"So, Ms Rodriguez, how have you been feeling this week?" He leaned back in his chair. She looked uncertain. "What are you feeling when you ask me that, Mr Penzer?"

"Doctor Penzer, please."

"Um, yes. Sorry, Dr Penzer. But you know how it helps when my therapist opens up."

###

It was another week. "I think that's where my drive to help people came from. What about you? What made you who you are today?"

He started to sweat. "I'm... I'm afraid our time is up. Since you're my last client today, I'm leaving. You can see yourself out." He rushed home.

###

"What do you read?" he asked.

"A lot of psychology papers, and fiction with deep internal conflicts in the characters."

"Taking an interest in my profession, are you?"

"You might say that. What do you read?" He hesitated. "You know our deal, Dr Penzer. I give, you give. It's your turn."

"All right." His gaze drifted off into the middle distance. "I like spy thrillers, mostly. They take me into the hero, make me feel..."

"Feel what?"

"Like I'm someone else." He looked at her. "I'm not the therapist here, am I?"

She smiled warmly. "Welcome back, Mr Penzer."