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Dr. Balis:
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Lenore? What happened? Are you all right?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Hi, Doctor Balis. I came here because I didn't know where else to go.
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Dr. Balis:
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Come in, sit down.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Is he here?
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Dr. Balis:
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No, no one's here. Have a seat. Did Herb do this to you?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Yes, we went to...
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Dr. Balis:
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Here, have a tissue.
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Ms. Marconi:
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I'm sorry.
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Dr. Balis:
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That's all right. When did this happen?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Over the weekend. I'm afraid to go back to the apartment.
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Dr. Balis:
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Where have you been staying?
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Ms. Marconi:
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I slept on a BART train until they stopped running, and I hung out at the library and the park.
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Dr. Balis:
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Have you been to a doctor?
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Ms. Marconi:
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No.
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Dr. Balis:
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You need to go to the emergency room.
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Ms. Marconi:
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It's not that bad. I must have hit a major blood vessel in my forehead. It looks worse than it really is.
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Dr. Balis:
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Lenore, you have a head injury, and you're pregnant. I don't think you're qualified to diagnose yourself. You definitely need medical attention. I want you to go to an emergency room immediately. I can't take you there myself--I'm seeing a patient in a few minutes--but I can call you a cab. After you've seen a doctor, call the women's shelter and see about getting a place to stay, at least for tonight.
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Ms. Marconi:
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But I need to change clothes for work, and Herb...
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Dr. Balis:
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Don't go back to your apartment alone. Call your boss and say you need to go to the hospital. Don't worry about Herb, take care of yourself. Herb's already broken a number of laws, you can add assault charges to that. If he threatens you in any way, call the police.
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Ms. Marconi:
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If I do that, one of his friends will bail him out of jail, and he'll come after me.
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Dr. Balis:
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You can file assault charges and get a restraining order against him. But you don't have to make these decisions now. And the shelter will counsel you on what to do, and they'll probably have some clothes for you, too. Would you like me to call the shelter for you?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Okay.
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Dr. Balis:
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All right. I'm also calling the cab, it will be here in about ten minutes. You'll need to wait for it outside the building. I'll call the hospital and tell them you'll be coming. All right? Can I get you anything?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Uh, can I use your bathroom?
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Dr. Balis:
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Certainly. It's right down the hall. I'll make arrangements for you at the shelter. I want you to go there tonight. Don't go back to the apartment, understand?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Thank you, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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You're welcome. Call me from the hospital or shelter if you need any further assistance. Take care, Lenore.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Conversation
Transcripts of Herbert Michel's Communications
