219

Laces
Posted on October 10, 2016 by David M Willis

219 thoughts on “Laces”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    we’ll be sleeping in the flowers

    tell my boss (to tell me) I’m fired

    1. Reltzik

      Hmmm. Your grav ISN’T from one of today’s panels.

      1. Kamino Neko

        It never is.

        1. TheGrammarLegionary

          Oh, it is sometimes. For only a day. Then Ana gives us our next glimpse into the future.

        2. Clif

          Temporal Photo Shop. It’s the latest thing, or will be.

    2. Wack'd

      We can sleep all afternoon (because there’s literally nothing to do in inpatient psychiatric hospitalization)

      1. miados

        my inapatient had a tv with a vcr and lots of random tapes.

        1. Alzack

          That’s how horror movies start, man

        2. miados

          i watched mighty ducks 1

    3. Bibulb

      Quoting anything from that era automatically gets you points.

    4. TheAnonymousGuy

      “I’m fired aren’t I?”
      “I don’t know, willis hasn’t decided yet.”

      1. Historyman68

        Willis decided three months ago, but his transmission will not reach us until tomorrow! Longer if another storyline pops in!

        1. davidbreslin101

          He claims this is due to having a buffer. Actually, Willis lives on a rogue planetoid three light-months away from the Solar System.

        2. legobil

          This. Sounds amazing. I bet he is sending the comics to earth with light pulses.

        3. Opus the Poet

          And my mind went on a tangent about spinning up the planetoid so that it would have simulated gravity inside the hollow interior and what you could use from local sources to make a sealer to keep oxygen inside… Writer who was initially trained as a mechanical engineer, then a computer programmer, then auto mechanic, then electronics tech, then race car builder, then Windows help desk, then bicycle builder, back to race cars, then Internet journalist… I died between Windows and bicycles, thus making me part of Willis’ army of unkillable badasses.

          Which is a roundabout way of saying that I have a roundabout way of thinking.

        4. Deanatay

          Why do planetoids always play rogues? Why not a fighter planetoid, or a mage planetoid? Break out of your rut, planetoids!!

        5. Some1

          You learn new things about Ohio every day!

    5. Dex

      I got a ride /
      Home with a drunk guy /
      How ungrateful I must have seemed /
      He showed me how… /

      To act with integrity… no regrets…

  2. AnvilPro

    Tune in tomorrow to find out if Ruth is fired or not!

    1. gkheyf

      suspense!!!

      that second to last panel could be a gif for it…

    2. Orion Fury

      That’ll be, like, weeks away!

    3. Aeron

      What Chloe says next will shock you!

      1. Orion Fury

        Sounds like clickbait.

  3. Train Moblin

    Denial solves every problem
    it got me through

    all of my life

    1. spriteless

      No it didn’t!

      1. Train Moblin

        YEAH YOU’RE RIGHT DENIAL SOLVES NOTHING AND I AM A DECENT HUMAN

    2. Needfuldoer

      Denial is Walky’s math tutor.

      1. inqntrol

        “Still much better than Jason as tutor.”

    3. Deanatay

      Dam that river in Egypt!

      1. No Name

        Quick! somebody find a swan!

        1. Clif

          If you can hum a few bars then I’ll fake it.

  4. Foxhack

    Sure, Pudding Lady, give her even more reasons to try to commit suicide.

    I BET THOSE SNACKS ARE ALL HEALTHY, TOO! NO SUGAR!

    1. brasca1

      Those reasons are going to accumulate no matter what. Hence the removal of shoe laces.

      1. Fart Captor

        One day, Joyce’s gloves will be avenged.

        1. Fart Captor

          What the? This is not what I meant to reply to. -_-

        2. Clif

          Random Internet wins again.

    2. Orion Fury

      Just another raisin as to why she needs to get out of there.

      1. Needfuldoer

        Chloe’s at least trying to be supportive for Ruth, it’s not like she doesn’t carrot all about her problems.

        1. Deanatay

          Ruth needs to get better, and make it snap pea!

        2. Clif

          Ruth and Chloe are a real pear.

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Ruth and Chloe, sitting in a tree…

        4. Orion Fury

          What’s wrong with pears?

  5. wheelpath

    Tonight/ yesterday’s a real shit show.
    Debate and Ruth getting fired, what madness

    1. Fart Captor

      I really hope she never turns on election coverage. She doesn’t need to see that right now

      1. Orion Fury

        Sometimes I fell like yelling out “Take me with you, Poochie!”

  6. Tenchan

    Nooooooooooooo!!! Don’t fire Ruth! Please, Ms. Bishara, I beg of you!

    1. Bicycle Bill

      I’m not really proud to admit it, but when I worked for a university I showed up to work drunk as a hoot owl one night.  I ended up in a facility quite similar to where Ruth is now.  After a couple of days in there my supervisor(s) came to see me and told me that so long as I willingly went through assessment and the more-than-likely-to-be-recommended 30-day inpatient de-tox treatment, my insurance would cover it and I would still have a job to come back to when it was over.

      I would not be the least bit surprised if Chloe was there to have a similar discussion with Ruth.

      1. LWS

        Was that a while ago? Nowadays getting insurance to cover an extended inpatient detox program isn’t easy (although the actual medical detox is only 4-5 days and then becomes intensive inpatient psych after that).

        1. Bicycle Bill

          1989-1990.  And since I was actually a state employee I had what was considered, even back then, a better-than-most insurance package.

        2. qman

          I’m guessing you didn’t have a sexual relationship with a subordinate, though. That’s a big deal all on its own, pretty much insta-fired bar some serious corruption.

  7. Plasma Mongoose

    Fired from a cannon no less.

    1. Lipke the Articulate

      Better than fired from a canon.

      1. Orion Fury

        What about fined from a cannon?

      2. Deanatay

        Into crack-ship space?

        1. Clif

          Are crack-ships a thing now?

        2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Crack-ships have always been a thing ever since Eve & the Serpent, Cain & his wife, etc.

  8. Stephen R. Bierce

    *plays “Leather & Lace” on the hacked Muzak*

  9. Derek

    Chloe is such a nice boss honestly

    1. miados

      yeah sweet as pudding. or at least not to tangy.

      1. Woobie

        sweet like glurge.
        Really, expected bad news is bad enough, but anticipating expected bad news just extends the stress (I had to wait three weeks for a cancer diagnosis because that was the next appointment slot. Stop wasting time and tell me; I was on the fucking phone wiht you when you knew!!!)

        1. Clif

          Yes, but you might have been standing up.

      2. Deanatay

        Chloe is the zebra pudding!

      3. maxyai

        She’s as sweet as Slurm Cola. You must drink Slurm Cola! Hypno-Toad commands it!

  10. Slartibeast Button, BIA

    In panel 2, Ruth is sprouting extra arms! She is the Spider Queen!

    1. tim gueguen

      Spider Ruth, Spider Ruth.
      She wants your femurs and not your tooth.

      1. Orion Fury

        I was going to continue it, but all I was getting were flanderization of alcohol and suicide, so I decided against it.

  11. achallenger

    i know that feel ruth. just remember what my gff said to help get thru this. maybe the real laces are the friends we made along the way.

  12. Shiro

    Argh, I want this to end happily, but honestly Ruth should not be in a position of power with how she treats her charges. I wonder if there’s another job she can do with similar benefits but less…people-oriented?

  13. Taigan

    “Fire me so I can have conflict-free sex with my girlfriend!”

    …is probably NOT what Ruth is thinking.

    1. Reltzik

      Like it ever stopped her before.

      JASON felt guilt. Ruth just fretted about getting caught. … and also initiated. In a very non-consensual manner.

    2. Leorale

      I think it’s more “Rip the band-aid off already, I’m just so sick of dreading being fired”. Or, possibly, “Please fire me so I have less attachment to the world and can continue planning my death,” but, for some reason, the first strikes me as closer at this moment.

      1. Orion Fury

        Yeah, don’t really see the second one as pertinent.

        1. Clif

          Um.

        2. Orion Fury

          As in, she doesn’t care about the attachment of her job, so it wouldn’t have an affect on her decision to go on or not.

  14. Some1

    I’m constantly torn between feeling bad for Ruth and remembering that she tossed someone’s gloves out a window.

    I have decided to hope that she gets better, while acknowledging that she is a terrible person, and if she was real we would most likely be enemies.

    1. Reltzik

      Look at it this way. Good psych treatment might ALSO help with her anger issues.

      1. Some1

        Chloe: You are fired, but not because of the alcohol.

        Ruth: Was it the sex with Billie?

        Chloe: No, we could have worked through that.

        Ruth: Than…what?

        Chloe: Ruth…you assaulted your residents multiple times…

        Ruth: Shit.

        1. Leorale

          Yeah, all that dragging people around by their collars and throwing them into furniture n’stuff is not so good, even if you are very good at filing the paperwork on time.

        2. Reltzik

          A very good reason for a firing.

          And the only one that Chloe, so far as we’ve seen, knows nothing about.

        3. Dean

          “Also, I’m reliably informed that you are a Leafs fan.”

        4. Clif

          There you go.

        5. DSL

          Depending on how quickly and convincingly Chloe can make it look like she is addressing the problem, her own job might be on the line. Should be, anyway.

    2. spoopyfox

      is that an idiom or am i forgetting a moment in which she took someone’s gloves and tossed them out a window?

      1. Some1

        it is not an idiom, on the other hand it did lead to the discovery of Other Jacob!

      2. Koms

        http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-4/03-up-all-night-to-get-vengeance/no-2/

    3. merbrat

      Were they still wearing the gloves?

    4. Orion Fury

      One day, FC’s Comment will be avenged…

  15. miados

    fire me #@%# it! I want one less thing to stress about while i’m stuck in here…..

    1. Reltzik

      “While you’re at it, get me paperwork so I can withdraw from all my classes. And stationary to write to everyone I know. I want to burn all my bridges with life at once. … oh, and get me something to write with. They won’t let me have a pencil for some reason.”

      1. Fart Captor

        Police Officer: “Hello! I’ve got these hand cuffs out, and you may or may not be under arrest! Try not to think about that though, I’m just gonna hang out for a bit while that looms over you”

        1. Orion Fury

          Unfortunately, just because you’ve done nothing wrong, it doesn’t mean you have nothing to fear. Sometimes, those that enforce the rules think the can make the rules, or even are the rules.

        2. Sam

          If you are a set of rules, what is the appropriate amount of time to stay attached to a classroom wall before you decide fuck it and keep falling off regardless of how many staples, pieces of blue or white tack, pins and slivers of tape are used?

        3. Orion Fury

          I’m not qualified to make that answer.

  16. Reltzik

    Hmmm. Can she say that Ruth was let go for medical reasons, or would that be against the law? I don’t think this is something reasonable accommodation can be made for…

    1. Leorale

      For her classes, she ought to be able to take a leave of medical absence. That would suspend getting graded, withdraw her from all of her classes, and would let her back into school when she’s ready. She may still have to pay for the wasted semester, but education-wise, it’s probably the best possible option.
      (I got one of these, but it’s Social Work school, I don’t know whether all schools are that well-versed in mental health crises, to know that they ought to treat them just like a physical health crisis.)

      1. Leorale

        oh whoops you meant for the job.
        Because the RA job is tied to being a student at that school, a medical leave of absence should cover getting kicked out of the job temporarily until she’s well enough to return. It doesn’t seem like this school has a lot of potential RAs from which to choose (word of God says the other RAs were even worse), so their best bet is to let Ruth back when Ruth is better.

        1. Orion Fury

          I could have sworn I posted something around here. Did I imagine it, or was there a violation in it and it was deleted?

        2. Orion Fury

          Just in case someone is reading through her on an archive binge; one, thank you for taking the time to read my comments; and two, it’s farther down.

    2. Miri

      I was going to ask about health discrimination acts in the US… pretry certain in the UK, if a strong case could be made that the destructive things she did were a side effect of being unwell they wouldn’t be legal cause for firing? Though it might go to an employment tribunal, and she would need to demonstrate she was fit to resume duties again after…

  17. CriticalQuit

    Telling someone not to think about something will just make them think extra hard about it.

  18. Bluewind

    Wrong. She does need to think about that right now. As is, her future is uncertain and in flux. She won’t deal with it until she knows no matter how small of a chance she has of keeping her job. If she knows she has no job when she gets out, she can at least deal with it in the hospital where she is surrounded by staff and required to go to therapy. If they wait to tell her for sure until she gets out, she will go through it while in a very fragile state and might end up right back in there. Even if they don’t know yet, Chloe needs to tell her the truth of how it currently stands.

    1. Reltzik

      Except I don’t think that’s WHY she’s thinking about it. She seems to think of it as getting rid of obligations that force her to cling to life. Or at least, she was at the end of the last book. I don’t think this is a forward-looking impulse. I think it’s self-destructive.

      1. Bluewind

        The why doesn’t matter. She still needs to know so she can deal with her emotions from it in a safe environment rather it is being upset that she has lot her job and can’t pay for college, being scared of going back with her abusive grandfather, or feeling like she has one less reason to even keep trying, she needs to deal with it in a safe place.

        1. 3-I

          Exactly. Home is NOT SAFE for her, and she needs to start making other plans.

    2. rectilinearpropagation

      Alla dis, essentially.

  19. PapayaPunkPixie

    As someone with anxiety: I feel you, Ruth.

  20. Idontcarenomore

    Maybe Chloe doesn’t really know? Maybe it hinges on how she does, and when her projected date of exit is, and if she plans to continue therapy.

    But if Chloe does know, she should tell her. Gives Ruth time to cope with it, and think of other ways to go.

    1. Bluewind

      Very well put

      1. Orion Fury

        PUT WELL ENOUGH

    2. Leorale

      That makes sense.

  21. tim gueguen

    Something tells me Chloe’s eyes look like that whether she’s wearing her glasses or not.

  22. AgentKeen

    I know they’re not exactly the same, but I just realized how much Ruth’s eyes look like they used to.

    1. Woobie

      The green is gone, yes.

  23. NF

    I would seriously be so happy to see a whole week of depressed Ruth in the hospital strips.

  24. Lipke the Articulate

    Ruth’s apathy hurts more than if she were crying her eyes out.

  25. lia47

    guess who’s accessing this site from mcfreakin iceland

    1. Leorale

      Is it you? I bet it’s you. Áfram með smjörið!

      1. Orion Fury

        Que?

        1. Leorale

          In this case, I’m using this expression to mean “keep on keepin’ on”, but it literally means “on with the butter!’ which is awesome.

        2. Orion Fury

          Is it exotic?

        3. Dean

          Yeah, like reindeer butter?

    2. Fart Captor

      Is it me? What am I doing in Iceland? I don’t think my passport is even up to date

  26. Doom Shepherd

    Hm. If she wants out of life but is only hanging on because she feels she has obligations,* then she WANTS to be fired to free her from them.

    *I have known those feels, but not anymore, thank Coyote.

  27. All-Purpose Guru

    You’d have to be a real asshole to fire someone about this. it may even be borderline illegal.

    1. Bluewind

      I’m guessing they would fire her for having a relationship with a student in her wing.

      1. All-Purpose Guru

        Every damn RA I’ve ever HAD was frolicking (sometimes excessively loudly) with a resident of the wing.

        The Hall Director knew it, and didn’t have a problem with it.

    2. Orion Fury

      To my understand, while Ruth would be considered part of a protected class for even at-will, policy violation would override that.

  28. Bluewind

    I’m glad Ruth was put in a hospital that cares. She gets her glasses, her coat, and looks like her own shoes and clothes/pjs. I don’t even think she has a roommate! Plus the bed makes me wonder if she has even left for the treatment facility yet (while usually have normal-ish beds).

    I’ve been in a place like that twice (once for an OD and once because my depression had gotten so bad I was worried for my safety) and restrictions vary. No shoes with laces or high heals, bras with wires, pants with tie string, books on certain subjects (meaning a Kindle is out), money, tobacco products or vaps (the ones who did got a patch), electric toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors (electric or otherwise), and so on. Most don’t allow your own day tops and bottoms and make you wear supplied scrubs which are all one color. Some don’t allow coats or pajamas in case of emergency evacuation so that everyone inpatient is always in the same outfit, day or night. Some don’t allow you to have your own underwear or bra because you might try to strangle yourself with them. Some have strict policies on the products women are allowed to use during their monthly visitor with both I was at not allowing menstrual cups (thank goodness I started before that time I needed it and they didn’t check!) and one not allowing tampons. What kind of hygiene products allowed (soap, shampoo, toothpaste) depend on rather the contents could make you or someone else sick if ingested with both places I went requiring you to use the stuff they provided only. A lot of them have no music, a way to exercise, or access to sunlight or fresh air. If they have a tv, you have a small window to watch it. Sometimes they might give you a book if you ask with most being either cheesy romance (with sex scenes in a place I’m monitored why!?!) or random non fiction. Sometimes there is a deck of cards or dominoes if someone hasn’t stolen them. And sparse walls designed to not stimulate. And there is a room that everyone knows about with a cute name (like the quiet room) that is anything but cute.

    1. BBCC

      If you don’t mind answering, may I ask why they didn’t allow laces, high heels, money, or electric toothbrushes? The rest make a certain amount of sense, but the others confuse me a little bit.

      1. Leorale

        Laces can be used to strangle yourself.
        You could use heels as a weapon, or accidentally trip over them and hurt your ankles, I guess.
        Money could be used to buy contraband, or to attempt to bribe people, but also, t’s not like you have anything you can buy while you’re there anyway.
        Electric toothbrush is new to me, but I’m sure somebody can think up some way to harm themselves with one. Or they just didn’t have the outlets for them. Other thoughts?

        1. Orion Fury

          Never doubt the ingenuity of a depressed and desperate person? The nurses/doctors behind the banning of the electric toothbrushes must have a good story.

          Also, perhaps they think the ‘romance’ is uplifting? Kinda makes you wonder what they’d offer if you were admitted for loss of so depression.

        2. Bluewind

          I’m not saying it was good romance. It was basically porn with a weak story thrown in to hold it together. Most books were cheap paperbacks because hardbacks could be used as a weapon. What they allowed in was extremely strict. Dad brought me everything from Harry Potter to some science fiction romance to Where The Red Fern Grows and they denied them all (he had like a dozen paperbacks!).

        3. Huttj509

          I understand the last. That book had me bawling. I, um, may still have a couple of plush puppies named Dan and Ann…

        4. Bluewind

          It was just a few books I remembered off the top of my head but there were many more. And yes. I loved that book and still do. It made me think of my dad as he raised bird dogs when he was a kid.

        5. Bluewind

          Almost forgot. The loss of SO or breakup did not effect the book choices where I was, but that can vary as everything else. It didn’t even effect me who went in one time after a break up and the other had my partner of 7 years break up with me while I was in the hospital!

        6. dejadrew

          But… that sounds AWFUL. Wouldn’t the lack of entertainment and mental stimulation make depression worse, not better? I could even see it being a significant deterrent to people seeking help. I mean, isn’t there a risk that someone might not come in because they can’t bear to be without their books?

        7. Bluewind

          Welcome to my world. I’m guessing they make it so miserable so you will seek help before you get bad enough to require observation in a bland colored wing with nothing more harmful than crayons within reach.

        8. BBCC

          Ahhhhh okay, that makes sense.
          I guess an electronic toothbrush can burn you and some say they cause more bleeding than usual. That might be it.

      2. Leorale

        Oh yeah the money is surely more that another patient could steal it, the staff can’t keep track of it for you, better not to have cash or valuables around to get stolen.

        Maybe you can modify an electric toothbrush to burn yourself, or maybe it’s just part of ‘no electronics’ because it’s easier to have a rule that way.

        I visited a fellow in the hospital and left him tasty snacks, but he had to ask for each snack specifically at the desk, I couldn’t give them to him all at once or leave them in his room. They’re careful about this stuff.

      3. Bluewind

        I think laces had something to do with choking, high heals were because of risk of personal injury and weapon use, and money because of liability. I have no clue about why electric toothbrushes weren’t allowed as the only danger I could see with them would be swallowing the batteries. Hell, maybe women were using them as MacGyver vibrators!

        Oh! And I forgot makeup and most hair brushes (combs were mostly okay). Basically, if it or part of it could kill someone, make someone sick, be used as a weapon, connect you to the outside world without supervision, was too stimulating, or be considered a liability to allow (like money or just about anything with value), it wasn’t allowed.

        1. BBCC

          Yeah, all of that makes sense. The electric toothbrush might have been ‘too stimulating’ or people might have burned or made themselves bleed with them.

      4. rectilinearpropagation

        The brush head can be removed from electric tooth brushes for replacement. This exposes the small metal part it attaches to. It’s kind of like a flat tube in shape and can easily be used to stab someone.

    2. Bluewind

      Heads up people. You can ask me questions or talk to me about it. I’m not ashamed to talk about my experiences with depression or hospitals, abusive childhood, bad relationships, hemiplegic migraines, or trauma anymore than I’m ashamed to talk about my sexuality (polysexual) or beliefs (atheist). When it comes to what I believe and how I feel, I’m basically the real world version of Becky. 😉

      1. BBCC

        Good to know! Just making sure in case it was a sore topic and/or potentially triggery to think about it a lot. Glad you are cool with it.

      2. Anonononon

        How are depressed people expected to become happy in such a dull and dreary place?

        1. Bluewind

          Depends on the place and the person! 🙂

          If you mean in general, I have a lot of things. I have a support system in the form of my 2 best friends. I go to therapy twice a month, I take Paxil which is an antidepressant that works for me (I’ve tried several others such as Zoloft which made me too tired and Cymbalta which made me crazy as a Bessie bug), I get at least 15 to 30 minutes of sunshine a day (in the shade), I try to walk a mile at least once or twice a week, I eat well (as opposed to skipping meals or drinking soda exclusively), I have great pets that make me get up every day and love on me when I feel like crap, I get good sleep (not getting proper rest can actually cause depression), I’m honest with everyone about how I am instead of hiding my feelings until I get bad, I go to my medical doctor when something is wrong (physical and mental pain are linked), I learned how my brain worked so I could cut myself some slack when things went haywire, and I tried to push myself to do stuff I enjoyed (reading being a big one for me). I read about and talked to others who lived with depression as well as those with OCD which made me feel less alone. I quit being ashamed of it and opened up which also led to me eventually embracing that I wasn’t straight (I’m bi) and that I wasn’t a Christian (I’m an atheist). The atheist one was big for me as I had hid it most of my life. I tried to be Christian and feel what others felt and believe what others believed, but I didn’t and once I accepted that and found that atheism was right for me (like wicca ended up being right for one of my best friends), my depression improved. It didn’t hurt that my sucky ex is gone either 😉

          If you mean in the comments or the strip, I wasn’t lying when I said that learning you aren’t alone helps and knowing somebody, anybody gets it and knows how you feel or how you felt is a huge thing.

          If you mean in the hospitals, they aren’t meant to make you happy; they’re meant to make you stable. They are there to monitor you to make sure you take meds, sleep, eat, go to therapy, and don’t endanger yourself or others. I think they are how they are so people won’t get comfortable and want to come back meaning you will ask for help instead of trying to handle it alone until crap gets bad again. You want out if there so bad that you are willing to do whatever gets you marks for good behavior like personal hygiene and going to all the therapy and group seasons. Too many have a staff that doesn’t care and/or are heavily religious though. The one good thing about that is that after I got out the second time, I was so tired of hiding that I quit lying about being a Christian. It’s one thing to hide by omission and a passing nod and phrase; it’s another to be surrounded by it and have your group therapy filled with it for over 2 weeks.

          On a side note, how long you stay has less to do with what you did and more to do with how you are evaluated, your support system, and your insurance or ability to pay. First time I went in after an OD on pills, but I had a support system, willingness to get help, and no insurance so I was there about 3 or 4 days. Second time I was just worried I was about to do something stupid, but I had good insurance, wasn’t eating much, told a doctor I didn’t care, had virtually no support system (my fiancé broke up with me my second day in there through my dad and took the house, my dad was verbally abusive, my mother was worse and god knows where, my grandparents were all dead, and my best friend was in another state and in too small a place for me to stay), and a history and was there over 2 weeks after which I moved in with my dad for a year until I could get back on my feet. Sometimes I wonder if they tacked days on because I didn’t go to church services. I went to every other activity and meal and did all they asked of me but that.

          * Strip related note. Even as bad as Ruth is, I think they will keep her there somewhere between 3 to 6 days. She’s bad enough that she would require the 3 day minimum observation, but not bad enough that they would keep her much over that.

        2. Hazel

          I’ve only visited, not stayed, and it was in Australia so different system/circumstances, but yeah, the staff don’t care if you are happy or not, they just want you stable and not going to harm yourself/others. Which often leaves people lying to get out, as a friend of mine did.
          With another friend, who admitted herself, the place had two zones. One where there was absolutely nothing, no books, tv, nothing that you could hurt yourself or others with. The other zone had an outside area with picnic tables and a garden, a room with musical instruments, tv, books, crayons, paper, and the residents had lockers where they could keep some personal stuff. This was the zone where visitors were allowed! I brought in food (because hospital food sucks), a card I think, and some books for her. You had to prove (ie not act violent, be hygeniec, etc) that you could be allowed in the nicer zone.
          None of the staff wore uniforms (I think to make it so there was less of a Us Vs Them thing?). The residents wore casual (but no shoelaces/zippers I think?) clothes, donated I believe. One staff member wore a cowboy hat and made the excuse to walk us out and talk to us about our friend when really he wanted a smoke. Also told us that pets weren’t allowed in because someone had not that long ago brought in a bunch of baby bats.
          With the friend that lied to get out, she was far away from any support system and her care was less good. How much of that was because the facility was just worse, or having people support you makes the staff more caring I don’t know. I had tried calling her but they lied and said she was in a group therapy session.

        3. Bluewind

          I love the two zone concept. It sounds like something that would really help those recovering.

          I’m sorry about your other friend. Believe me, you will lie your ass off after a few days just to get the hell out of there, so her actions were the norm. It didn’t help her in the long run, but it can’t be helped. The visitor refusal is pretty common too. Most places only allow a list of 2 to 4 possible visitors, so you can get turned away if you aren’t on the list or if they decide that patient isn’t allowed any visitors for any reason. Both places I was at only allowed 2 possible visitors (which you had to chose when you arrived and could not be changed later) and both times my visitors were turned away with various excuses.

          Some places are trying to change while others stay with the outdated practices. The religious ones are the most unsettling as they often use the time you are at your lowest point to bring you to their god kinda like the psychological version of AA only kinda more brainwashy because of things previously discussed. All treatments are also filtered through their interpretation of the Bible, so things like group therapy are filled to the brim with that crap.

        4. Hazel

          Thankfully both places were public hospitals and they didn’t get that bible treatment (because yikes, what assholes to do that to people when they are essentially trapped there)(hugs to you).
          Friend has Dissociative Identity Disorder (“multiple personalities”) and they wouldn’t let her leave until she lied and said it was just her there (more concerned about that than the suicidal thoughts). 4+ years later she has a girlfriend, jobs, cats, bunnies, DID and several friends with DID too, so suck it, outdated, bad mental health inpatient unit!
          With the friend in the two-zone place, I think she had at least five different visitors over the twoish weeks. Not though when she first checked herself in, she was in the Not Nice zone. Pretty different from the other friend’s facility.

        5. Bluewind

          Unfortunately here (a state in the southern US), most hospitals are religiously affiliated and even the ones that aren’t are mostly staffed by Christians. Those who are not cis gendered have it the worst though. I talked to someone at the first place I was at who told me how bad a trans person that got released before I got there had been treated. The second place I was at, there was a person who was gender fluid named B. She (using the pronoun preferred while there) who was housed with a man because she was physically male (they said she “had a dick” so he wasn’t a woman) while a cis female with a broken leg got a private room because of her needs. B made the best of it even when they refused to use the right pronouns, dismissed her, and said she was “just gay” (because of her feminine tone). She said she was use to it because doctors here find any excuse they can to toss someone like her in a psychiatric hospital. I spoke with other people there and found that sharing an area in a hospital with at least one non cis was the norm. On my ride home, I met a woman coming out of a small psy hospital who told me she had shared a room with a transman (quote “a crazy chick who actually thought she was a dude”). I have no clue what B or the other young man were in their respective hospitals for other than not feeling like the gender society told them they had to be fit with who they knew they were.

          I had a neighbor a long time ago who had that. She found out when she found letters written by one of the others. She unfortunately got little help save for medication and I’m not sure it really helped her much.

          The stigma is terrible around mental illness. I wish there was a way to fix it, but there’s not and it unfortunately bleeds into our treatment by our very doctors and hospitals and such who are supposed to be tasked with our well being. We can only hope for things to get better.

        6. Leorale

          Thank you for sharing your experiences!

        7. Leorale

          @Anononon, Happiness is too high a goal for a depressed person to achieve in a few days of inpatient care. (It’s too high a goal even for a not-depressed person, if you think about it.)

          It’s kind of like, the point of dialysis isn’t to have strong awesome kidneys that work like the dickens. The point is that your kidneys don’t kill you right then.

          Inpatient programs are more aiming for you to be safe and stable, you’re alive and you won’t die right the heck now.

          Ideally, when you leave, the hospital ought to connect you to other, non-inpatient resources (such as counseling, meds, support groups, etc.) that might help you remain stable, and/or might take you to the next step of recovery.

          The eventual, very longterm goal might be that you’re healthy and fully functional, with a well-balanced life that fulfills you and enables you to feel happy. However, the hospital isn’t equipped to make all that happen. They just make sure that you don’t die today.

  29. Orion Fury

    I’m thinking Ruth’s job is in Limbo. While she want’s to be fired, possibly as more proof of that “she’s a failure”, Chloe doesn’t want that, but has to follow protocol and is doing her best to ensure Ruth doesn’t lose it, but can’t promise her that she won’t.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Ruth is getting a job as a Limbo Dancer?

    2. DSL

      Ruth Limbo, the famous talk-radio host.

      1. Reltzik

        Surely her temper and misanthropy would bar her from ever being accepted as a talk radio host!

        1. Orion Fury

          There must be at least one person out there that wonder’s why I seem to only post joke comments…

  30. Cerberus

    The Ruth exists in both a fired and unfired state until it is observed.

    1. Rukduk

      Schroedinger’s employment status just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

      1. Reltzik

        But accountants find it especially horrifying.

        1. Orion Fury

          Physicists just get irritated.

  31. BenRG

    Well, Ruth, I know that you’re not in a fit state to hear this but what Chloe is saying is that her first priority for you is that you get help for your manifold problems. The whole issue about whether you still have the RA job is literally something that you shouldn’t be thinking about, in her view; it would be a distraction.

    It is in-character for Ruth that she thinks the only reason anyone would want to be around her is to cause her more problems and grief. That will be the tallest mountain for her to climb by a long margin.

    1. BBCC

      Ruth’s problem here though is she CAN’T deal with some of those problems until she knows if she’s fired. If she’s fired, she can’t afford to stay in school and needs to plan where to live, where to work, and (ideally) how to pay for therapy in order to get better and avoid her dickhead grandpa.

      If she’s not fired, all those things are non-issues and that’s a lot of major worries off her mind (or another responsibility to keep her tied to life, depending how she feels).

    2. Huttj509

      Except Ruth is going to be worrying about that *anyway.* Unknowns can be scarier than knowns. Don’t think about a pink elephant with a scoop of ice cream on its head.

      Not so easy, is it?

      1. BenRG

        It’s actually surprisingly easy; I’m having problems even visualising it properly!

      2. Jhon

        What kind of ice cream?

  32. DarkoNeko

    Try not to think you are now breathing manually, either.

  33. Bagge

    “Just let the worst happen already”

  34. Keulan

    At this point I’m not sure if it would be better for Ruth if she’s fired or better if she keeps her RA job.

    1. BenRG

      Sick leave on full pay is a possibility; she cannot possibly be considered able to fill the role right now but that doesn’t prevent the college from promising to re-assess her once she gets through her initial ‘crisis’ therapy and is on the appropriate follow-up care.

      1. Ellegos

        Maybe. I’m sure that would have been an option if Ruth and Billie had managed to get out ahead of this, but I think things are definitely complicated by their relationship.

  35. JessWitt

    Is Chloe a POC, like maybe Mid-Eastern descent?

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      She is a Custard-American.

  36. Jack

    Fun fact: suicidal does not mean stupid. Nor even out of touch.

    A+, Willis. 10/10 would have flashbacks to stints in the looney bin again.

  37. Charles Phipps

    I literally cannot see any reason why Ruth should be an R.A. other than she needs money. She’s violent, abusive, ignores actual problems on campus, and is hated by the staff. If we’re going to give her money, can’t she find a lottery ticket instead?

    1. Charles Phipps

      Students, not staff! OH THE HORROR!

    2. Clif

      Wait. You list all her qualifications and then can’t see why she is the perfect R.A.?

  38. Some1

    I know that no one really cares, but I just want to say that last night I had a dream where Leslie had a lady boner for

    http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/0/0e/PeridotNoLimbs.png/revision/latest?cb=20150925014545

    dressed as

    http://dumbingofage.tumblr.com/image/151128729127

    that is all.

  39. rectilinearpropagation

    I know we’ll find out on the next strip but I can’t help but wonder why Chloe, her boss, would show up if she doesn’t want her thinking about her job.

    1. BenRG

      Guilt; I guess that Chloe had her concerns about Ruth’s behaviour and moods but didn’t follow them up because the floor was ‘quiet’ under her management.

  40. quarktime

    “You do realize that the ONLY reason I’m in here in the FIRST place is because of the fear that you’ll fire me, right?”

    “Well…”

    “I wonder what an EEOC review would make of that?”

    “You wouldn’t…”

    “Not if I WASN’T FIRED, of course. I’d have no reason to inform the government that you’re discriminating against GLBT individuals so badly that they contemplate suicide if I wasn’t ACTUALLY fired.”

    “That’s blackmail.”

    “No, it’s just pointing out that if I’m fired, I have NO REASON not to tell them how you treat lesbians on your campus.”

    “That’s…insidious.”

    “Thank you, I do try, even when I’m contemplating flushing my own head down the commode.”

    1. quarktime

      “But…”

      “Welcome to Title IX. Eventually you’ll like it here.”

    2. BBCC

      A) Ruth’s not a lesbian.

      B) Ruth wouldn’t be fired for being bi, she’d be fired for fucking one of the students in her care – imbalance of power = violation of job ethics, boom, just cause. Same reason Jason or Penny would be fired if they got busted.

      1. Fart Captor

        Also, as has been brought up elsewhere, there’s the drinking, violent threats, actual violence. Unfortunately there are plenty of legit reasons Ruth should be fired, as much as I’d hate to see Mary given something more to be smug about.

        I also kinda doubt Cloe knows about Ruth getting blackmailed yet, or anything more than the basic facts if the situation she got last night. Its probably a bit early to be casting her as a villain.

        1. BBCC

          Oh yeah, love Ruth, but girl should’ve been fired ages ago.

        2. Charles Phipps

          Aside from Mary, is there ANYONE who isn’t a better RA?

        3. BBCC

          Maaaaaaaaaaybe Carla or Sal, if only because they really could not give less of a fuck about enforcing rules they don’t care about? Though they might be decent in other areas so…

          Yeah, Mary.

        4. Emily

          Not giving a fuck about protocol while still having a pretty reasonable sense of justice and empathy is a fair bit better than Ruth’s brand of tyrannically upholding said protocol when it suits her via threats and violence. Like Sal or Carla wouldn’t turn a blind eye to a real problem as much as they might want to project a persona that would because they’re good people at the end of the day.

        5. BBCC

          Yes, but I don’t think the school would appreciate them not enforcing the rules they think are silly. XD

          TBF to Ruth, while she is a terrible RA for being violent towards her charges, she is pretty offering of herself when they come to her with a real problem (ex. Blaine, when Mary was blurting transphobia at Carla before she got blackmailed, when Dorothy asked for breakup advice, etc.)

        6. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          I really can’t see Dina being a good RA. Yeah she’d have the whole “eviscerate you with my dewclaw” thing going on, but still…

        7. Fart Captor

          I can imagine her being a good RA, actually. She can be stern or compassionate add needed, and can be both observant and insightful. If she’s enough like me, the specific structure expected for her interactions with other students as their RA might make them less stressful for her, though it might still be a bit draining.

          She might find a work-around though. Riding around on Becky’s shoulders would help keep her at full charge, while the added height would make her appear more imposing and authoritative.

          So basically, Dina could be the best RA..

        8. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          If Dina is going to be riding Becky around the dorm fighting evil enforcing only the important rules, they’ll need masks and spandex costumes in primary colors.

        9. BBCC

          Actually, Dina has a big problem being stern. She can put her foot down, but in general she’s really not. People tend to run roughshod over her sometimes and I think they might want a more firm RA.

          For resources, insight, and understanding though, Dina might be a good choice.

        10. Fart Captor

          @Slartibeast:
          That, or studded leather and hockey pads. Although they can probably start with one and then change it up when they go mad with power and Amazi-Girl has to fight them on top of a giant robot ankylosaurus.

          @BBCC:
          I’m not sure where you’re getting that impression, as the only time I recall Dina not being assertive enough is when her parents let Blaine into her and Amber’s room.

          There seems to be plenty of evidence that Dina does not allow anyone to walk all over her or the people or things she cares about.

          Just look at:
          – her arguments with Joyce about science
          – when she acted as gatekeeper for Amber
          – basically all of her conversations w/ Sarah
          – when she objected to being infantilized at Joyce’s party
          – ”YOU WILL KISS ME”
          – Getting Toedad onto the bus to Indianapolis
          – Fighting Toedad despite being tiny and him having a gun

          I think you underestimate her.

        11. BBCC

          That’s a good point! I don’t mean she can’t be assertive or that she’s incapable of putting her foot down – just that she isn’t very stern (which she didn’t object to) and by ‘run roughshod’ I mean they tend to ignore her or not take her seriously. That’s changing now that she’s working on it and she’s becoming more confident, and her friends might take her more seriously now, but I’m not sure people like Rachel, Grace, Mandy, etc. would take her seriously as an authority figure. She’s not very intimidating and I’m not sure how great she’d be in enforcing rules.

        12. hof1991

          If Dina’s going to ride Beckysaurus around, she needs a dinosaur saddle

          https://www.quora.com/Why-is-there-a-person-riding-on-a-saddle-on-top-of-a-dinosaur-at-the-Creationist-Museum-in-Kentucky

        13. Clif

          I can’t see Joyce as a better RA. Maybe in a few years.

  41. Splork

    They’ll probably fire her, but why do they need to? They could suspend her (perhaps still with pay) until she stabilizes, and then give her the job back.

    1. Emily

      Because she’s staggeringly bad at her job and she threatens and assaults her charges on a regular basis and that’s really bad especially from the perspective of the school that is liable for her behaviour?

      1. thejeff

        Though it’s not at all clear how much of that Chloe (or anyone else official) knows.
        They know about the depression and about the relationship. If they know anything else, it’s been found out off-camera.

        1. Clif

          Besides, she’s a great TA. There’s never any problems in her wing.

  42. Yumi

    So now is it time for a series of escalating high jinks in which Ruth tries to get Chloe to tell her she’s fired?

  43. Commodore Jeep-Eep

    Just shit or get off the pot, asshole.

  44. HeyBabyHeyBabyWhatsTheMatterWithYa

    Probably Ms. Pudding Head is projecting, given that it’s also her own arse on the line for severe negligence. Criminal damage happened to school property on her watch and she didn’t notice it, multiple times? I’m surprised she isn’t fired already.

    1. thejeff

      “Criminal damage to school property”?

      Not sure what you’re referring to or if Chloe’s aware of it even now.

      1. Fart Captor

        I dunno. Some of that sex with Billie got pretty …vigorous, but last we saw, I’m pretty sure all of the furniture was still intact.

    2. BBCC

      I think they mean Ruth’s broken doors. Apparently this has happened multiple times.

  45. Bluewind

    Happy World Mental Health Day everyone! Remember to take care of yourself, seek help if you are having problems, be honest with loved ones and medical professionals, reach out to others for support and information, and try to learn more about other issues and conditions to better empathize with others. Don’t be ashamed if your brain is wired a little different. I am an abuse survivor with major depression, OCD, and a now mild bit if PTSD who goes to therapy and takes an antidepressant, but I’m also a loving daughter, fun aunt, caring and considerate friend, dog and cat lover, snake keeper, book lover, kick ass gamer, and awesome cook. There are so many parts that make me who I am and mental issues are just one one small part of what makes me me. We are all like that. We are all greater than the sum of our parts. Embrace who you are and don’t let shame or fear keep you from living your life or getting help when you need it.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      +1

    2. Jhon

      Holds up the “+several” sign.

      (then biffs the Slartibeast about the head and shoulders with it)

    3. Emperor Norton II

      In addition to what you said, you also make for a great hovering ass, Bluewind!

      1. Bluewind

        I hope Willis took time to read your previous short story or he might take that as insulting a fellow commenter XD

        1. Emperor Norton II

          Ehh, I’m pretty sure that Willis just sees my name and then skips everything underneath it by now. He knows that I’m not linking to horrible MRA sites, and that I am pretty much just like Earth: Mostly harmless.

      2. Orion Fury

        Would you care for some potatoes, sir?

  46. Jhon

    Try not to think about … pudding.

    1. Clif

      Um. Pudding.

    2. Orion Fury

      Damn it all.

  47. RiverDelta

    This strip honestly was uncomfortable to read, especially the bit about the laces. I’m still afraid of my memories away.

  48. Hinoron

    Chloe’s overdue-for-a-re-dye hair reminds me of Japanese puddings!

    http://economists-pick-research.hktdc.com/resources/MI_Portal/Article/imn/2012/01/363079/1326250575557_12-1-2r3_363079.jpg

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