Manu Albañil || Psychological Evaluation

anu is a prisoner in this place. The holding cell is lonely, like the attic that captured him in Two for all his memories withstanding the test of time. Why are they keeping him here? His reconstructing homeland has more spirit than this place. Where is the honor that the Capitol has sold the title of tribute for? (Manuel, don't ask questions if you think the answer may give you distress. Trust what you have already been told, then embrace it.)

The rare dragging of the cell door opening, metal against stone, brings his attention forward. Manu shifts his position on the bench, placing his feet neatly on the ground rather than sprawled out. A woman steps in, pen and notebook in hand. She announces herself as Dr. Lapointe. She offers Manu a bottle of water or muffins, to which he obliges. The bottle is cold against his hands. It's got to be better than the tap, though. He begins to reach for one of the muffins but stops himself just before he can grab one. Manu remembers what she said. "You're welcome to the water or muffins." Not both. One or the other. The refreshing feeling that the water bottle gives is a choice enough for him. Manu sits back down on the bench. He's so hungry though. (Follow directions to the tee, Manuel. Every word is chosen carefully, adhere to them all.)

Announcing that she's a psychologist should make him uneasy, but Manu finds comfort in what she's saying. He is 'unique,' she says. One could make that case in some way, shape, or form. Understanding what she means and actually believing it are two different objectives for him, though. Manu begins to unscrew the cap off the water bottle as she begins asking the first question.

Manuel, she says, what does trust mean to you?

The bottle comes off and his hand shakes. A splash of the water falls down from the movement onto his hands and lap. Cool to the touch, it brings relief. Good, as the pressure and embarrassment from that question leaves him warm. He sets it beside him on the bench for now.

"You can-" Call me Manu, is what he was about to say. A well-to-do person like Dr. Lapointe will certainly want to keep things formal. "Your question…" He throws his hand loosely across his lower lip, wrapping around the jaw. "Trust is knowing that somebody has your best interests in mind without having to ask them." Is that the answer she's looking for? Is that what Manu believes? Blink. Can he believe something that's been told to him but never proven? Blink. The signal to reality checks back in. "Trust is built." Manu's trust is built but not earned. "Implicitly." He tugs at his turtleneck as the heat builds.