Hi Frank,

What a wonderful dialogue full of irony, comedy and sadness. Just shows
people in car show rooms have the same or similar troubles as others. It
reminded me of a Raymond Carver short story.



bw
James





>From: Frank <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: sub - optioning up a mental illness
>Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 19:20:38 +1100
>
>optioning up a mental illness
>
>I'm in town to buy a new car
>have been negotiating price for days
>finally signed the papers
>but I can't escape yet
>
>it is mandatory to sit through a show and tell
>of optional extras
>tinting
>paint protection
>mats for the floor
>
>I want none of them and am happy
>to make small conversation
>for a few minutes
>
>a car
>after all
>is just a car
>
>carla is from sales
>says
>
>you work in psychiatry
>do you
>
>I can't deny it
>
>my son has schizophrenia
>has had it for years
>used to be in the hospital they closed
>you know the one
>
>indeed I do
>I helped to close it
>
>it was terrible what they did to them
>threw half of them out onto the street
>lousy care
>hopeless follow-up
>just lousy
>
>it wasn't right
>
>should I mention that
>what actually happened was ...
>
>perhaps not
>
>yes
>they were shocking
>they had my boy on such strong medication
>that his head hung on one side
>tongue sticking out
>drooling
>
>he had that dyskinesia thing they get
>but I told them not to reduce the dose
>he needed all of it
>I couldn't cope with him otherwise
>
>the new drugs are much better
>aren't they
>he's on the clozaril now
>still shakes a bit with the tremor
>but he can talk and laugh
>make connections
>
>he's doing really well
>
>the new medications have been a revolution
>I agree with her
>
>am wondering if I should
>perhaps
>suggest that I might be interested
>in tinted windows after all
>could she show me ...
>
>I made him leave home a couple of years ago
>look
>it isn't that i didn't want him home
>but what if something happens to me
>
>I'm not young anymore
>and I just thought to myself
>he needs to be able to survive on his own
>
>don't you think
>
>yes
>that's the right way to think
>independence in the long term
>is the only way
>
>are there some brand-name mats available
>
>I'm really proud of him
>he's done well
>
>now
>were you interested in any of these options
>what about tinting
>floor mats perhaps ...
>
>no
>not really
>
>lovely talking
>
>I have to go
>
>goodbye
>
>thank you
>
>~

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