Desmond Wales

## Dr. Desmond Whales

"You've listened to their stories and troubles, but what of your own? Who decides the story of Desmond Wales?"

### Relatives

Jack Wales (father)Melinda Wales (mother) Tonia Wales (pet, deceased)

## Appearances

### Portrayed by

Mick Lauer

Dr. Desmond Wales is the **protagonist** of *In Sound Mind*. He is a licensed therapist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and lives in the city of Milton Haven, Washington. Under the effects of Agent Rainbow, Desmond experiences a psychological trip that allows him to unearth the conspiracy that has caused chaos within Milton Haven.

## Backstory

Born and raised in Milton Haven, Washington as the only child to Jack and Melinda Wales (who are not present within the game), Desmond pursued an education in Psychology upon reaching adulthood. After obtaining an Undergraduate degree in Neurology and Semiotics from Pacific State College, he was able to graduate with honors and attend Medical School at Virgil Medical College with a Residency at Acheron Falls Medical Center.

Eagerly pursuing a career in Psychology, it appeared that Desmond had everything he needed to ensure a successful career aiding the people of Milton Haven. 3 to 4 years prior to opening his practice, Desmond began dating a local woman named Magdalena, and possibly married her during that time. After opening his practice, Dr. Wales began therapy with his first patient Virginia Ruhl (it is not disclosed whether Dr. Wales has had any prior patients before Virginia). Following Virginia, Desmond also took into care Icarus Point lighthouse-attendant Allen Shore, previous Mayer Pharmaceuticals Transport Driver Max Nygaard, and Army Veteran Radioman Lucas Cole, respectively.

Though his patients' background, ages, and psychological ailments differed, Dr. Wales stuck close to his teachings and professionalism, taking it upon himself to treat his patients- alongside his pet cat Tonia, who he often included in sessions to soothe his patients. By recording cassette Tapes transcribing his sessions, Dr. Wales was able to reflect on his patients words, demeanors, and intricate stories. Dr. Wales also created Patient Files including diagnoses and circumstances of treatment, backstory, and psychological notes, for each of his patients; and additionally utilized Rorschach tests to help screen his Patients.

After some time of providing Therapy for his earliest patients, Dr. Wales *seemed* to succumb to the effects of emotional burnout often encountered by inexperienced therapists. According to his partner Magdalena, Wales often too absorbed with his own emotional problems, and was often "knee-deep" in his Patients' struggles. This, along with Desmond's eventual chronic paranoia (likely caused by Agent Rainbow), led to Magdalena leaving Wales, claiming he was not emotionally available for her.

After losing his relationship of four years, Desmond was left with only his cat Tonia by his side, and possibly resorted to alcoholism to cope with his situation. Suffering from mounting paranoia and constant mind fog, Desmond made an oversight and purchased a lily plant for his apartment's bedroom- the lily plant being a fatally toxic plant to housecats if ingested. Tragically, Desmond would find that Tonia eventually fell deathly ill due to the plant, losing his last friend in his now-lonely life.

As Desmond's emotional state worsened, he began to notice his Patients quickly dying or disappearing. Virginia Ruhl suddenly committed suicide inside the Homa Mart Grocery Store on March 26th, Allen Shore was critically wounded (and consequentially left comatose) in a fire at the Icarus Point Lighthouse barely a week before, Max Nygaard died during his rage-induced attack at Mayer Distribution shortly following his termination on March 15th, and finally, Lucas Cole disappeared until the events of the story.

At his breaking point, Desmond took it upon himself to conduct an introspective psychological self-analysis, opting to perform it without a third-party due to the risk of "unwanted prying into a past left best alone". Within the document, he noted that several patients under his care now had died or disappeared, he had come to "seriously question his methods, and whether or not he himself is at risk". Desmond adds that his mind is clouded with fear, and wonders if he is to meet the same fate as his patients. He concludes by pondering whether he should better himself where Magdalena saw him lacking, and learn to stop neglecting his own emotional wellbeing to prioritize the problems of others. Unbeknownst to Desmond, this suggestion would be the very key to saving his mind from the grasps of Agent Rainbow.

Due to Desmond's affiliation with his patients, and their involvement with the hindering of Mayer Pharmaceutical's Operations, he was targeted by C.I.B. officials and poisoned with a high dosage of the psychoactive chemical Agent Rainbow. Despite the chemical's potency, Desmond was eventually able to fend off its effects by defeating his own mental manifestation of self-doubt and paranoia. After communicating with Lucas Cole under the guidance of Rosemary James, Desmond is saved by Lucas once and for all.

## Desmonds Tape

> In an unexpected turn of events, it seems I am the one who is losing my mind.
>
>
> Why or how this is all happening is beyond me.
>
>
> But as strange as this is... I'm equally as fascinated as I am scared.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> Life in Milton Haven has become... unfamiliar lately.
>
>
> People are... hell, I'm starting to see unusual patterns, behaviours... Ever since the crash, maybe?
>
>
> It's beginning to make sense, I suppose... my own feelings of dread, of fear...
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> Are similar to those of my patiens...
>
>
> Oh my patients... who are dropping like flies... dying...
>
>
> oh, poor Virginia...
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> I should go over their cases... I need to understand what this is...
>
>
> If I can get through this, if I can just keep my mind focused...
>
>
> I must stay aware, awake, alert.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
>
> in an unexpected turn of events it seems...
>
>
> that I'm coming out the other side.
>
>
> Why and how this is all happening is becoming clear,
>
>
> and as strange as this is -
>
>
> I am equally as fascinated as I am mad.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> Life, for me, will never be the same.
>
>
> I'm grateful to survive but at what cost?
>
>
> I am yet to know.
>
>
> While i can see the fog clearing I can also feel my skull...
>
>
> my brain is... is pulsing!
>
>
> Something is different.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> Mayer and the goverment think
>
>
> they have autonomous control over us,
>
>
> that they can shove us around and we'll take it.
>
>
> They fail to realize that by
>
>
> pushing a bird out of its nest,
>
>
> you teach it to fly.
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
>
>
> I'm going on record -
>
>
> Mayer's gonna pay for what they've done...
>
>
> to Virginia, to Allen,
>
>
> to Max, Lucas, Rosemary
>
>
> to Milton... to everyone.
>
>
> I am right. I am just.
>
>
> I am alive and I am
>
>
> in sound mind
>
>
>
> Come and tell me otherwise.
>
>

## References

1. ↑ Referenced within Desmond's own Patient File.
2. ↑ It should be noted that each Rorschach Test shown to each patient bares shocking similarity in form to their psychological 'Monsters'.
3. ↑ Rorschach tests were often used to screen patients for schizophrenia.
4. ↑ Desmond sarcastically diagnoses himself as "paradoxically paranoid".
5. ↑ Suggested in Desmond's "thought experiment laced with beer".
6. ↑ Referenced from the Police reports of the Incident located withinin Homa Mart.
7. ↑ Referenced from newpaper clippings found around Icarus Point.
8. ↑ Referenced from the Termination Documentation on Max's coffee table.
9. ↑ Lucas pursued his lead regarding the Agent Rainbow Conspiracy after coming into contact with Rosemary James via the Collective Unconscious.
10. ↑ In the Ending Credits scene, Lucas Cole retorts that a mysterious package had been left on Dr. Wales' table.