网上下载的叫我第一名电影台词
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My name is Bradley Cohen.
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But when I was a kid, people called me by lots of names.
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My brother, Jeff, called me Dr. Bobo.
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My mom called me honey.
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And the kids at school?
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Well, they called me everything from spaz to freak.
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I didn't have many friends actually.
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But I did have a constant companion.
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I can barely remember a time when it wasn't there.
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Now sometimes, it wasn't a problem for me.
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Other times, it was.
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Drop what? Drop books?
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Stop it.
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Are you scared Brad? What's wrong?
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Leave me alone.
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Fight! Fight! Fight!
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What is going on!
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- Com'on. Bring it on! - Stop.
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Stop that fighting right now! Stop! Get back to class!
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Stop that nonsense. You are in big trouble, mister.
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The girl fell in the mud and got dirty.
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One thing my Constant Companion and I agreed on was that we hated school.
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I couldn't wait until I got out.
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No more homework, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks.
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My Companion first showed up when I was six
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but it was years before it had a name.
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Now the shrinks said I was just hyper;
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I made funny noises and acted weird to draw attention to myself.
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It was just a phase: I'd grow out of it and be "normal"...
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...like everybody else.
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Through it all, my constant companion stuck with me.
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Now, to my friends, I'm just regular, ole Brad.
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The guy who likes baseball. And who loves cheesy 80s music.
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Which they think is much weirder than the noises I make.
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"Baby Don't Forget My Number. "
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Afternoon, officer. Was I speeding?
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Twelve miles over the limit.
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St. Louis, huh? You a tourist?
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No, I live in Atlanta now, I just moved here.
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I guess I was a little distracted...
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Son, you been drinking...?
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No. No, sir. I have Tourette Syndrome.
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Take it easy, son. I'm going to need you to sign this.
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So. What kind of job you looking for?
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Teaching.
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I'm going to be a teacher.
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I get that look a lot;
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but I never let it get to me.
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I see you've got a B.A. from Bradley University -
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that's in Illinois, isn't it?
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Yes, ma'am!
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Graduated cum laude, high recommendations,
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your student teaching evals are outstanding, excellent.
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What made you decide to go into teaching?
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It's all I've ever wanted to do. I feel like I was born to teach.
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Why choose Atlanta?
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I mean... Missouri's your home.
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I'm thinking of becoming a Braves fan. So, ahh...
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Georgia honors my Illinois teaching certificate.
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Plus I fell in love with Atlanta
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when I worked down here as a camp counselor.
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I live here now.
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So does my Dad and my Stepmom.
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Well, it's nice to have family here to... give you support.
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Maybe we should talk about the elephant.
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Elephant?
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In the room: my Tourette's.
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No. The Americans with Disabilities Act doesn't allow me to ask you...
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I know, but I'd like to tell you - just like I tell the kids in my classes.
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See, I explain to them that it's a brain thing
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that causes me to make strange noises - they're like sneezes, irrepressible.
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When you have to,
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you have to.
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How do they react?
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Once they understand, they're fine with it.
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It's never caused any problems in a classroom.
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All I want is a chance.
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Just get me the interviews,
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and let me prove to them that I can do the job.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act says I'm entitled to a chance.
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Ron!
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Hey, how'd it go?
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Oh, you know: "Who wants a teacher that barks like a dog?
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You should try another line of work. "
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Are you serious?
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Didn't they look at your resume?
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You're kidding.
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They're setting up interviews with some principals.
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- Fantastic! - When?
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Oh, I don't know. I've gotta wait for their calls.
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Get changed - we gotta go celebrate.
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Haven't you got a date?
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I'll see if she's got a friend.
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It's about time you started meeting some chicks.
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I can't focus on dating right now.
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Has anybody ever tell you you're obsessive?
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Only every shrink I ever saw.
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Well, have fun focusing.
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Oh - your Dad called again.
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Maybe you should call him back, you know?
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All right. I'll see you later.
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Returning Dad's call?
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I'd have to prepare for that.
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See, Mom and Dad had divorced when I was a little kid and my relationship
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with Dad had always been - umm, let's just say - complicated?
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I mean, I wore out his patience like nails on a chalkboard.
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It didn't help that my brother Jeff was also a little hyper.
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Dad said he's waiting to get back to his home in Atlanta,
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he's waiting to say goodbye -
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Goodbye!
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You're gonna make him mad!
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Come on - I'll race you!
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Against The Green Dragon? You gotta be kidding -
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Sucker!
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Cheater!
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Short cut!
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You got a bike.
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See you, Jeff.
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Hey! That's not fair!
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Aw, com'on!
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Jeff!
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You're not going to beat me!
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See, I'm gonna win.
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That's not fair! You got a bike!
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Oh, no you're not! Oh, no! You are!
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Hey guys! quiet down, you guys, quiet down.
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We do have neighbors you know. Com'ere.
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See, I did beat you.
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Yeah. Calm down. Brad, com'ere. Com'on honey, focus, would you?
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Com'ere. Come here! Stand here.
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Listen. Listen up. Focus, please. All right?
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I need you guys to do me a favor.
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I want you both to make life a little easier for your mom, okay?
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You are driving her nuts. Guys, listen! Hey, hey. Stop it! Brad!
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Help her out around the house;
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but most of all let us stop the obnoxious behavior, OK? -
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Hey, listen. I mean it!
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OK? Quit the clowning.
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Your brother may think its funny, but I don't.
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I can't help it.
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Yes, you can.
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There's nothing wrong with you that a little self-control wouldn't fix.
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Now, stop it.
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- Norman? - Yeah!
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They're not going to hold that plane for you.
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Okay, all right. Gimme a hug.
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See you, Dad!
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Bye-bye, J-man
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I love you, Dad.
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Love you too, kiddo.
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Hey, listen up; we'll stay at my house next time. OK?
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OK! I'll get tickets to a Braves' game.
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And Brad, remember what we talked about:
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Self- control. All right?
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- Need any help with anything, Mom? - Well...
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now that you mention it...
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After the divorce, Jeff and I helped Mom with her new business.
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Sort of a high class traveling boutique.
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Well, maybe helped isn't exactly the right word.
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Oh, Ellen, these things are exquisite!
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You never find styles like this in St. Louis.
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Well, it is direct from California. Beverly Hills.
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This is what everyone is wearing.
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Look at this. Boys? Boys!
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Hide and seek?
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Count.
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One...
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Now, Ellen, I don't want to see anything in double-digits.
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Oh, honey, everything in California runs small.
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Go ahead. Just try it on.
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Brad, would you please calm down?
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He's barking like a dog, for goodness sake!
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Now look.
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Don't take this the wrong way -
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you know I wouldn't say this to you if we weren't friends -
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but have you considered an exorcist?
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You know, I think you might have to face the fact that you're a size 12.
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I can cut the label if it makes you feel better.
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It's a new doctor; let's just listen to what he has to say.
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I know what he'll have to say.
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Do you feel any anger toward your mother because of the divorce, Brad?
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No. No.
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Do you resent your father because he doesn't live with you anymore?
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No.
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Do you blame yourself for the divorce, Brad?
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It happened when I was a little kid, I don't even remember it.
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Mrs. Chen, Brad has some serious denial issues regarding the divorce.
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What he needs at home are some clear boundaries.
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He needs to understand that this behavior is totally unacceptable.
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And that, Mrs. Cohen, is your job.
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The hardest part was knowing how tough I made things for Mom.
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I tried as best as I could for her.
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Make sure he keeps taking his medication, OK?
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And for Dad?
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Strike three!
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I played sports.
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On the ball field, I fit right in.
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I mean, everybody makes funny noises and has strange tics at a baseball game.
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Go, Bobo!
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Come on, Brad!
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Thank you very much.
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All right. What can I get you?
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Hey, guys. I got something pretty exciting to tell you.
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Honey, don't eat so fast. You're gonna get the hiccups.
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He's always got the hiccups.
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You're a hiccup!
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Listen, hey! Would you just relax?.
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Mom says you're not taking your meds.
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How are you ever... how are you ever going to calm down
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if you don't do what the doctor tells you to do?
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Pills just make it worse.
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Oh I see. So you're a doctor now, too?
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He's Dr. Bobo.
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Shut up!
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All right, guys, let's eat, guys.
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I have a very important announcement to make.
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Guys? Guys! All right. That's it. We're going back to the car. Come on.
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I'm still hungry -
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You know what would be nice? One day without you acting up.
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One.
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Wait up, Dad.
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So, what's the announcement, Dad?
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I've been seeing someone.
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What do you mean seeing somebody?
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Her name is Diane, and she...
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Brad, please! Stop doing that!
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I can't.
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I mean, nothings' happened yet, but...
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how would you guys feel about having a stepmom?
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No way!
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We've already got a Mom!
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Well. Now you're gonna have two.
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I talked to your mom about it and she's fine with it. She said...
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I said STOP It! STOP It!
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See, I really couldn't blame Dad for losing it.
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My tics drove him nuts.
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Because, like my teachers, he had no name for my strange behavior.
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Except "insufferable".
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Now, somehow - I don't know how - I made okay grades.
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But, what would take a normal person an hour, took me two.
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Or three. I mean, I loved learning but I hated, hated reading.
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Trying to concentrate brought out the worst in my Constant Companion.
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Brad? Come up here, please.
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I know you think you're the class clown but I've had it with you.
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I can't - help - help it.
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That's what you always say. I don't want to hear any more excuses.
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Your classmates are trying to study...
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...and your clowning makes it impossible.
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I'm sorry.
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Don't apologize to me. Apologize to them.
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Eyes up here, everyone. Sit up straight, please.
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Brad has something to say to you.
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I'm sorry I...
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that you can't study because of me.
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And?
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You promise never to make any more silly noises ever again.
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Promise I won't make any more silly noises ever again.
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Take your seat. All of you, back to your books.
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As difficult as this may be for you,
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Mrs. Cohen, I assure you, the teachers are at their wits end.
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- I understand that, of course... - Sharon, would you hold all my calls?
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...but all we...
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Now, this has got to be the last chance. The very last chance.
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Brad, look, I sent for your mother
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because things have just gotten out of control here.
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Now, she's going to take you home today. You can come back...
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Can't help it.
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Sorry, what did you say?
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He said he can't help it.
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Right.
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What if he's telling the truth?
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You've got a bright boy, Mrs. Cohen, but making excuses for him...
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Making excuses is not going to help.
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Now, he needs to use this time to ask himself...
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Brad! Com'on. Let's go.
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...this question: "Why am I sabotaging myself?."
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I don't care if they expel me. I hate that school.
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Well, it's that school or another school.
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I hate all schools. Why are we going here -?
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To find some answers.
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I can't go in the library - they'll throw me out. Please, Mom.
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All right, com'ere. Sit over here.
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Well, maybe we're just going down the wrong track.
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Who?
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All of us.
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Get off me!
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Wet Willie!
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Oh no, wet Willie!
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I know you're busy, Norman, I won't take up much of your time
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but I really think you should hear this -
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Boys, keep it down - I'm trying to talk to your Dad!
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I wanna talk to him!
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In a minute! Keep it down!
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Listen. You know, those teachers and that doctor,
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to them it's all about bad parenting which, of course,
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comes down to me because I'm the only one who here -
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No. I'm not blaming you, Norman.
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In fact, I'm going to stop blaming myself.
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I was talking to a friend and she think the doctors are missing something.
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I got this stack of medical books from the library.
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- Mom, watch out! - And, I've been doing a little...
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research...
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Stop saying he just needs more discipline, Norman!
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Nothing I do helps -
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He is out of control and I'm at the end of my rope -
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Can I talk to Dad?
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Can you just wait a minute, honey?
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MOM!
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All right. But give him back to me when you're done.
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What is it, Jeffrey?
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Hey, Dad.
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Yeah, it was a great game; I got two base hits and a walk.
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Sorry I cause you so much trouble, Mom.
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I want you to read something in this book I found.
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It's a medical book that might explain why you make all those noises.
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I hate reading, Mom -
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Read.
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"Tourette Syndrome. "
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That, that's Brad, isn't it? The noises and the twitches...
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I'll still need to do more tests but, umm, you could be right.
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We may have been headed down the wrong road, here.
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I've never actually seen a case of Tourette's before.
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So at last my Constant Companion had a name...
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This says there's no cure. But that may have changed. This is an old book -
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That hasn't changed, Mrs. Cohen. I'm very sorry.
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Yeah, but they're still looking for a cure, right?
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I mean, they will find one, won't they? They - they... have to find...
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It's OK, Mom. We'll get through this, all right.
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Oh, come here.
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SEE? There's a reason, Dad.
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Joop, joop, I'm not being weird on purpose.
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Listen, uh, Brad. I, um...
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All right. Well, it's all I wanted to say. Bye.
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Finally, my dad believed me. But he never believed in me.
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That I would succeed. That I could teach.
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Hello, this is Brad.
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A dog? Ahh, yes. Yes, ma'am, that's my dog.
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Ahh, OK. Yes. Yes, I can be there 11am.
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My very first interview...
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Great. That sounds great. OK. Thank you.
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I tried not to over-react. I help in my tics.
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YES! Waffle, yes!
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After that first call, I got two more: three interviews with three principals.
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Needless to say, my Constant Companion was more than a little enthusiastic.
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Well, I see you only your bachelor's degree.
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Are you planning to get your Master's?
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Yes, sir. JOOP! As soon as I can.
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Well, we don't require it for entry level...
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- but if you're serious about... - I'm very serious.
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I want to make teaching my life.
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I, ahh, I make these noises because I have Tourette Syndrome.
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I'd like to tell you about it.
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It's a Neurological disorder where my brain sends mixed signals to my body.
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It's like a sneeze. It's irrepressible.
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...a couple of weeks, and I'll give you a call.
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- OK! - OK. Thank you very much.
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- Thanks. - Take care.
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Well. Strike one.
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But, like Mom always said, don't ever give up.
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When I was little, Mom never stopped researching because,
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while there was no cure, there might be ways to live a normal life.
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It's a church, Mom!
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Honey, you're not going to have to get a Bible lesson.
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This is just a support group.
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Do I have to?
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You need to connect with other people who have Tourette's.
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Find out how they live with it. OK?
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Let's do it.
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I'm not going in there -
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Honey...
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I'd never seen anyone with Tourette's before.
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There were eye blinkers and nose twitchers.
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Foot stompers and neck jerkers. Some of them yelped and coughed.
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Is this what I looked like to other people?
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Come on, Bobo. We're here to learn. Let's start learning.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act gives us
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the right to do anything or go anyplace that we want to.
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But try going to a movie.
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Or a concert or a restaurant.
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That law doesn't mean anything when people are yelling at you to shut up.
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I come home and my parents close the windows and blinds
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because they don't want the neighbors to see me tic.
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No one was even trying to be accepted.
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The audits were out of work. The kids stayed at home.
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I knew one thing...
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I didn't want to be like them.
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Even the coaches on his team wouldn't accept him.
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Oh, I'd had it.
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Of course, you're home-schooling, too?
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No. Brad goes to school like any other kid.
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These kids are not like any other kids; school's a waste of time for them.
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I took him out at the third grade just to save my sanity.
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You want my advice...
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...you'll do the same.
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Yep. Thanks.
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Let's go, Bobo.
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It's supposed to be a support group! Where's the support?
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Supposed to just hide away for the rest of your life?
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I'm really so sorry that I brought you there, honey, let's just forget this -
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I don't want to forget this, Mom.
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Those people let Tourette's win. I'm never gonna do that.
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It's difficult to imagine that at the age of twelve
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I would find a genuine philosophy to live by.
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But here it was. This defining moment.
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To always face my adversity head on.
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When I went to my next interview, I decided to be even more up front.
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Get the Tourette's stuff out of the way first
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and then dazzle 'em with my approach to teaching.
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you seem to have been very successful
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...in spite of your Tourette's.
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I've worked very hard to become the best teacher I can be -
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Thank you for coming in. I'll let you know.
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Thanks.
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So much for being up front.
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For my third interview,
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I decided to discussing about my Tourette's at all.
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Each week I like to send home a progress report to my students' parents.
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Um, I like to give my students a voice in their learning -
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to be hands-on... and interactive in the classroom...
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but also to keep the parents closely involved!
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Ron, it was a huge mistake not mentioning my Tourette's.
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It was, you know, I was trying to hide it -
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Fat chance.
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Okay, that's the negative -
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No. The negative is you've gotta stop stressing out. You're stressing me out.
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But the positive is that, hey,
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the others didn't seem to have a problem with it, right?
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I just, I gotta wait for a call.
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The positive is you're coming out with me.
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My new girlfriend - she has a roommate -
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Will you stop trying to set me up?
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When I am ready to date, I will date.
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Come on, she heard all about you; she still wants to meet you.
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Oh thanks. Real kind. Listen, I want to relax. OK?
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I want to watch the Braves.
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We all want to watch the Braves. Get changed.
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So, Ron tells me that you're on a big job hunt.
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How's it going?
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Ahh, pretty good.
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Except no one's hired me yet.
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I guess they're all too busy fighting to get me.
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You do this?
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I'm impressed by this.
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- You should be. - I was not expecting this.
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That's amazing.
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But I'm pretty good.
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You are.
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So you are really a sports fan?
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Ah, yes. Big time. Soccer, softball... tennis.
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Yep, I played a lot in college, but I'm not good enough for the pros.
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I hear that because I wish I was good enough to be him.
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Who?
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Him.
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Oh, you want to be a mascot?
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- His name is Homer... - Homer.
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And it's a lifelong ambition.
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OK. All right.
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- Don't look now. - OK.
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Don't look now, but there's this guy behind us
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and I don't know what his problem is. He keeps staring.
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Ahh. I actually get that look a lot.
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It's a look of envy.
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He's thinking, "How can I make cool noises like that guy?"
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You have such a great attitude about your...
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Bye Homer! Bye. Bye, Ron!
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Bye.
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Bye, Homer! Go, Braves!
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So that must have gone well, huh? Did you ask her out again?
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Yeah, I asked. But, it's second date syndrome.
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You know, I'm a great guy, she had a lot of fun, but, umm...
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Your tics are just too cool for her?
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Actually, no, she says because my roommate's breath smells so bad.
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What do you mean?
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You know what I mean.
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This is Brad. Ahh, hey, Dad.
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Yeah, no, Ron - Ron told me you called.
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I just, ahh, you know, I've been so busy that, ah...
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No. I haven't had lunch yet.
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All right, that sounds great. Where do you want to meet?
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Lunch at Dad's work.
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He wouldn't have to worry about my noises there.
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Let me know if you need any more of those trusses, OK?
483
All right.
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- Hey. - Hey!
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Hey, Dad. See you found your way.
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Yeah.
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Let's grab lunch outside my office. Be a little more private.
488
All right.
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Diane's wondering when you're gonna come by.
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I guess you've been pretty busy with the job hunt. Any luck?
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Still interviewing.
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How's that going?
493
Are they giving you any trouble with your, uh...?
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You can say the word, Dad: Tourette's.
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Some of them are. Some of them aren't.
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How's your money holding out?
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I'm not asking you for money.
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I know that. You never ask me for anything.
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No.
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But if you ever do get short, you know you gotta job with me here.
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I'm going to teach, Dad.
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OK?
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I can't let anything get in the way of that.
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OK. I'm jut saying there's nothing wrong...
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...with keeping your options open in case things don't work out.
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You know, there are other things besides teaching.
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Not for me.
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Dad could never understand my optimism.
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Like when I graduated to middle school.
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I was really hopeful that things would be different.
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What's the matter Brad? Eat alone?
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Make a fresh start. New school. New friends.
513
Same result.
514
Today, we're going to be talking about fractions.
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Fractions are your friend. Use fractions...
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...in every day life.
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You just don't realize it.
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For example, say your mother bakes a pie.
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She cuts that pie.
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Cohen! Just go to the principal's office.
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Not the best way to introduce myself to the principal.
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What do you think a school's for, Brad?
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I'm sorry I keep disrupting the class -
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You're not answering my question. What's a school for?
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To educate, isn't it?
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To use knowledge to wipe out ignorance?
527
The school orchestra's having a concert this afternoon.
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You planning on going?
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No, sir. My tics will ruin the music.
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I want you to be there.
531
Everybody just keep your seats for a minute, please.
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Thank you. Did you enjoy the concert?
533
Great job.
534
Did you hear any noises during the quiet parts?
535
YES!
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Yeah. So did I.
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They're pretty annoying, aren't they?
538
The person making those noises is Brad Cohen.
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Come on up here, Brad.
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Do you like making noises and upsetting people, Brad?
541
No, sir.
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Then why do you do it?
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Because I have Tourette Syndrome.
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What's that?
545
It's a thing in my brain that causes me to make weird noises.
546
But you could control it if you wanted to, right?
547
No, sir. It's a sickness.
548
Well, why can't you just get cured?
549
There isn't any cure.
550
I don't like making noises any more than you like hearing them.
551
They're even worse when I get stressed,
552
when you don't accept that I can't stop them.
553
But when I feel accepted, then they're not so bad.
554
What can we do -
555
and I mean everyone in this school -
556
What can we do to help you, Brad?
557
I just want to be treated like everybody else.
558
Good job. Go sit down.
559
A few words - a little education -
560
and it was like opening a door to a brand new world.
561
Now some day, some way, I knew,
562
Tourette's or no Tourette's,
563
I was going to be a teacher.
564
I had no choice but to prove that Tourette's would
565
never get the best of me.
566
If I quit, I would be agreeing with everyone
567
who ever told me I was barking up the wrong tree.
568
Sorry about the air conditioning. Supposed to already be fixed by now.
569
That's all right.
570
Well, umm, your resume looks okay.
571
And we do have an opening in fifth grade.
572
OK.
573
But I do have to tell you: this is a tough place to work.
574
We've got some really hard cases.
575
Well, I take that as a challenge.
576
I don't believe that any kid is hopeless.
577
You know, they all want to learn; you can't ever give up.
578
Let me just...
579
You just gotta find the right way to teach them.
580
Ahh, you got something stuck in your throat?
581
Would you like a drink?
582
I have Tourette Syndrome. I'd like to tell you about it.
583
- It's a neurological... - Tourette's?
584
Isn't that where you yell out obscenities?
585
That's coprolalia, It's, ahh, it's a rare symptom
586
that a small percentage of people with Tourette's have.
587
- I don't have that. - OK, listen.
588
They did not tell me that you were going to be handicapped.
589
How do you expect to handle a bunch of wild students
590
with a handicap like that?
591
Well. By educating them.
592
By letting them know it's okay to talk about it.
593
- It's okay to ask questions... - These students would laugh at you.
594
Not... not when they understand
595
- it's simply a matter of... - OK. I have seen teachers
596
with disabilities before...
597
...but never with what you've got.
598
I just don't see how you could ever teach a class.
599
I can teach! Look at my resume.
600
Look at it! Ok?
601
I was very successful as a student teacher -
602
my Tourette's never posed a problem!
603
I can teach!
604
OK. Bottom line: I need somebody now for fifth grade.
605
You want to teach here,
606
you're gonna have to refrain from making these noises in class.
607
You know what? Thank you very much for the interview.
608
But, don't you want the job -?
609
Yes, actually. I want it really bad.
610
But I would never, ever work for a man who doesn't care about his students.
611
So, I'll take my portfolio and, ahh, and take no more of your time.
612
You got a great boss.
613
Well, it was the worst interview I've ever had.
614
All he could see when he looked at me was my Tourette's.
615
That's all any of them see.
616
Well, honey, if they can't see what a great teacher you'd be
617
that is their failure, not yours.
618
Well, it sure seems like my failure.
619
Well, if you say so. You know what?
620
Why don't you just throw in the towel and come home, huh?
621
I'll buy you a ticket.
622
I'm not saying that -
623
Really? That sounds like what you're saying.
624
It sounds like you're letting Tourette's win.
625
I am not letting Tourette's win!
626
- Really? - Yes, really!
627
Look, I'm never going to give up, I just...
628
I have to find the right school.
629
You will, Bobo. You will.
630
So, I decided it wasn't Tourette's.
631
I just hadn't found the right school yet.
632
I'd keep barking, and I wasn't quitting until I found that principal.
633
I made a map of every school where I hadn't interviewed.
634
If the Principal wasn't in, I'd give my resume to a secretary or a janitor,
635
and ask them to drop it off when the principal returned.
636
I didn't care. I needed a job.
637
I wasn't going to stop until I had one.
638
You'll be starting at the bottom,
639
but that's no big deal, that's where I started.
640
And you're working 7 to 4.
641
I told you this is only part time.
642
I need to keep mornings open for interviews.
643
I thought that school had already started.
644
No, not all of them.
645
Well, we'll see what happens.
646
Here are your tools of the trade - at least for the time being.
647
Like I said, at the bottom.
648
But every job is important here, and - who knows -
649
maybe you'll end up liking it. And if you put your time in...
650
Didn't you hear what I just said?
651
I'm only working here until I get a teaching job -
652
All that stuff has to go in the dumpster.
653
The hiring season was ending.
654
My interviews had dried up. School had started.
655
I was running out of time and money... and hope.
656
Diane.
657
I gave up on you ever coming to me so I just came to you.
658
You busy?
659
It was my stepmom, Diane. Trying to build bridges with bagels.
660
Your Dad built his business with his own two hands;
661
you can't blame him for wanting you to be a part of it.
662
He's just being a dad.
663
He wants you in his life.
664
So how do you like Atlanta? You meet any nice girls?
665
I'm just saying all the right things, huh?
666
Let me get you a refill -
667
Brad. Brad,
668
your dad loves you...
669
...so much.
670
He just doesn't want to see you get hurt -
671
The only thing that hurts is the fact that he has never accepted who I am.
672
See, he's got this idea of a perfect son,
673
who is "normal" and does "normal" things.
674
Well, I'm never gonna be "normal. "
675
Well, maybe that's not his idea, Brad.
676
Maybe that's yours. And you're right, you are not normal.
677
You have this gift to teach,
678
and it's not in spite of your Tourette's,
679
it's because of it.
680
I have to go.
681
Hello, this is Brad.
682
Ahh, yes.
683
That's a sheepdog.
684
Yep, Brad. Brad Cohen.
685
Ten o'clock is - is perfect for me.
686
Absolutely. OK, great.
687
Raise your hand. Raise your hand!
688
You gotta raise your hand! Come on.
689
You must be Brad Cohen.
690
Hi.
691
I'm Jim Ovbey; I'm the Principal around here. And...
692
Hilarie Straka, Assistant Principal.
693
Hi.
694
Come on in the office, Brad.
695
We heard you coming all the way from the parking lot.
696
Hear you've been making the rounds.
697
Twenty-five schools so far. And, uh, here's, here's my resume.
698
- Oh. Here. - Oh.
699
We can look at that in a minute, Brad.
700
Just come on in, tell us why you want to be a teacher.
701
OK.
702
Well, it's, uh, oh, it's, it's all I ever wanted to be.
703
Ever since I was in school.
704
You must have had some pretty inspiring teachers.
705
Ah, well. I had an inspiring principal - Mr. Myer -
706
but my teachers, they really only
707
inspired me to be the kind of teachers they never were.
708
What kind of teacher is that?
709
One who makes it possible for a kid to learn even if he's different.
710
In a way, the, the best teacher I ever had was my Tourette's.
711
You, you don't have to talk about that, Brad.
712
No, it's OK. I make a point of being open about it.
713
It's, ah, never off-limits to my students.
714
They can ask me anything they want about it at any time.
715
You must get some pretty interesting questions.
716
Oh, yeah. Sometimes it gets really personal.
717
I hope this question isn't too personal, Brad.
718
Do you make those noises in your sleep?
719
I don't know. I'm asleep.
720
No. No, I don't tic in my sleep.
721
When I'm relaxed, the noises give me a little bit of a break. Like just now.
722
Okay Brad. I want to hear more about your teaching philosophy...
723
Yeah. I'd love to tell you about my teaching philosophy.
724
We talked for nearly two hours, it was the best interview I'd ever had -
725
Well, Brad, it was a pleasure to meet you.
726
You, too. You, too.
727
We've still got a few more teachers to interview.
728
But we'll let you know when we've made a decision.
729
Ok, great.
730
- Thank you. - Thank you...
731
Still, my Constant Companion, as always, warned me not to get my hopes up.
732
But hope is a hard habit to break.
733
I was called one last time to and asked come in and meet with the second grade staff.
734
Oh, so, you student-taught second grade?
735
Oh, I love second grade! The kids are still so open-minded.
736
They're open to everything.
737
Yes, but you do manage to maintain a little discipline, right?
738
While they're being so open?
739
I do let them know what the boundaries are. Yes.
740
So, Brad. What do you think is the most important thing you have to teach?
741
Yeah. Ah, well.
742
Besides the importance of reading and the value of math...
743
that it's okay to be yourself.
744
It's okay to color outside the lines if that's who you are.
745
So it's okay to ignore the boundaries?
746
No, and I didn't...
747
I'm sorry but how can you expect kids to learn
748
when you're doing that all the time?
749
Oh. Come on, Brenda -
750
No, no, no. It's OK. It's a valid question.
751
I want to answer it.
752
Before they know me, kids sometimes do think I'm just weird, even scary.
753
But, once I educate them about my Tourette's -
754
and they see that Mr. Cohen is a real person
755
who just happens to make funny noises,
756
well, then they accept me as a good teacher.
757
Just like they accept all of you.
758
Well, maybe we should all try to be more like second-graders.
759
Does anyone have any other questions for Mr. Cohen?
760
Brad thanks for coming in.
761
The school will be in touch with you, so just be patient.
762
It's hard to be patient when you feel as though you've blown your last chance.
763
And patience never was my Constant Companion's strong suit -
764
I'm guessing you never heard from that school.
765
No, not yet. They're still interviewing.
766
I'm not worried.
767
Okay.
768
Is that supposed to mean?
769
I just said "okay. "
770
I know what you mean -
771
you don't think anybody would hire me if they had a choice.
772
What are you, a mind-reader now?
773
You know what, Dad? This is gonna be my last day here?
774
Well, why don't you wait and see if you got the job first?
775
I'm gonna get the job, Dad.
776
I just have to stay focused.
777
Why can't you stay focused and realistic at the same time?
778
What's wrong with that?
779
Here.
780
Whoa! Are you all right, man? You'll knock yourself out doing that!
781
What if that happens while you're driving?
782
I'm fine.
783
Uh, yeah, I don't know. You oughta see another doctor.
784
I've seen doctors my whole life, Ron. OK? They don't help.
785
Well, don't you think you need to see somebody?
786
I really don't!
787
So, just.
788
There I was.
789
Waiting for the phone to ring again.
790
I tried to convince myself something good would happen.
791
My kid brother... not exactly what I had in mind.
792
- How are you doing, Bobo? - Jeff,
793
what, what are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?
794
You know you're in your boxers, right?
795
Did, ah, Mom send you to check up on me?
796
Why? You need checking up on?
797
No, but...
798
Where do I put my stuff?.
799
That's great. You get the couch.
800
Whoa! Nice clubs, are these new?
801
Ah. They're Dad's, he let me borrow them.
802
Thought maybe you and I could, ah, play a little golf.
803
He got us a tee-time at his club.
804
So, what do you think? Three iron from here, little bro?
805
Hey, by the way, thanks for the round.
806
Thank Dad. Oh, wait, forgot...
807
...you guys aren't speaking.
808
I don't want to talk about Dad right now.
809
You're just saying that to rattle me because you know -
810
I'm going to beat you.
811
I'm serious, Brad, you and Dad gotta start getting along.
812
We get along fine -
813
as long as we keep it long distance.
814
Is that why you moved down here? To keep it long distance?
815
I mean, it's not like you have anything to prove to him - right?
816
What are you now, Jeff, a shrink? Dr. Jeff, huh?
817
I'm sorry, sir?
818
I'm going to have to ask you to stop making those noises.
819
Look, pal.
820
- He's not doing it on purpose, he's got- - No, no, no. I can handle it, Jeff.
821
I got it.
822
Look, it's just not fair to the other golfers.
823
No, I understand, that, umm, I can't help making these noises -
824
because I have Tourette Syndrome.
825
It's a neurological disorder; I'd like to tell you about it.
826
You're gonna have to leave the course.
827
I gotta think of the other members.
828
Hey, Joe. Leave the guy alone. He's fine.
829
Hey, man. We're a twosome and our buddies don't appear to be showing.
830
Would you like to join us?
831
If you don't leave, I'm going to have to call security.
832
- OK, OK. Umm... - You...
833
OK. Thanks, guys. Maybe next year, all right?
834
Jeff, come on. Come on, buddy. Thanks.
835
Come on, Jeff, it's not like you haven't seen it before.
836
How can you stand living in a world where everybody's so ignorant?
837
Everybody's not. You saw those golfers back there.
838
They went to bat for me. My life is full of people like that.
839
That's not always been my experience.
840
Well, that's because you're always getting into fights sticking up for me.
841
You and mom. You've always been there for me and my tics.
842
You know what? You're beginning to "tick" me off... race you to the car.
843
- Oh, yeah? What! Hey! HEY! - Sucker!
844
Jeff's visit did give me a break from my worries.
845
And, right after he left, I got a call from the school.
846
The principal wanted to see me in his office.
847
Just like old times.
848
Pretty noisy, huh?
849
And yet somehow the kids manage, don't they?
850
Yes, they do. They do.
851
Hilarie and I discussed you with the teachers.
852
And, we talked about how proud we are of teaching our kids
853
to never let anything hold them back in life.
854
And, Hilarie said that if we're gonna talk the talk,
855
we need to walk the walk.
856
She's waiting to show you your classroom.
857
Welcome.
858
Second grade is overcrowded so we've had to create a new class.
859
Your kids are being taken out of other rooms
860
so some of them might be a little confused.
861
They've already been in school for three weeks.
862
There's your student roster.
863
The fun starts Monday, Brad.
864
Let me know if there's anything you need.
865
I need everything.
866
I looked down at that roster like I was announcing
867
the starting line-up for an all star baseball game.
868
Hilarie, this is, thank you...
869
Hey! We thought you might need these.
870
Hey, everybody, bring them in.
871
Just put them down anywhere. We'll get them arranged.
872
Here, let me help you with that. Thank you!
873
Welcome to Mountain View.
874
Yeah, Mom, it's phenomenal, but, you know,
875
it's taken me so long to get here I still have to remind myself
876
that I'm just at the beginning.
877
Honey, that is, that is wonderful news! That's wonderful.
878
Yes, yes, Mom.
879
It is absolutely wonderful, but, you know,
880
they've only given me a contract for a year. OK.
881
I still have to prove to them that they made the right choice -
882
Honey, listen, just take a moment to enjoy this.
883
Oh my gosh. Oh my...
884
Did you call your father? He is gonna be so proud of you.
885
I will, Mom. But, you know, right now,
886
I literally have about two weeks of preparation to do in about two days.
887
And, ah, you know, now that I have the job,
888
I gotta really seriously start working on getting my Master's degree.
889
OK, one thing at a time, all right?
890
Listen. Are there any cute teachers at that school?
891
Mom!
892
What? I want you to be happy.
893
OK, all right, yes.
894
Don't worry; I'm working on that, too. I gotta go. Goodbye.
895
You must be Brad...
896
You must be Nancy.
897
Hi, I'm Brad.
898
I know.
899
Right. Of course. I guess I'm a little nervous.
900
Please.
901
This is my first time computer dating.
902
- So... - Oh, yeah.
903
Me too. My mom thinks it's dangerous.
904
Well, yeah, I mean, you never know what kind of weirdo you might meet.
905
But you look pretty normal. So...
906
Good, I'm glad.
907
Actually, look much better than normal.
908
Thank you.
909
So, ahh, I guess we're just supposed to tell each other our life stories.
910
Umm, OK. Do, do...
911
...you think I could get a, get a cup of coffee first?
912
- Cup of coffee. - Yeah.
913
Right. Yeah! Of course. Coming up.
914
Thanks.
915
Ah. Do you want, like, a muffin?
916
I'm on a diet.
917
But I would love a muffin.
918
My roommate is driving me absolutely crazy.
919
She never makes her bed; she's got clothes everywhere;
920
she's, like, always blasting her music...
921
...night and day. But, of course, whenever I want to listen to my music,
922
she's all, like, "you need to keep it down".
923
So what kind of music do you listen to?
924
- Well, umm, - Yeah?
925
Mostly oldies stuff. Especially Sting -
926
Oh, I love Sting!
927
Madonna, Bon Jovi, you know
928
Milli Vanilli...?
929
I love Milli Vanilli!
930
Really?
931
Wait. You too?
932
We've gotta be the only two people on earth -
933
that love Milli Vanilli.
934
You do not.
935
Yeah!
936
Well, I had a really nice time. Thank you.
937
I shouldn't have had that muffin but...
938
I really enjoyed meeting you.
939
Yeah, me too.
940
OK. Well, thanks again, Brad.
941
I can't believe you! You said she was perfect -
942
She was perfect. I just didn't want to ruin it.
943
Oh, by asking to see her again? Oh, right: second date syndrome.
944
So is that gonna be your life? Nothing but first and only dates?
945
How do you ever expect to have a relationship?
946
Maybe I don't.
947
Come on in. Get in there. Come on in.
948
Weirdo!
949
Did your teachers warn you that Mr. Cohen makes funny noises?
950
Yeeesss.
951
She said you have Tour... tour...
952
Tourette Syndrome.
953
OK. Anything you want to know about it, I want you to ask.
954
Yes.
955
Is it catching...?
956
No. Absolutely not.
957
You have to be born with it, like I was.
958
Does it hurt?
959
Well, sometimes, like when my neck jerks.
960
But the noises do not hurt at all.
961
These are great questions, keep 'em coming.
962
And, it's okay to ask me anything -
963
about Tourette's - yes?
964
Can you go to movies?
965
Yes, I can go to movies,
966
but sometimes I get kicked out and that makes me sad.
967
What's the bunny's name?
968
Waffle -
969
Wa Wa Waffle!
970
His name is just Waffle!
971
All right, guys.
972
Any more questions about Tourette's?
973
Anyone?
974
Are they ever gonna make you well, Mr. Cohen?
975
Well. Right now there's no medicine that can cure Tourette's.
976
But, it's okay.
977
Cuz I've learned to accept it and I don't let it run my life.
978
What can't you do? Like... can you not eat?
979
I can eat. OK, I eat a lot.
980
In fact, I can do anything anybody else can do except
981
there is one thing that Mr. Cohen can never do.
982
What?
983
What is it?
984
Tell us -
985
Mr. Cohen can never play -
986
hide and go seek.
987
Why can't you play hide and seek?
988
Cause they'd hear him, stupid.
989
Well, that's the right answer but it's the wrong words
990
because there won't be any name- calling in Mr. Cohen's class,
991
Excuse me? Where are you going?
992
Bathroom.
993
And what's your name?
994
Thomas.
995
OK. Well, Thomas, if you want to leave your seat,
996
you have to ask for permission.
997
Weirdo.
998
Bye, Mr. Cohen.
999
Bye, Gaylon.
1000
Good bye, Mr. Cohen.
1001
Bye Heather, I'll see you tomorrow.
1002
I really like your class, Mr. Cohen!
1003
Oh, well, thank you, Amanda! How are you doing Mr. Wright?
1004
I'm fine.
1005
Four eyes!
1006
Four eyes!
1007
- Gimme gum! - Leave me alone!
1008
OK, take him, Thomas.
1009
Eli! Thomas! Which one of you guys thinks that you can help me? Huh?
1010
I can, I can!
1011
All right, all right. Here's the deal.
1012
I need to get this ball and put it back in that bin.
1013
Why don't you guys shoot for it?
1014
Rock, paper, scissor, shoot!
1015
Whoa! All right, Eli. You win today. Boom!
1016
Ah, man!
1017
It's OK, Thomas, you can help him.
1018
Sorry I stuck you with Thomas but he was making my class impossible.
1019
He's got a whole alphabet of problems: ADD, ADHD, OCD.
1020
You want my advice, you'll pass him on to Special Ed.
1021
No.
1022
I can't, ah, I can't do that.
1023
Oh. See how you feel after he's trashed a few classes.
1024
I'll be all right. I just need to get settled.
1025
I can't wait for tomorrow.
1026
OK.
1027
You make more noise than my air horn.
1028
Sounds like you got healthy case of Tourette's.
1029
I was just kidding with you, son. I've got a dispatcher buddy with TS.
1030
You ever need any cross-country hauling, just call for Maxine.
1031
Hey, umm. Do you have a card?
1032
I wasn't being serious, son. Unless you're in the shipping business.
1033
Nah, I teach second grade.
1034
- Here's the card. - All right.
1035
Maxine gave me a great idea for a geography lesson.
1036
Thank you so much, Maxine.
1037
You're welcome.
1038
Safe trucking.
1039
I found myself focusing on teaching all the time.
1040
Well, almost...
1041
You know what I just realized?
1042
What?
1043
All ducks have Tourette's.
1044
Why is that?
1045
I don't know. We're birds of a feather.
1046
So, it really doesn't bother you, does it?
1047
What?
1048
You know what. My Tourette's... my noises.
1049
Not when I compare them to the noises other guys make.
1050
You know, like, braggers, loud-talkers, egocentric, humor-challenged idiots.
1051
Seriously, no. Your noises don't bother me at all.
1052
As long as you keep me laughing.
1053
Well, don't say that. You know how I get under pressure.
1054
Oh, I'm sorry.
1055
My Dad has always said I was going to marry somebody who made me laugh.
1056
Not that that has anything to do with anything.
1057
Say something.
1058
Quack.
1059
Hey. Don't laugh. That was a serious quack.
1060
I got you though.
1061
Mr. Cohen!
1062
Hey!
1063
My Mom said to ask if it's okay.
1064
Is what okay, Heather?
1065
If I give this to Waffle.
1066
You tell your Mom that I said that's fine. OK?
1067
Did he say it was OK?
1068
Yeah.
1069
Feel OK?
1070
Um-Hmm.
1071
Yeah? I love you.
1072
I love you, too.
1073
You have a good day, OK?
1074
OK!
1075
I'll see you right after school.
1076
OK. Bye-bye.
1077
Amanda? Is everything all right?
1078
I wanna be in your class, Mr. Cohen.
1079
You are in my class, Amanda.
1080
No. He made them take me out -
1081
See you after school, honey. OK?
1082
It's not fair!
1083
Is everything OK? I'm Amanda's teacher, Mr. Cohen.
1084
- We met yesterday. - Oh, no, no, no.
1085
There's nothing wrong.
1086
I just have to do what's right for my daughter.
1087
Come on, Amanda.
1088
Come on.
1089
He's concerned about Amanda's ability to concentrate.
1090
He just thought that you'd make it a little harder for her.
1091
Can't he just give me a chance?
1092
We've only just started.
1093
I pointed that out.
1094
And?
1095
He said he was sympathetic
1096
but that Amanda needs - as he put it - a "normal teacher. "
1097
Don't take it to heart, Brad. Parents are the hardest part of the job.
1098
All right, who can tell me the names of the capitals Maxine
1099
and her big red truck have passed through? Anybody?
1100
Oh, all these hands! Excuse me. Excuse me.
1101
Ah, man. Who do I choose?
1102
I don't know.
1103
Heather.
1104
Atlanta... Nashville... um... Springfield?
1105
That's great! Because a lot of people think it's Chicago.
1106
And, ah, this is Springfield, right?
1107
Noooo.
1108
That's Indianapolis.
1109
Oh, that's right!
1110
So, what am I thinking? This is Springfield.
1111
NO!
1112
That's Columbus! Springfield's over there, Mr. Cohen.
1113
Where is it, Eli? Is it over here?
1114
Nooo!
1115
Where is Springfield?
1116
I don't know. You guys have to point it out to me.
1117
Point it out. Point it out.
1118
I don't see it there.
1119
Ahh! I see it!
1120
You're telling me that this is Springfield. Right?
1121
YES!
1122
You don't have permission to leave your seat, Thomas.
1123
That's right. Mr. Cohen has eyes in the back of his head.
1124
Go back and sit down, please. And next time, ask.
1125
But I need to sharpen my pencil.
1126
Now, Thomas.
1127
All right, now.
1128
Where's Maxine and her bug red truck going to be on Tuesday?
1129
ME! ME!
1130
See you bright early tomorrow, David.
1131
All right. Hey. Remember to walk.
1132
I really like your hat, Mr. Cohen.
1133
Well, thank you, Heather. I like your hair.
1134
It's just short 'cause of the medicine.
1135
Bye.
1136
Hey, honey!
1137
Hi, Mom.
1138
Can you wait right here for just a minute?
1139
- Sure. - OK.
1140
Hey, umm. I've been meaning to come and speak to you about Heather.
1141
I think I know...
1142
Yeah, umm. We were just reluctant to tell anybody at first.
1143
Of course it was only a matter of time before the chemo became obvious, so...
1144
Is she, ah, going to be okay...?
1145
Umm. Heather just loves your class.
1146
She can't wait to get to school every day.
1147
And, umm, I'd be grateful if you kept our secret a little longer.
1148
I just don't want her to be singled out.
1149
Yeah.
1150
Thanks. All right, baby girl. Let's go.
1151
Bye!
1152
How about... an ice cream?
1153
Yeah!
1154
OK.
1155
Uh-oh. What do you think? What do you think?
1156
I already have that one.
1157
Looks great on you, though.
1158
Hey, what's wrong?
1159
Oh, nothing, I'm just focusing on school stuff.
1160
Can you focus on me for a minute?
1161
Sorry.
1162
Hey, hey, hey! Try this one on!
1163
It'll make you feel better.
1164
- Yeah. - OK. Yes.
1165
- Yeah? - Yes!
1166
- Really? - Oh my goodness, this suits you.
1167
More than you know.
1168
I've, ah, decided it's time to go for my master's degree.
1169
Wow.
1170
Wow, does that, does that mean you'll be going away?
1171
No. I'd go locally.
1172
Anyhow, I have to pass the entrance test to graduate school first, so...
1173
Oh, wait. Isn't that like the SATs?
1174
Do you have to take that in a big room with a lot of people?
1175
Yeah. They said I could have a room all to myself.
1176
Ah, good.
1177
Tourette's does have its privileges.
1178
Would it bother you if I did go away...?
1179
Of course it would. Are you kidding me?
1180
Get out of here.
1181
Come here, I want to show you something.
1182
Crazy.
1183
Next!
1184
Hey, ah, chchchch, Brad Cohen.
1185
Brad Cohen.
1186
Here you are, Mr. Cohen.
1187
All right, I need you take this packet, and I need you to go right in there.
1188
Oh, I'm supposed to have special accommodations -
1189
I don't have any notation of that.
1190
I mean, everybody tests under the same conditions today.
1191
OK, yeah, but I called and they said -
1192
They said-
1193
They said that I could have a, ah, space to myself
1194
You know what? I need you to talk to the administrator about that.
1195
His office is right over there.
1196
I can't make an exception...
1197
...we're not set up that way -
1198
They promised and I have the right to special testing accommodations -
1199
Listen, I'm sorry about your disability but there isn't anything I can do.
1200
If you want to take the test, you need to go in there now -
1201
Look at me! How could anybody possibly concentrate if I'm in that room?
1202
Listen, I have to start the exam, now.
1203
Do you need me to call you a doctor...?
1204
Isn't there anyone you can call for help?
1205
Brad, calm down, I can't understand you...
1206
Well, they said you could take it alone?
1207
OK. All right. No problem. I'll be right there.
1208
Has something happened?
1209
You can take the test. And you'll have a room to yourself.
1210
What did you say to them?
1211
The magic word: lawsuit.
1212
I've gotta get to work.
1213
Hey, Dad.
1214
Yeah?
1215
Thanks.
1216
Good luck on the test.
1217
As it turned out, I needed more than just Dad's good luck. I needed time.
1218
With the clock, and my Tourette's, ticking away.
1219
I failed to get all the way through the test.
1220
Good job, guys. Thomas I am so proud of you.
1221
Thank you, Mr. Cohen.
1222
Wow! Look at that turkey, Heather.
1223
Thank you.
1224
So. Are you gonna have a big Thanksgiving this year?
1225
Uh-huh. Mom says all my grandparents are gonna come.
1226
Well, that sounds special.
1227
'Cept when they cry.
1228
They try to hide it but I always see them.
1229
Can I pet Waffle?
1230
You bet you can pet Waffle.
1231
Are you gonna have a good Thanksgiving, Mr. Cohen?
1232
Yes, I am. Me and Waffle are going to take a little trip
1233
to see my Mom in St. Louis.
1234
I know where that is!
1235
Well, that is super, Heather. That's exactly where it is.
1236
Now, do me a favor, will you?
1237
And I'm going to trust you to take good care of my friend Waffle. All right?
1238
Sure.
1239
And I will be right back.
1240
Hi, Amanda. Shouldn't you ja be in your class?
1241
All right. Come on, I'll walk you to your room.
1242
Why can't I be in your class, Mr. Cohen?
1243
Well, ah. Your father had to do what was best for you, Amanda.
1244
And you know what? You've got a great teacher.
1245
OK... See you later, Mr. Cohen.
1246
Busted.
1247
Where did you learn those words, Thomas?
1248
You know you're not supposed to leave the class without asking.
1249
Well, you're going to clean that up.
1250
And then, ah, you're on detention: no recess.
1251
But you do get an "A" for spelling.
1252
You can't read it if you don't open it, Thomas.
1253
I hate reading.
1254
So do I.
1255
You do?
1256
Yeah. Reading's really hard for me.
1257
It's not hard for you. You're a teacher.
1258
You wanna bet? Let's play a game.
1259
You be Mr. Cohen trying to read; And I'll be Tourette Syndrome. OK?
1260
Read this page.
1261
"Once upon a time" -
1262
Keep reading.
1263
"... upon a time, there was a" - That itches.
1264
Does it itch a little bit? All right. Keep reading.
1265
"... there was a... "
1266
Hey, Thomas!
1267
All right. That's hard, isn't it?
1268
It's hard to concentrate.
1269
That's how hard reading is for me.
1270
It's not that hard for you, is it?
1271
No. It's easy for me.
1272
But... how can you be a teacher if you hate books?
1273
Hate books? I don't hate books. Everything in the world is in books.
1274
I just have to work extra hard to get it out.
1275
I'm not going to give up on you, buddy. OK?
1276
And I'm not going to let you give up on yourself.
1277
Now keep reading. Right here.
1278
"Once upon a time there was a" -
1279
Mag-magi...
1280
Magician.
1281
"A magician who met a small boy.
1282
A small boy who was trying to pull a big sword out of a big rock.
1283
Weird.
1284
Why would a sword be in a rock?
1285
Well, I don't know, but if you, ah, keep reading, you might just find out.
1286
"The magician told the small boy that whoever could pull the sword out of
1287
the rock would be the true king. " -
1288
Cool.
1289
Keep going. What happens next?
1290
Hey. What's wrong?
1291
Oh, I'm so nervous.
1292
What's there to be nervous about? You're just gonna meet my Mom -
1293
Thank you. That's, that's helpful.
1294
- And Jeff... and my aunts and uncles...
1295
and anybody I've ever loved... in my entire life.
1296
Prepare your self. This is big.
1297
I'm ready. Why do I have to prepare myself?.
1298
That's right. Prepare yourself.
1299
Oh, you're here!
1300
Oh, hi! I can't believe I'm finally meeting Nancy.
1301
Oh! You're even prettier than I thought -
1302
Brad has told me so much about you, Mrs. Cohen -
1303
Oh, Ellen.
1304
Well, that's more than he tells me about you -
1305
Wha-what! What? I tell you all about Nancy.
1306
Oh, you never tell me the real stuff.
1307
Come on, Nancy - Bobo, get the bags, honey.
1308
Yes, Bobo. Get on that.
1309
So, are you exhausted?
1310
No.
1311
Oh, good. Because we've got a pedicure appointment in an hour.
1312
Oh.
1313
- This is Nancy. - Hi.
1314
- Who I was telling you about. - So, nice to meet you.
1315
And, no, wait, Janet. Here, come and meet Janet.
1316
- OK. Hi! - Nancy. And one other person...
1317
Mom's going a little overboard making Nancy feel like family.
1318
Is that a possibility? Her being family?
1319
I don't know. I mean, you know,
1320
I know but I don't, I don't, I don't, I don't...
1321
Oh, yeah. It's, it's serious. Has she met Dad?
1322
No! No, no, no, no...
1323
Well, what are you waiting for?
1324
Hey. Back off, will'ya?
1325
...He ended up falling flat
1326
and then he hit his head straight against the curb.
1327
Gave himself a concussion.
1328
Well, You'll excuse me, Nancy's needed in the kitchen.
1329
I'm just going to steal her for one second.
1330
Needed in the kitchen.
1331
OK.
1332
Are you rescuing me? Because I don't need rescuing -
1333
I do.
1334
What's going on -?
1335
How was your pedicure?
1336
If you're wondering
1337
what did your Mom and I talked about, we talked about you.
1338
And us.
1339
Is something wrong?
1340
I was just wondering,
1341
if I told you,
1342
I love you.
1343
I mean, it just, it scares me. Right?
1344
I never thought about it before.
1345
I never dared think about it.
1346
Look, Brad.
1347
She understands about your noises, she doesn't care.
1348
You know, you make her happy, Brad -
1349
she told me that, Brad. You make her laugh.
1350
Well, what if one day she stops laughing?
1351
What if one day she gets fed up of living with someone who -
1352
I just, I don't want to hurt her, Mom...
1353
Maybe you don't want to get hurt.
1354
Both.
1355
The only thing that can hurt either of you:
1356
is if you let Tourette's drive her away from you.
1357
If you let it win.
1358
Heather's mother had called to say
1359
Heather was no longer able to attend school.
1360
So, the class all pitched in to cheer her up -
1361
Oh, wow. Look at this table.
1362
It looks very good.
1363
Ah, this looks great over here.
1364
The news we'd all been dreading came a few weeks later...
1365
Hey.
1366
Hi, Mr. Cohen.
1367
What's up, Henry.
1368
Hi.
1369
- Hey, Eli. - Hi, Mr. Cohen.
1370
Hey, Mr. Cohen.
1371
What's up, Gaylon?
1372
These are my grandparents, James and Shirley.
1373
Sir, they're about to start the service.
1374
You go ahead.
1375
Mr. Cohen? Aren't you coming in?
1376
I'm sorry... I thought I could but I...
1377
I think I'd be too disruptive.
1378
You made such a huge difference in Heather's life.
1379
You were her favorite teacher.
1380
Please, don't leave without saying goodbye to her.
1381
Okay, Thomas... what is your team's word?
1382
Weird!
1383
Weird. Anybody not on Thomas's team know what that word means?
1384
Strange.
1385
Creepy.
1386
Scary.
1387
Very good.
1388
Who can use the word weird in a sentence?
1389
Me, oh, me!
1390
25, 30, 35, 40. The girl in pigtails. 50! Gaylon!
1391
"I like weird movies. " Sorry, Mr. Cohen.
1392
I know you can't go to them
1393
because you get thrown out of the movie theater.
1394
Well, that's OK, Gaylon.
1395
Boom. Because I can rent movies.
1396
And I also like weird movies.
1397
So weird is a good word, right?
1398
But what if someone comes up to you and they say, "Hey, you!
1399
Yeah, you. I'm talking to you. You're weird.
1400
Is it still a good word?
1401
Noooo.
1402
What, what's that?
1403
OK, everyone, stay in your seat.
1404
It's Maxine and big Red.
1405
Mr. Cohen, can't we go see them?
1406
Okay, but everyone... inside voices...
1407
Everyone line up by the door and no running.
1408
You got it. Yeah. Exactly. Eli, get in there, man.
1409
All right, but be careful.
1410
So, what do you think of it? Pretty cool, huh?
1411
Eli! What did I tell you? All right, no pulling the horn.
1412
Or else you guys are coming down.
1413
Sorry, Maxine.
1414
That's all right.
1415
Kids will be kids.
1416
Yes, yeah. Yeah, they will.
1417
They still getting along?
1418
Well, it looks like it.
1419
Give 'em time.
1420
I like Nancy.
1421
She reminds me of your Mom when we first met.
1422
They don't look anything alike.
1423
I'm not talking about looks; I'm talking about that...
1424
spark, that spirit, that, ah, "je ne sais quoi. "
1425
How are things at school?
1426
Oh, you know.
1427
We got more books than bookcases, roof leaks, budget cutbacks...
1428
Little worried they might not ask me back next year.
1429
There's plenty of teachers with a lot more experience than me.
1430
I'm proud of you regardless.
1431
Doesn't feel that way.
1432
Why do I feel like you're still embarrassed by me?
1433
And it's okay, Dad, you can admit it.
1434
You're not trying to start something...?
1435
No. No, no.
1436
But, you know, we're finally talking, and it's good, so let's talk.
1437
I've always been an embarrassment to you.
1438
I have, haven't I? Even when you used to come visit me,
1439
you used to squirm when all those eyeballs would click my way.
1440
You've never been able to accept it.
1441
You're right.
1442
It is tough being with you sometimes -
1443
I hate it when we go to restaurants and people give you those looks.
1444
Sometimes, I just...
1445
I just feel so helpless.
1446
You know, I've always been a guy who could fix things...
1447
...but the one thing I could never fix was the one thing
1448
that was hurting you most.
1449
It doesn't need fixing.
1450
Nobody can fix it.
1451
I know. I know.
1452
But maybe it's my fault.
1453
Maybe I gave it to you.
1454
I think these babies are done.
1455
Come on, guys.
1456
We only have two minutes before the media center closes.
1457
Hurry up, back there. Stay to the side, guys.
1458
Stay to the side. What did I tell you? Guys in the back, come on, hurry up.
1459
Dad?
1460
What are you, ah, what are you doing here?
1461
You said you needed bookcases, didn't you?
1462
Your Father's built us new bookshelves for the library.
1463
Things are a little slow at the office.
1464
This way, gentlemen.
1465
Oh, and I got you something for your collection.
1466
Put it on, Mr. Cohen.
1467
A hard hat for an extremely hard head.
1468
Hey, class, that's my dad.
1469
Hi, Mr. Cohen!
1470
Hi!
1471
Come on.
1472
Come on!
1473
And, and Hilarie didn't say what this was about?
1474
No idea.
1475
We were at recess and she said she needs to see you in your classroom.
1476
I think it might have to do with next year.
1477
Here he is.
1478
Brad.
1479
Would you come over here a moment, please?
1480
Hilarie's got an announcement to make.
1481
Some of you may have noticed
1482
an observer hanging around school the last few weeks.
1483
Well, he was here to assess one of our teachers.
1484
Mr. Cohen.
1485
And I'm here to announce that our very own Brad Cohen has been chosen
1486
from amongst all the new educators in the state of
1487
Georgia to be Sallie Mae's First Year Teacher of the Year.
1488
As I looked at my students, I felt like a kid inside.
1489
Because children look at life differently than most audits.
1490
They see the world and say, I will. Not I can't. And so did I.
1491
This shirt's too tight. The label's digging in my back...
1492
I cut out the label. I don't know what you're so nervous about.
1493
You're in front of a crowd every day.
1494
Well, these aren't second-graders.
1495
Now...
1496
Oh, man, I wish I was invisible.
1497
Well, that is something you'll never have to worry about.
1498
Hold still, hold still!
1499
I love you.
1500
Go, Mr. Cohen!
1501
Come on, Bobo, you can get through this -
1502
Don't worry. He's going to get through it.
1503
The noise you just heard is the Tourette Syndrome
1504
I've been living with since I was six years old.
1505
I'm standing up here today because the love and support of
1506
a lot of people put me up here -
1507
My family,
1508
my school family, my students, and all my friends.
1509
I owe this award to all of them.
1510
But I also owe it to the toughest,
1511
and, and most dedicated teacher I ever had:
1512
my Constant Companion. My Tourette's.
1513
Now, some of you may think that's pretty weird to thank a disability...
1514
and calling it a great teacher?
1515
That's really weird.
1516
I mean, what could I possibly learn from a disability?
1517
Yes, Gaylon.
1518
You learned to keep going.
1519
Eli?
1520
You learned to not let it stop you.
1521
Yes, Thomas.
1522
You learned to not let it win!
1523
That's right.
1524
Coping with my Tourette's has taught me the most valuable lesson
1525
that anyone could ever learn:
1526
And that is to never let anything stop you from chasing your dream;
1527
from working or playing or falling in love.
1528
That's right.
1529
Coping with my Tourette's has taught me the most valuable lesson...
1530
Yes, Thomas.
1531
Can you bring that award to show and tell on Monday?
1532
You bet.
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