Chapter91 The Professor's Possession

"That was a very foolish action to take on your part, Ms Lidestrom." The professor admonishes Cindy, "Tommy Steinman was a deeply, psychologically disturbed individual when he was alive; and his spirit is equally, if not more so, disturbed. We're dealing with a very fragile, extremely dangerous psyche here Ms. Lidestrom. You knew this; and yet, you took it upon yourself to refer to him as Tommy while he was exhibiting the Mary persona to you. Quite frankly, to use a layman's term, that could have made him snap. That approach you took could be described as nothing more than utter stupidity. Please, in the future, Ms. Lidestrom, refrain from exercising your so called ‘therapy sessions' with Tommy. There's no denying you have a great gift when it comes to communicating with the spirits; but, remember that I am the professional psychologist here, not you, Ms. Lidestrom. I believe any type of attempt to approach Tommy psychologically should be made under my supervision from now on. Are we agreed?" "Professor…with all due respect…kiss my ass!" The professor's taken aback. "Excuse me? What did you say, Ms. Lidestrom?" "Well now; I believe Ms. Cindy just told you to kiss her ass, Professor." Sheriff Faulkner finishes with a snort as he tries to hold in his laughing at the professor. He responds, "Really, Ms. Lidestrom; those types of remarks are totally uncalled for. I deserve more respect than that. After all, I am an expert in my field; and, I think I deserve…" Cindy cuts off the professor. "I'm sorry, but, if you want to take that arrogant tone and talk down to me…well then; you can kiss my ass. Sure, you're an expert in your field; but, your field's primarily based on all theory. There are no exact rules or standards that apply. Each case is different; and, principles are made up as you go along. Then, there's the issue that you're dealing with spirits; so, who's to say that their minds work the same way as the livings'? Again; it's all hypotheses and theories. And finally, Professor; how can you possibly evaluate Tommy's psychological profile or condition if you can't even communicate with him? You have no idea what he's like; you're not there to witness his behaviors or mannerisms. Other than the time he appeared to everyone as Helene Steinman, you haven't had conversations with him; or, any of his other personalities for that matter. So, how could you possibly know what will, or won't, work with Tommy? You can't. I did what I thought needed to be done at this point. The clock's ticking, Professor; we needed to move things along." "Even if that means putting Anna in jeopardy, Ms. Lidestrom?" Cindy hesitates before responding, turning to look at Beth, and smiles as she replies, "Anna's not in jeopardy anymore." Beth quickly rushes over to Cindy and excitedly asks, "What do you mean she's not in jeopardy anymore, Cindy? How do you know? What's happened?" "Chelsea's back; and, she's protecting her." Beth quickly brings her hands up; partially blocking the huge smile now on her face. "She is! How do you know?! Are you sure, Cindy?!" "Yes, Beth, I'm sure." "Thank God!" The professor, who's behaving like his pride's still hurt, is skeptical. "I certainly don't want to be the kill joy here; but, how is it you so sure that Chelsea is back, Ms. Lidestrom?" Cindy rolls her eyes as she explains, "Like I said before; if you knew anything about Tommy, Professor…you'd know that it isn't like him to let Anna go so we could have a ‘sporting chance' to find her. Sure, something may have happened where Anna may have been able to slip away temporarily; but, he would have been able to find her. Chelsea's either preventing him from finding her; or, she's not allowing him to get her. Either way, Chelsea's protecting Anna." Martin asks, "I don't get it, Cindy; if Chelsea's looking out for Anna like you say …why doesn't she just bring her back to us?" "Maybe she's lost with Anna." "No offense, Ms. Cindy; but, how does a spirit get lost?" Sheriff Faulkner inquires. Professor Rhyies sees this as an opportunity to put Cindy on the spot. "Yes; how is that, Ms. Lidestrom? Especially considering that Chelsea's spirit has been around this area for all this time?" "In the woods, Professor; she's been wandering around the woods. Right now, they're underground in a maze of tunnels. Tommy said it's very easy to get lost down there." "Really, Ms. Lidestrom; I think this speculation of yours has…" Angered; Cindy cuts off the professor, "What's your problem?! What; just because I don't have any sheepskin diplomas hanging on my walls means I don't know what I'm talking about? I guess since I'm just a beautician, I must be wrong. Is that it?" "Ms. Lidestrom; I'm merely suggesting…" "Here's a suggestion; why don't you just shut up and let me help Beth and Martin get Anna back? Really, I don't know what's gotten into you, Professor; but, it's as if you're questioning my ability to…" Cindy suddenly stops, stares at the professor; then, smiles and laughs, "Oh my God!" Cindy grabs her hair behind her head as she turns and walks away from the professor; then, folds her arms across her chest before turning around by the fireplace. She stares; smiling at the professor. Then, she looks down briefly to the floor…slowly shaking her head side to side…before looking back at the professor, and asks, "Why haven't you been cleaning your glasses, Professor?" "Excuse me, Ms. Lidestrom?" "Your glasses; you haven't taken them off to clean. Why not?" "I don't understand, Ms. Lidestrom; what difference does it make if I clean my glasses, or not?" "Here's the thing, Professor; I wouldn't necessarily consider it a habit of yours… it's more like a nervous condition. You generally clean them when something's bothering you…or, in a confrontational situation. We've been going at it now for a good ten or fifteen minutes; and, you didn't clean your glasses. With your nervous condition being the way it is, it would be an automatic response; you couldn't help yourself. And yet, you still haven't taken them off to wipe; even now, when I'm confronting you on it." "So; what exactly is it that you're saying now, Ms. Lidestrom?" "I'm saying…where's Professor Rhyies…Tommy?" The others slowly walk behind Cindy; watching the professor with every step they take. The professor takes off his glasses; but, doesn't clean them. He holds them down in front of him; smiling. Then, he lets out a hearty, boisterous laugh. "You're good, Cindy; real good…I'll give you that. Clever girl. Let's see if you're clever enough to get Anna back for them though." "Where's my baby you fucking bastard?!" Beth charges at the professor; but, Cindy and Deputy Hopkins grab and hold her back. The professor smirks. "I already told Cindy; Anna's down in the tunnels. I told her I was giving you a chance to find her first. You really do need to calm down… cousin." He laughs. Cindy sees an opportunity and takes advantage of it. "You never told me that, Tommy." "What do you mean I never told you that, Cindy?" The smirk's starting to leave the professor's face. "You never told me Anna was down in the tunnels." "Yes I did." His tone's beginning to show signs of agitation. "Last night, in your bedroom; don't you remember?" "No." "Last night! In your bedroom! I told you I was giving you the opportunity to find Anna! I told you she was lost in the tunnels!" "No; Mary told me that…remember?" A puzzled expression overcomes his face; and, Cindy goes on, "Last night, Mary came to tell me that. I thought it was you; and, even called her Tommy a few times. She kept insisting that it wasn't you, Tommy; that it was her. She got real mad because I told her I was sure it was you. So; what…now you're saying that was you last night? But, how could that be; Mary was so indignant that it was her; and not you, Tommy. Who was it, Tommy? Was it you; or, Mary?" The professor grabs the top of his head with both hands and thrashes furiously about. He groans and hollers at the top of his lungs, as he stumbles across the living room and collapses onto the couch. The professor lies motionless as Cindy, Deputy Hopkins and Sheriff Faulkner rush over to him; while Martin holds onto a hysterical Beth. Within three minutes, the professor regains consciousness; and, Cindy and Deputy Hopkins help him sit up. The professor's holding onto his throbbing head; groggy and confused. "What happened?" "You don't remember, Professor?" "Remember what; Ms Lidestrom?" "Professor, I hate to be the one to tell you this; but, you were temporarily possessed by Tommy." The professor takes off his glasses and starts cleaning them off. "My goodness. I didn't hurt anyone; did I?" Cindy and Deputy Hopkins look at each other and start laughing as they watch the professor frantically wipe his lenses off. He's baffled by their laughter. "What is it, Ms. Lidestrom? What's so funny?" "Nothing." She tries to hold back her laughter. "We're just glad to have you back; that's all." "I suppose it's good to be back. But; did I harm anyone?" "Relax, Professor; you didn't hurt anyone." Deputy Hopkins reassures the concerned man. Cindy teases, "You didn't hurt anyone; but, you did become kind of an arrogant asshole." She laughs again. "Well then, I apologize for that. I hope I wasn't too much trouble. How did you handle my behavior?" Deputy Hopkins puts his hand on the professor's shoulder and tells him, "Oh, my niece just told you to kiss her ass a couple of times; that pretty much took care of things." The deputy laughs along with his niece. "Oh. Very well then." The professor continues to wipe his glasses.