
“Hand.”
“String.”
“Back.”
“Pain.”
I pause. “You’re associating every word with me.”
He hikes a dark eyebrow. “Am I doing it wrong?”
My lips twitch, and I press them together. “No,” I say. “Not if that’s truly your responses. Our goal is for you to transfer yourfeelings and desires onto me. It’s called transference. Unless you’re purposely selecting words you think will make me uncomfortable.”
“You asked for honesty. Don’t doubt that I’m giving you anything less.”
Trapped in the gravity of his gaze, I nod once. “Okay. Let’s start again. Money.”
“Career.”
“Hunger.”
“Ravenous.”
I cross my legs, noting the way his eyes track my movement. “Wrong.”
“Right.”
“Death.”
“Penalty.”
“Love.”
