Chapter 367 Hello, I am the Green Goblin
Chapter 367 Hello, I am the Green Goblin
Chapter 367 Hello, I am the Green Goblin (Part 1)
Barton Hamilton pushed open the door to his room, where he met his new patient for the first time, Norman Osborn.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Osborne," Hamilton said with a smile. "What do you think I should call you, Norman?"
"Anything is fine with me, Mr. Hamilton. I've heard you're the best psychiatrist in New York?"
"I wouldn't call it the best; it's just my friends being too kind." Hamilton smiled as he looked at the information Norman had submitted during the appointment. "Multiple personality disorder, is it? Generally speaking, if it's not hereditary, multiple personality disorder stems from childhood trauma. Can you think of anything?"
The psychological clinic was filled with the aroma of ancient incense, an expensive oriental product known for its sleep-inducing and relaxing properties.
"His name is Green Goblin. I don't really know when he first appeared, but it seems like he was with me when I was very young..."
So-called multiple personality disorder doesn't simply mean you can imagine having a certain personality and then constantly imagine it. Generally, that's called paranoia. Multiple personality disorder usually arises from the brain's self-protective mechanisms. The entire process requires a series of conditions, including prolonged lack of mental communication, severe trauma or abuse, and an unconscious separation of one's own abilities, for a second, or even more, personality to truly emerge.
Most importantly, in most cases, the emergence of a new personality is for the purpose of self-protection. This is why the second personality in most patients with multiple personality disorder tends to be extreme – it's a way of protecting themselves.
"An adult possesses powers they didn't have as a child, so your second personality will use those powers to protect you. Often, their minds are still at the point when they were born, yet they possess powers far exceeding those of their childhood. Therefore, when faced with stressful situations, these personalities will try to protect you."
"Your idea is very creative, Mr. Hamilton."
After a long monologue, Norman nodded, but Hamilton found it somewhat odd: "No, these are just common sense things, well, things people like us know. Like, you know Hulk, right? To me, Hulk is the epitome of multiple personality disorder; he's a three-year-old with boundless rage and power. He protects Bruce Banner whenever anyone tries to hurt him."
"But at the same time, it will despise Bruce Banner's cowardice, his escapism, and his focus on not becoming a monster instead of using this power to protect himself."
"But I'm not that kind of monster."
"I wasn't talking about you, Norman..." Hamilton paused, incredulously adjusting his glasses, and stared in shock at Norman Osborn before him: "The Green Goblin?"
"Green Goblin, ah, Green Goblin. The fantasy of a young boy hiding in his study. You know, in Dungeons & Dragons, small creatures like goblins have an ability called 'Small Rage,' which can deal more damage to creatures larger than themselves."
"Green Goblin" leaned forward, smiling, and picked up the teacup from Hamilton's table: "May I have a cup of tea?"
"Please." Hamilton's expression showed surprise and delight. "I've heard of it, but I've never seen a patient like you. I mean, even for patients with true multiple personality disorder, it's very difficult..."
"Calm down, Doctor. Norman didn't know I existed for a long time. He only knew that he occasionally suffered from amnesia. But I'm different. I'm the one who has all the memories. If I remember correctly, I might be the personality that's more suitable to communicate and interact with you."
"Yes." Hamilton quickly pulled up his chair and moved closer. But the Green Goblin maintained his charming smile, looked at Hamilton's bookshelf, and then his eyes lit up: "Ah, I'm glad to see Balzac on a doctor's bookshelf, besides psychology works."
"Oh." Hamilton turned to look at the bookshelf, then looked at Green Goblin with even greater surprise: "You, you know Balzac?"
"Actually, I've read more books than Norman. He focused all his energy on making money, as if more money was the only proof of his success." Green Goblin smiled elegantly. "But I don't see it that way, do I?"
Hamilton felt his memories accelerate as he recalled his interactions with the Green Goblin. This alter ego of Norman Osborn displayed a completely different temperament from Norman himself. If Norman was a successful, ever-ambitious businessman and capitalist, then the real Green Goblin was a philosopher and thinker, more elegant in speech and with broader knowledge.
He would patiently discuss Hamilton's patients with him, analyzing the darker side of these elites from various perspectives, citing numerous historical examples and readily drawing upon lessons from both the East and the West. Finally, after more than a year of "treatment," the Green Goblin made his first request to Hamilton.
"As a psychologist and therapist, have you ever considered... conducting a small-scale social psychology experiment?"
"Perhaps it's possible... but how?"
Green Goblin pondered for a while, then looked at the television and suddenly smiled: "You have quite a few friends in the city council and the city government, don't you? Could you persuade them... not to punish the police officers guarding the escaped super-criminal?"
"Then……?"
"The excuse is simple: most supervillains possess superpowers, making them no match for ordinary police officers. Regular officers deal with vicious thugs, so they shouldn't bear the primary responsibility. In that case, why not change 'not bearing primary responsibility' to 'not mandating police intervention in supervillain escape attempts'?"
"Oh, uh, but this sounds..."
"You're saving lives, Hamilton," Green Goblin smiled. "You're helping innocent officers get into unnecessary sacrifices."
Hamilton nodded, then heard Green Goblin casually add, "And while we're at it, let's see if the escape rate for supervillains increases. What do you think, Hamilton?"
"I think...maybe?"
"Then I don't think it will get better."
Green Goblin and Hamilton exchanged a knowing smile. This was their first social experiment, but it wouldn't be their last.
(End of this chapter)
MM Racing