The Principal of St. Jude’s, Dr. Gunther Aretz sat behind his desk twirling his fingers. This pose was a particular nervous action which was typical when he discussed matters of calculated logic. His voice was steady and confident and showed no room for negotiation.

His listener sat calmly and attentively at the other end of the desk. Mark looked unwaveringly into the lowered eyes of Dr. Aretz as he listened to the absorbing subject. The speaker was expressing an opinion which was not one derived from years of laborious medical studies designed for profit or the cure of disorder. Or perhaps a hypocritical charitable approach contrived to win for himself undeserved kudos but rather an opinion based on a compassionate long period of inquiry and observance of human conduct or, on the other hand, at the very least - idle curiosity.

"If when one thinks of maladies" he was saying, "one means the illness with which countless humans are beset, diseases which cause anguish, pain and suffering, distress or torment. If one assumes maladies as meaning distemper, indisposition or disorder. Or a dissatisfied, insurgent or uneasy condition the likes of which invades not only the humble lowly and unassuming abodes of the poor and hungry but also the magnificent mansions of the opulent, of Royalty, and those simply concerned with holy piety or mischievous political achievement."

"Or perhaps the maladies that besiege the persons by nature spiteful, malignant or ill-disposed; the bitter, the envious, the rancorous. The preponderance of humans harassed by disabilities, mutilation or other not so critical crippling hurt. Does one address the query to the house of inconvenience that besiege the despotic, the dictatorial or the consequential haughty or pompous portion of our communities? Then also one may mean the maladies that are prevalent amongst those of us who are insane, crazy or delirious? The intentional discomfort that augments our existing abnormalities by Machiavellian provocations of forbearing insolence. Is one to believe that the question is intended to unearth the surly disorder that is the sole domain of the sour, churlish or the vulgar?"

"Surely the question does not apply to those that are regulated by a disposition to be peaceful, lenient and gentle-hearted. Regrettably, maladies violate the retreat of these desirable qualities in humankind. Those tender souls that do not deserve any form of intrusion to their meaningful way of life that is envied by all of us who are unable to claim devoutness to their ideal philosophies."

"Clearly young man, an abundant variety of maladies exist amongst the Noble, the repulsive, the outcast, the miscreant, the wretch, as well as the ones blessed with apparent physical health."

"It is unproductive to dwell any further on the theme, for there is a danger that it may create a malady where one is uniquely non-existent. Do you Mark not agree?"

Mark nodded his head as if eager not only to agree but to indicate full understanding. "On the other hand" Dr Aretz continued "on the subject of contentment ....." He sighed as if already placed in the mood by the subject about which he was about to expand. "Contentment," he challenged "to most an elusive ‘will of the wisp’. To some, a potential dream. What is it ask yourself, that will make you content? Is it the gratification of achievement. The realization or consummation of a special desire? How trivial, how moderate are your demands! Do you not seek a life-time of that which is gratifying. Surely what you have stated is fleeting like a breath of cool breeze on a hot summer day. There is no permanency, no long lasting contentment."

"Let me ask you again my friend. Would you like serenity, composure, tranquillity or perhaps satisfaction? Surely you must desire happiness, requital, peace. But, you might now ask, are they eternal? What is unceasing I reply. The only element I know of that is infinite is infinity. Does that mean that what you seek is illusionary or unattainable? Do not abandon hope my friend! Contentment is there for the grasping."