Conversations With Edward Burner

It is Doctor Toby Markham’s first day back at the office after a period of hospitalisation. He is the head of practice at Markham’s Mental Stability Clinic, a private healthcare service focusing on the mental health treatment of the wealthy and elite. When he meets his first patient. Edward Burner (the heir to a multi-million luxury car company, widespread Internet personality and vilified party animal), Toby is exposed to a youthful interpretation of the 21st Century. Presented in post-session transcripts, through his disgusting sentiments, offensive honesty and ruthless personal philosophy, Edward Burner introduces his therapist to the conventions of the modern world- many of which surprise ignorant Toby.

What is the state of the ongoing aeon of consumerism? Why do people love a newsfeed jester, a homepage dunce, a timeline fool? Is sex as sacred as it used to be? Are our gods and demons unforeseeable probability and random chance? Do we exist in relationships of mutually beneficial survival? Does the individual have the choice to decide what is right and wrong? Burner and Markham work tirelessly to answer these thought-provoking questions (and more) as they navigate the events of their personal lives. Each has their own desired outcome. For Toby- what is wrong with Edward Burner? Why is he the way he is? For Edward- what is happening in Toby Markham’s personal life? Why does he appear more defeated with every session? For both- in the 21st Century, who can say who is mad? As Toby learns more about Edward’s psychotic approaches to wealth, fame, sexuality, philosophy, morality and ideology, his patient adjacently pries into Toby’s personal life- marriage in the throngs of decay, suspicions of his wife committing adultery abound, and the cause of a mysterious head injury. Edward sees an opportunity to reshape a man on the brink of surrender, and twists him into becoming a reflection of himself. After all, there is a little Edward Burner in all of us. Proceeds take a dark turn, delving into the soul crushing dilemmas of adultery, blackmail and provocation of murder, leaving Toby himself questioning his own sanity.