ABSTRACT
Dr. Adeline recalled how Victor had told her that shortly after he became the "Firefighter" at age eleven he became fascinated by Edgar Allan Poe's story of a dead man whose heart would not stop beating. Victor once more created his childhood environment in his present life: there was a death— this time Mariel's father—and a defective individual—this time Mariel, and a "saviour"—again Victor. Before his engagement Victor spent many hours a day protecting Mariel's family's finances. But, since Victor was not telling details, Dr. Adeline could not fully understand what her patient was actually doing. She heard that his involvement with Mariel's family financial affairs was interfering with his work at the finance company; he even said that his position at the company was in danger. Much later Victor would tell his analyst that, at this time, he was becoming aware that the "best boss" anyone could have was stealing his clients' money.
