Case File No. 2738
Conclusion
Week 54:
I am now convinced That Mr. Grayson is, indeed, who he claims to be: a vigilante
superhero with a secret identity and is a man in need of an impartial view and
suggestions and analysis of his life and choices. The recent frightening
encounter of Batman in my office as well as the implacable proof and consistency
of Mr. Grayson’s assertions have led me to this conclusion.
He remains, clearly, a deeply intelligent and highly trained young man with
strong convictions and a highly developed sense of both personal responsibility
and of simple right and wrong—although on his own occasionally questionable
terms.
I believe he is who he says he is.
I also believe that it is imperative that he continues to seek counseling to
allow himself the outlet it provides for him.
I must admit to some trepidation regarding this and will consider if I feel
myself equal to this particular patient or if I’m willing to subject myself to
any more encounters with Mr. Grayson’s co-workers. I question how many of his
life choices are his own and how many were foisted upon him by his mentor.
Week 55:
Mr. Grayson arrived this week in a continued agitated state, explaining that not
only is the ‘fucking League’ still holding firm in their determination regarding
‘the Bat’s’ outster from their ranks, but have gone so far as to suggest that
Mr. Grayson consider joining the JLA in his mentor’s stead.
He explained to me that, while he could work with the League and that some of
his close friends are members, he still deeply resents their treatment of the
man he sees as a father figure. He questions whether or not this would affect
his ability to do his job.
He also expressed to me concern regarding his employment with the BPD, as he has
reason to believe that his relationship to his adoptive father may soon become
general knowledge within the department. He feels that his close association
with a wealthy man will be detrimental to his effectiveness. He is also
concerned about possible blackmail attempts or ‘being hit up for a loan every
time I turn around’.
Shortly before our session ended he also made the unasked for comment that I
‘shouldn’t worry about the Bat—I’ve spoken to him and he’ll be okay’.
I hope so.
Week 56:
I finally asked Mr. Grayson what his feelings are regarding ‘the Bat’. We’ve
spoken often about his adoptive father and the complicated and mixed feelings
existing there from both sides towards one another. But we’ve yet to discuss the
relationship between Batman and the former Robin.
He responded that when he was younger he freely admitted he idolized the Bat,
admitted that he was firmly of the belief the man could do no wrong and ‘would
have walked through fire’ for him. Clearly, he is grateful for the training he
received which allowed him to find closure regarding his parent’s deaths and
openly credits his time spent with the man—at least after he came under the mans
tutorledge—with forming him into the adult he’s become.
I challenged Mr. Grayson, saying that, while all this was undoubtedly true, it
was also superficial, obvious and the answer I would expect from a noncritical
adolescent.
He appeared to be angry at my response and was silent for several minutes. I
expected that he might simply leave but he surprised me by stating that he used
to think about the relationship a lot, bordering on obsessing on it. He stated
that they had experienced a lengthy estrangement which was only resolved within
the last two or so years and that he’d rather ‘let sleeping dogs lie’.
I continued to challenge him on this point, saying he was hiding and refusing to
be open about what have to be complicated and very mixed feelings. I next asked
him what had caused the estrangement. He was evasive but finally admitted that
he was fired as Robin.
From Mr. Grayson’s demeanor, this was likely as traumatic to him as the loss of
his parents. He had trouble composing himself, evinced heightened color and
increased rapid breathing. When asked he responded that the reason for his
‘firing’ was the result of an injury he’d experienced ‘on the job’ and had been
told—rather coldly, it would seem—that he was being relieved for his own safety.
I asked him what he did when this incident occurred; how he reacted. He said
that his reaction was anger tempered by deep emotional pain. He perceived this
as a major and possibly final rejection and took it entirely personally, seeing
it as a failure on his own part and, thus, his ‘fault’.
I suggested that in all likelihood, the event was a result of the Bat’s own
fears of endangering or even losing a young man he had come to view as his son.
He referred to this idea was ‘bullshit’, as he’d been placed in mortal danger by
Batman beginning when he was nine years old. He felt that Batman’s concern was
‘belated, at best’. He also continued in his firm hold onto the belief that it
was the logical conclusion of both his working in the Batman and Robin
partnership and also one he should ‘have seen coming’. He insisted that he
should have known this could happen and that because of that, he should have
been able to do something to prevent it.
I also pointed out to him that, as was described to me, Batman, had never in any
way, suggested that the B&R relationship was a temporary one. Mr. Grayson had no
reason to think that he would be let go.
He then expressed further anger at the fact that he ‘was replaced in a couple of
months by a second-rater’. He also holds himself, to some degree, responsible
for the death of his replacement, saying that if he hadn’t been injured, he
would have had the training to survive that Robin #2 couldn’t.
He also has a tremendous of anger and resentment built up by this obvious and
cold-hearted rejection from the man who was his paternal figure after his
biological father’s murder. The rejection is compounded by the fact that it came
just as the wardship with his then guardian was due to legally end.
I can only conclude that Batman is both emotionally stunted himself to inflict
such pain onto a very young man and likely sadistic to even consider such a
thing involving he has professed to love ‘like a son’.
Week 57:
I’ve now become convinced that Mr. Grayson was a victim of some form of child
abuse. I doubt that it was sexual in nature, though I have to believe, after
hearing him describe his ‘training’ with Batman, that it may well have crossed
the line to brainwashing and mind control.
As he explained it to me, a normal day would consist of raising at five AM to
work out for an hour and a half. He would then go through a normal school day,
go home for homework and dinner then prepare for the evening’s ‘patrol’. This
would generally commence with nightfall and continue as long as necessary, which
could be as early as midnight but could also extend to dawn at which time the
circle would repeat. In addition he led the Teen Titans, maintained social
obligations and was punished if he fell off the school’s honor roll.
There was a lack of warmth and affection in the home environment which the
patient felt deeply, having come from a highly tactile and emotionally
demonstrative family.
This emotional abuse/neglect was continued and likely cumulated in the
dismissive manner in which he was ‘fired’, as described in last week’s session
notes. In addition, being in the role of ‘ward’, his entire family structure
was, by definition, finite and temporary. This situation was only corrected and
solidified belatedly by his adoption in his early twenties.
I seriously question why Batman was allowed to retain custody of Mr. Grayson. I
shall attempt to have his wardship and adoption records opened for me.
NB: Shortly after making this entry I found a note taped to my computer.
“Don’t”, with a silhouette of a bat as the only signature. I can only assume
that Batman feels threatened by any intrusion into his failures in a parental
role. I shall inform Mr. Grayson of this further breech of his privacy.
Week 58:
After initially canceling his session, I was surprised to see Mr. Grayson appear
at his regular time. He was clearly upset and evasive about his reasons both for
canceling and for keeping the appointment. After almost an hour of encouragement
he informed me that this would be his last session. He explained that he’d spent
several days at the home of his adoptive father last week and that, between him
and his father, they’d decided that therapy would be ultimately
counter-productive to their ‘goals’. I asked if this were indeed his own
decision or if he’d been, in any way, coerced. He insisted that this was not the
case and he had come to understand that the possible dangers to myself and to
his ‘work’ were too great to continue.
I told him that it was apparent to me that he’d been convinced of this choice by
his father and that, in my professional opinion, there were still many issues
which he would benefit from exploring in depth. He reluctantly acknowledged that
this might be true but weighed against the dangers involved, he was unable, ‘in
good conscience to allow me to remain in what could easily become a potentially
horrendous situation’.
Informed that this was obviously not his own decision, he surprised me by
admitting that fact instead of arguing or walking out as I expected, saying,
“The security risks are too great to be acceptable. Batman is right about that.”
I strongly suggested that he continue with his therapy and he agreed he found it
‘helpful’ but reiterated that it was ‘too much of a breech’ to do so. I also
offered the names of several colleagues whom I consider to be beyond question
regarding their professionalism and integrity. He thanked me, said he’d think
about it and left. Subsequent attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful.
I remain highly concerned about this patient.
NB: Two days after my last scheduled appointment with Mr. Grayson I received the
following:
I want to both thank you for your patience with my somewhat special needs
over the last year or so and to have you understand several things.
First of all, as I suspect you may have realized, the decision to leave your
practice was not entirely my own and the reasons for that choice being made are,
I assume, obvious to you. The man whom I consider to be, if not my actual
father, the person most responsible for molding me into the man I’ve become was
deeply concerned about the personal safety of our circle of close friends and
family should any of your notes fall into the wrong hands. I have to stress that
this fear is well founded and I’ve, unfortunately, seen the results of ignoring
needed caution in this area.
Secondly, while working with you I did find deeper understanding of myself, my
motivations and my own agenda for my actions since I lost my parents. I have
come to the point where I believe I may have gained enough perspective to see
for myself the whys and wherefores of myself. To this end I shall be keeping a
personal journal so that I might be able to articulate my thoughts and feelings,
as well as to be better able to work out personal problems on my own. I believe
that it’s through your objective perspective that I’m now able to do this. I’m
in your debt for this.
I’ll be in touch and should you ever have any need of my services or those of my
friends, please let me know.
With gratitude,
Richard Grayson
It remains my belief that Mr. Grayson was cajoled or threatened into this
decision and I continue to fear for him.
4/15/08
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