By Jose Bello
Voice of: Ed Chano: - Hello! And welcome to another edition of “Dialogue: Need To Know.” I am your host - Ed Chano.
- (Program theme music plays, then subsides and plays lowly, in the background)
And this week we'll be talking with “Mr. Pain.” As you know, and just in case you don't, he is and has been, the only man in charge of all things concerning pain. Yes, you heard right. Hurt and pain are his “game”. We've been receiving letters from you, the viewers. And we've been listening and doing our research in anticipation of the “Pain” man's visit.
We've gathered your main concerns and I'll be putting those questions to Mr. Pain right here, on “Dialogue: Need To Know.”
“Dialogue: Need To Know” is a contemporary program that brings interesting people in the news to the foreground of criticism, speculation and all matter of questions by our audience, in a quest to get answers from those whom we all find... well, questionable!
We dig deep, searching for answers to questions the public wants and demands answers to. We don't assume anything about our guests. We invite them here to our studios, where we use the latest technology available to satisfy your “Need to Know.”
We have with us today, Mr. Pain, well known to us all, as the reason many of us will delay or even cancel dental or doctor's visits. He has agreed to answer any and all questions we have for him. Many of our questions are sent in by viewers. So, sit back and enjoy the show. I am your host and sometime arbitrator, sometime mediator, your conduit between our guest and our audience, Ed Chano.
- Camera pans back, revealing studio personnel wearing ear phones and carrying clip boards, hastily moving about, dodging video and sound equipment, stepping over snaking electrical wires along the way, as the theme music's volume increases and partial credits roll, while in the foreground, Mr. Pain enters, led by a young lady in jeans, who sets down her clip board on a lamp table near one of the chairs and begins attaching a small microphone to Mr. Pain's lapel.
The show's musical theme fades into commercial messages. At the end of which, theme music plays, momentarily, then fades out, as camera pans back, revealing Ed Chano seated at one of two comfortable living room chairs facing another upon which Mr. Pain sits; the program's musical theme fades. And Ed Chano's head shot appears, as he looks gravely into the camera and speaks:
- Voice of Ed Chano: - Mr. Pain, welcome to Center Stage Studios. As you can see, we've prepared this space to keep you, me, our team and everyone here safe, during our conversation. Thank you for being here and sharing with us information about the delicate work you perform; that of administering pain. I want to explain to our audience, that one major reason for our inquiry today – with all respect to you sir, – is to bring clarity to the decision making process of your work. Many people have expressed a need to know why pain is administered in those cases when there appears to be no need to do so.
Mr. Pain: - Well, Mr. Chano, thank you for welcoming me to your studios. It is a relaxing atmosphere and I'm happy to have accepted your invitation. I've been looking forward to shedding light on my work. I'm aware that appearances can be misleading, often leading to inaccurate conclusions.
Ed Chano: - I'm a believer in clarity, Mr. Pain. And we're glad you've come to help us with that today. As a democratic people, we feel the need to call into question things affecting us. Some situations demand answers, such as your motivation in some cases. This is why we invited you here. And we hope you will clarify these issues and help us to understand the way you arrive at some decisions that appear pain is being inflicted casually or possibly, needlessly. We welcome your input.
Mr. Pain: - Allow me to enlighten you, by way of an example: A policeman interrogating a suspect may be forced to ask some very personal, even “painful” questions, one might say. And the suspect being questioned might appear guilty in one's assessment of his or her answers. Yet, when all the facts are in, that suspect may be found to be innocent. Would you say that the “painful” questioning would have proved necessary, Mr. Chano?
Ed Chano - Is it my understanding then, that you have no feeling for the pain you inflict? That seems a cold assessment on your part, Mr. Pain.
Mr. Pain: - Well, I must admit that it does, sir. Yet cold or not, was the desired result accomplished? And was the method used to arrive at that outcome not worth the desired result?
Ed Chano – Well, I suppose the method used was justifiable in your example. But you must admit that it is a cold way to arrive at a “desired result” in other cases. I would hope that, in dispensing physical pain, that a degree of compassion well beyond that of the empathy raised at a mere questioning, may be applied. You are working with human beings. Applying physical pain, sir! To which human beings are susceptible... and...it....Hurts. To which some have been moved to say it's... torturous, sir.
Mr. Pain: - Please Ed, let me say that I entirely agree. My situation is different from those of my example in some ways. However, certain parts in the framework of my example show the validity and purpose in applying some degree of pain. My example even shows that a relatively small amount of pain, innocently applied, may render a positive result. I believe my work can be seen in a favorable light, if only human emotion is placed aside and not allowed to interfere with the procedure.
Ed Chano: - I'm intrigued. Please continue.
Mr. Pain: - While some situations may lead to speculation over the pain administered or as to my motives, the question I might ask would be: “who better to make these judgments than I, who has been doing the work for as long as I have?” There is no one with the expertise and experience that comes only with time; especially the amount of time and labor I have invested for the betterment of humanity, painful, though torturous as it may seem. For without my contributions, humanity would have suffered losses unimaginable. Human beings need to feel pain. It tells them when something needs fixing. It makes them arrive at decisions they otherwise could not. It awakens the need to act in times of severe urgency. It allows a human being to see beyond needs and wants. It allows priority changes to come into clear view and actions never before considered, to be taken. And these pieces of a life I've come to know and affect at intervals in the lives of humans in crisis, are like no other. My understanding and ability to act in accordance with the knowledge I've earned, gives me and only me, the ability and right to do my work.
Ed Chano: - How long have you been doing your work, sir? And how did you come to be “Mr. Pain”?
Mr. Pain: - Well, actually, long ago, so long ago, I am not able to give you an exact date.
Ed Chano: - Were you appointed, selected by some committee, or other entity? An authority, that makes choices or directs you in your work? And if so, who would that be and what are your duties to that person or entity; and might there be discrepancies existing between you and others exerting influence in your work?
Mr. Pain: - Now Ed, - May I call you Ed?
Ed Chano: - (Nods 'yes' and smiles reassuringly). Yes, he utters.
Mr. Pain: - I realize you're anxious to get to the crux of the matter. I know your audience wants answers and I assure you, they will get them. I will answer these questions in the course of what I am about to reveal.
Ed Chano: - As to a job description, including responsibilities and authorization in the use of the powerful tools of your work? What if anything, can we assume is “off the table” so to speak? Or are ALL decisions left to you, sir? These are certainly loaded questions. I'm sure you'll agree. Yet, these and others like them are the ones we need answered.
I'm sure you're aware that there has been a growing disquietude among the citizenry and it concerns your work and whether or not some restraints may be applied for the sake of a more humane approach on your part. I'm sure you know that the general public, despite or because they are not privy to how you carry out your work, have raised suspicions in the absence of clarity.
Of course we are all curious about your work. And that is actually a compliment to you and your accomplishments. Of course this curiosity about you and your work also raises much excitement among us all. From the moment you accepted our invitation to appear here on “Need to Know” we've all been very excited. We get so many letters. Many are not complimentary, expressing suspicions about your work, your personal motivation and even your integrity. I guess it's to be expected.
Your power is great, sir, and as well you know, capable of consequences that can alter lifetimes. If there is anything you may want to add to ease our worries and concerns, we welcome you to please do so.
Mr. Pain: - Let me offer a part of my process, for all to consider. Often in the process of
reaching the point of pain needed for a successful outcome, a human witnessing my work may react negatively to the patient's reaction. Therein, I believe, lies the controversy. Sadly, too often the reaction of the subject to the pain is something mortals don't have the capacity to understand. Emotions may drive a human being to make misguided judgments. Thus, suspicions may arise about my work, regardless of tools, methodology, motivations or purpose. I have learned and conditioned myself over time, not to allow emotions to control or dictate my actions. In a perfect world human beings would understand this as what allows me to remain successful in my work. If I am to continue to do my work at its best and with the degree of success I've been able to achieve thus far, the future will continue to be successful and fruitful for all of humankind.
No. There is no authority exerting influence or oversight over my “duties,” decisions, or any aspect of my work. I am a free agent, free of any outside constraints. You may say I'm self employed, sir. I cannot look upon my work as any other. My duty is to myself and, if you believe in a theological entity, such as “God,” for instance: NO. I have never been ordered, suggested or advised by any such entity. I have no job description, as each of my assignments are unique. And I will add that no human being, no matter how talented, skilled or learned he or she may be, is capable of fully understanding what I do. And most certainly, there is, to my knowledge, no human capable, skilled or knowledgeable in what I do, to carry out the critical work I perform daily.
That having been said, let me express my gratitude for your open show of respect for me and my “work.” I am also appreciative of the diversity of your audience, as they are representative of larger America, and the world beyond. I'm sure this audience will have no trouble understanding what I've said: The validity and importance of my work, justification for certain aspects of the work and decisions I have to make under conditions difficult for any mortal. And I hope that all suspicions will have been answered to everyone's satisfaction by the end of our discourse.
My own assessment of the current situation as I understand it, had until this moment, placed us here as adversaries. On one hand we had a populace brought to the point of action towards me, granted not a physical action, yet one not void of hostility. On the other hand, from my point of view, left unchecked, such a situation could become a catalyst for an unknown turn of events; one that could end badly for all concerned. The discontent surrounding my work, my motives, and so on, as you can now see, are actually logical and necessary procedures that stand up to the scrutiny. I hope I have answered all questions to your satisfaction.
Suspicions about my work, my tools and all such matters where human lives are concerned, are extremely important in my work. However, their use in treating a life suffering, teetering on the possibility of death, are issues of grave importance to me and, as they apply to my work. They are matters of importance to all of us. And the public has every right to question these things. Pain is the critical factor here. I do well appreciate this fact, since it is at the core of what I do and how I carry out this pressing day to day responsibility. I well understand that this is the basis for your concern. But this concern does not lie only with you, but with me as well. It has always been so. For I've always been the only one. There has been no other. And there may never be another.
My power is well known. It is unique and it is absolute. It is life changing. But I am an honorable being, whose only purpose, when whittled down to its essence, is to the continuance of the human race. From the time humans are born, to the time they grow old and die, I am a friend; present at all occasions. I take on many duties along the way. Heartaches, hardships, shame, wounds, all pain is in my realm. My delivery of pain may be swift, prolonged, sharp or dull, long lasting, short lived. Or rationed over time proportionately to its purpose. A purpose known only to me.
Your inquiry into higher or other sources by which direction or purpose of my work may be directed, guided, counseled or otherwise premeditated, planned, reasoned or decided is valid and not to be disrespected. Yet, it can only be best answered by a simple “No”. There is no other involvement in the things I do. For I am solely responsible. I answer to no one person or thing. Where, how, why or any such questions, never have and never will be answerable. Yes, my work may appear lonely. Yet to me it is simply what I do. It gives me great pride and satisfaction, as it is essential to all. Lonely work, to be sure for mortals. It is at once pitiful yet proud. For its purpose is, in its end, fruitful, true. Yes, loving, as well, since one of its many purposes is to awaken certain emotions and clarify others. The awful wrenching of pain, inflicted in all its mercy and purpose, that only I can administer in its many forms, is a necessary endeavor and a blessing to the religious among you.
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