?
"Mary Beth, when you mention angry servants...what
do you imagine their influence on the patient's condition to be? Tell me, what
have?you observed in your wisdom?
?
Do you feel the patient could be feeling guilty for
not being able to dissolve the tension in the house? Does?he consider it
his fault perhaps?" Dr?Van Hoof knew he was fishing but such mundane
matters, as important as they may have been for his patients, was not something
he could generally relate to in such particulars.
?
"Very well Heidi. Now that you have made yourself
clear, I accept your apology. Just make sure, when you are conversing with other
serving girls, to never be so unclear in the future where they could
misunderstand you and think badly of me. Women can never be too careful about
their reputation. I trust you understand that.
?
I am sorry the task makes you uncomfortable. I
would not have offered the idea,a had I believed there was an easier way. My own
concerns and questions Victor simply dismissed, without addressing them.?I
don't think he does not trust me. But perhaps he is so used to me that
discussing his discoveries with me does not at al excite him.
?
I was hopeful that a fresh attention, of a young
woman in particular could flatter him, make him think about it and talk about it
that is all. But if you find yourself coming up with a better idea, by all means
let me know. If there is a more respectable approach I have missed, then I would
be all the more gratified to hear about it," Elizabeth coldly encouraged.
????
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2020 10:59
AM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet
dreams
Malnourishment possibly, Mary Beth began, I believe that is a
definite factor in his problem, but a house such as that one usually has more
than one or two servants. ?servants often become angry with their
employers, sometimes because they feel they are not receiving enough wages for
their work, or it could be other things. I don¡¯t believe the wife is doing
anything amiss, she seemed too concerned and distraught over the entire
situation. It will be interesting to see whether or not she actually comes to
visit him, and check on his progress, or lack there of, which ever the case
may prove to be.
Heidi looked uncomfortable and very uneasy, what else was she supposed to
think? ?Uh no mistress, I could never think so poorly of you, nor could I
think myself so much better than you in such matters as seducing your husband,
or anyone else¡¯s husband for that matter. Honestly, the task makes me
uncomfortable and nervous, nevertheless I will do it, because you, my
mistress, have asked me to do so. ?seducing another woman¡¯s husband is
not in my nature. I just wanted to make sure that I understood you, what you
wanted me to do, that¡¯s all. Perhaps I strive to hard to please, but I never
meant anything by it, that?I would think so lowly of you to ask such a
thing. ??I meant nothing by it, please, accept my humble
apology.
"Outside forces, Mary Beth. Do you
mean...something similar to a disease traveling through the air, or
malnourishment, or I have read about people beginning to?lose their
mind in the Norse due to a severely somber weather...What kind were you
referring to, please explain," Dr Van Hoff encouraged with a frown, not
truly surprised that his astute assistant may have picked up on something he
had missed.
?
"Jolly good, Heidi. Only the very idea that I
would suggest something inappropriate. Does it not indicate how poorly you
think of me? Is this my reward for being candid with you, girl?
?
Alright, use this opportunity then to tell me
how you really feel about me. What did I do to make you even wonder. Even
wonder, I say, that I am capable of such an outrageous idea.?To seduce
my own husband, while I am still a member of this household? Why, you must
think of your own charms and persuasion even more than I do.
?
I suppose it is not?all bad. If you are
that confident of yourself, however secretly, you have every chance of
getting the mission accomplished.
?
But do answer me this. Why do?you hold
such a low opinion of me all of a sudden? Has somebody been talking to you
about me, spreading rumors that you never put a stop to?" Elizabeth
demanded, privately amused with her ability to dominate the serving
girl.
?
She?could and would achieve greater
things, against a greater challenge, but this was?certainly a pleasant
start.??
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 4, 2020 6:01
AM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet
dreams
Marybeth took the liberty of
finishing Van Hoff¡¯s sentence, go right back to his old ways after a
while, she concluded, it¡¯s sad that indeed most people do this, no matter
how fearful at first they might seem of the thing that happened to them.
She frowned in consideration, actually, I¡¯m worried about that
household too. I think the woman loves him, and I¡¯m reasonably certain
that he loves her, at least on some level, but there¡¯s tension and
conflict somewhere, I think some of the problem may be coming from outside
forces. Of course I can¡¯t prove that yet, but that is my theory at
present.
Heidi cringed, both inside, and visibly. Please mistress, I never
meant to bring your displeasure or discomfort, I did not actually think
you meant for me to seduce him, but I wanted to make certain that we
understood each other, I wanted to make certain that you really meant for
me to only ask him. Because, if you had wanted something more, something
more sinister, I fear that is just not in my nature. We can only hope that
our patient will indeed learn from his mistakes.
God loves you.
"Mary Beth, let me be honest with you. It
might be uncomfortable, but one has to be honest when lives are at
stake, I think.
?
I think, my impression of young
Frankenstein's household is...somewhat complicated. Perhaps not more so
than other households, but not truly in an encouraging way. I suppose he
loves his wife, I suppose she is well intended and may care for him as
deeply.
?
But something is not right in there. And do
you know, dear Mary Beth, the main factor to bad habits proliferating?
Well, yes of course, it has to do with the environment.
?
After we get our patient back up, and I am
reasonably confident that we can, he will be coming back to a somewhat
unstable environment. Good intentions and the desire to care, do not
necessarily resolve themselves in equally great results. I may be
mistaken, but I do hold to the opinion that Victor would...relapse," Van
Hoff lowered his voice at the last word,?in case the patient could
hear him on some level and assimilate his words enough to make them
true. He did not wish to be wrong and cause the very thing he feared for
Victor.
?
"I think he would try. Most patients try at
first because they are frightened of the malady that befell them. For
some time they seek to avoid it, but later lose interest and..." the
doctor explained, his shrug as helpless as his lack of hope in the
patient's recovery.?
?
"Oh Heidi, don't be ridiculous. It's as if
you are trying to misconstrue my meaning on purpose to make your mission
impossible," Elizabeth complained, reminding herself to relent, lest her
cheeks, her weakest feature at present, unduly puffed
themselves.
?
"I never said, seduce him, have I, girl?"
she demanded imperiously, beginning to wonder?if she bet on the
wrong horse one more time, as young Elizabeth did a long time
ago.
?
"Yes, yes, you can simply ask him. Ask him
nicely is what I meant, obviously. Truly Heidi, are your dreams getting
the?better of you now? Can you do this thing for both of our sake?
Can you simply ask my husband for such a reasonable favor? I am certain
a girl with your...abilities would find plenty of pleasure in other
quarters, of that has been your desire," Elizabeth concluded half
questioningly, trying to ascertain the degree of their mutual
understanding.
?
It was a little bit similar to playing on
the edge. The old Elizabeth would have been reluctant to?do so,
fearful of the fallout, of the very thought, of the new thinking. But
the new Elizabeth forged right ahead, confident?in her newly found
powers and her ability to protect herself against most types of enemies.
?
?
"Well, he doesn't have to believe in
dreams, my dear. All he needs to know is that you do, and he could seek
to indulge you.?especially when it takes such a small effort on his
part. I firmly believe he has become a greater supporter of small
efforts and meaningless gestures," the young woman could not help but
comment bitterly, her?facade slipping if only for?a brief
moment. ?
???
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020
2:06 PM
Subject: Re: [A-Twist-Of-Fate]
Sweet dreams
Doctor, do you think it will be the same with Victor?
Or, do you think he will learn from his mistakes, and try to do
better? Surely, it cannot be all because of self indulgence, Mary Beth
suggested.
How Heidi truly wished and longed, for Victor to have an interest
in her; she reason that even an affair, was better than no attention
from him at all, and such a positive interest from him, would cause
her to break off her attempt to slowly kill him. A soft blush touched
her cheeks with Elizabeth¡¯s compliments.
I shall do what I can of course, but mistress, surely you would
not have me to actually seduce him. It was a statement, what seemed to
her a rather bold, obvious one. I am thinking that you want me just
simply to ask him questions, questions about dreams and the like I
suppose. He probably doesn¡¯t know much about that sort of thing
though, I am given to understand that most people of science, men
especially, don¡¯t take as much stock in dreams as women might take.
?men can be such poor, logical creatures, which no doubt serves
them well in some instances, while it serves as their downfall
in?others.
God loves you.
"I don't know about everyone, dearest
Mary Beth. Some people can indeed learn but others...I have lost a
score of battles against several patients who did not stop indulging
their caviar obsessions or worse yet, the horrible drinking
habit.
?
It seemed they would understand me at
the time, likely because they recognized their suffering was caused
by something they were doing. But as soon as I managed to alleviate
their suffering, their habits returned as if they were never gone. I
think it takes a stronger person, than merely an intelligent one, to
actually?discard what is bad for them.
?
Although it should not be so, I should
be agreeing with you in this respect, yet alas, this is not my
experience. Making you more singular for learning from yours than
you can possibly know," Van Hoff reassured earnestly, his voice
completely serious and devoid of any undue flattery.
?
"I know Heidi, I know. It is not easy
for me to say. But you know how it is, when you are united?in
the eyes of the Lord, it does not mean that one is not weary of the
other.
?
I am not quite as lovely, as feminine
as you, I fear, and my influence on my husband is very much
diminished. Other women might have better rapport with his needs.
You seem so qualified. I do not wish to pressure you into anything
you are not comfortable with.
?
Be your charming self, that is all that
is needed, for Victor to be interested in giving us, or rather you,
a true explanation," Elizabeth hedged. She felt her charms could be
considerable, when exerted on a worthy man, like Cylas. But?who
was Victor, to properly appreciate her?
?
If he wasn't interested in the likes of
Heidi now, he really ought to be. They were on the same level, while
Elizabeth herself was clearly above such mediocrity.
?
It no longer seemed to her that Heidi's
experience was like hers. If it really was, the girl would be the
last to ask about it. But if she thought it would be in her best
interests to get involved, well for all Elizabeth knew, Victor might
be the kind of man that only needed encouragement to express his
true passion.
?
He might even find a servant girl
preferable. Elizabeth thought she would have, in his place. A
servant was the one woman he could hope to handle, pathetic creature
that he became, and no amount of self inflicted endowments was going
to change his inner weakness. She was his wife, she ought to know
such facts better than anyone, Elizabeth
reasoned.??
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, September 2,
2020 9:46 AM
Subject: Re:
[A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet dreams
Well Doctor, I think that anyone could learn from
any experience, I am hoping that perhaps our patient here, will
learn from this experience, and start being a bit more careful and
selective about what he puts into his body, and perhaps take care
of himself a bit more. And thank you for saying that I know more
than most doctors, although I would dare Provencher most doctors
would doubt that seriously. She smiled at him warmly.
Heidi¡®s eyes widened with sincere surprise, she could not
believe what her mistress was saying about Victor liking her the
most. But, he is married to you, mistress; I am nought
but??a servant, I do not see how he could like me the
most, but as you say, I will do as you suggest, he is a brilliant
man of science.
God loves
you.
"Well, you are not wrong, Heidi.
But of course we don't have to approach it directly. I could, or
maybe we both could, on different occasions, ask Victor what
scientific phenomenon could cause such strange dreams.
?
It would probably go along way
towards him offfering us a sincere?response, if you
compliment the level of his competence at science in advance. I
think he likes you the most," Elizabeth
tentatively?suggested.
?
"Oh nonsense Mary Beth. You are so
experienced than you know more than some doctors. You can even
catch me at an inaccuracy. And trust you me,?unlike other
men I do not mind that. I would rather get it right for my
patient than insist on being right in my assertion.
?
Now let us take this a step
further. In your, experienced opinion, which intern do you think
could get the best results, or at least, learn the most form the
experience?" Van Hoff questioned with sincere curiosity.
?
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, August 31,
2020 8:47 AM
Subject: Re:
[A-Twist-Of-Fate] Sweet dreams
Ooc, when I try to forward, it seems to take
the subject away, so I¡¯m going to try replying; not sure what
Aol has done here, but it¡¯s being kind of weird.
IC: at this time, I have none, mistress, Heidi replied,
her tone and expression sincere; I don¡¯t remember anything out
of the ordinary happening to me, nothing save for these crazy
dreams that I¡¯ve been having. And it looks as if it is the
same for you. What are we to do? ?I suppose we could wait
until the master is well again, and ask him about it, but
then, he likely doesn¡¯t know either, and would probably think
we have quite taken leave of our senses. She thought to her
self, this is Shirley the one who can figure out what to do,
since she is the wife of the great Victor Frankenstein.
But I wonder, Mary Beth ventured, should we try feeding
him and rubbing his throat, so he can swallow? Do you think
that something warm and tasty going down, might stimulate the
palate, which intern could stimulate, him? It¡¯s only a
question mind you, I¡¯m not the doctor here. ?While we¡¯re
at it, shall I also have some chicken broth or chicken soup
brought to you? I could probably eat as well, but I haven¡¯t
thought about it much, I¡¯ve been more concerned about our
patient, and so deeply involved in conversing with
you.
|
Ishamael Moridin