Puppetry on an Imperial Scale

{I understand it’s difficult, just try your best,} Aceso said, scribbling something on her notepad as she calmly watched Teddy laying on the couch.

The silence stretched on for a while, then Aceso suggested, {Why not start from what’s easy to remember and go from there?}

Teddy nodded, then closed her eyes and started working backward from the moment she regained consciousness. “Well, there was the pain. I think I heard somewhere that you’re supposed to forget pain after it’s gone, aren’t you?”

Aceso nodded. {That’s generally the case, yes.}

“Right, well... I remember it....” Teddy continued working back toward the lump of “new stuff” that had been embedded in her brain. “I think I can maybe show you? Can I try that?” she asked.

{Go ahead. Nothing in here can be damaged.} Aceso smiled encouragingly at the young woman.