The Director sips a final sip of coffee, “Each of you are to wait here until you are personally escorted down the hall for drug-testing.”

     The Director leaves the room. Stephen is overwhelmed by all of this. Lisa Stone is the first to be escorted down the hallway. Stephen just sits there. He doesn’t talk to anyone. He drifts off in thought. 

     Soon Stephen realizes that he is the last one left in the room. The Director re-enters. He puts in an instructional video, then wheels the television stand over to the door. The television is facing the door.

     He pulls up a chair directly across the table from Stephen, “Do you know who I am?”

     Stephen chooses his words carefully, “You’re the Director of Mental Health.”

     The Director leans forward, “But do you remember my name?”

     Stephen leans back, “Sorry, I’m not very good with names. I did hear your name once or twice before, but I don’t recall you giving us your name today. I felt perhaps you did that intentionally, establishing dominance or perhaps intimidation.”

     The Director leans back, “I want the truth. You are not that impressed with me, are you? Nor do you feel I can do a good job with this program. You feel this will be another waste of the government's money, don’t you?”

     Stephen leans forward and clasps his hands on the table in front of him, “Well, it’s not that I’m not impressed with you. I’ve just met you and I haven’t had the opportunity to get to know you. And as far as this program goes, it could have a lot of potential, but I’m not convinced that all the dynamics have been set up. It’s just that I’ve worked many years through so many well-intended programs and there always seems to be something that prevents it from going right. I’m just not convinced.”

     The Director smiles, “I’m not convinced either.”

     Stephen has yet to smile, “You’re not convinced I should be in the program?”

     The Director laughs, “Not convinced? You’re perfect!”

     Stephen raises an eyebrow and takes a deep breath, “Perfect? To be honest with you, I'd be relieved if you chose someone else. I don’t quite get the meaning of the television against the door. Is this so top secret that you can’t risk someone overhearing our conversation? I feel like there’s something bigger you haven’t told me. And frankly, I don’t ...that’s your name, Frank. I remember now, Frank Bodin.”

      Frank smiles, “The more I talk with you, the more I’m convinced you’re the man for the job.”

      Stephen looks directly at Frank, “What about the others?” 

      Frank’s smile disappears as quickly as it had come, “Okay, I’ll be curt with you. Your job will not be the same as the others." 

                                                                                              266 

      Stephen looks into Frank's eyes, looking for further explanation, which Frank's quickly gives, "I believe you are one of the best workers I have. Part of the study I’m doing is not just the uniqueness of each prisoner’s case. I’m also doing a federal study on the dynamics of a prison from the standpoint of the effect caused by the influence of a few bad workers. The cameras installed on the unit will serve a dual purpose. One purpose is to provide safety and security, inclusive of financial protection, guarding against lawsuits. With Casey on the unit, it would normally not be long before a legitimate lawsuit is filed. But the cameras will provide at least a temporary deterring factor, I believe. So, I believe Casey will initially hesitate from involving himself in his usual confrontations with the prisoners. I believe he will first start with Laura. Laura is not as assertive as Lisa. Casey will likely begin with intimidating Laura and get the support of the male workers, other than yourself. The three men I’ve chosen for the unit are actually followers. They will follow Casey’s example and assist him in getting Laura moved off the unit. I will allow that to happen. Casey will probably feel that with Laura gone, Lisa will be his, to be had at any moment. My guess is that he will bypass Lisa and focus on you. You will probably be the main focus from the beginning. Everyone hates a worker like you. And a video-camera does not provide enough testimony without the direct support of a worker. That’s where your function comes into play.”

     Stephen sits forward, resting on his elbows and holding a fist within his other hand, “I don’t know if you’re trying to make me out as a spy or a guinea pig. I like coming to work and doing my job. I like to be a nobody …I bother nobody, and nobody bothers me.”

     Frank insists, “But that’s impossible with someone like Casey. He’s guaranteed to bother you.”

     Stephen wonders, “So, he’s going to bother someone ...I guess it might as well be me. Would that satisfy your study then?”

     Frank leans forward in his seat, looking into Stephen’s eyes, “When this facility opened, we had an excellent interview and selection process. We got only good workers. But as time went on, the ones who didn’t get the job, realized the difference between the ones who did. They began telling others how to respond to the interview. They fooled us and we got some bad workers. Those bad workers pressured many of the good workers into quitting. Now we have an entirely different workforce.”

     Stephen interjects, “Maybe I should join the others and quit too.”

     Frank smiles, “You can’t! I mean, I don't believe you will. You have a sense of obligation towards your family. And you will be a tremendous help to my study.”

                                                                                                267 

      Frank pauses, then continues with his assertiveness, “I want you to get a car phone. That will be your reporting time, during your hour and a half drive home. I want you to get a separate phone, in case I have to reach you. And before you say no, I’m giving you half the money I receive for doing the study. That should more than double your wages. I know you can’t be bought. That’s why I’m just offering it to you. It’s a gesture of good faith.”

     Stephen leans back in his seat, “You're right …I’m not interested in the money. I’d prefer out of this project.”

     Frank leans back also, “Remember that family you are supporting. You owe them a good life. I’m giving you the avenue to provide for your family.”

     Stephen straightens up in his seat, “You can spin all that garbage about sense of responsibility and providing for my family. Money is not the most a person can provide. It’s being a Dad that’s important. And often money lessons that potential when that’s the main focus.”

     Frank tries to convince, “There’s one thing in your character that convinces me that you’ll take my offer. You believe that no one should have to work with someone like Casey. And the last part of my study is to attempt to do that which I’m not sure can be done. I want to see if Casey can be changed.”

     Stephen raises both eyebrows, “Change Casey? I don’t believe that to be possible.”

     Frank smiles, “You are a Christian. Isn’t one of your main beliefs that we should all be a witness ….and your heart’s desire is for people to change?”

     Frank doesn’t wait for an answer. He jumps right back into his psychological progression, “After they pressure Laura out, if I’m correct, Casey will try to turn the other men against you. If he's successful in getting rid of you, he will probably then try to set up the very ones who helped him. He will probably encourage them to man-handle the prisoners and see if there is any follow-up from the monitoring. Then, if they get away with it enough, he will probably be convinced that he can resume the abusive ways he is accustomed to with the prisoners. But I’m already convinced he will do that. My study is to see if you can create such an atmosphere on the unit that your co-workers will follow your example, not Casey’s. Then the biggest challenge is to see if you can change Casey. If Casey can find no one to follow him, my first guess is that he will resort to doing nothing, letting everyone else do the work. But someone like Casey won’t be satisfied long with that. He is more anti-social than most of the prisoners. I’ve seen your success in working with the anti-social prisoners. So, now comes the biggest challenge ---Casey. I know you’d rather Casey just get fired, but I’m not doing that. See if you can change Casey. That is what I want you to focus on doing.”

                                                                                              268 

      Stephen is overwhelmed, “So, it’s my Christian commitment you are testing. Ultimately, you feel I’d be more interested in Casey’s salvation. But I know the work rules here. My beliefs are to be left out of the workplace ---a popular interpretation of separation of church and state.”

     Frank adds, “Your belief in God is not to be preached in word, but it can be by example.”

     Frank allows that thought to sink in, as he gets up to pour himself another cup of coffee, “Stephen, you’re the most honest person I’ve ever met. You’d be honest to the extent of even jeopardizing your own job. I’ve looked over your record. For fifteen years, you never used a sick day. But you are a man of responsibility also. When your wife was bedridden before she had Leah, you used sick time to be with her. Yet when your son, Josiah, was born your wife did well. You could've been dishonest about it and burned up some of that seemingly unlimited sick time you have, but you didn’t. You're always on time to work. And you don’t leave early with the rest of your co-workers at the end of the shift. Those are a few reasons why I believe you’re perfect for the job.”

     Stephen insists, “I’m not perfect! I was just taught a good work ethic.”

     Frank laughs, “Oh, you’re humble too!”

     Stephen refutes that too, “If I thought I was, I wouldn’t be.

     Frank returns to his main convincing points, “As much as you don’t like conflict and confrontation, I realize you’d prefer it be eliminated. Your job is not to help eliminate Casey, but to help eliminate his behavior.”

     Frank takes a long sip of coffee, “I want to see if we can make a workable model to work towards lessening this sort of development, not only in prisons, but on police forces as well.”
     Stephen laughs, "I think I'm beginning to understand. Just because I'm a Christian …that's what this is all about, isn't it? Is your study really what you say it is, or are you writing a thesis on the absurdity of Christian values? All this talk about how perfect I am …you really chose me because you see some obsessive-compulsive behavior in me, don't you? And you think I justify those behaviors because I'm a Christian. Do I also get bonus points if I chew every bite of food twenty times? And what if I don't step on any sidewalk cracks? You could say my religion is mixed with paranoia and superstition. Did my co-workers help stage this? Is this some sort of joke? Is someone going to suddenly appear and tell me ---I'm on Candid Camera?" 

      Frank rolls his eyes, "I'm the Director of this facility; have I nothing better to do than amuse myself by playing practical jokes on people?" 

      Stephen concedes, “Okay, I'm going to go along with this. I’ll probably regret it, but as you say, my Christian beliefs wouldn't allow for regrets either, now would they? And besides, who am I to question the seemingly ridiculous? That's the nature of psychology anyway, isn't it? And I knew that when I first hired in. Besides, this may prove to be rather entertaining. And we'll see in the end, who the real joke is on.” 

                                                                                               269 

      Frank whispers in a low tone, “One last thing …you must tell no one, not even your wife.”

     Stephen halfway scoffs at that request, still not believing this silly game, “Why not my wife?”

     Frank looks straight into Stephen’s eyes, “Is your wife friends with Lisa Stone?”

     Stephen admits, “Lisa has confided in my wife on a couple occasions. Lisa was on the prayer-chain.”

     Frank shakes his head, “I can’t risk it. She may slip. You must give me your honest word. If you do, I know you’ll keep it. Your honesty is the main reason I chose you. I must have a total guarantee that you will speak to no one about this arrangement.”

     Stephen laughs to himself. Not even telling his wife? Has the Director been playing marbles and lost all his? He's acting like he's involved in a top secret government project, not just a psychological study.

     A phone rings. It half startles Stephen.

     Frank stands up, “Just a minute please.”

     He picks up the phone. The first few seconds are spent in silence. You can see the tension build across Frank’s face, “No, I didn’t forget! I’ll be there.”

     Stephen feels there's no end to this charade. Now it appears he's even staging a phone call to make it appear real. Does it really matter though, after all, he's on the clock and making money. Our government really knows how to waste the taxpayers money. 

      Frank hangs up the phone, but the tension still resides in his voice, “I’m sorry. That was my daughter, asking if I remembered the rehearsal dinner this evening.”

      Frank pauses before offering his opinion, “You’re married and have young children. My advice to you is to cherish the moments while they are young.”

     Frank takes a deep breath and continues as if thinking aloud, “My only child …getting married this weekend. I’ve always wanted the best for her, but do you know who she is marrying? A guy who runs a gas station and garage.”

     Stephen welcomes the change of subject, “Has she known him long?”

     Frank is in deep thought, “Well, not really. How do you really know someone?”  

     He draws a deep breath, “The garage used to be run by his dad. I would always bring my car to his garage when I needed repairs. It’s difficult to find someone who cares about the customer and runs an honest business.”

     Stephen is about to make a point, but Frank drifts in thought, “She’s got so much potential. She could have anyone she wants, but no, she’s going to marry the guy from the corner gas station. It was only last June that the bombshell was dropped. Our daughter took my wife and I to a restaurant to announce their engagement. And how does he show up? In his coveralls ….can you believe it, he shows up in his coveralls!”

                                                                                                  270 

      Stephen empathizes, “You really love her, don’t you?”

     Frank softens, “She’s all I’ve got.”

     Stephen reassures, “I’m sure she’s a lot like her daddy. Don’t sell yourself short. I’m sure you’ve prepared her well.”

     Frank stiffens, “If I’d prepared her well, she wouldn’t be getting married this weekend. Anyway, back to our arrangement. Can you give me your word that you will tell no one?”

     Stephen levels his eyebrows, “By the way, why is it that you said you’re offering me this arrangement?”

     Frank settles back, “Because I believe you are the most sincere and honest person that works here.”

    Stephen steers the conversation, “Let me ask you this ...would you trust me with working on your car?”

     Frank looks at Stephen with wide eyes. But before Frank can say anything, Stephen drives home his point, “I guess trust is a hard thing to figure. And how often do we really devalue it, allowing other elements of character to take its place? I have two daughters at home. They are far from the age I'd be imagining who they'd choose to marry. But yes, it would be hard to discern whether I'd be more content if they'd marry an honest gas station attendant, or perhaps an aspiring young man in law enforcement, perhaps the future Director of this facility."

     Stephen drives home after work that evening. He had agreed to the arrangement. He isn’t sure about his decision, but he had given his word. 

                                                                                    *******************
     Cindy is still somewhat hurt by what she would call Stephen’s insensitivities. And that feeling travels to other areas, even those areas she felt she had conquered. One of those feelings is in regard to the dog. The old feelings boldly return, with no regard for good intentions, nor even professed ones. She points to a dog across the street from the church, “Look at that dog ...it has no fence and it just sits in the yard.” 

     Stephen begins to walk across the street. Cindy calls after him, “Where are you going?”

     Stephen retraces his steps to get out of the road, yet still faces the road, looking for another opportunity to cross, “I’m going to talk to the owner of that dog.”

     Cindy gives the go-ahead, “I do believe the owner is the reason the dog is so well-behaved. Ask the man if he owned the dog since it was a pup. And I also heard of lots of people who let their dogs sleep with them. Ask him about that.”

                                                                                             271 

     Stephen returns to the van, “I agree with attachment-parenting, but that applies only to our children. The Bible says man is not to sleep with an animal.”

     Cindy finds no authority in his interpretation, “That’s Old Testament. Besides, you don’t sleep with the dog, the dog sleeps with you.”

     Stephen opens the van door, “I might be in the doghouse over this one, depending on what the man says. I don’t think I want to talk to the man. Not if it’s going to provoke that sort of discussion.”

     Cindy insists, “No, go ahead. I’m curious about what the man will say.”

     Stephen closes the van door, “Curiosity? Now were talking about cats. Well, …as you wish, here I go!”

     As Stephen walks across the street, neither he nor Cindy realize they are repeating past behaviors. Cindy is acting with emotion on a notion, and Stephen is defending himself over the notion. The only difference this time around is that they are being polite to one another, at least so far.

     Neither he nor Cindy realize how careful and prayerful they have to be to prevent themselves from slipping right back to where they were before.

     Cindy is surprised how soon Stephen is returning. Maybe the man was not too friendly. But he must be, seeing how well his dog is mannered. Stephen probably didn’t ask the question she wanted him to ask.

     Stephen quickly reports, “His dog stays so obediently in the yard because he has one of those invisible fences buried beneath the ground. And I didn’t want to shock him by asking him if he sleeps with his dog. That’s rather personal. So, here I am, your roving reporter, or rover reporter, back from assignment.”

     Cindy gets defensive this time, “So, you’re happy with the notion of training the dog by shock treatment? It fits with your Old Testament belief of sparing not the rod.”

     Stephen defends himself, “I didn’t say that. You live with me ...you of all people, know that I’m not at all like that. How is it that we can agree on the definition of a Christian, but in the actualities of how to be one, we seem to struggle so much?”

     Both Stephen and Cindy have fallen into it again. Sometimes it seems like it could go on and on. But Stephen has to exit the conservation early. He has to busy himself with getting ready for work.

     Meanwhile, the struggle between Stephen and Cindy does not fall upon Shannon with none effect. As Stephen leaves out the door for work, Shannon’s internal struggle takes on an outward appearance. She has not only her own struggle, but feels she’s caught between two parents. But since she doesn’t interact at all with dad, she begins to take out her frustrations on Mom.

     Cindy feels she is losing control of Shannon, at times. She had picked up several more parenting books. The one she was presently considering, sited the point of view that grounding the child is not good. The book explains how sending your child to the bedroom leads to an isolated spot where more negative thinking can spawn. That can lead to outright rebellion. 

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