Thumbsucker Page #2

to try and fix what he did.

- He's 17.

- Yeah, but he's sucking his thumb.

Let's see you fix it.

You seem to have all the answers.

I think we need to get this thing

under control, that's all.

Yeah, that's all.

It's time we were honest

with each other.

Yeah?

I don't wanna fix your teeth

all over again.

It's time to confront

the underlying issue.

What do you mean?

I know what your problem is.

It's an understandable habit.

In fact, what's strange

is that people ever quit.

It's nature's substitute

for your mother's breast.

How were you fed as a baby?

- From a bottle?

- I can't remember.

Any tension at home? Anxiety?

Any bad memories?

- Justin.

- Justin.

No conscious ones.

We never remember

the big things anyway.

Some babysitter holds your mouth

shut so she can watch...

...her soap operas in peace. At 40, you

wonder why you can't stay married.

There's only so much I can do

with traditional orthodontics.

Justin.

Justin.

Are you ready to let go

of your thumb?

- Why are you talking like that?

- Answer my question.

- What are you gonna do?

- I wanna try hypnosis.

- No way.

- Yeah. Really, I've seen it do wonders.

You just try and relax.

The more relaxed you are,

the deeper we can go.

Focus on the moon

in the painting.

A sense of peace...

...like a white light

fills your body.

Imagine the white light

filling your feet...

...then your legs.

Then your torso.

Then your head.

Imagine you're on a path.

You're deep in the forest.

A shaft of light

illuminates a wild animal.

This is your power animal.

See it.

Study it.

When you feel like

sucking your thumb...

...I want you to call on

your power animal.

Call it now.

Come here.

Do it in your mind.

Whenever you feel afraid, alone...

...call on your power animal.

You're not alone.

You're not afraid.

You don't need your thumb.

And your thumb doesn't need you.

Justin, from now on, your thumb

will taste like echinacea.

What's your power animal?

That's personal.

The mark of a secure nation is not

that conflicts are resolved quickly...

...but that conflicts do not arise.

Very nice, Ashley, thank you.

Next is Justin...

...with an introductory statement.

The North American Free Trade

Agreement.

All right, look over your notes.

I'll be right back.

- Mr. Cobb.

- I have to go.

- No, you have a speech to give.

- I can't stay.

- Look, what's going on?

- Don't touch me.

The Sierra Club website said

clear- cutting was up 15 percent.

Justin.

I think we should

write a letter together.

What happened in Mr. Geary's class?

I was just...

I had to go.

- Do you wanna write the letter?

- Why don't you just write one?

Why are you all of a sudden

so interested in this anyways?

Because it's important.

Because people

should know this stuff, right?

Yeah.

So you're into getting the truth out,

being honest and open?

Yeah.

So why can't you tell me

what MFC means?

Why can't you tell me

what happened in class?

Because that's nothing.

Nothing, right.

Goodbye, Justin.

Perry.

- It work ed.

- That's wonderful.

No, I didn't think it would be like this.

Can you put it back or something?

Your subconscious

has taken its course.

Please, I really feel crazy.

Stick with it, Justin.

Call on your power animal for help.

- I'm sorry.

- What's going on, Justin?

I don't know.

It's okay. You're okay.

I'll get this.

This is gonna be stupid.

I thought you liked that guy.

He just pretended

to be my friend, Joel.

If you're scared, you can go home.

All right.

Joel.

I'm sorry, okay?

Perry f***ed me up.

How?

He said he'd help me...

...and then he just

f***ed me up, okay?

Joel. Just this once.

Please.

Goddamn it.

Mr. and Mrs. Cobb, Justin's

always shown a lot of promise.

But I feel that something comes

between him and his potential.

And with college just ahead...

- ... Justin needs to maximise right now.

- Yes.

- Well?

- Well, I feel that...

...in light of recent behaviour,

that Justin needs an adjustment.

Justin, have you ever suspected...

...that you were different

from other teenagers?

Not as patient,

can't finish what you've started.

Terrified of being left alone,

but angry when you feel crowded.

- A little.

- It's classic hyperactive teen.

Attention deficit hyperactivity

disorder. ADHD.

We'd like you to think about

a stimulant drug treatment for Justin.

- You mean, like Ritalin?

- That's one of the many drugs...

...that a doctor could prescribe.

There's Adderall, Clonidine, Tenex.

If this is all just coming down

to medication- -

Look, I think that my son can

handle this if he puts his mind to it.

Mr. Geary, don't you feel that Justin

could do much better?

Justin has exhibited...

...some of the behaviour

that fits this particular profile.

Excuse me, these symptoms

they have here, they're pretty vague.

" Ignores information.

Makes mistakes.

Seems restless.

Avoids, dislikes or is reluctant...

...to engage in work that requires

sustained mental effort. "

What'd you think, Justin?

So my problems are

just because I'm hyper?

It says I'll have more confidence

and self- control.

- I'll have better relationships.

- Is that how you feel? Out of control?

It just all sounds too easy to me.

You know, take a pill, change.

What if Mrs. Wood is right?

What if the trouble was, all along,

I just can't concentrate...

...I can't focus on anything?

It just still seems too easy.

Haven't you ever wanted to change?

- Yes, I have. But it's not that simple.

- Maybe it is.

Amazing.

Joel.

What happened?

I changed.

- What do you mean, you've changed?

- I mean, it works.

It really works.

- Your pills?

- Yeah.

I never thought that I

would feel so clear.

- Who'd like to talk on whiteness?

- Whiteness stands for eternity.

The blankness

of uninterrupted time.

It represents both innocence

and extinction.

The beginning and the end.

How are you doing

with the medication?

- I read Moby Dick straight through.

- That's great.

- But how do you feel?

- I feel...

...like me.

I never really did before.

Have you had any other breakthroughs

besides the book?

It used to be kind of a hassle

to put on underwear in the morning.

But now it's kind of easy.

I listened to the words

to the Pledge of Allegiance today...

...and they gave me chills.

I've always felt that you have a real

sensitivity when it comes to language.

And I know that you're smart.

I think that you see a lot more...

...than you take responsibility for.

That kind of perception you have,

that can't be taught by anyone.

Rebecca left the debate team.

Did she say anything to you

about why or...?

No.

Well, I need somebody to step up

and take her place.

I'd like for you to compete with us.

You think I could do it?

Yes, I do.

- What happened to Mike?

- He tried his best. He couldn't make it.

The door's up there.

- I'm just gonna go to the bathroom.

- Okay.

Nervous?

- Something.

- Completely understandable.

This isn't a classroom situation.

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