milliways_bar | (no subject)

[ooc: Guppy has an enlightening conversation with Bruce about Dr Lecter. Warnings in link for mental health triggers and graphic imagery]

There are things that need to be done.

After receiving some rather disturbing news, Guppy leaves a note at the bar. The note looks like it has been scrawled in a panicked rush, the handwriting and grammar getting steadily worse towards the end.

'Mike, Simon Tam, Teja,

I have received information from Dr Banner that Dr Hannibal Lecter is in at least some worlds a serial killer cannibal.

Dr Banner and I also have reason to believe that he may have been using his role as a psychiatrist in Milliways to deliberately mess with at least one patron (Mr Javert), who has jumped into the Seine and may have died as a result.

I haven't had a chance to tackle Hannibal about these ~~accusations~~ suspicions, and I know security are now aware (Teja) but I have serious concerns about his safety to practice and the welfare of his patients and I have blocked his access to the infirmary computer and asked the waitrats to let someone know if he goes into the infirmary but as I don't have the actual authority to ban him this is really just a stopgap measure for HELP WHAT DO I DO?

Guppy'

He knows he needs to stick around - people are going to need to ask questions - but he doesn't know if he can face it. He gets a tea, which Bar gives him with a lid, so his hands don't shake and spill it everywhere, and starts to head toward the stairs.

[ooc: Can be caught before he goes upstairs if anyone wants - and I'm back in the room until midnight :)]

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"Greetings, Guppy."

That is Teja, brooding by the fireplace.

"I take it Bruce spoke with you?"

Guppy nods, holding his tea carefully.

"Walk with me?" he asks. He's not sure he can stay down here right now, there's too many people.

Teja gets up, nods, and follows him.

"I shall."

Guppy retrieves Teja's note and gives it to him.

"I feel Dr Lecter needs to be suspended from the infirmary until this is sorted out." he says.

"Of course he should be," Teja says. "If he did mess with Javert's mind on purpose, then he may not treat other patients! Have you any idea why he did that?"

The uncomfortable question, to which Guppy thinks he may have realised the answer.

"He said it was a wonderful irony to tell Javert he may be what he hates." he says, quietly. "And there's only one person here with Asperger's."

He looks up at Teja. "I swear, I never asked him to get revenge on Fry's behalf. Fry is insulted by so many people that we just try and move on. I never gave consent to him to use my child's diagnosis as a weapon, I told him as a trusted colleague and friend who might be able to help Fry deal with the difficulty of meeting strangers who are cruel to him. The idea that Fry might hear of this, or face a social backlash when other people do, terrifies me, albeit not as much as the, er... other allegations."

"He went and told Javert an unsettling lie that drove him back into the Seine -- because of him having called Fry a 'defective child' to his face?" Teja asks, grimly.

Yes, he remembers the words precisely, as Guppy told him. He felt that was one of the worst things that Javert had done in Milliways, also. But not to drive the man back into the river with lies, just for words!!

"I can't prove it. But that's the only explanation I can think of."

Guppy heads up the stairs, at a pace that Teja can easily follow, but not wanting to discuss this too much in earshot of others.

"Teja, these allegations may not be true. But we need this investigating, and quickly. For a start, I may have to contact trace his patients to check nobody else has been harmed. At very least, we need to be confident that nobody is dead."

"We cannot even be sure that Javert is still alive," Teja says, grimly.

"And without him, or a confession, we can't prove our theory. We need proof. At very least we need him out of the infirmary. I don't have authority to fire him - I've sent out word to those who can - but I felt it was within my responsibility to try and keep him out."

"Yes to both," Teja says. "You have raised the alarm to the most important people; I shall find out more, and raise a more general alarm if that suspicion is proven right."

"I may need to tell others, if they are at risk, but Bruce asked I keep it as quiet as possible." Guppy says.

"If you can prove it, please let me know, so I can start contact tracing his patients."

There's something reassuring to have a plan.

"As soon as I know anything, I will," Teja says.

"I..."

Hands still... don't spill the coffee...

"I need to speak to Fry and find out if he's been messed with. When I've calmed down."

"If Dr. Lecter has meddled with Fry's mind, then he shall truly be made sorry," Teja promises, darkly.

"Well Fry always tells the truth, so that part might actually be straightforward."

"That makes things much easier," Teja agrees.

"Unless he doesn't understand what's happened, which is also possible."

"But he would know if Dr. Lecter had said or done something he didn't like, or wasn't true," Teja points out.

"Yes, he would." Guppy nods.

"Is there anything else I can do? If I find him in the infirmary I shall try and get you."

"If he did something suspicious, indeed," Teja says. "Otherwise, do not raise his own suspicion, or anger him against you."

"I've set his computer login to display a message saying 'loading' if he tries to access patient records, so he shouldn't realise he's actually been blocked and should blame the computer." Guppy says. "And I've told the rats to get you if he goes in there."

"Thank you," Teja says. "You shall hear from me, when I find out more. Until then, I hope you sleep reasonably well."

Guppy suspects that's unlikely to happen. He nods, vaguely.

"I need a bit of time to think." he says. "Thanks Teja."

Taking that as his cue to make a socially acceptable departure, he heads down the corridor to his room.