An elderly patient at a mental hospital was being considered for release.
The review board asked him what he would do if they let him go.
Patient:
“I’m going to make a slingshot, come back here, and break every window in this place!”
Naturally, the board denied his release.
Six months later, they reviewed him again and asked the same question.
Patient:
“I’m going to make a slingshot, come back here, and break every window in this place!”
Once again, his release was denied.
Several months later, the man complained to another patient that he could never seem to get released.
The other patient asked what he said during his interviews.
After hearing the answer, the older patient shook his head.
Patient:
“You’re never going to get released with answers like that. You have to tell them what they want to hear. Let me coach you.”
After some practice, the man felt ready.
When the board met with him again, they asked what he would do if they released him.
Patient:
“I’m going to get a job, find an apartment, and settle down.”
Board:
“Good. And then what?”
Patient:
“I’d like to meet a nice woman and start dating.”
Board:
“That sounds good. And then what?”
Patient:
“One evening, we’ll be alone in my apartment. I’ll take off her dress, then her undergarments, and we’ll lie down together.”
Board:
“Yes… and then?”
Patient:
“Then I’ll take the elastic from her undergarments, make myself a slingshot, come back here, and break every window in this place!”