⁂plane of lust
Stepping through the wooden door of the back room clinic felt surprisingly familiar to my surroundings at home. After leaving the rain outside the wooden slats were very inviting against my chilled skin. As I enter the dimly lit room I glance around, trying to make sense of my unfamiliar surroundings. It was quiet aside from a ticking clock, likely there to mask the sound of voices above the soundproofing between rooms. Aside from this one antique looking desk against the wall, the rest of the room appeared sparsely furnished with just a few bookshelves housing hundreds of dusty old books. Several rickety chairs dotted the otherwise bare space giving off an impression of emptiness save for several wooden shelves bearing cheap figurines that took up the most amount of real estate in the room. There wasn't much furniture apart from this small bookcase collection at all and definitely not a table big enough for an open session to begin my psychotherapy session.
"This is it?" I ask myself aloud as I walk over to the lone desk. The desk was covered in papers and notes along with some scribbled sketches on paper. On top of the desk sat a few pens and pencils, but no computer or tablet like one would expect.
As I'm contemplating the lack of a comfortable seat, the receptionist behind the desk addresses me; "Anon, correct?" she inquires. Radiant, vibrant blue eyes peek out from behind the desk as she looks up at me. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail and her face was round and full. A nametag pinned to her shirt read 'Tanya'.
"Yes," you answer. "I'm here for my appointment."
"Great!" Tanya exclaims. "Let me just check your file." She opens a drawer and pulls out a file, opening it up. "It says here you are scheduled for the first appointment today. Let me get your paperwork ready."
"Alright," I say, waiting for a few minutes as Tanya goes through the paperwork, making sure everything is in order. After what feels like an eternity, she finishes and places the pen back into the drawer. "All set!" She exclaims cheerfully. "Now, If you could just follow me down the hall and to the right." she says, gesturing to the door.
I nod my head and follow the woman out of the room, making my way down the narrow hallway past the doorway to another room. A few feet down the hall there is a door labeled 'Dr. Saint Claire's Office' with a picture of a stern and venerable woman next to it. I'm slightly mused at the thought of someone being called Dr. Saint Claire.
I follow inside; a quaint loveseat with a low back dominates the center of the room. A single lamp sits on a small table next to the loveseat. An accompanying swivel chair sits opposite to it. There are no other furnishings in the room aside from a small bookshelf near the door. "I hope you like the place." She says. "It's... nice." I nod. 'Mundane is good.', I assert in introspect, relieved.
Ms. Tanya nods, "This is where Dr. Saint Claire meets with her patients. You'll be meeting with her soon. Now, I am going to ask you to lay down while I fetch the doctor." She motions to the loveseat. I sit down, and she leaves the room.
I hear the door open and close and then footsteps approaching. As the person enters the room, I recognize him as Dr. Saint Claire.