2739/A Quick Study

A Quick Study
Date of Scene:	02 August 2020
Location:	A college-level psychology lecture hall in NYC
Synopsis:	Doc Samson solicits work-study help for a research project. Landry Lugar is among the interested parties--but will his own secret conflict with the project aims?
Cast of Characters:	Doc Samson, Landry Lugar

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Doc Samson has posed:
The email from the TA for Prof. Winthorp's Psych 110 class was pretty clear:

1. A local psychiatrist, Dr. Leonard Samson, was looking for some research assistants.
2. These would be paid decently well, at least compared to a Starbucks or Dairy Queen position.
3. Winthorp was allowing these as work-study gigs, so anyone who got hired could get credit through an additional set of course hours.

Even so, only about seven students from Landry's class had shown up. Maybe it was the time--late afternoon meant some were already headed to other jobs or raiding the cafeteria. Some probably weren't interested. And, to be honest, the vast majority probably hadn't even opened the email.

Samson stands at the front of the lecture hall, leaning back against the instructor station. He's got a frown on his face as he looks at the few who've arrived, but he passes around a signup sheet nonetheless.

"Thanks for coming," Samson says flatly. "I hope you'll find the experience useful. And, before you ask, no--there won't really be much super-hero involvement for this position."

One of the students, a quiet girl named Marie, sighs. "Lame," she whispers loudly.

"But there will be some research into super powers," Samson adds. "Or, at least, psychological delusions about super powers."

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar had been the last to show up. He'd seen the email, but still wasn't really certain about it, but, hey, his gig tonight wont be starting for another few hours, so he had time to kill.

Landry was dressed in his usual jeans, and a black t-shirt with some band or another on it. His backpack was slung under his desk, and he gave a solidarity nod at Marie's 'lame'.

When the sign in sheet came around, Landry signed his name, and being the last one, walked it over to Samson before taking his seat again. "Looks like this is it."

Doc Samson has posed:
"Thanks," Samson says, not even bothering to look Landry in the eye. He sighs. "Isn't this a 300-person lecture course?"

"Wait," he quickly continues. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault--thank you for showing up. I'd just, you know, hoped to have more initial interest. But we'll make do as we can, won't we?"

Samson clears his throat and puts his hands on his hips. "I assume most of you are familiar with the most well-known heroes. Who they are, maybe how they came to be, likely what their publicly acknowledged motives are for acting."

"Like Superman?" another classmate asks. "Or Iron Man."

Samson looks around and nods. "That's right. But there's also a large number of others--costumed or not--who have powers. And just as many, I believe, who /think/ they have powers. They've convinced themselves that they should save the world with these abilities that only exist in their fantasies."

"If you help me with this project, you're going to help the world understand why it's a dangerous prospect for people to buy into the delusion they have abilities--for themselves and for those they might try to help." Samson raises an eyebrow. "Follow me so far?"

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar gave a nod, "Yes sir. Though, not every lecturer fills it completely. Ted Kord had about the same number show for his talk about responsibility." After the apology, Landry spoke up again, interjecting a "Quality over quantity." as he looked over the other applicants.

As Samson moved on, Landry nodded along with his talk, "So, will we be helping people identify their powers, or lack there of?"

Doc Samson has posed:
"I'm getting the same number of respondents as /Ted Kord/?" Samson starts to bark, but he calms himself and sighs. "I'm doing important work here, you understand."

Samson pinches the bridge of his nose. "You--the one speaking up." He glances at the signup list. "Landry, is it? Yes. You'd help conduct some initial surveys and interviews to learn about the kinds of psychological orientations that exist among those who believe they have extraordinary powers. We'll also try to determine if there are any correlations between these orientations and the supposed genesis of the powers they claim to possess."

He folds his arms across his chest. "Are aliens fundamentally different from those born on Earth? Does the general treatment of mutants impact how people who believe they are mutants act? How quickly do those who claim to have been irradiated seem to get irritated? And so on."

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar grinned a bit at the sigh, but gave a nod, "Yes sir. Landry. That does sound interesting. I've not studied the numbers, or really many accounts besides the more well known ones..." He paused after a bit, "What happens if it is discovered the participants actually have a power of some kind?"

Doc Samson has posed:
"You know," Samson chuckles, "that would be incredible indeed. While, of course, we should base any argument on the data we collect, I feel it's pretty safe to say that the participants likely to respond won't fit that bill."

He grins. "I mean, /wanting/ to talk to a group of psychology students about one's potentially life-changing powers? I can't see anyone who actually has anything to lose disclosing that sort of information."

Samson looks around, pointing randomly at some of those present. "Would /you/ want me to know if you had laser eyes? Or if /you/ could make all the air in someone's lungs disappear?"

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar gave a nod, "Fair point. I don't want anyone to know about my lasers." He chuckled. "So, what would this info be used for? Creating a base of talking points to help those with potential delusions of grandeur from hurting themselves? Find ways to reel them back in, make a 'so you think you have powers' hotline?" He watched Samson curiously.

Doc Samson has posed:
With a shrug, Samson sways his head back and forth slightly. "Tough question. Ultimately, I'd like us to improve the kinds of therapies that psychiatrists and counselors can provide to those with super-power delusions or fantasies. Improve quality of life by working through ways to return people to reality."

Samson offers a tight-lipped smile. "I want people to be healthy, to have reasonable expectations. To not leap into the line of fire /thinking/ they're invincible when they'll really get hurt. Or killed."

"And yes," he continues, "I want this to lead to more and larger grant-funded opportunities. Is that a problem for anyone? I should note that, depending on the level of each individual's involvement, you'll get an acknowledgment or a co-authorship on papers coming out of this project."

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar shook his head, "That's not a problem for me. I think it's an interesting study. I'm willing to see what can be done to help these people. I don't like the idea of people getting hurt because they are in over their heads." He went a little thoughtful at that.

Doc Samson has posed:
Samson offers a solid nod in response. "Definitely. The rest of you should take Landry's position to heart. That's the right attitude to have. We're making a difference--or trying to, at least."

He reaches out and pats the younger man on the shoulder once. "I appreciate the positive approach. It lets me know that you'd never be the sort of person who'd delude themselves into thinking they had powers. So at least we won't have to worry about any conflicts of interest."

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar chuckled and shook his head, "Of course not, sir. I'm much more rational than dreaming up I have super powers." He glanced to the others, seeing if any of the other students were going to sign up. "Plus, it will be good to have a steady job. I've been working gigs at night, and those can be short listed at times."

He glanced to the Doc, "Where and when will we be starting?"

Doc Samson has posed:
"I'll email you all the formal application this evening. Once it's been returned, you can begin as early as next week," Samson replies. "My assistant will help you schedule first-round interviews with participants who respond to our survey."

He collects the signup sheet and grins. "I really appreciate your willingness to hear this pitch, and I hope that you'll sign on to help out. I know Professor Winthorp believed the work-study credit would be extra appealing. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out."

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar gave a nod, "Excellent!" He hopped up to his feet, "Do you have, like, a card or something?" He scooped up his backpack, throwing it over his shoulder, "Just incase I see anything that could be useful for the study and all."

Doc Samson has posed:
"Hm?" Samson asks, blinking. "Oh, yes. Of course."

He grabs a business card from the instructor station and hands it to Landry.

It reads:

DR. LEONARD SAMSON, PhD
PSYCHIATRIST
CONSULTANT
SUPER-HERO

www.doctorsamson.com
@drsamson
123-555-7890

Landry Lugar has posed:
Landry Lugar took it, glanced at it, and then it disappeared into a pocket. "Sounds good." He smiled, "I look forward to working for you, Dr. Samson. But, now I've got to grab dinner, and then on to my night job." He gave a wave to the Doc, and to the other students, "Hopefully you get enough signed on to get the project rolling."