His Story

Rick was brought into a room that was almost dark. He questioned the darkness. He was told it was doctor's orders. What he had done had almost blinded him - his eyes wouldn't handle light. Behind him, entering the same room, were several people. He asked who they were. He was told they were reporters, and that they had permission to interview him. The person who took him into the room said that he since had already confessed to the killings, that it was important to find out more about the person who had committed them. Rick was told the public needed to know. When the questioning began, one reporter said that they already knew what he had done. What they really wanted to know was how it all began. Who was this person that had just killed scores of people? They wanted his story from the beginning – when he was a child. He was asked about his parents. Where he lived. How he grew up. The questions irritated Rick. He answered them with irritation, because he knew what he did was justified. When questioned about the effect his parents' deaths had on him, he said: “I don't remember how their deaths affected me. All I remember is what happened after that. I remember that after my father died, my mother worked overtime every chance she got. I remember her talking to the landlord about the rent. I remember her selling the refrigerator because it took too much electricity. I remember coming home after school and finding her head in the oven; no longer able to smell the gas. But I have no idea what effect this had on me. What effect do you think it might have had on you?”