Leslie Yeo: Dr. Eugene Murrich

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : [Dr. Murrich has lit Miley's cigarette and is handing Miley the matchbook]  Keep them.

  Miley Judson : [reading the label on the matchbook]  "Hellgrammite Method"..."cure for the problem drinker".

  [he turns around to face the man, only to find he is gone] 

  Miley Judson : Hey, can I buy you a... drink?

• Miley Judson : [at Dr. Murrich's front door, Miley reads the matchbook address]  Dr... Jeanie... Murph?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Murrich.

  Miley Judson : [chuckling]  I know. I know. I know it's late, but the matchbox says "24 Hours A Day".

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Come. Come in, Mr. uh...

  Miley Judson : Miley Judson.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Judson. Come in, Mr. Judson. I'm used to my patients dropping in at odd hours.

• Dr. Eugene Murrich : [Miley has been drinking but feels nothing]  I see you've been drinking, Mr. Judson.

  Miley Judson : Just tell me what's going on.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Well, as you recall, last night you agreed to start the Hellgrammite treatment.

  Miley Judson : So?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Have you ever heard of the Hellgrammite worm, Mr. Judson?

  Miley Judson : What? No.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Ah. Well, the capsule you swallowed last night contained a rare sort of tapeworm, the Hellgrammite larva. By now, the worm has attached itself to your stomach. Your drinking has stimulated its growth.

  Miley Judson : A worm, you got to be kidding.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : From now on, the Hellgrammite will absorb all the liquor you can consume. You won't feel any effect from drinking.

  Miley Judson : You don't think I believe any of this, do you?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : [opens a cabinet with a Hellgrammite worm in a jar]  Seeing is believing. Of course, this one's not yet fully grown.

• Miley Judson : [shocked to see the preserved Hellgrammite worm in Dr. Murrich's office]  You put one of those things in me?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : The pleasure of alcohol is over for you. No more buzz, Mr. Judson. No matter how much you drink, the worm will never be satisfied. And if ever you stop drinking, the pain will be excruciating.

  Miley Judson : [angry]  How could you do this to me?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : You did it to yourself.

  Miley Judson : [running to the door]  I've got to get rid of it!

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : You can't! The worm is now part of you.

  Miley Judson : Oh no... there's gotta be something I can do!

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : There is.

  Miley Judson : What?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Starve it into dormancy.

  Miley Judson : How?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Stop drinking.

  Miley Judson : [whispers to himself]  Stop drinking... stop drinking. So... I stop drinking, I can stop it?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : It's dangerous. You might not live through it. And even if you succeed, the worm will always be waiting for you to drink again. Every time the Hellgrammite is wakened from its dormant state, it comes back stronger, eventually strong enough to kill you. I think the Hellgrammite is getting thirsty, Mr. Judson, would you care for a drink to ease the pain? Or have you got the guts to stop?

• Miley Judson : [Miley is in pain from not drinking]  Ohh, why did you do this to me? Oh God, what gave you the right?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : The *right*? What gave *me* the right? The pain you're feeling is nothing compared to what I went through when I lost my family!

  [looking at their picture] 

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : The man had been drinking. My wife and two children were crossing the street with the light. He didn't even brake until after he'd hit them.

  Miley Judson : I came to you for help. I came to you for a second chance!

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : And I'm giving you a chance. A chance for a new life. You've begun the process. Now you either quit drinking or die.

• Dr. Eugene Murrich : [in Dr. Murrich's office Miley speaks with the doctor and pours himself a drink]  Now, I'll need some information.

  Miley Judson : Information? What kind of information?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Just tell me a little bit about yourself.

  Miley Judson : Well, first of all, I'm tired of talking about all the friends I've lost, I'm tired about talking about all the blackouts, I'm tired of the hangovers. Look, I know I got a problem. I'm an alcoholic. I guess the bottom line is what can you do about it?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Have you tried to quit?

  Miley Judson : Oh, thousand times, tried everything. Shrinks, aversion therapy, nothing lasts more than two or three months. Because I love this stuff.

  [sets glass down] 

  Miley Judson : I hate this stuff.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : I understand. And I *can* help you. I've yet to encounter a case that's beyond my help. The Hellgrammite Method is unique.

  Miley Judson : [casually]  Well uh, what are you going to do?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : [opens a pill box]  It's the first step in your treatment.

  Miley Judson : [picks up a pill]  Oh well, what the hell, what have I got to lose?

  [moves to swallow it] 

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : You're quite sure you want to quit drinking? I want you to understand, that with this method, there's no turning back.

  Miley Judson : Things couldn't get much worse.

  [swallows the pill] 

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : That's all there is to it for now. Call me in a couple of days.

  Miley Judson : Well, that's all there is to it? There's no lecture?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : Next visit. You don't want to hear any speeches tonight, go home, get some sleep.

  Miley Judson : [pulling out his wallet]  Ah, what do I owe you?

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : The initial consultation is free. We'll discuss payment later, if you decide to continue.

  Miley Judson : Oh hell, I'll give it a shot.

  Dr. Eugene Murrich : I'm certain you will, Mr. Judson.

  Miley Judson : Oh, how about one for the road, no, just kidding!