Jean still looked confused. Dr. Hauser looked very concerned. “Um, o-okay, Joe, I think -- I think you need to seriously think about what you’re doing. This -- this just isn’t right. Are you familiar with the term ‘megalomania’?”
I’d heard the term, but didn’t know what it meant.
Dr. Hauser started to explain. “It’s usually believed to be synonymous with the term ‘delusions of grandeur,’ but --“
”But I’m not delusional!” I interrupted. “I really do have grandeur, with this ring!”
”Yes, but you’ve used it to dominate others -- it appears that you’ve changed every woman in the world into a sex object, against her will,” insisted Dr. Hauser.
”I don’t think so,” I said, with a grin. “Ask Jean if I’ve done anything against her will. I think as far as she’s concerned, I haven’t done anything, period.”
”Uh, that’s right,” said Jean. “I think I need to go back out and --“
”Hold on,” said Dr. Hauser to her receptionist. “Deep down, the way you look now, the way you’re dressed -- don’t you feel as if you’re being put on display for men? Don’t you feel more like a piece of meat than a human being with her own thoughts, feelings, and ideas?”
Jean looked at her boss like she were crazy. “What are you talking about? You can’t even see my nipples in this outfit. Hell, you’re showing off a lot more boob area than me -- and are you even wearing any panties under that skirt?”
”This isn’t about me,” sighed an obviously exasperated Dr. Hauser. “Okay, yeah, just go back to your desk. Whatever.”
Jean did as the doctor suggested, shaking her head as she went, closing the door behind her.
”I think I’ve read more sci-fi than you, and that’s what happens when you change reality,” I pointed out. “Everything seems completely and totally normal, and why shouldn’t it? It’s literally their reality, it’s just different.”
”But you, deep down, don’t you realize this isn’t right?” asked the doctor. “Who knows what’s different, other than the outfits -- I mean, just because Jean doesn’t feel like she’s a sex object...”
”That doesn’t matter,” I insisted. “When reality changes, ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ change with them. I mean, I could go even further, and I'd still be 'right'...” A thought crossed my mind.
Dr. Hauser must have seen the expression on my face. “No, please, Joe --“
But I ignored her and said...