The Cold One novel excerpt - novel by Christopher Pike
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Middle Aged (35-54)Accents
North American (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
just tell me what you see, Julie Moore said as she handed Sara Murray the first of the Rorschach test ink blots. They were seated in the living room on the couch. Julie had her left leg folded under her, a yellow note pad and pen in her hands 4 ft away. Sarah stared at the picture with her beautiful dark eyes, a wolf space, Sarah said. Julie made a notation and handed Sarah the second card. A spaceship, Sarah said. Julie paused and made another note. There was red in the second card. Sarah had not responded to the colour. She gave Sarah the third picture, a bow tie, Sarah said. Julie continued to scribble on her pad. Most people said a bug for the third card he had. The initial spaceship response showed originality, which indicated a hike. Julie had no doubt Sarah was intelligent. She handed her number four an ink blood, Sarah said. After a moment a rather flat response. Julie thought she gave her number five about Sarah set number six, a total pole. Sarah said Julie felt uneasy. The popular responses for number six were either an animal's fur or a rug. The former replied, conveyed emotion. Most people gave it because most people had plenty of emotion. The latter reply also related to people only humans had drugs. Yet even though a totem pole was not an unheard of response, it was troubling in context of Sarah's other answers. Except for the wolf space, Sarah had not given one popular response. People who deviated too far from the norm generally didn't see the world the way others did. They usually had a problem with perceiving reality. More troubling, Sarah had yet to give a response with a human in it. A classic interpretation of such a failure indicated an absence of empathy. Handing over picture number seven Julie Hope Sarah lightened up, or else she was going to have to recommend that the woman checked herself into a mental hospital. Sarah stared at the latest ink blood without blinking rocks, she said. Frocks, Julie said, exasperated. Anything else? Sarah's lanced up. Should I give more than one response? You can if you wish. Do you see anything else? Sarah looked just rocks. Julie handed her number eight a shield. Sarah replied again, Sarah had not responded to the colour in the picture number nine a cow's face, Sarah said. Number 10. Julie prayed for at least one response that contained a person, a tower. Farah said Julie studied her notes and didn't like what she saw. Only one popular response out of 10 indicated a pathological personality. The complete failure to see any humans in the pictures that Sarah suffered from an extraordinary feeling of social isolation. Then there was Sarah's lack of response to the color. The textbook said. That meant she was usually controlling guarded. Julie glanced over at Sarah's sweet, smiling face and had to wonder. Honestly, Julie suspected. Even cannibal Sue would have seen a person or two in the ink blots, maybe roasting on a steak, but at least not forgotten yet. Sarah was a brilliant artist. How is it possible? How did I do? Sarah asked. Well, Julie said, Let me ask you a question. How do you feel? Fine. You're not upset about anything? No. Why do you ask? Well, Julie said, your responses are unusual. Could you be more specific? Yeah, you're certifiable. And the scary thing is you don't show it not even slightly. Well, Julie said. For the third time, let's just say I've never tested anyone like you before. Sarah nodded as if that were to be expected. Her smile vanished, although she continued to stare at Julie. I would prefer that you didn't discuss my test results with anyone, she said quietly, actually forced to laugh somehow. Since doing the test, Sarah's gays didn't feel quite the same. Who would I tell? She says. Peter Jacobs, Sarah said flatly. Julie stiffened. What does Peter have to do with you? Sarah opened her mouth to speak. Unfortunately, she was interrupted. Her attention was drawn to the sound of car parking outside the front. A moment later, Dr Morey opened the door and walked in. Julie jumped to her feet with her note pad still in hand. The good doctor looked tired, annoyed. It was a wonder to Julie that she was glad to see him