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Dr. Balis:
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Hello, is this Carol Mazurka?
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Yes, who's this?
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Dr. Balis:
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This is Dr. Charles Balis. We've talked before.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Oh yeah, I remember. What do you want?
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Dr. Balis:
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Um...well, I've talked to Joe. We were discussing the idea of some couples counseling...
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Ms. Mazurka:
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That's for couples. We're two separate people now. You know, I tried and tried, but it's too late now. I've got to think about myself and the kids.
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Dr. Balis:
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Joe seemed interested in a reconciliation. Are you sure you don't want to give the relationship another chance?
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Yeah, I'm sure. You know, I hurt all over, but I still feel better than I have in a long time, and you know why? Because I don't have that bastard breathing down my neck anymore. You don't know what it was like, especially toward the end. I was really scared. Even the kids were scared. We're just so much happier now. There's no way I'm going back to like it was.
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Dr. Balis:
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Well Joe does seem to have stopped taking steroids. I think that probably was what set him off.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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I'm glad he did it, you know? We could have gone on for years like we were, just not quite miserable enough to do anything about it. I think the drugs just brought it to a head, you know? There's nothing like somebody beating the hell out of you--it makes things real clear. If that bastard comes back, I'll kill him, I swear.
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Dr. Balis:
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Huh. Well, maybe you both should take some time to cool off.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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I'm cool. I don't need him for anything. I can work. I've been working like a slave for years, and all I've gotten for it was a lot of abuse. If this was a job, I'd have quit a long time ago. I don't know why I stuck it out so long. I used to think I loved him, but now...now, I hate his lousy guts. I guess it was the kids that kept us together but, you know, I think they're better off too.
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Dr. Balis:
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What about the legal case? Are you going ahead with the assault charges?
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Ms. Mazurka:
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I don't know. I don't want to see him at all, even in court. If they were going to lock him up for a good long time, I guess it would be worth it, but they'd probably let him go. I think I just want to clear out, you know?
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm not sure you can just do that, not if there are children involved. But I'm not going to give you legal advice. You have to do what you think is right.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Yeah, right, I will. Look, I'll call you if I want to talk to Joe. I don't want him calling me. In fact, I'm changing the phone number today. So don't hold your breath, okay?
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Dr. Balis:
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I won't. But feel free to call me any time, all right? If you just need to talk to someone or whatever.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Thanks, Doctor. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but Joe and me.... I think it's a lost cause, you know?
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Dr. Balis:
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Okay well, you know how to get in touch, right?
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Yeah, thanks a lot. Maybe I'll do that.
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Dr. Balis:
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Well goodbye then, and good luck.
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Ms. Mazurka:
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Goodbye, same to you.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Telephone Call
Transcripts of Joseph Mazurka's Therapy Sessions
