Andy's FanFic

This fanfic is based on the movie "The Truman Show". It is about what happens after the movie.

 “Dr.Redfield, Mr. Truman Burbank is here.”

 “Please let him in,” I said to the secretary. I put down the newspaper with a big bold heading which read He’s Escaped. I almost certainly knew why he would be here to see me today. Everyone knew who this man was, he was a celebrity for over decades and everybody loved him. However, the love he received, he could not give back.  I looked up to see a man nervously looking around and trying to iron down his jacket with shaky hands. He had sunken cheeks and showed noticeable dark circles under his eyes. The image of him face-to-face and on TV conflicted very much.

 “Please come in Mr.Burbank,” I indicated to a sofa next my couch. “My name is Dr.Redfield. You can either sit or lie down, whatever is comfortable for you.”

 Truman smiled nervously and murmured ‘Thank you’, and carefully sat on the far end of sofa. He glanced at the far wall with bookshelves through corner of his eyes. He continued to fidget his hands as if he was unable to stay calm.

 “Mr.Burbank,” he jumped as if he forgot I was there. “What brings you here today?”

 “I, um, have trouble sleeping at night,” he smiled sheepishly. “The neighbours make too much noise at night,” he glanced at the bookshelves again.

 “Are you interested in my books, Mr.Burbank?”

 He suddenly leaped up and looked straight at my eyes furiously. “How did you know I was looking that way?! Are you in this? Are you part of this?”

 “No, Mr.Burbank. Whatever you are accusing me of, it is not true. There’s only you and me in this room,” I held up my hands to calm him down.  “Please have a sit.”

 After few moments, he slowly sat back on the sofa. He looked wearily and frustrated. He leaned forwards and wrapped his head in his hands. “I’m sorry doctor. I didn’t mean to shout at you like that. I need help,” he whispered.

 “What made you keep looking at the bookshelves, Mr.Burbank?” I asked softly. He sat back and started to speak but stopped himself. He looked away and reluctantly started to speak.

 “I think everyone is still watching me. Watching every move I make wherever I am. I KNOW I’m not on the show anymore, I KNOW I’m not being watched, I KNOW there are no cameras in every corner. I have Sylvia to thank for that. She constantly reminds me that so how could I forget,” he smiled fondly when he mentioned Slyvia. Happiest I had ever seen him since he stepped into the room. But the smile quickly disappeared. “But I can’t help to think what if it’s not real? What if this is just next part of the show? I mean, just last night during the dinner it was just me and Sylvia. I made a joke which made her giggle and then exact at that moment, I hear laughter from the streets. How do you explain that!? ”

 Suddenly it was up to me to explain why some random people on the street laughed at that exact moment. I mentally noted that the client, Mr.Burbank, showed many obvious symptoms of paranoia and delusion that he was still part of the show. Also possible occurrences of hallucination due to post traumatic stress from the Truman Show. It was important for me to convince him that it was just a mere coincidence and he could not link every incidence to him.

 “Mr.Burbank, I do not know why there was laughter from the street at that moment. But, what is important is that you need to learn to accept things that happen around you do not always involve you.  Now Mr.Burbank, you mentioned you are having trouble sleeping at night. Do you mind if you could elaborate?”

 Truman did not seem convinced. Chances were that he still thinks I’m part of ‘them’ so should know how it happened. He did not seem comfortable but began to explain. “In the show, they had cameras everywhere. In the bedrooms, the kitchen, the bathroom, everywhere. They watched me do things that a normal person would only do in their privacy. You have to understand doctor. I never feel alone, I CAN’T feel alone.  I feel self-conscious all the time. Even in darkness,” he shifted uncomfortably. “You know, all I ever wanted to do was to explore the world. Go on a trip and see different things, different people, different lives. I don’t know where it all went wrong. Ignorance is bliss, don’t you think?” he smiled sadly with glassy eyes.

 I paused. He seemed so innocent even child-like. His burden on his shoulders was too heavy that he could not do one thing he only ever wanted to do. It was heartbreaking. His life was ruined for the sake of others’ entertainment. The case was as extremely as it could get and I needed to consult my colleagues.

 “Well, Mr. Burbank, I believe we have established our situation at a satisfactory level. So for now, I would like for us leave at this.”

 He nodded. He slowly got up and opened the door. He was immediately greeted by Sylvia who looked happy as ever. She looked up to see me and her eyes told different story. She was on a verge of breaking point and everyday was a struggle for her. She desperately searched for any hope from me. Hope for comfort, hope for better future. She didn't find it.