The screen gently played the scene. Perhaps the host intentionally slowed it down because the conversation between Shearer and Beihan was even slower, making the subtle nuances in their tones quite discernible.
Beihan shared his extensive experiences of visiting psychologists, which was in line with what Bruce had said. During this period, Bruce Wayne started doubting his psychological state. He seriously wrestled with the question of whether he was insane and didn't just go for routine check-ups. Instead, he might have proactively sought counseling.
Observing Beihan's demeanor on the screen, Bruce said, "You can tell he somewhat trusts the doctor. Perhaps because the doctor treating him was someone he was close to, he was able to cooperate smoothly with the examination."
"However, Shearer's examination method was clearly unexpected." Bruce shook his head gently, suggesting, "I suspect he thought Shearer would ask him about his recent feelings, or whether he had any worries."
"Most psychologists would ask that, wouldn't they?" Spider Man shrugged, "When I visited our high school counseling room, the opening line of the teacher was 'how are you feeling lately?'."
"Because modern psychology leans more towards behavioral analysis rather than psychoanalysis," Bruce said, furrowing his brow. "In fact, I can better understand behavioral analysis because it is logical."
"What triggers certain behavior and causes psychological effects of those actions, which in turn influences further actions, is a smooth sequence of cause and effect. I scored high in this area."
"But psychoanalysis is not like that. It's more like guesswork or telepathy," Bruce wore a troubled expression, recalling something. "A person expresses his views on certain matters or abstract discourses that don't necessarily touch on actualities, and then you ascertain psychological issues from these discourses. It doesn't seem like science, it's more like theology."
"Looks like your grades weren't very good, boy," Constantine chuckled dryly before saying, "Apparently your professor was a master of psychoanalysis, wasn't he?"
Without arguing, Bruce pointed at the screen and said, "As you can see, Batman recounted to Shearer several instances when he felt lost. It sounded more like prose or poetry, and then Shearer concluded that he was not sick."
"Can't you understand the connection either?" Lord Superman asked.
Shaking his head, Bruce revealed, "I was just repeating what Professor Shearer told me before. He said that by asking someone their moments of feeling most desolate, and listening to their description, he can identify if they have emotional issues, but doesn't it sound a bit far-fetched?"
"Could it be that if a person describes a common scenario where they feel lost, it proves they are not ill?" Spider Man wondered, scratching his chin. "If many people feel a sense of loss in a certain scenario, it means that the problem lies in the situation, not the psychology of the person."
"Perhaps that is part of it, but Shearer's approach is evidently more intricate." Bruce let out a sigh, "His judgment through question and answer regarding the respondent's psychological troubles is deeper."
"Broadly speaking, when a regular psychologist asks you when you tend to feel the most dejected, they are probably looking to detect signs of depression. But Shearer can see the minutest problems in your personality through your response."
"How is that possible?" Lord Superman said, somewhat disbelief.
"That's why I said it's more like theology." Bruce shrugged.
The scene on the screen continued, Batman left the consulting room. Now only Shearer and Beihan were left in the room, and thus the classic haunting began.
At this point, Bruce suddenly stood up and said, "Stop. Rewind by approximately 30 seconds."
Everyone turned to look at him, then back at the screen. Although Owen didn't understand what Bruce intended to do, he still rewound the screen by 30 seconds as instructed.
Before rewinding, Shearer and Beihan had already approached the door, and next would be the scene of Beihan examining the hallway and seeing a ghost.
But after rewinding 30 seconds, Shearer just stood up from the chair, and at that moment Beihan had just turned around.
The camera was focused on Shearer's face. As the footage continued, it was noticeable that the instant Beihan turned around, Shearer went blank for about 2~3 seconds.
Bruce and Arthur seemed to narrow their eyes simultaneously, but it was Constantine who spoke up first.
"Where did his soul go?" Constantine exhaled a bit of smoke from his nose, uttering in disbelief, "I could feel that at the moment he blanked out, his soul wasn't controlling the body, but it quickly returned to normal. It's impossible for such a brief out-of-body experience."
"It's just that the personality trait currently governing his body has left." Bruce tapped the armrest lightly with his fingertips, suggesting, "It seems that the appearance of those crazy personality traits within the hospital wasn't a coincidence after all. It was part of the professor's plan."
"But I don't get it. If this isn't an accident, then why would this psychiatrist release his crazy personality traits?" Spider Man turned to Bruce, "He clearly knows that they're uncontrollable and very evil."
"This is why I say psychoanalysis is more like theology. The professor deduced the patient's current problem by just having a short conversation, and this is his solution."
There was a moment of silence in spectators' seats; Lord Superman shook his head, "This doesn't sound like psychology, more like mind reading."
"That's what I initially thought too." Bruce lightly twisted his mouth and admitted, "Even until now, I am not sure whether he can actually read minds like he claims."
"This is unbelievable." Spider Man exclaimed, "He doesn't have a God's eye view, he cannot see what others are doing like we can, much less replay to watch it in detail. So, what was the basis of his deduction?"
"Telepathy doesn't require a basis."
The screen maintained the order of the scenes, and soon Shearer and Beihan arrived in the corridor. Shearer proposed going upstairs, and everyone in the projection room felt that something was wrong.
"If, as you say, this psychiatrist had planned from the beginning, then was the 'safer' upstairs he mentioned really safe?"
"Of course not." Bruce splayed his hands, "It's a trick from beginning to end."
"First, they stress that the building might be haunted without mentioning that the most dangerous demon is their own insane personality trait."
"When Batman uncovers this, his attention is certainly drawn to the fact that there are two Shillers. This abnormality understandably attracts notice."
"In the blink of an eye, a crisis strikes Batman, leaving him no time to consider whether this is a conspiracy. His focus must be on resolving the imminent danger."
"As the crisis draws closer, Shiller suggests that he has a safe place. Keep in mind, at this point, Shiller still hasn't thoroughly explained his multiple personalities to Batman."
"This means that Batman doesn't know who's who among the more threatening and safer personalities described by Shiller. Currently, only Shiller has this information."
"Batman, of course, understands this fact: all the Shillers are one person. Shiller must be most familiar with his own condition. If he says that the personality upstairs is safer, no one else can question that - after all, they're all Shiller."
"However, this so-called danger and safety are evaluated according to Shiller's standards. In theory, even if the most dangerous personality is upstairs, Shiller is not lying. To him, all personalities are safe since they're all a part of him."
"I see, isn't this misdirection?" Spider Man squinted his spider-like eyes and said, "I said it's very safe, but I never clarified that it was only safe for me. It's like an insurance salesman assuring you that they will compensate for any accident, but neglecting to inform you about the lengthy compensation process."
"Exactly," Bruce nodded, "And clearly, Batman doesn't have time to ponder. He could be thinking about something else, being a bit distracted, and that's how Shiller has taken him upstairs."
"Now comes the part I can't understand." Lord Superman stared intensely at the screen, "After they went upstairs and talked for a while, Batman behaved as if he was suddenly stimulated and went to the restroom by himself."
"Is it the time to visit the restroom now? As a master tactician, doesn't he know that staying together is the safest option now, splitting up is the most foolish move?"
Bruce then set his sight on Owen, wishing he could give a different perspective that would potentially reveal the answer.
However, Owen hesitated as if he knew something but was reluctant to enlighten the others.
Even Spider Man looked doubtful.
In the end, Owen seemed unable to withstand the pressure anymore and sighed, "I can only say that this duelist named Batman saw some illusions. But these illusions are...spiritually contaminating."
Arthur immediately showed interest, sitting up straight in his chair and staring intently at the screen. Constantine raised an eyebrow. Lord Superman looked solemn.
Only Bruce appeared to have an idea, focusing his attention on the screen.
The shooting perspective was right towards Beihan and rapidly closing in as if diving into his eyes.
The next second, a hazy light emanated from the center of the screen, golden hues drew together from the edges, followed by particles of light that trickled down like sand through fingers.
A vibrant scene unfolded; it was a dance party.
"Stop."
The call from Bruce startled everyone who was intently watching the screen, including Owen who didn't expect him to call a halt at this moment. Therefore, he hurriedly rewound a few seconds, stopping where Bruce had called.
The scene was blurred. You could vaguely make out a dance floor on the left, a buffet table on the right for free movement, but the people in the scene were barely discernible apart from their vague silhouettes.
With a slightly disappointed look, Bruce said, "Continue."
The video footage continued to play, then came an unexpected close-up in Hitchcock style. Lord Superman immediately called a halt, "What are you doing? You didn't zoom in when you were supposed to, and now you're remembering to do it?"
"I'm not the one zooming!" Owen protested somewhat aggrievedly, "That's how he saw it."
Impatiently, Lord Superman waved his hand, indicating Owen to continue playing.
The zoom-in continued until it fully focused on a figure in the middle of the screen. Once the focus was completed, you could see that this was a woman's silhouette."
"Stop." Bruce called.
After staring at the silhouette for several seconds, Bruce said,
"White female, about 1.73 meters tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, around 55 years old, from the West Coast, suffered an injury to the right foot during childhood, hearing in the right ear is slightly weaker than the left, right-handed."
"Probably has had 2 to 3 marriages, given birth to more than two children, no history of drug abuse, grew up in a lower-middle-class family, supports the Republican party, currently likely working in some medical department, a supervisor or a higher position."
"Living alone, her residence shows no signs of children visiting, keeps… one… two... three dogs, two of which are large breed dogs, along with a cat, a Devon Rex, the lawn at home is a mixed lawn, facing southeast in the front yard…"
Everyone else looked at him as if they had seen a ghost.
"And you dare to accuse others of studying theology?!"