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Dr. Balis:
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Hello?
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Ms. Michel:
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May I speak to Doctor Balis please?
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Dr. Balis:
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This is he.
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Ms. Michel:
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This is Lana Michel, Herbert's mother. Lenore gave me your number.
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Dr. Balis:
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How may I help you, Ms. Michel?
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Ms. Michel:
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I'm worried about my son. From what I hear, he's acting like an asshole again.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see.
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Ms. Michel:
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I never thought a son of mine would turn out to be such a turkey. I didn't do so well with him.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. But what can I do for you, Ms. Michel?
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Ms. Michel:
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I don't know, I don't know. Herbert's getting out of hand. He's been hanging out with a bad element. I don't want to risk talking to him myself--I'm sure you know why.
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Dr. Balis:
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Actually, I don't know why you wouldn't talk to your son. Would you like to tell me?
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Ms. Michel:
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Hmm, okay. This is a public phone, after all. Well, I don't want to be associated with the people my son's been associating with, do you get my meaning?
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Dr. Balis:
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I think so.
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Ms. Michel:
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If you're going to do certain things, it's best to keep your big mouth shut. I thought I drilled that into Herbert's head. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job of beating it into him, because he just doesn't get it. Bad enough that he's hanging out with these...those friends of his, he's got to call attention to it: showing off his money, buying lots of new toys.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm.
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Ms. Michel:
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He damn near killed Lenore. And she's such a fool--she wants to go back to him.
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Dr. Balis:
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She does? Have you spoken to her?
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Ms. Michel:
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Yes, she called me after she got out of the emergency room. Lenore still cares about him. I don't know why. Frankly, I don't even know why I care about him, but I do. That's why I'm calling you.
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Dr. Balis:
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Ms. Michel, I can understand your concern about your son, but I'm still not sure how I can be of any help...
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Ms. Michel:
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Well, maybe you can talk to Herb. You're a man, you're a doctor, he'll listen to you.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. What is it that you'd like me to...
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Ms. Michel:
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He needs to stop hanging out with those new so-called friends of his. I've been doing this for over twenty years, I know what's going to happen. I've seen it happen too many times. I'm worried for my son's life, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. Do you think you can persuade Herb to go into a drug rehabilitation treatment center?
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Ms. Michel:
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Treatment center? No. No, I don't want him locked up. I just want him to stop what he's doing.
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Dr. Balis:
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Ms. Michel, Herb's substance abuse is the source of his problems. If he can take off for a month and get clean, it would be a big step toward recovery. And his insurance will pay for this treatment.
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Ms. Michel:
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Well, I don't know. I just don't know. I don't want my son going to jail.
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Dr. Balis:
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There's a chance we can avoid that if Herb goes into treatment soon.
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Ms. Michel:
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Will you talk to him? Maybe you can get through to him.
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Dr. Balis:
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Actually, I was hoping you could help me persuade him.
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Ms. Michel:
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Herbert's out of his mind, he's using too much. He won't listen to anyone. I'm not going to risk myself by going over there. I don't want to be seen within a mile of his house. You never know who's watching.
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Dr. Balis:
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I can talk to him, Ms. Michel, but unfortunately, there's only so much I can do.
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Ms. Michel:
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Okay. I understand. You will try and talk to him, though? Will you talk to him about it the next time you see him?
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes, I will.
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Ms. Michel:
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Thank you, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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You're welcome, Ms. Michel. Goodbye.
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Ms. Michel:
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Bye.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Phone Call
Transcripts of Herbert Michel's Communications
