Oh the subject of impulse.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Procrastination isn't an inherent habit of doctorate recipients, so no, I cannot accurately sympathize. Perhaps it isn't merely my patients who could benefit from behavioral therapy.

Though, granted, so few of them seek improvement.

Comments

[hacktivist]

Should I take that to mean you desire attention? Positive or negative?

[buttpatting]

[Does Frederick even hear the words coming out of his mouth? Hannibal wonders.]

Your patients are unique, Frederick. Few of them would want to actually improve, there should be no surprise in that.

[blah blah your patients are different and special JUST LIKE YOU FREDERICK!]

[violint]

I think there's a flaw in this. Maybe they don't need to seek improvement.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Effective. Attention. Ideally.

Goodness, how am I supposed to progress to anywhere if I find myself consistently mired with obstacles? One might appreciate a little focus.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[Oh, Hannibal, you always know how to cheer him up.]

I could always indulge in the linguistic irony that patients are hardly ever patient, at least when it comes to [being manipulated] the road to recovery. Mine are not so unique as to prove exception to that rule.

[enabeled]

Improvement's in the eyes of the beholder, Frederick. Although in my opinion a little behavioral therapy could do you a world of good -- when it comes to dealing with procrastination, the first step is to stop being so uptight.

If you're able.

[slightlyoffchilt]

So says the symphonic sociopath.

[ZING.]

[thegooddoctor]

Perhaps what you lack is an appropriate motivator. Some subjects simply require a careful balance of reward and punishment.

[buttpatting]

[It's not like it's very hard. For him, at least.

But he'll take the compliment anyway.]

I was hoping you knew by now that you can indulge in just about anything around me, Frederick.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[No, YOU are Abel!

He almost says that, but refrains, since he is a man clearly above such juvenile puns.]

I'm not the one procrastinating, so your implicit insult isn't landing. Abel.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Ah! An advocate for Watson and Skinner's school of thought, I take it?

[enabeled]

[ Wow. Wow. No need to make fun of his name. ]

Maybe not... but you are affected by the procrastination. I know how you feel about things being out of your control.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You'll have to forgive my reticence -- such is a symptom of this frustration. [Yeah like he's ever been reticent even once in his whole conscious life.] I'm anxious to treat, again. That's all.

[thegooddoctor]

In a manner of speaking. I work with children. Operant conditioning is often the most effective way to teach them.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Children, really? I was always told to never work with children nor animals, in this business.

I blatantly defied the latter instruction.

[Take that, Abel!!]

[buttpatting]

[Have to? Oh no. Hannibal doesn't have to do anything.

But he won't mention it, of course. He'd hardly want him to feel like Hannibal tolerates him, nothing more.]

Try not to get too anxious, Frederick. They make pills for that, and I would imagine you are on enough already in order to get your body back on track.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[How can I not? His name is only half of Hannibal pronounced weirdly. Hahn-ABLE. Don't think I didn't notice that, Bryan Fuller.]

I am in perfect control.

[thegooddoctor]

Oh? I find it pleasant, really. Children and animals are much more malleable than adults.

[violint]

Oh, is that supposed to be clever?

[ Okay, it is a little bit. He's a little impressed. ]

[slightlyoffchilt]

[His reaction is subtle, but tense: a slight stiffening of his shoulders, a briefly missed beat in breath. Given that he couldn't eat solid foods yet, and that he couldn't easily dispose of bodily waste, and that sharp pains would at random seize up his front torso -- yes, indeed, it was a well-aimed hit.

His hand went quietly to the pocket that held his prescription painkillers. The antibiotics weren't at the moment on his body.]

Yes, well. Good of you to think of me. But my psychological state isn't threatened, I don't mind my eagerness to move forward.

[slightlyoffchilt]

And you're in the business of molding minds to a specific standard? Or...?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Do you not adequately appreciate alliteration?

[He's taking this too far.]

Tobias Budge. I do begrudge the fact we couldn't meet under more. Clinical. Conditions.

[buttpatting]

[Way to be paranoid there, Chilton. Hannibal's just a concerned friend! If Chilton's birthday is soon, he'd be such a good friend that he'd buy him some supplies to help out with that food and, of course, the waste.

What's a few bags of Depends between chums?]

Ah. Apologies, I hear talk of anxiety and my first thought is...well, I'm sure you understand. It was nothing against you, just an unfortunately immediate reaction.

[Hannibal is flawed, too. (No he's not) He's human, isn't he?]

[thegooddoctor]

I'm a physician, among other things. I make improvements.

[enabeled]

Not really any such thing as "perfect" control. You're not the one pulling the strings in this arrangement, are you?