Committee of Six

By Roger Arsht

Read previous versions here.

 

     Secrets Kept was uncharacteristically quiet even though there were seven people sipping coffee or tea in its elegant salon. Two of the people were there because they cared about Richard. Two were employees. One was his psychiatrist. Brooke’s presence was simply happenstance. Richard, the seventh person in the room, sat apart from everyone. The expression on his face told everyone he believed there was a target on his back. Ed and Cathy left the salon and moved the yacht from its berth and motored into the Severn River. Thirty minutes later, they found a safe place to anchor and rejoined the group in the salon. 

     Annie had communicated her desires to Alex, Ed, Cathy, and Dr. Bloom before she had reached Eupepsia. When Richard and her returned to the yacht, a number of things had changed even if they weren’t visible.  

     Annie opened the intervention. “Alex, do you have the paperwork we discussed?” 

     “It’s ready. All we need is Richard’s signature.” 

     “What am I signing?” Richard asked. 

     “A limited power of attorney that transfers ownership of Secrets Kept to your brother, as well as operational control of Sanders Publishing, Inc., and all personal financial instruments of yours including your checking accounts and credit cards.” 

     “I’ll never sign that,” Richard said explosively. “Why would I?” 

     “Because people…like you…who are profoundly depressed…should not be making financial decisions,” Alex said hesitantly. 

     “You’re part of this?” Richard contemptibly asked Alex. 

     “Yes. I’m your brother and I love you. You’re not well Richard and we all need to give you our best effort to bring you back to health, and you need to give us your best effort.” 

     Even if he didn’t realize it, Richard acted like a cornered mouse. His darting eyes looked for an exit for his dilemma. Predictably, his eyes settled on the stairs leading to his stateroom. He bolted from his chair and moved quickly. Captain Ed was faster and blocked Richard from taking refuge in his stateroom. Ed’s actions were so unexpected that Richard bounced off his chest and landed on his bottom. No one laughed or cracked a smile. After a few seconds, Richard extended his arm in hopes that Ed would take his hand and help him to stand. Instead, Ed motioned for Richard to return to his seat.  

     When he was seated again, Annie moved the process along. “You do trust your brother?” When he didn’t answer, Annie continued. “He’s devoted his time, his career, and his heart so that your writing aspirations bore fruit and your eccentric behaviors didn’t derail or distract from your professional success. What he does for you can’t be found in any job description.” 

     Annie could see that Richard was going to retort. She cut him off. “He could be successfully working for any law firm and be making the same or better money than you are paying him. He works for you because he loves you and he wants to work with you.” 

     “Richard, sign the papers. It’s the beginning of a process that has to happen,” Alex said passionately. 

     “Because she says so,” Richard barked at Annie. 

     “Because we all say so,” Alex responded kindly. 

     “For how long?” Richard asked the group. 

     “Until you have better self-control. When you have the tools to process the feelings that happen before a depressive period, so that you can keep from taking that plunge or shorten the duration,” Dr. Bloom added to the conversation. 

     “You were fired,” Richard said angrily to Dr. Bloom. 

     “Not by you. Annie is not in a position to fire me. Only you can.” 

     “I fired her because I thought she had used poor judgment by driving you to Eupepsia. In the interim, I have researched Dr. Bloom’s credentials. She is a published expert on trauma induced depression and a highly respected professional with a stellar reputation. Whether you know it or not, you have one of the finest professionals in the country treating you.” 

     “But she drove me to…” 

     Dr. Bloom interrupted Richard. “A weak moment. It won’t happen again. I’d like to give you a more grounded answer, but I don’t have one. You’re a difficult patient Richard. You wear people down. Like I said, it won’t happen again. Your well-being is important to all of us and we’re all committed to bringing you to a healthy state.” 

     “My writing. It’s done when I’m at my lowest.” 

     “Sign the papers Richard. Then we can discuss other matters.” Alex said while putting the papers and a pen in front of his brother. 

     “I’m signing them because it’s you who is asking,” he said to Alex as he scribbled his signature. 

     “Now that this bit of unpleasantness is finished, can I go downstairs to my room?” Richard asked. 

     “No.” Annie answered. 

     “What now?” 

     “Your office is on this level.” 

     “I do my best work in my bedroom.” 

     “Bedrooms are for sleep,” Annie said bluntly. 

     “It’s my yacht. I’ll do as I please.” 

     “Not anymore.” Alex said quietly so as not to cause his brother to become angrier. “Ed and Cathy will take their orders from me. Brooke and Annie are here as my guests. Dr. Bloom will meet with you daily for the next few weeks and then she’ll reduce her sessions with you to two days a week.” 

     “So, I’m a prisoner.” 

     “Not at all,” Dr. Bloom interjected. “What we’re doing is putting structure and boundaries in place.” 

     “But I do my best writing in my bedroom when at my most depressed.” 

     “Then maybe you’ll never write another bestseller or maybe you will. Nevertheless, what we’re all seeking is for you to find your authentic identity,” Dr. Bloom said kindly. 

     “And if I can’t write once I’ve found my authentic identity?” 

     “You can give lectures, teach, or volunteer you time. There are many ways to contribute where you won’t make a fortune. Besides which, you don’t need another fortune. You’ve already earned two fortunes already,” Annie said earnestly to Richard. 

     “I think that’s enough for today,” Dr. Bloom said with finality. “Alex. Why don’t you take Richard to his office?” 

     “I don’t think he’s ready to write,” Alex said nervously. 

     “We haven’t played gin rummy for a long time. A penny a point?” Richard asked. 

     “What is you lose? How are you going to pay?” Alex asked with a laugh. 

     “I have a coffee cup full of loose change downstairs. I think it’ll be enough.”