Case #19: Video

[19centconstable]

[The video feed turns on, and George settles back into his chair. He's seated in the infirmary, next to Eddie Spinola's bed. He has a book on his lap. The book would seem to be making little happy noises, except that's impossible. Isn't it?]

I suspect this has already been discussed, or at least asked, and I do apologize if that is the case, but I would like very much to know: what is it you believe in?

Not what you don't believe in, because that's not important, but what you do. Whatever that is. Because everyone must believe in something. And I'm interested to know what that might be. For instance: I've been having a thrilling read about this worm which devours...

[George glances down at the book on his lap.]

Oh! And: unrelatedly, does anybody know the average circumference of a man's chest?

Comments

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

I haven't been able to find my measuring tape-maybe I can borrow some from myself?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

But...you've just said...

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I haven't explained regeneration to you yet, have I?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

You have tried a bit. It's still somewhat over my head.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

Well, pretend that you're a Time Lord. Now, pretend that you're about to die. Instead of dying, however, your body starts to glow and your features start to change. You're still you-you have all your memories, you have all your previous thoughts, but you have a new appearance and a new personality. That's regeneration.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I've got that, I just don't see how you can be you with a different personality.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

I'm still me but I'm not me. If that makes any sense.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

It doesn't really, but I suppose you get used to it.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

We do. I'm on my fourth body at the moment.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Did you...like the previous yous? Were they nice?

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

They were. They were a bit grumpy, but nice all the while.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Good. I think it's important to like yourself.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course! It's good to have a healthy self-image.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Just not an unrealistic one.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

Precisely!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Which I don't think either of us have.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

I know that my self-image is perfectly realistic, and I'd assume that yours is too.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Oh I'd say so: I look at my reflection at least once a day.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

That's good. At least, that way you know if you still have all your facial features.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Certainly. That would be a disturbing thing to miss.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

Imagine not having a nose: that would be miserable!

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

It just wouldn't look any sort of right.

[doctor-scarf.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't. Plus, you couldn't smell.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Or grow a proper mustache.