265

Vacation
Posted on October 5, 2016 by David M Willis

265 thoughts on “Vacation”

  1. AnvilPro

    Ruth will be on “vacation” until she fully regrows her eyeballs

    1. Mandy

      Does she not need her glasses now that she doesn’t have eyeballs?

      1. miados

        depending on the worry and psych ward rules they might take them away. no risk of breaking them to get glass to use for…… things.

        1. Mandy

          Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought of that. :/

        2. Gwen

          Definitely happened to me, when I was a teenager and very close to blind without them.

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          So you couldn’t read or watch TV while you in there? Adding boredom on top of other problems? 8-({

    2. Dean

      The hospital has put Ruth’s eyeballs in storage. They’re a choking hazard.

      1. Vicmaze

        And they can shoot lazers

    3. SavageSage

      Remember, she is Canadian. At least her head does not flop.

      1. miados

        hey buddy

      2. Orion Fury

        That’s racist.

  2. Train Moblin

    Pudding cups can solve everything
    world hunger
    cancer
    suicide
    normal hunger
    the list goes on

    1. DarkoNeko

      Hmm, pudding cups.

    2. A5PECT

      As a wise man once said:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgO0SztdUxE

      1. Train Moblin

        there’s a simple answer for that

        opposite day

      2. Songbird

        Words cannot describe how happy I am to see someone else both acknowledge the existence of and outright reference the gem that is Sealab 2021 on the internet. You win all the things today, sir or madam.

      3. Roborat

        OMG, that was one demented show, was one of my favourites.

    3. Disloyal Subject

      I can think of three stories off the top of my head where that approach failed.
      Two of them were in a prison block, where people were viciously attacked for their pudding cups.

      1. GuruBuckaroo

        Teacup, actually.

      2. David

        Better than being viciously attacked by their pudding cups.

    4. tim gueguen

      I’m sure MacGyver made a laser torch out of a pudding cup, some twine, and a bottle of ginger ale.

      1. Orion Fury

        I thought that was the A-Team.

        1. thejeff

          Nah. MacGyver was better at coming up with crazy gadgets out of a few random things.
          The A-Team needed more to work with. “Hey, we’ve captured the A-Team. Let’s lock them up in the machine shop!”

    5. Reltzik

      Obesity…

      …. er, wait….

    6. rahlquist

      Except Diabetus. Pudding cups are like a tactical nuke to my blood sugar for 12 +hours 🙁

      1. Orion Fury

        Oh, you poor poor person. Unless you find that comment offensive. To which I retract the preceding sentences and this one.

        1. Reltzik

          … wait…. so you’re retracting sentences along with the sentence that is doing the retracting?

          ….

          MUNCHHAUSEN TRILEMMA! MUNCHHAUSEN TRILEMMA!

        2. Orion Fury

          What? I’m just cleaning up after myself.

        3. Clif

          That’s the trouble with changing the timeline.

  3. Opus the Poet

    Yep, that’s a bad… oohh pudding!

  4. Osopescado

    “We got it from the top of your boss’ head!”

    …… “I think I’ll pass”

    1. Chris Phoenix

      WHERE IS THE UPVOTE BUTTON!?!

      1. Orion Fury

        Most likely hanging out with the Like button.

  5. John

    Hold out for the zebra pudding, Ruth.

  6. Mr. Random

    Pudding cups ARE quite awesome.

    1. miados

      if you are in the right mood.

      1. Deanatay

        “Zippy boppity deep da doo bop, eatin’ da pudding!”

        -a certain rapist

  7. Slartibeast Button, BIA

    Shhh… I am a therapist, so I can’t stay in DoA for long…

    1. rachel

      ha! maybe he’s making an exception for poor ruth

  8. Sionyx

    Active was good when I was on downslides. Do something, distract self, feel like something’s getting ACCOMPLISHED.

    And pudding’s good, too.

    1. Foxhack

      My family wonders why I keep myself busy.

      Yep.

      1. Orion Fury

        If you don’t think about how bad things are, they’re not so bad then.

    2. Reltzik

      Unless it’s just obvious make-work keep-busy activities, in which case you hate the world and especially your S.O.(B.)

      …. oh, wait, they’re called Professors in college.

  9. AngelBadman

    Wait, chocolate? Or banana?

    1. Bluewind

      More like butterscotch or tapioca from the looks of it

      1. Wizard

        Alt-text: ‘oooh, butterscotch’

      2. Dean

        Not tapioca, they’re trying to PREVENT suicide.

        1. Inspector Hound

          With butterscotch? The worst flavor ever?

          (and no, lying candy-makers, caramel is not butterscotch. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, count yourselves lucky.)

        2. HMRC4EVR

          Butterscotch is the greatest flavor ever!

          Wars have begun for lesser reasons…

        3. Sunny

          Hmm… if Butterscotch is not caramel, then butterscotch might actually be an ok flavour.

        4. EvilMidnightLurker

          Heretic!

        5. Oberon

          Most butterscotch pudding, and that includes ALL mass market pudding, is an abomination unto mankind. Seriously, it’s like Cthulhu invented it to drive people mad. Or some corporate bean counter said “Hey, we can make more money if we make it sorta-kinda resemble butterscotch. If you have burnt your tongue on some very hot coffee, and then gargled with your favorite mouthwash, and then eaten a durian.” I’m not sure there is any practical difference between those two possibilities.

          But there is good butterscotch pudding, and it is really, really good.

        6. Orion Fury

          For a man dying of thirst, anything would be considered great. Except Zima.

        7. Orion Fury

          Stay on your own side!

      3. miados

        foulness!

  10. Just Me

    Wonder if they are going to end up putting her on meds?

    1. Doctor_Who

      As opposed to right now when they are pudding her on beds.

      (I regret nothing)

      1. Jess

        Nicely done.

      2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        You custard!

        1. HMRC4EVR

          Remember what happened in Dangermouse the last time custard was involved!

          Don’t need a repeat here!

        2. hof1991

          I have a selfie taken with Dangermouse, from before selfies existed. Yes, I own the complete Dangermouse and its not even on VHS or laserdisc.

        3. Roborat

          So what is it then, chiseled on rocks?

        4. Alris

          BETAMAX!

      3. Chandra

        -fist bumps-

      4. Bicycle Bill

        Doctor, heal thyself.  That was sick.

      5. David M Willis

        A+

      6. Emperor Norton II

        We have established once again a surplus of Imperial Internet Points*. Have two for that comment.

        *Basically, We snuck into Orion Fury’s room and stole all of them back. Don’t tell OF, OK?

        1. Orion Fury

          But..but…my points.

        2. Emperor Norton II

          Sorry, I needed them. And since I’m emperor of the internet, obviously my needs are more important than yours, wouldn’t you agree?

        3. Orion Fury

          I guess…

      7. Andy

        >pudding her on beds

        Isn’t that Billie’s job?

      8. Teddae

        I hate you and love you at the same time.

    2. Bluewind

      Odds are that they will because of the severity of her depression. She probably will be put in inpatient for at least 3 days as well.

    3. Leorale

      Probably, though she might be allowed to refuse medication, and/or she might not have the will to take them for long enough to let them work. (Antidepressants typically take at least a month to kick in, and then you may have to adjust them for more months, or try another med if the first kind doesn’t work for your particular brain. She won’t be in inpatient for all that time). Ruth is going to need to buy into the idea of getting well, so that she can hold on and keep taking her meds until they can start working.

      1. Leorale

        (even if she chooses not to take meds for some reason, she still needs to buy into getting well through whatever other methods she prefers.)

        It’s really hard to commit to getting well, particularly when you legit cannot imagine such a thing ever happening. But butterscotch is a good start.

        Anyway. They’ll surely offer her some meds. I hope that she will choose to try meds-and-therapy, because that combo tends to work, but she has the right to self-determination, she’s an adult, it’ll be her choice.

      2. Legasher

        That’s also assuming they manage to get her a medication from the get-go without major side-effects. My first medication would cause “flashes” in my eyes, buzzing in my ears, a type of vertigo in early dream states, massive immediate weight gain, ravenous hunger and constant jaw clenching. It was not very helpful…

    4. Steve

      When I spent time in the Whoo Hoo Hospital after a breakdown, no meds were prescribed for a few days as they got the lay of the land. Then they prescribed some, did blood tests and talk therapy as they tried to figure out what worked best for me and tried to come up with a diagnosis…

  11. Doctor_Who

    Death > life.
    Alcohol > death.
    Pudding > alcohol.

    Billie = pudding + alcohol + life.

    1. Kernanator

      …You’re not wrong.

    2. Reltzik

      Ruth: “PUDDING! THAT’S why her thighs seemed so attractive while still being so fat!”

    3. Orion Fury

      I like your math. I’ll give you one internet, since I had, like, three on me while I was out today, and my stash is, for some reason, gone.

  12. Schpoonman

    Aw, damn, I love butterscotch pudding.

  13. Teddae

    is doctor beverly new? she looks like a new character.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      She isn’t real, everyone knows there are no therapists in DoA.

      (Left out the obligatory TVTropes link. Aren’t I a wonderful person?)

      1. achallenger

        you fiend1 the idea of tvtroupes is 15x more potent than the actual thing

        1. Joe Archer

          Homeopathic tropes? That’s only 1.3 D levels, or around 0.4 C levels.

      2. Lipke the Articulate

        Th… thank you… thank you so much Slartibeast… ;u;

        1. Orion Fury

          I’ll be good.

      3. David

        DoA puts the space in therapist.

        1. Orion Fury

          That it does. Hopefully not for a long while.

    2. Reltzik

      First instance of her tag in the archives.

      1. Fart Captor

        I think Teddae may have been wondering if she was ported over from the Walkyverse

        1. Teddae

          Yup…my phrasing sucks, lol

  14. miz

    New character or repurposed…hmmm…

  15. Stephen R. Bierce

    It’s taking all of my will to not reference a certain NBC sitcom of the Eighties. Or the CBS one from the Nineties. Or the CBS Saturday morning cartoon from the Seventies.

    1. motorfirebox

      You mean Too Many Cooks?

    2. HMRC4EVR

      Hey hey hey…be careful there!

    3. Orion Fury

      ?

  16. Fart Captor

    If that doctor has a son named Wesley, I’m out.

    1. tim gueguen

      I’m wondering if she has a sister named Sarah.

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        As long as she isn’t a hillbilly.

        1. Psyme

          I bet she lives in some hills.

        2. Deanatay

          Billie has some ‘hills’ Ruth wouldn’t mind living in, know’m’say’n?

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          I thought Joyce already had an option on them.

    2. nobilis

      Don’t worry. If she had a son named Wesley, she’d also wear pajamas in a color clashing with her hair.

      1. Orion Fury

        Is there a Scrappy in this universe? Granted, I’m sure most people’s impulse upon seeing Mary is to tell her to shut up.

  17. Bluewind

    When my dad had to have infected teeth pulled, he had to be put under because it was surgical. He screamed the whole way home through a mouth full of gauze for a cheese burger and tapioca pudding (when he wasn’t randomly trying to do karate moves). Tapioca pudding is that color by the way and not every store carries it.

  18. Kris

    Way to soft sell Bev.

    1. Reltzik

      Better add some soft serve.

      1. Fart Captor

        That worked well enough for Joyce, though I don’t think it comes in prescription strength

    2. Orion Fury

      “We’re going to make you better!”

      “That’s bad.”

      “It comes with free pudding cups!”

      “That’s good.”

  19. Tenchan

    Homer: mmmm, pudding cup! *homer drool noise

  20. motorfirebox

    These kinds of stays really are the worst. They’re tedious, and people are always bothering you, and the whole time you have the rest of your life hanging over your head like a threatening cloud. The fact that they often work pretty well to get you back on your feet just makes it all that much worse.

    1. Bluewind

      It’s worse if you end up in a sucky one with staff that doesn’t care on top of a unhinged roommate sharing the room.

      1. DonDueed

        Voice of experience?

        1. Bluewind

          Unfortunately yes

        2. David

          Well, little surprise there. The hinged ones aren’t stationary.

        3. Gwen

          Or they put you on the wrong meds (as in giving a college student with bipolar antidepressants, which is what happened to me. And when that failed to work, they just added more stuff without taking the problem drug away. But that’s my individual experience. Your mileage may vary and will hopefully be better than mine).

        4. Bluewind

          Oh I can sympathize with being put on the wrong med for me. They put me one one that made me very suicidal, but had me stay on it a while until it was in my system. Really messed me up. Then there was another they put me on because I had no insurance so I was put on a new med which was free as long as I came in often so they could document side effects. Turns out that one should only be used 3 months tops because of risk of liver damage and sterility. I was one it a year. My liver was swollen and I had fatty liver but otherwise my liver was okay. I have no clue about fertility but considering I tried to get pregnant for a year (with my now ex), I might be infertile now. At least I’m on a med now that words great for me. 🙂

          Also, I wrote several paragraphs on what happened before I went in and after I got out in the comments under the last comic. It was just a terrible experience all the way around. :\

        5. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Gah. I had to try two meds to find one that worked, but the first wasn’t bad, just stopped working after 6 weeks.

        6. Orion Fury

          The part about the fertility broke my heart a little there. Hopefully if you wish to have kids, that you’ll be able to. At their worst, they’re still the best (for me, at least).

        7. Bluewind

          The way I see it, I have plenty of options. I might have had a bum partner and if I find another cis man (or person who can produce seamen) who I want to have kids with then I might be able to get pregnant with him. If I get serious with someone who can get pregnant then they can carry our baby. I could get with someone who already has children from a previous relationship. If I can get the funds and an acceptable living arrangement, I could adopt (something I’ve always wanted to do anyway along with have a genetic child of my own). I haven’t lost hope of one day being a mom 🙂

        8. Orion Fury

          That’s nice.

  21. Saaaam

    Hey there’s plenty to be alive for. Godzilla movies, Venture Bros seasons, Persona 5…

    1. Clif

      Monkey Master vidios.

    2. Reltzik

      Highlander sequels…

      …. look, it may be counterintuitive, but the BEST revenge is a life well-lived, so there!

      1. Emperor Norton II

        Highlander 2 was the best of them all, right?

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          No, Highlander: The Source (aka Highlander 5) exceeds even Highlander 2. Hard to believe, but true.

        2. Orion Fury

          I thought we already had the conversation as to which movies are violations against the Geneva Convention.

    3. Gwen

      There’s soup! And also salad!
      http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/film/2016/07/new-ghostbusters-busting-just-got-even-better

      1. Orion Fury

        Dancing! And have you seen a doctor play to a saxophone?

  22. Kernanator

    This would work with me. But only if it was chocolate pudding.

    1. Bicycle Bill

      Butterscotch for me.

      1. Orion Fury

        I’ll setting for pudding.

  23. Joe Archer

    Cheerful faces in the morning…

    Not sure if one measly cup of pudding can compensate this major injustice. On the other hand, Joyce might try this in her quest to make things better.

    1. Orion Fury

      What about…two cups of pudding?

      1. Joe Archer

        Dude, cheerful faces. In the morning.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Happiness is mandatory.

        2. Orion Fury

          I…don’t get the reference. Google doesn’t help. Well, for me, at least.

  24. Foxhack

    Yes, doctor, let’s replace the alcoholism WITH DIABETES.

    1. Lipke the Articulate

      Sounds like a plan to me!

    2. The Gorram Batguy

      If you can’t “beat us”, try “diabeetus”!

  25. pjeseb

    Well, at least Ruth is displaying recognizable human emotions. That’s a good thing, right?

    …irritation is an emotion, right?

    1. Conuly

      Irritation is an emotion… and one very strongly associated with depression, so good job, Willis.

    2. miados

      she is also willing to eat.

    3. Fart Captor

      She’s even being sarcastic and grumpy! This is much better than I was expecting her to be

      1. Orion Fury

        Femur removal can’t be far behind now.

  26. Kippu

    I have been in Ruth’s place. Involuntary commitals can be brutal.

  27. Bicycle Bill

    Take it from someone who has been there, this is going to be a very rough time on Ruth.  Someone who has been in charge and ruling with an iron hand and the threat of the removal of various skeletal parts now finds herself in a position where she is powerless.

    Reach out to the people on the floor of the residence hall, Ruth.  They’re your family, or as close to a family as you have right now.

    1. Clif

      Boy is she in trouble.

      1. Bagge

        Boy are they in trouble

        1. Lipke the Articulate

          Boy are we in trouble

          Wait no it’s gonna be some good friggin’ reading

        2. Orion Fury

          Boy someone’s in trouble.

        3. Chris Phoenix

          She’s not locked up with them. They’re locked up with her.

        4. Foxhack

          She’s not that tall, and a redhead.

          Obvious, with hindsight.

    2. miados

      it is a big shift for sure. my first day i only left my bed to use the bathroom. I don’t even think i ate since that would require leaving my bed.

  28. rachel

    cautiously optimistic

    *gets stabbed in the eye*

    I KNEW IT WILLIS

    1. Reltzik

      “You learn slowly, my young pupil.”

      …..

      *flees for dear punning life*

      1. Lipke the Articulate

        I see what you did there.

        *fails to contain dumbass grin*

        1. Leorale

          These jokes are getting cornea every day.

        2. Reltzik

          I know. They’re low quality. Really C- material.

        3. Lipke the Articulate

          Maybe it doesn’t count for much because I’m one of the ones doing it, but Irispect the attempts we’re making.

        4. Emperor Norton II

          I really don’t understand these comments. Maybe I lack the cortext necessary to get it.

        5. ety

          It sclera-ly a running gag.

          my best attempt…

        6. Lipke the Articulate

          Ah, ety, you’re a sight for sore eyes.

        7. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          If you are going to be that way, I lash out at you.

        8. Deanatay

          I’m going to reg-retina getting involved in this cone-y pun thread.

        9. Orion Fury

          I think we’re all just making a spectacle of this.

        10. Joe Archer

          lense not take this to the extremes. Iris-k my sanity enough in this context.

        11. Spencer

          I’m too highbrow for these puns.

  29. Bagge

    I hope Doctor Beverley has a lot of overtime to take out, because now when there is an official therapist in Dumbing of Age she will has her work cut out for her.

    1. Reltzik

      Dr. Bev: “Okay, so do any of YOU need therapy?”
      Entire Cast: “Nope! We’re all fine! Nothing wrong with us!”
      Dr. Bev: “Okay! In that case it looks like I’ll clock out early and actually get to the back nine today!”
      Entire Cast: “Sucker.”

      1. Emperor Norton II

        Entire Cast: *starts arguing and shouting and hate-fucking and dragging each other down*
        Dr. Bev: Hah, fooled you! I was standing behind the door this whole time! And hoooo boy is it going to take a while just to figure out who I should start on.

        1. Bagge

          Dina: May I kindly request that you find your own door.

        2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          [Opens fire with a machine gun laded with anti-depressant darts.]

        3. John

          Amber. Definitely Amber.

  30. Reltzik

    “Mmm, chocolate. It’s chocolate, right?”

    “No, silly! We don’t buy into that stereotypical cliche that chocolate makes women want to live!”

    “… what is it?”

    “Banana-Coconut!”

    “… gimme the bedpan. I shall deposit both pudding cup and negotiations in it. You’re fired.”

    1. Lipke the Articulate

      …I’m oddly intrigued by the idea of banana-coconut pudding. Any chance that’s a real thing, that you can direct me to?

      1. Reltzik

        *10 seconds of googling later*

        Here you go. Don’t get any of it anywhere near me.

        1. Lipke the Articulate

          I know what I’m trying at some point in the next arbitrary period of time.

        2. Orion Fury

          That does sound interesting.

    2. WingedBeast

      Banana pudding would be good. Why do people feel the need to ruin things with coconut?

      1. Aurora

        No, coconut pudding would be good. Why do people feel the need to ruin things with banana?

        1. Reltzik

          “You got coconut in my banana!”

          “You got banana in my coconut!”

          Two awful tastes…. together at last!

        2. inqntrol

          It kind of reminds me of this this.

        3. Deanatay

          link fail.

        4. inqntrol

          Here you go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-XXbYb5hx0

        5. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          A parody of a real series of Reese’s commercials.

    3. Orion Fury

      Have some chocolate, you’ll feel better.

  31. Arianod

    Stayin’ alive

    1. Disloyal Subject

      AH! AH! AH! AH!

  32. Emperor Norton II

    I’m wondering if Ruth has slept at all. She’s only barely changed position since last we saw her, and it looks like she’s trying to keep at least one hand warm, indicating that she’s had those arms exposed for a while. She probably did that without consciously noticing too. Her body wants some comfort even if she doesn’t seem to want anything.

    And yet… Yet a small spark flares up when the doctor enters. A tiny little spark of sarcasm and misery, but still better than just staring into nothing.

    Finally… Is the doctor named after Star Trek: TNG’s Beverly Crusher?

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      The Crusher versus the Femur-ripper!

    2. Cerberus

      I think you might be right about that. Especially considering her “in bed” panel at the end of the last arc.

    3. Orion Fury

      The “arms crossed” position is also a “closed off” position, were as you are less, or not at all, willing to work/do something. Like if you’re talking to someone, and it perhaps involves advice on something, if that happens it could indicate an unwillingness to do it, even if acknowledged that it’ seems to be a good idea.

      Though I feel like I may of not done a good job of explaining that.

      1. Emperor Norton II

        I understand what you mean (or so I think), and you might still be right on that.

        The reason I’m still thinking it’s the coldness thing is because one of the hands are tucked away, so to speak. The gesture you speak about generally (but not always, of course) includes both hand in front. Plus, she started out like this in panel 1, when still nobody was around to talk to.

        1. Orion Fury

          I see that, could also be a general attitude of ‘not wanting any of this’.

        2. Emperor Norton II

          Indeed it could. I don’t think this will ever be answered, so I guess it’s a tie between us, as both interpretations are perfectly rational and consistent with the current evidence.

          Except of course, that as emperor of the internet, I get a double vote. So there!

        3. Orion Fury

          *sigh*

  33. Lailah

    Oh, Ruth. Ruth, Ruth. Breaking my heart, but not just with sadness.

  34. miados

    I remember my first time in a pscyh ward. it was my second time trying to get help for wanting to get a game over.

    its a very unique experience and environment.

    1. Orion Fury

      Press start to continue?

  35. trlkly

    Huh. I actually assumed we wouldn’t see this part, as it takes a lot of time–which runs really slowly in this comic. Plus I would figure Willis wouldn’t have experience enough with it to write it well.

    I know I don’t, so I have no idea if this is starting off accurately or not.

    1. Lipke the Articulate

      I’m pretty sure there’s nothing Willis can’t write well, but that might just be the fanboy in me breaking loose.

    2. Aurora

      Well I believe he’s talked a bit about having depression before, and even if he was never hospitalized for it, he is known for doing his research. Willis has written well about a lot of issues he didn’t personally experience, like the racial family dynamics of the Walkerton twins, or Becky’s struggles as an essentially homeless LGBT youth.

      1. Gwen

        And the joy of comic pacing is that he can skip over the empty hours (and hours and hours) that Ruth will be experiencing by checking in on other characters.

  36. Idontcarenomore

    I’m very glad we have an update followup on Ruth. She is one of my favorites. She keeps on trying to crawl out of that hole she’s in.

    She reacted to doc pretty well. A spark of the old Ruth is still in there, and she’ showing major interest in that pudding cup, this is a good thing.

    I feel so bad for her, but she is the best place she could be right now.

    As to the doc, she looks like a mirror image of one of the ‘new crew’ in Shortpacked, replacements along with Jacob and Ken for Ethan, Amber and Mike. But I cant remember her name.

  37. BenRG

    “Well, if you’re talking about pudding, I certainly can rethink my attitude towards therapy!”

  38. Jacques Cornelius Parrot III

    Anything butterscotch is at least a little worth living for. Butterscotch is the freakin’ bomb.

  39. Queezle

    I hope its choclate pudding…

  40. Keulan

    Ooh, pudding!

    Also, I don’t remember Doctor Beverly from the Walkyverse. Is she a new character?

    1. No Name

      I wouldn’t be surprised. There most certainly were no therapists over in the Walkyverse. Otherwise we wouldn’t have had (MASSIVE SPOILERS) or (MORE MASSIVE SPOILERS) or even (EVEN MORE MASSIVE SPOILERS) happen.

      Here’s hoping those work.

      1. No Name

        Question for Orion Fury: How do you get the broken underline?

        1. John

          <abbr title=”Spoily text here.”>SPOILER</abbr>

          I think SEMME’s actual plan was to get 128 fucked up enough to inspire some Heroic BSODs.

        2. No Name

          Ah, the abbr title! I wonder what acronym does.

          Also, thanks.

        3. No Name

          Well, that’s disappointing…

        4. Orion Fury

          I’m here, I’m here! Damn it all…

        5. John

          Yeah, I’m not really sure why both <abbr> and <acronym> exist. They’re functionally identical, and I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to draw a semantic distinction between them.

  41. Badgermole

    Could someone explain to me how involuntary admission to a psych ward works in Indiana (or the USA at large)? Who authorises it, who pays for it, who’s going to decide when the patient can leave, how is follow up care mandated, stuff like that. Coming from a place where mental health care is very inadequate and entirely privatised, I’m curious how this works elsewhere.

    1. Jack

      In the USA: it has to be court-ordered. Which means it’s pretty easy to get out of if a judge didn’t hand it down.

      (I was in the military and even they couldn’t keep me in there w/o a court order. Might have been different if I’d been stationed overseas at the time; I was in the can in November 2004 and they let me out to go celebrate Thanksgiving with my lady friend.)

    2. thejeff

      There’s a difference between this and actual involuntary admission though. In this case, she got brought in as an emergency and they’re holding her for observation – which they can do for a day or two if they’re willing to say she’s a threat to herself or others.
      After that, barring a court order, she can check herself out against medical advice. Mind you, I don’t think they have to tell her that and a sufficiently depressed person may not have the energy to kick up the fuss necessary to get herself out. Easier just to stay in the bed and go with the flow.

      As for who pays, she does. Or her insurance does. Generally college requires (and usually offers) medical insurance.

    3. trlkly

      The U.S. in general allows an involuntary commitment for up to 72 hours without a court order. This is technically an evaluation, and from there is where they bring it up in court to see if a longer stay or involuntary outpatient treatment is necessary.

      The exact criteria varies by state, but is usually some variation of a “danger to themselves or others.” In Indiana, the criteria appears to be “mentally ill and either dangerous or gravely mentally disabled.” The actual form they have to fill out includes statements that they may harm themselves.

      As for who can make the evaluation–it needs at least one physician to sign off on it.

      As for anything longer than that, they must still be a danger to self and others, or “unable to provide for food, clothing, shelter, or other essential human needs” or “demonstrate substantial impairment or obvious deterioration that results in inability to function independently.” That qualifies for an inpatient stay.

      However, if an outpatient plan can be made that would allow them not to fit the criteria for the inpatient stay, but only if they stay on the plan.

      For story reasons, the latter would make the most sense for Ruth. But that’s still 3 whole days being spent being evaluated. How long is the average day? At least a month, right?

      1. Gwen

        We don’t know that it’s involuntary. Doctors will sometimes give the option “Look, you are staying here, but you can sign yourself in (and have slightly more rights) or we can do it for you.”

        1. Bicycle Bill

          That’s kind of how it worked for me.  I was told by my employer that so long as I went through evaluation and the almost-certain-to-be-recommended detox program voluntarily that my insurance would cover it and I’d still have a job to come back to when it was over.  Otherwise, I’d have been on the outside looking in.

  42. Makkabee

    All I ever wanted!

    Come on, someone had to make the Go-Gos reference.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Our lips were sealed.

  43. Jack

    When I was under that kind of observation: yeah. I was always bored as shit.

    Still am.

  44. nerothewriter

    We sawses the puddingses. And we learned we didn’t have any. Now we wants the puddingses. We needs it! (Scurries frantically) [Seriously though. I need some pudding now. Thanks Willis]

    1. Orion Fury

      Stupid fat hobbits! Ruinses the puddingses!

  45. Willoughby Chase

    Butterscotch is the work of the devil … strawberry otoh is lovely. Pity I’m allergic to it.

    Good to see Ruth at least engaging with someone. It’s a start.

    1. Orion Fury

      I…can’t say I’ve heard of strawberry pudding. Though right about now, a vanilla with some diced strawberries, bananas, and blueberries sounds good.

  46. Spencer

    Ruth valuing her life so little that a pudding cup is enough to make her listen to somebody is the most goddamn real thing to me.

    1. trlkly

      It’s also hopeful. She still at least thinks she can get pleasure out of eating pudding. I think it’s the most positive sign we’ve seen yet.

    2. yo.

      “yo., I don’t have a lot of good things left in my life. *Real* pastries are one of them. Take that away from me, and I WILL kill myself.”

      – my mom, after I told her about vegan bakeries and how they might be better for her lactose sensitivity

      1. Orion Fury

        I’ve heard good things about them.

  47. JBento

    Someone probably already said this, because it’s obvious, but…

    The proof (that it’s good to be alive), as they say, is in the pudding.

  48. Dex

    Is it a good sign that Ruth is able to be so snarky towards the doctor?

    I want it to be a good sign. :/

    1. Fart Captor

      When they brought her in, she wasn’t speaking, and barely responding to people. Just staring blankly.

      Now she’s using full sentences, being snarky, and has facial expressions again! It’s definitely an improvement, despite her lack of enthusiasm for still being alive.

  49. Falling Star

    Shortcake with strawberries on top
    Pudding made with only the best things
    I will, I will try to resist
    I don’t want you to think I’m spoiled
    I can do things like that too, you know
    You’ll regret your words!

    Not sure what that was about, but at least it’s out.

  50. Deviant

    Doctor, possibly in Psychology. Color scheme is red, black and white.

    Says “Pudding cup”.

    Beverly is Harley Quinn?

    1. JBento

      Her less known sister, Beverley Quinzel.

      1. BenRG

        Now I want her sister and her sister’s boyfriend to visit, just to liven up Ruth’s life a little bit. ((Evilsmile))

        1. Orion Fury

          Well Ruth is being quite serious. Her views with suicide at times seems to be like a dog with a bone.

  51. UnerringlyErrant

    Question: as someone who has considered checking himself into an inpatient setting occasionally for suicidal ideation, how thoroughly do they work with you before releasing you? Do they just kind of get you to, “ok, you’re just stable enough that we’re pretty sure you won’t kill yourself in the next week, see ya, good like recovering fully?” Or do they set you on an upward trajectory to try to ensure that you won’t just plummet back down once you step outside?

    1. Belle

      It varies, but they at least usually try to offer some resources.

      My fiance was admitted to the hospital once for suicidal ideation, observed overnight, and then released. No real follow up.

      Cue to a few years later, fiance was admitted again, observation determined she needed to go to an inpatient facility for a while. She spent 3 days there and during that time got some basic therapy and they helped get therapy appointments booked for a few days after she got out. It has been the change that she needed. She’s got a ways to go… but she’s happier now than I’ve seen her in years. 🙂

      Best of luck to you. And, whether you check yourself in somewhere or seek outpatient therapy, I do hope you find the help you need.

    2. RoflWafl

      My guess is it would depend on the facility somewhat. The inpatient ward I worked with made sure folks had a long term treatment plan and were well-connected to outside resources before releasing them. The emergency psychiatric department, by contrast, didn’t have the same resources. So they’d either send them to the inpatient team if there was room, or keep them just long enough to stabilize. A lot of them time it would be drug-induced issues, and keeping them 72 hours to return to baseline would be enough. But then, folks would go out and do the same drugs again, so they got a lot of repeat visitors.

      1. Gwen

        Very facility dependent. I’ve gotten great care and, unfortunately, I’ve gotten care so bad it nearly killed me. The main thing to look for is that they get you set up with suitable aftercare. The issues making someone that depressed won’t be resolved in the few days (or at most, few weeks) that someone with suicidal ideation is likely to be hospitalized.

    3. Orion Fury

      It varies. I won’t rehash what’s been said above me, and just wish you luck.

  52. Jinxed44

    I LIKE you Dr. Beverly!

  53. Cerberus

    I’m so so happy that Ruth is actually getting competent and caring medical care for her mental health. She might not enjoy it. She might not view her own life as worth the effort. But some day in the future, she’s going to look back and be very grateful for this stint and how it gave her a foothold she could use to climb out of her deep dark hole.

    1. Gwen

      Seconded.

    2. Bagge

      Oh yes! We have a decent chance of Ruth not dying!!!! That is awesome.

  54. yo.

    Butterscotch? Hard pass.

    1. EvilMidnightLurker

      I’ll take your share.

  55. Zem

    The punchline is food! because America

    1. Orion Fury

      NOT BUTTERSCOTCH ENOUGH!

  56. Guairdean Beatha

    Are Ruth and Becky secretly related? They both have the same freckle pattern. That has to be genetic.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      I’ve seen no indication that Becky has any blood relatives other than Ross, which while possible sounds unlikely. I speculate that maybe any other relatives are long out of contact because of religious or other differences, to the point where Becky knows nothing about them.

      So, maybe …

      On the other hand, there is no chance of her marrying Howard to get a Dramatic Reveal of The Awful Truth.

    2. Orion Fury

      Genetic, yes. Though they don’t need to be related for that.

    3. yo.

      Ruth is from Canada. However, I remember that she’s staying with her asshole grandfather in town, so perhaps there’s a distant family connection.

      (Or maybe Willis just draws freckles the same.)

  57. Orion Fury

    You have my permission, to leave the pudding cup.

  58. Ryek Hvek

    Pood.
    Ding.

  59. Jhon

    Come to the live side! We have pudding!

  60. Raibean

    Butterscotch is the best pudding.

    1. Orion Fury

      Well, it’s alright.

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