Jason and the Shrink

Scene - Dr. Smithson's office

Dr. Smithson: Michael was walking at the end of his first year?

Jason: Yeah, that's right. (to Michael) Okay, you turn the page. I'll turn it?

Dr. Smithson: Well, I see he still doesn't sleep through the night?

Jason: Sure he does. After he wakes up and I read to him.

Dr. Smithson: But when you're not there he cries, incessantly.

Jason: Yeah, well. When Michael wants something he kinda lets you know it. You see, I used to work nights. And Michael would miss me. So I made a point of seeing him when I got in and he got kinda used to it.

Dr. Smithson: Did he have any adverse reactions to the time he spent with Dr. Jones?

Jason: Uh, you mean when he was kidnapped?

Dr. Smithson: Yes.

Jason: Yeah, he was, uh... He was kinda uneasy for the next month. He always wanted me nearby.

Dr. Smithson: And was Michael's mother able to comfort him?

Jason: Carly did everything she could for Michael. Until she had to leave.

Dr. Smithson: After she shot Dr. Jones.

Jason: (sigh) Yeah, that's right. See... Carly fights for what matters to her. And she doesn't always pick the best way to do it. But she loves Michael.

Dr. Smithson: She abandoned him right after he was born.

Jason: She had post-partum deperession.

Michael: Ah Bah!

Jason: Good boy. That's a ball, yes. Isn't that in your files? Post-partum depression?

Dr. Smithson: Yeah, it is. I just wanted to have your opinion.

Michael: Ah Bah!

Jason: A ball. That's a good boy.

Dr. Smithson: Do you think Michael's mother loves him?

Jason: I think- I think Carly loves Michael so much she's afraid to hurt him.

Michael: Ah Bah!

Jason: That's a ball, yes.

Dr. Smithson: What about you? What are your feelings toward Michael?

Michael: Ah Bah!

Dr. Smithson: A ball.

Jason: I love him.

Dr. Smithson: Because you consider yourself his father? ... What exactly does that mean to you?

Michael: Ah Baba!

Jason: Yes, that's your bottle. It means that Michael's a person. He doesn't belong to me. He doesn't belong to AJ. Or even Carly. He kinda belongs to himself. And until he's old enough to make his own decisions, I have to give - I have to give him everything that he needs. I have to take care of him, I have to protect him. I have to explain what he doesn't understand. And tell him that I don't understand it sometimes myself. I have to love this kid, I have to protect him so that he knows that he can count on me, all the time. That I'm never gonna leave him - ever. Right? (Jason gives Michael a kiss on the cheek.)

Dr. Smithson: Our time is up.

Jason: Oh, you are getting big, you know that? Grab your ball. Let's go.

Dr. Smithson: I like that ball.

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