Mark - I can't talk to you people and I certainly aint gonna see a shrink.

Brian(Mark's Father) - Listen Mark! Everyone's got problems, not just you, but you aint gonna solve them if you don't communicate them.
 

Why did I include that?  Do you think that perhaps empathy is likely in a situation such as this?  Not just empathy, but understanding... and association... communication is the best way to deal with problems, I guess, but it's a lot harder when you do not have anyone you feel you can communicate with.  At least in a way like people expect.

I mean it really bugs me, everyone knows what a person should be, who cares who I should be! You know, in real life I could be that anonymous nerd sitting across from you in Chem. Lab, staring at you so hard, you turn around, he tries to smile, but the smile just comes out all wrong. You just think, "how pathetic", then he just looks away and never looks back at you again. Well hey, who cares, that's my motto.
 

And that... I'v never been able to look at someone and smile in a way that's "right", and I've always wanted to, but it's just something I have never been able to do.  And yeah, how many times in school did I wish I could...... maybe not in Chem Lab, but in science, in years eight to ten, sitting on those green benches, turning to give a smile, but it never ever came out right, and yeah, I know you were thinking "how pathetic", and eventually it gets to the stage when you just never ever turn around again.
 

 
Nora - Is this all just a game to you. You know you can't just shout fire in a theatre and walk out. You have a responsibility for the people who believe in you. What is this? C'mon say something, say anything. Open your mouth and say "get the hell out of here bitch."

Mark - I can't.

Nora - You can't what?

Mark - I can't talk.

Nora - Sure you can talk.

Mark - I can't talk to you.

<Mark turns on the transmitter and once again becomes Happy Harry Hardon>

Happy Harry Hardon - I got a letter from this guy who's got a problem, he can't talk. I mean he can talk, but never when he wants to, not to girls, not to people... He just opened up his mouth and nothing came out. And this jerk finds somebody that he likes, which is probably the worst thing to happen to a person who can't talk. So I don't know what to tell this guy because lately every time I give out advice the fit hits the shan. So I don't know, maybe the best thing to do is just turn around and face the music and try to talk.
 

Ah, that's where he has me.  No one seems to know and understand what it's like to not be able to talk!  And I can't, and no one understands, and it's the most cruel thing that can happen to someone.  I'll give you an example.  I used to have a crush on a girl in early high school, and I couldn't talk to her, no matter how much I wanted to.  And I did try sometimes.  And the worst thing was in year ten, when she actually came and sat next to me in maths for a few weeks and I was sort of happy, but sort of uncomfortable, because there was nothing I wanted more than to just try and talk and break out in conversation, and it's the worst feeling that what you want more than anything is so close, yet impossible to achieve, and all I remember is looking at the door and wishing I could escape.
 

 
Nora - It's okay you don't have to talk, you don't have to say anything and you don't have to do anything, unless you want to.

Mark - You're so different. I mean you're so fearless. I wish I could be like you.

Nora - You are.

Mark - I wish I could say things to you.

Nora - You do.

Mark - Everything's so strange.

Nora - Yeah.

Mark - Maybe we're just crazy.

Nora - So be it.

 
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