"I assume that the nightmares of late are about the fire," Dr. Paula said, "but she's being stubborn in her denial. No matter how loud the screams she denies having any nightmares."
"Well, that's certainly nothing new for Miss Read," Dr. Larsen noted, "I recall she keep flip-flopping over whether she started the fire at all during her interview with the child service agency."
"I can't help but think this is the potential breakthrough we've been looking for. D.W. taking responsibility for her actions is absolutely key in addressing her narcissism. Exploring the issue further is critical for future psychoanalysis."
"I'm not so certain, Dr. Paula. It might be best to delay the subject for a later date."
"Our sessions have gone fine so far," Dr. Paula pointed out.
"But your focus thus far has been developing empathy rather than responsibility," Mr. Larsen countered, "You could spark the very narcissistic rage that caused the fire with such a sudden shift in emphasis."
"I can't simply ignore it."
"No, but I strongly advise that you not directly approach the subject of the fire for the indefinite future unless Miss Read raises it herself. She is simply not there yet."
Dr. Paula sighed. "All right, Mr. Larsen, I'll follow your lead. But I don't know how long I can do so."
It was yet another day at Chicken Planet for Jane and she was preparing food for a hippie man who looked older than her father driving a VW bus that had been painted with a peace sign. And, unfortunately, it meant yet another Chicken Deluxe Meal. She wasn't surprised at once again hearing the question:
"Did you remember the mashed potatoes?"
"Yes."
He checked the bag and saw she was right. He then handed the change and gave her the piece sign. "Far out, man!"
She assumed that was a thank you.
She was thinking about the meeting with her father's doctor that she would be planning. If she was told that he needed permeant care in a facility, then she would need income far beyond what Chicken Planet offered. Moreover, she knew that it would mean they had no choice but to sell the farm to whoever the highest bidder was. But Jane knew perfectly well her dad would cut off his foot before he agreed to do that.
Then there was the fact that without the farm she would have nowhere to go. Contact David? No. Move back to Elwood City? Unlikely. Make up an excuse to move to West Falls in the hope of bumping into her kids? The courts would eat her alive.
"Hello, Jane," Of course, as if her day wasn't bad enough.
"What will you have this time, Samuel?" Jane asked.
Samuel glanced at the menu. "I'll have the Chicken Deluxe Meal, please."
Jane grimaced. Oh, this was going to be a terrible day indeed.
"Now, today's session-"
"Dr. Paula," a nurse came into the room. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, but you have a phone call that is extremely urgent."
"All right. Please excuse me for a few seconds." Dr. Paula walked into her office.
"Why are you having nightmares?" Vanessa asked calmly.
"I don't have any nightmares," D.W. lied.
Vanessa sighed. "D.W., please be honest. Everyone heard that scream you gave last night. I heard it and were not even on the same floor."
"Did you take your meds?" D.W. snarked.
Vanessa growled. "You know perfectly well I did. Are you nightmares about your fire?"
D.W.'s face went pure white.
"All right, class," Miss Strauss announced. "We're going to watch a video tape about the Solar System."
"Another video tape?" Brain muttered unhappily.
"That's correct, Buster," Miss Strauss answered. "Now, we need the TV. I'll be back in a second."
Miss Strauss left.
Brain pounded his desk in frustration. "It's like we're in preschool. She doesn't know a thing about education. Honestly, at this point they just drop Ratburn's charges and bring him back."
"Your right, but it's not happening," Francine responded.
Miss Strauss returned with the TV set. "Okay, class, this tape will teach you all about Neptune."
Miss Strauss turned the TV on and clicked the play button.
Mary Moo Cow appeared on the screen. "Your toes would roll around inside your shoes, if you didn't have feet to attach them to! Feet!"
"Um, Miss Strauss, I think got the wrong video," Fern said.
"The kindergarten class must have left it in and forgot. Oh well, since it's already playing we'll just watch it while I grade papers."
Groans erupted from the students.
"I just remembered that I need to laminate some paperwork. Be respectful while I'm gone." Miss Strauss quickly walked out of the classroom. It seemed that Miss Strauss was always forgetting some form of paperwork for one reason or another.
"I saw this episode with D.W. once," Buster recalled. "They sing about feet for half an hour."
"I don't think I can take it that long!" Binky cried.
The tape suddenly stopped.
"Thank you whoever stopped it!" Binky roared.
"I don't think anybody stopped it, Binky," Sue Ellen answered. "It looks like the tape is jammed somehow."
"Meh, still good news," Binky responded. "Hopefully it can't be fixed."
Brain sighed. "I guess I'll go tell Miss Strauss. Maybe it'll inspire her to actually teach us."
Brain left the classroom and walked down the hall toward the supply room where the laminator was kept. He was surprised to see that the room was empty. He hadn't seen her walk back to class. Perhaps she was in the main office for some reason?
Brain was absentmindedly walking to the main office when he noticed that the door for the computer lab was open. Taking a curious glance, he saw that Miss Strauss was on one of the computers.
Why is she here? She has a computer in the classroom.
Brain quietly snuck into the lab and walked up behind Miss Strauss. She was playing a game solitaire and, judging by the numbers of cards, it looked like she was pretty far in.
"Having fun?" Brain asked dryly.
Miss Strauss jumped in shock. "Buster?"
"Brain. I came to tell you the tape is jammed. I thought you were laminating?"
"Uh, well, yes, you see-" Miss Strauss pulled her collar nervously. "I finished and noticed someone had left this computer on. Yes, that's right, and I was shutting it off before I returned to class you see. Anyway, let's get back to class!"
He doesn't believe a word of it. This explained everything. Miss Strauss not couldn't teach but wouldn't.