Friday Barnes and the Case of the Sleepy Psychologist

When Friday is sent to see the school counsellor, she soon uncovers a mystery. The counsellor can't keep her eyes open. Friday takes advantage of the opportunity to avoid talking about herself.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:36

Hello, and welcome to bedtime stories with me, RA SPRAT. Well, today I'm going to read you a Friday bonds mystery because Friday bonds 10 is going to come out in early 2022. So I thought we would refresh Friday bonds nine. And I'll read you a chapter from that book. So this is Friday bonds, no escape. And I am going to read to you the case of the sleepy psychologist. Here we go. Friday had never been to the counselor's office at high Krista academy. Before she had been sent to the counselor at her old school. When her year two teacher thought that her refusal to play duck, duck goose was symptomatic of a behavioral disorder. Friday managed to convince that counselor. She was a perfectly normal six-year-old by using a PowerPoint presentation with three-dimensional graphs, detailed analysis of the latest medical research and the complicated combination of legal precedent at her government funded public primary school. The counselor's office had been a tiny square room with a chipped old desk. Unnervingly sticky, plastic chairs and gray blue linoleum flooring. The psychologist officer I crest was something else entirely. There was thick Navy blue carpet, a beautiful mahogany desk, a leather armchair, and an incredibly comfortable couch. It even smelled soothing as Friday. Sanko bottom into the soft fabric of the cushions. The center of London wafted up, she looked about, there were only a couple of dozen books on the bookshelves, but that did not make Friday. I think any less of the counselor in her experience. Most teachers had shelves crowded with books that they had not read, mainly because they wanted to appear literate. The counselor did have a lot of potted plants. Friday assume this was supposed to be soothing either that or the counselor was trying to generate her own oxygen supply through photosynthesis. Not about idea given how bad the average teenage boys smells. The counselor closed the door. The carpet and upholstery was so thick that it was like being in a recording studio. The sound of the latch clicking was dead. And immediately Friday, I suppose this was because of the sensitive nature of what was discussed in the room. They didn't want people listening out in the corridor. Hello, I'm doctor Ms. Marty. So the counselor, as she walked over and sat in her leather armchair, she was a very petite woman of African descent. Friday didn't often meet adults were the same height as her five foot two, but there was nothing childlike about Dr. Ms. Marty, everything about her appearance, her clothes, hair, and demeanor was precise and professional. Her posture spoke without words, and it said I care, but not too much. So don't get overly familiar. How can I help you asked Dr. Ms. Marty, you can't set Friday. I don't have any problems. Dr. Ms. Marty looked at Friday, Friday, looked back. She wasn't going to be tricked into speaking. She knew psychologist use silence to prompt patients into babbling about themselves. Dr. Ms. Marty broke the silence first, Dr. Bell crate is concerned that your mood has been down since you returned to school. Since I got let out of prison set Friday, Dr. Ms. Marty raised her eyebrows. This was her way of saying, tell me more. She's probably watched too many prison dramas that Friday. She thinks it's all fights in the yard. 18 baked beans off trays and getting shoved headfirst into an industrial clothes dryer. And it's not asked Dr. Ms. Marty. She leaned on her chin, as she said this with an elbow propped on the arm of the chair. As though she was getting comfortable to listen to a really long story. No said Friday, the food wasn't too bad, not as good as Mrs. Marigolds, but better than I used to get at home. And there wasn't much fighting. You lost TV privileges if you fought and you like watching television asked Dr. Ms. Marty. No, but the girls who liked fighting did said Friday, I read books, which books are Dr. Miss Marty. Why asked Friday? Are you going to psychoanalyze me about my literary preferences? Dr. Muss, Marty smiled. Maybe it depends what you read. I was inside for 328 days had Friday. It took three days for me to be issued with a card for the library. I only had access to the Bible during that time, but for the remaining 325 days, I read an average of three books a day. So 975 in total plus the Bible that's 976 said Dr. Ms. Marty, I read that three times said Friday, that makes 978. Once I did get access to the library, there wasn't much for selection. The science section was infant tile and the librarian was shoes to subscribe to the international journal of theoretical physics for me. So I concentrated on the classics, Plato, Plutarch Aristotle. For some reason, people assume that old literature must be safe. In reality, it's all much more revolutionary than any airport. Novel being published. Now, Friday had been looking at her old red sneakers. She spoke. She didn't want to look Dr. Ms. Marty in the eye. She seemed like a kind lady Friday knew if she was forced to talk about her feelings and someone was kind to her, she would burst into tears. It was much better to just stare at her own foot. She had been staring at for several moments when she noticed it was jiggling. That was bad, insane people, jiggled and guilty people, people with things to hide. She didn't want Dr. Ms. Marty to think she was hiding anything. Although, of course she was, everyone was hiding something. Friday stopped jiggling her foot. It took a surprising amount of willpower. She stared at her still foot willing it to behave. It was a moment before she realized that the silence is stretched on too long. She looked up. I was shocked to see the doctor, Ms. Marty was dead. At least that's what Friday thought at first. Then she realized that was silly. There must be some other reason that the psychologist was slumped back in armchair. Perhaps she suffered a stroke or been bitten by a venomous erected Friday lane closer and could see that doctor Ms. Marty's chest was still moving up and down as she breathed. That was a relief then Dr. Miss Marty shifted slightly in her chair. And as she drew in her next breath, she snored a sleep demanded Friday in a loud voice. Doctor, miss Marty flinched and snorted awake. What had happened? You fell asleep set Friday. Oh no. Not against that doctor. Miss Marty rubbing her eyes. She didn't look precise and professional anymore. You've done this before said Friday. I know medical doctors have a Hippocratic oath. Surely psychologists have some sort of similar professional standards falling asleep in a session. Must be a big career. No, no. I'm so sorry. I said doctor, miss Marty. I don't know what came over me. Extreme boredom. I think said Friday. No, no, you're not boring said doctor Ms. Marty. I know you said Friday. If you get bored, that's a reflection on you. Not me. Documents. Marty looked at her watch. It's just a session. Tuesday mornings. I get so tired for some reason. I don't know why I've been going to bed earlier on Monday nights to try and rectify it. You haven't taken any medication or had any blows to the head Friday? No. So Dr. Ms. Marty, not that you can remember said Friday, if you had amnesia, you wouldn't know. I don't have amnesia. Protested. Dr. Muss, Marty[inaudible] said Friday. She was looking about the room. Then turned her attention back to Dr. Ms. Marty. Now unexplained lumps on your scalp, Friday peered at documents. Marty's head. As she said, this is the doctor, miss Marty. Although she did unconsciously run her hands through her hair to check on how many Tuesdays, if you had these symptoms as Friday. I don't know. As a doctor, miss Marty. Oh, well actually I do th this is a fifth week in a row and you completely fall asleep as Friday. Well, yes. Admitted doctor, miss Marty. That's why I scheduled your session for now. In previous weeks, I've used this hour to review my notes. But last week I fell asleep at my desk and completely missed. My 10:00 AM appointment. Friday gave up any pretense of maintaining the normal doctor, patient behavioral protocols. She got up and walked across to the bookshelves where she started sniffing each of the potty plants in turn, which shows how distracted Dr. Ms. Marty was from a professional role because she made no comment on this eccentric behavior. She didn't even jot it on a note pad. I don't know what's wrong with me. So Dr. Ms. Marty ever since my first clinical post, I've always found the first hour of the day after breakfast at the time when I was most able to focus, perhaps I'm coming down with something Friday, turned her attention from the potted plants back to Dr. Ms. Marty. She peered closely at her face. I don't think so. No perspiration or flush skin to indicate a raised temperature. Your eyes are clear and bright. There's no nasal secretions. Doctor Ms. Marty instinctively raised her hand to cover her nose. No one likes having their nose stared at, especially not by a strange teenager, but that only made Friday pier even closer. Although now at her hand, specifically her fingernails and the coloration under your fingernails indicates that you're not suffering from iron deficiency, Friday glass about the room. One more time. Who's the next patient. You see enough to me? I can't disclose that. So doctor Ms. Marty it'd be unethical. Fair enough. Said Friday. I'll work it out. Although it would be easier if you simply told me. So it's someone you couldn't see at 9:00 AM. Otherwise you have just moved them into this time slot last week to keep yourself awake. So why wouldn't a student be able to be seen during the first period of the day? She was asking herself these questions without any expectation that Dr. Ms. Marty would answer, there are no sporting teams practicing them for most students. The first lesson of the day is homeroom. Totally non essential. You can't get behind in homeroom. We should go back to talking about use said, Dr. Ms. Marty Friday, ignore the suggestion. Continued with her line of thought. The only students who have to be doing something in first period, are those helping Mrs. Marygold clean up after breakfast, a task that's usually assigned to students who have been given so many detentions. They can't be given any more. Exactly the type of student who'd have a weekly session with a school counselor. Friday sat down to consider the facts in the past. The student most frequently given detention was in Wayne Scott. Two years ago. He held school record with 98 detentions in a calendar year, but he's gone. Next was Parker with 54 detentions. But Parker is very stupid and not capable of consciously devising any sort of plan a year ago. The third person on the list was Elliot Fanshawe. And I know he set fire to Mrs. Marigold's oven last week. I didn't inquire at the time, but I presume it was because he was helping out at breakfast. So is Elliot your next appointment today, Dr. Ms. Marty tried to assume a poker face and did not respond. I see. So Friday you're consciously trying to repress any facial expression, but you should wear your head down when you're trying to hide your emotions because I can clearly see the vein in your neck and your pulse rate visibly accelerated. When I said Elliot Fanshawe, Dr. Ms. Marty covered her neck with her hands. And now you're covering your neck because you know, it's true said Friday, you've been betrayed by your heart rate and your inability to control your unconscious reactions Friday class to watch my appointment times nearly up 90 seconds to go. Let's say he's waiting outside. Friday, reached to open the door, knows that Dr. Muss Marty for privacy, you mentally through the other door. She was pointing to another doorway at the rear of the room. I can overlook. You're falling asleep in my session when I'm supposedly in need of psychological help set Friday. But I refuse to participate in a ridiculous charade. We both know who's on the other side of this door. She turned the handle and through the door open and they're sitting outside was no one, just three empty plastic chairs. Dr. Ms. Marty sighed with relief, but then the external door opened and a tall lanky boy entered the waiting area. Elliot Fanshawe said Friday. Tell me, what have you been doing to Dr. Ms. Marty's breakfast early. It looked shocked for a second, but then quickly mastered it. What are you rambling on about bonds? I didn't do anything. There's nothing you can pin on me. Friday 10 back to doctor, miss Marty. What did you eat for breakfast? A sausage omelette said Dr. Ms. Marty. Perfect said Friday. I don't think Elliot would drug you. That would be creepy and highly illegal. He'd get an enormous amount of trouble. If he was caught and be easily proven with a urine test Friday, this is wildly inappropriate. So Dr. Ms. Marty, you're embarrassed by the word urine marveled Friday. You're a psychologist who listens to teenagers, troubles and anxieties all day long. And you're embarrassed by a bodily fluid. This is getting out of hands that Dr. Muss Marty, but what if he puts something in your food that was entirely normal said Friday, something no one would think to check for like Turkey. Three nights ago, we had roast Turkey for dinner. Turkey would be very easy to make into a sausage Turkey. Indeed all forms of poultry, a full of tryptofan, which is a known sleeping agent. Then to double up the effect, he gave you a cup of decaf coffee. The smell is distinctively different. I'm surprised he couldn't taste it. Although perhaps he didn't notice because you were already sleepy. Have there been any other unasked for foods appearing on your breakfast tray? Well, actually, yes, the doctors, Marty I've been getting bananas. I didn't think anything about it. I assumed it was some initiative to encourage everyone to eat more fruit bananas are also high in tryptophan, as well as magnesiums at Friday, another known natural sedative. He's been tampering with my food Marvel doctor, Ms. Marty. It's brilliant said Friday. If he noticed anything, he could just pass it off as an innocent kitchen. Mix-up this whole story is farcical said Elliott, but what would his motive possibly be? So Dr. Ms. Marty Friday looked at Elliott trying to figure this out for herself. Motive is always the hardest part of any crime to understand. Sometimes it's clear what the motive is, but it's unfathomable why they have that motive. You can however, piece it together. Step by step with deductive reasoning. Elliot looked at his watch. Is this going to cut into my session time? I'd hate to miss third period geography. Really? How interest said Friday? Let's set that aside for the moment though. She turned to Dr. Ms. Marty, let's ask ourselves, what do we know? One Elliot has been behaving badly, too. He was sent to you to address this three students are sent to counselors to see if there's a medical or emotional reason for their bad behavior. So why would Elliot want to avoid this process? She turned and looked at Elliot because there is no medical or emotional reason for his behavior. He doesn't have a learning disability. He isn't going through difficulties at home that he needs to talk through. He's just a horrible person. It goes against human nature to believe that a person can be horrible right through to the core. But some people are Elliot. Doesn't want to be psychoanalyzed and found out he doesn't want help. He doesn't want to behave better. He'd rather just go to third period. Geography. You can't prove any of this at Elliot. It's an outlandish accusation maybe said Friday. Certainly not given Dr. Ms. Marty's rational aversion to urine, but maybe I don't need to really, this can all be resolved by doctor Ms. Marty sticking to yogurt and cereal for breakfast and brewing her own coffee in her room. The school bell rang. They were all reminded of the time. Well, that's it. The hours up observed Friday making her way to the door. Oh, we'll have to reschedule this. You spent barely any time discussing your problems. That doctor Ms. Marty, that's not my fault. Have you slept through that part said Friday, I've got to get back to my work. I've got a passage describing the Trojan horse. It's not going to translate itself. Well, actually it probably would with Google translate, but it's not going to put itself into Ryman verse. And so the case was sold. Thank you for listening to support this podcast just by a book by me, RA spread. There's lots to choose from, from across the Friday. Barnes nanny begins and pesky kids series. And now there's the book of this podcast. Shockingly good stories. You can order any of these things through your local bookstore, or you can go to my website, RA spread.com and click on the book. Depository banner. They've got all my titles and free international shipping. That's it for now until next time. Goodbye.