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Sterile

MARIAN: They never knew how dirty they were.

VIRE: Who did?

MARIAN: The people, you know who.

VIRE: And how did you feel about their dirtiness?

MARIAN: I hated them so I dealt with them. I’ve told you this? Why do you care?

VIRE: No reason. Just walk me through how you dealt with them?

MARIAN: Well I crushed them, burnt them, poisoned them. Anything to get them out of my house. I remember one of them tried and I didn’t let them. It felt weird.

VIRE: What did they try?

MARIAN: I don’t know, something they weren’t supposed to. So I stopped them.

VIRE: Then how did you know what they did was bad?

MARIAN: I just knew okay!? It doesn’t matter anyway it’s over. Can we talk about the present?

VIRE: Sure, what do you want to talk about?

MARIAN: I got a car. It’s old but it runs, my old man is proud of me for getting it. He says it really makes me have a new start.

VIRE: Have you cleaned it up much?

MARIAN: Yeah I’ve vacuumed the insides and washed the outsides.

VIRE: Come on.

MARIAN: What?

VIRE: You did more than that.

MARIAN: Well I might have washed down the leather seats

VIRE: And?

MARIAN: The hubcaps?

VIRE: Don’t make me say it. Just tell me everything.

MARIAN: I don’t know what you want me to say?

VIRE: Your hands are raw. I see that your palms are covered in bandages. You’re regressing aren’t you?

MARIAN: No! I’m doing fine. I’ve been healing. I haven’t cleaned my bathroom in three weeks just like you said to do.

VIRE: But you’ve been cleaning your car for hours every day. I can see paint peeling off of it from here. If you think you’re spiraling just tell me there’s no shame in it.

MARIAN: I’m not spiraling. I’m just careful about my car that’s all.

VIRE: Well I’m booking you for more sessions okay?

MARIAN: I’m not gonna do them, I’m fine. Could you just drop it? If you want me to be better you have to give me a chance to live life.

VIRE: All right, just give me a call if you need help. Now go have a good rest of your day all right.

MARIAN: Alright I’ll do that

VIRE: And hey leave the car be. A little dust won’t hurt it.

MARIAN: I’ll try.

NARRATOR: Vire’s phone rang in the middle of the night.

MARIAN: Sorry I’m really sorry about it. It was just so dirty.