[Receptionist]: He'll see you now. (small) …okay. One two three four! Riverbend Orthodontics, half past three, Fish tank in the corner, magazines from before I was born, Chair goes back, the light comes down, Big blue heron leaning over with a smile and a frown. Six foot four of bedside manner and a beak like a spear, "Open wide" — buddy, that thing's coming nowhere near— Ring light on, he's got the mirror and the pick, Says "how we doin'?" while his hand is in my— He leans back. He writes something down. He does the face. SIX MORE MONTHS! Six more months! That's what he said the last time and the time before that! SIX MORE MONTHS! Six more months! "You'll thank me" — no I won't — "everybody thanks me" — NOBODY THANKS YOU, DOC! Six more months! I have been in that chair since I was seventeen, I have watched that fish tank lose three separate fish, Same poster on the ceiling, a kitten on a branch, Telling me to hang in there — I've been hangin', I have had my chance. He goes "the bite's improving," I go "when's it done," He goes "these things take time," and does a little laugh, Like it's funny. Like it's charming. Like I'm not A grown man in a bib with a rubber band problem— He leans back. He writes something down. He does the face— SIX MORE MONTHS! Six more months! That's what he said the last time and the time before that! SIX MORE MONTHS! Six more months! "You'll thank me" — no I won't — "everybody thanks me" — NOBODY THANKS YOU, DOC! Six more months! And the worst part — the worst part — is he's good at it. He's genuinely good at it. He remembers my mother's name. He asks about the band. He came to a show once. I can't even be mad. I'm SO mad and I can't even BE mad— SIX MORE MONTHS! SIX MORE MONTHS! Every time I walk in there it's six more months! SIX MORE MONTHS! SIX MORE MONTHS! You'll thank me, you'll thank me, everybody thanks me— …yeah, alright. Fine. SIX MORE MONTHS! Rooke: Well — look at that. See you in six months. (defeated) Yeah. Rooke: Tell your mother I said hello. (smaller) …yeah.
