Writing / Andy Warhol's Sister / 1989 / Deep & Savage Way / Helen of Santa Zita / Moscow Film World / Guide

Therapy, the Short Story The first thing Herbert Joseph did when his wife left him was rearrange all the furniture in the living room. Before, the couches, chairs, coffee table and chests had been oriented around each other. On one wall was a system of shelves and cupboards that extended to the ceiling, in the center of which was a television and VCR. But now all of the furniture faced that television set, facing away from the fireplace on the opposite wall. George Madsen noticed the difference when he came over, and commented to Herbert. "I did it so I could start all over," Herbert said to George in response, while he punched buttons in random combinations on the remote-control device he held in his hands, careful to keep it pointed away from the television set. "Start over?" asked George. "Sure. Just like I was reading the other day-this book I saw on TV, so I ordered it: Surviving the Breakup." George nodded while he flipped through a TV Guide he had picked up while his friend was talking. Herbert said, continuing, "The book said that in order to make a clean break, you should symbolize it somehow-like buying a new car, taking a vacation, or just changing things around the house. I decided to rearrange the furniture." George had known Herbert and his wife, Louanne, for five years, since the couple had moved on to their street. They had met when Herbert had come over to borrow their video camera. It had been no surprise to him when he found out the couple had split, since his wife had talked to Louanne. George's wife had said, "I was talking to Louanne today. Apparently Herbert refused to go into therapy." "Therapy?" "Sure. I was over at her house the other day and we were watching Donahue-he had three therapists on, therapists who specialized in married couples. They really work wonders. For example, there was this one guy and his wife in the audience who got in such a bad fight they burned down half their house. But I saw them, and they were fine. Great, actually, with two adorable children." "Um. Sounds interesting. What were you doing at her house?" "Asking her if she'd watch Andy for me while I went to the bank. You know how I hate to leave him alone here with just the TV for company, even if we do have it locked on to only play PBS," she continued, and took a deep breath. "Anyway, you broke my train of thought. What I was saying was: Herbert refused to try it. Said he thought it was a waste of time." George had forgotten about this conversation until a month later when Herbert told him Louanne had left, gone to live at her parents house. He looked back at Herbert, who was still standing next to the sofa, staring at the remote control. "DMT," Herbert said to himself, pressing one button repeatedly. "What?" Looking up, Herbert said, "I just noticed this button-it says DMT-and I have no absolutely no idea what it does. All the years I've had it, and I've never really learned what to do with it. I mean, I know enough to get the thing on and off, and to turn the volume up and down. But I've never really taken the time to learn everything it can do." "That's all that matters, Herbert. Just know enough to turn on and off. DMT-who knows what the hell that could mean?" George said, picked up his coat, and left.