Daily Dialogue — November 15, 2013
KATHERINE: (mouth full of food) Can I help you?
ADAM: I have an appointment with Dr. McKay.
KATHERINE: Oh… please come in…
Katherine removes her files from the couch, while awkwardly balancing her sandwich on top. She rises and puts her hand out to shake Adam’s — he reluctantly shakes it.
KATHERINE: …and please, call me Katherine.
ADAM: (confused) You’re Dr. McKay?
KATHERINE: I am. Have a sit. (corrects herself) Sit down please.
Katherine wraps up her sandwich and puts the rest away. Adam looks her up and down.
ADAM: Aren’t you supposed to be like sixty-five and wear earth-toned sweaters?
KATHERINE: (slightly defensive) Why? Did someone say that’s what I look like?
ADAM: No. But, if you don’t mind…How old are you?
KATHERINE: (put off) Twenty-four.
ADAM: Twenty-four? What are you like Doogie Howser?
KATHERINE: Who?
ADAM: Doogie Howser…
Off Katherine’s blank look.
ADAM: …The teenage doctor.
KATHERINE: Does he work here?
ADAM: No. Nevermind…but aren’t you too young to be a doctor?
KATHERINE: (almost laughing) Oh, technically I’m not a doctor yet. I wish. I’m actually working on my doctorate.
(off Adam’s look, trying to be serious) This is a training hospital.
ADAM: I see…So have you had many patients?
KATHERINE: My patient history is not–
ADAM: (shocked) I’m your first patient, aren’t I?
KATHERINE: No. Not at all.
ADAM: Your second? Third.
Katie looks at him in silent acceptance. Adam’s eyes widen with concern:
ADAM: How are the first two doing?
Katherine doesn’t answer. She bites her tongue.
KATHERINE: Can’t talk about that.
ADAM: And this is like part of your training?
KATHERINE: It’ll be part of my dissertation. But, don’t worry I’m not gonna use your real name.
ADAM: (uncomfortable)Okay. I guess that’s fine.
An awkward beat. Katherine pulls Adam’s file:
KATHERINE: So, Dr. Ross filled me in on your situation. This must be incredibly difficult.
Adam shrugs.
KATHERINE: How are you feeling?
ADAM: You know, honestly, I feel fine. I’ve actually never been more calm.
KATHERINE: (proud of herself) That’s a very common symptom found in patients like yourself. Right now your body is in survival mode. What you’re actually experiencing is shock…
ADAM: No, I think I’m fine.
KATHERINE: …That’s why you feel that sense of calm. Would you describe what you’re feeling as a kind of “numbness”?
ADAM: I would describe it as fine.
KATHERINE: Because certain patients–
ADAM: (defiant) I feel great.
— 50/50 (2011), written by Will Reiser
The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is therapy, suggested by Despina. Today’s suggestion by Chris Chun.
Trivia: Adam is based on writer Will Reiser, who was diagnosed with cancer and later recovered. Seth Rogen, who plays Kyle, helped Reiser cope with his disease and convinced him to write a screenplay during their early 20s together.
Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Chris: “During a 2011 interview with “The A. V. Club,” Anna Kendrick said that, while on the set, she often referred to her character as “the worst therapist in the world.” Even so, this scene shows that great dialogue (and great acting) can make the most seemingly hopeless cases–represented by both Katherine (at her job) and Adam (with cancer)–endearing characters to the audience.”