Saint Anselm Medical Research Center, Fineberg, New Edom
The applicant who had reached this stage was flown at no expense to themselves first class to Fineberg, capital of New Edom. Fineberg was a sprawling city with a greater area numbering towards three million. However it was a rather flat city, with few very tall buildings. Most of it was made up of villas, bungalows, small apartments no more than four stories high, factories, warehouses and a few taller buildings like cathedrals, large churches and some larger government buildings of palatial make, as well as a large olympic sized stadium and several smaller arenas. There was a curiously mediterranean mixed with middle eastern look to the architecture. A number of small parks as well as a very large one that also included a concert building a zoo and a bird sanctuary bordered the large river that flanked the city flowing east and north around it.
The airport was clearly new, built in recent years, a glittering construction of steel and glass. Very modern elegant lounges, cafes and shops were distributed in it. However by contrast parts of the city itself were old and run down. The people were largely olive skinned and dark haired, though among them were fairer and darker people. A substantial amount seemed to take advantage of the warm weather (roughly in the low twenties celsius) and the country's relaxed laws on public nudity. At least two in ten people seemed to wear little to nothing on the streets, though people doing hazardous work or those involved in work requiring careful hygiene were always wearing something.
A very religious country, New Edom had freedom regarding nudism for religious reasons, but frowned on too much public affection, advertisement involving actual sexual behaviour or blasphemy. Travelers could see that workers were taking down religious iconography from Christmas--from small manger scenes advertised in shop windows to the twelve foot statues fo the three wise men in procession above the grand doors of the Ministry of Culture.
At Saint Anselm's, a nicely interlocked hardwood floor, a rosewood desk, soft blue pastering on the walls and potted ferns decorated the office where the interview was to take place. The building had the quiet feel of a hospice or research library. Interviewees were welcomed by three people: a pinch faced wizened man with steel rimmed glasses wearing a grey suit, with greying dark neat short hair and a friendly manner, who introduced himself as Dr. Sindrik; a balding man with a strong face, darkly olive weathered tan, a plump belly wearing a light brown suit and sweater who introduced himself as Paul Gath, an Undersecretary with the Ministry of Health, and a woman with dark hair in a pageboy cut, at first glance youthful and ripe bodied up close clearly a remarkably healthy looking woman in her late forties, wearing a dark red sweater and long grey skirt.
Gath was clearly the chief host, and offered welcome as well as condolences for a long journey. "Such a long journey--I hope I can offer you some refreshments--some mint tea with honey perhaps? Some fizzy water with lime, or lemon, or perhaps blackberry juice? And we also of course have excellent spring water and delicious Nalayan coffee, we have a wonderful coffee maker here. And ah, lemon biscuits, cinnamon biscuits, candied fruit...please relax and enjoy. I am and I think we all are honoured that you have come this far."
Once and if refreshments were accepted, Gath said, "It must be a strange thing, to be asked to uproot so completely for the sake of a job. And you know, to focus entirely on one patient. And there is the matter of not releasing the results of treatment in any form afterwards. This is something that cannot be stressed too much."
"It is important" the woman, Nemone Jarris who was from the Ministry of Health also, "That we have foreign expertise, which is greater than ours in this area, and someone successful. It is not only the difficulty of the position, but of course there is the possibility of failure." she cocked her head. "What do you say to that?"
"Then there is the security issue," Dr. Sindrik added. "You would be under surveillance, to be honest. How do you feel about that?"
"What support staff do you believe you would need in order to perform this job?" asked Undersecretary Gath.
For Dr. Gregor Kalvatas alone "There is," Dr. Sindrik continued, "Some concern about some rumours about your practice. Yet you are very talented. You must understand, we consider you in spite of this. What would you say to us now, if you knew you were on the verge of acceptance but for this, to put our minds at rest? I urge you to be as honest as you can."
Ms. Jarris: "You said in your interview response: I have lectured extensively on a principle called "identity realignment." All human thought is essentially how one relates to experiences past and present. Discovering which experiences are the source of distress and assisting the patient in changing how they relate to these are the key to progress. How does this work in practice? How would you put it into practice?"
For Dr. Louis Crovat alone
"What do you specifically mean," said Dr. Sindrik, "By family therapy?"
For Sir Sebastian Black alone
"You are very involved in research at this stage of your life," said Ms. Jarris. "Will taking a job here make it possible for you to continue it and do the job you would be undertaking for the Ministry of Health?"
"No matter what loyalty you had to your party at home, you would be obliged to absolute confidentiality, even if political matters came up, though we would be prepared to make an affidavit to the effect that this project would in no way compromsie the security or well being of Alizeria or any Alizerian. Would you be willing to agree to this?" said Dr. Sindrik.
For Dr. Martin Weinstein alone
"Dr. Weinstein," said Dr. Sindrik. "You describe the following: Cognitive behavioral therapy, including cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and stress inoculation therapy are several psychotherapy treatments which have proven successful in my experience. . Would that be the order in which you proscribed your therapy routine, which chemical alteration being a last resort as you said or would you mix these up? What would your chosen therapeutic route be based on?"
For Doctor Swiftwell alone
"Doctor, you have said that you lack multi cultural experience," said Ms. Jarris, "How do you think you will adapt to dealing with a very different cultured patient with a very religious background?"
"You have mentioned what sound like very hospital or large facility oriented professional experiences. This would be a more private type setting. Will you find it hard to fill your time or focus without a large organization surrounding you?" asked Dr. Sindrik.
"A lot of your experience has been military. Are you a reservist? Might you be unexpectedly called back to active service, or are you free to take on a position without that as a concern?" asked Undersecretary Gath.
For Dr. Brynjar zy Nannost alone
"You have mentioned here," said Dr. Sindrik, looking at this file, "That you are 'a fanatic for diet and gymnastics.Can you explain how this is part of your recommended therapy?"
"You have no opinion whatsoever on the religiosity of your patients? What do you mean? Do you mean that it has no bearing on therapeutic method whatsoever or that you merely have no religious opinions?" asked Ms. Jarris.
For Dr. Fairuza Ashtari alone
"Doctor, how do you find hypnosis a successful means of therapy to overcome trauma or PTSD?" asked Dr. Sindrik.
""Can you explain how psychodynamics plays an important role in modern therapy?" asked Ms. Jarris.
"While you say that culture is largely skin deep, do you agree that it can have a profound effect on the mind?" asked Dr. Sindrik.
For Amyris Rezanic alone
"You mentioned medicines--what is your typical approach to using medical therapy with a PTSD/depressive patient? What kinds of medication have you found effective, and under what kinds of circumstances?" asked Dr. Sindrik.
'You have mentioned guilt and shame as part of PTSD. Can you explain how you see that as causing problems for a patient?" asked Ms. Jarris.
"You say that systematic eye movement desensitization and reprocessing have shown promise in your field, but they are not definitive, doctor?" asked Ms. Jarris.