Episode 6 – The spider
DAN: Hi, Ruby. I’m glad you’re here.
RUBY: Oh, it’s you.
DAN: I know you’re angry with me, but I think I can change that.
RUBY: Oh? How, Dan?
DAN: Well, I searched for ‘fear of spiders’ online. There’s a website all about it. They’ve got a really good way to help people who are afraid of spiders. Can I show you?
RUBY: Well, OK. What is it?
DAN: OK, so the idea is to look at a spider in a very safe way. So we start with a picture. Like this. It’s OK. It’s just a picture. It can’t hurt you. Now, just look at it.
RUBY: OK. That’s OK. It’s just a picture. Yeah, this is OK. I feel fine.
DAN: Excellent. Now, next step. I put the picture of the spider in your hand. It’s OK. It’s just a picture. Now give me your hand. I just lay the picture of the spider in your hand. There, that’s not so bad, is it?
RUBY: No, you’re right. That’s not so bad. It’s just a picture. It’s just a picture.
DAN: Good, good. Now let’s make it move a little.
RUBY: Oh, no!
DAN: It’s OK. It’s just a picture. It can’t hurt you. Excellent! That’s really good. It’s a really great start. Now, we do this every day until you don’t feel afraid anymore.
RUBY: Yeah! Look at me! I think this idea works, Dan. I have a spider in my hand, and I’m not afraid! This is great. Thank you, Dan!
DAN: You’re welcome. What’s that?
RUBY: Dan! I hate you. You’re such an idiot!
DAN: Oh, come on, Ruby! Ruby, it’s a joke. I’m sorry. Ruby, it’s just a friendly joke.
RUBY: Friendly? You are NOT my friend. Friends are nice to each other!
DAN: Ruby, come on.
RUBY: I don’t understand, Ellie. Dan is my friend. Why is he so mean to me?
ELLIE: He just did something stupid, that’s all. To him, it was just a little joke.
RUBY: Oh, maybe you’re right. And he said sorry.
ELLIE: Yes, but maybe that isn’t good enough. I’ve got an idea for a joke we can play on Dan!
RUBY: A joke? On Dan? What do you mean?
ELLIE: Well, I know something about Dan. …
RUBY: Really?!
ELLIE: Yes! So maybe we … What do you think?
RUBY: Oh, Ellie! That’s a great idea! Let’s do it!
ELLIE: That’s awesome. So can you do it, Jason?
JASON: Sure. I’ll ask my science teacher, Mr Leonard, but I think I can do that. No problem, Ellie.
ELLIE: Great! Thanks, Jason.
JASON: See you tomorrow.
ELLIE: Hey, Dan. How’s it going?
DAN: Hi, Ellie. Good.
ELLIE: You know Jason, right?
DAN: Sure. Hi.
JASON: Hi, Dan. What’s that?
DAN: Oh, it’s just some homework I’m doing for next class. What’s in the box?
JASON: This? Well, it’s a hobby of mine. Mr Leonard asked me to bring it in to show the science class this afternoon.
DAN: Oh, cool.
JASON: Yeah. Do you want to see?
DAN: Sure.
ELLIE: So, uh, Dan, what homework is that?
DAN: Just some maths. I don’t understand it very well, so I want to look at it again before class.
ELLIE: Oh, that’s nice.
JASON: Here it is.
DAN: Argh!!!
ELLIE: Nice one. Thanks, Jason.
JASON: That was great! See you, Dan. Bye, Ellie.
ELLIE: Cool snake, huh?!
DAN: Ruby, I’m sorry. Honestly.
RUBY: Thanks, Dan. It’s OK. It is silly to be afraid of spiders. You’re right. And I heard about this morning with Jason.
DAN: You did?
RUBY: Uh huh. So now you know what it’s like.
DAN: Yeah, I do. That’s why I’m sorry.
TOM: So, tell me! What happened? I want to know!
ELLIE: You tell him, Dan.
DAN: Well, a long time ago, I told Ellie that I’m afraid of snakes.
RUBY: And Ellie’s friend Jason … well, he loves snakes, and he’s got a pet snake at home.
TOM: OK! So you ….
ELLIE: … asked Jason to bring his snake to school. And when Dan saw it …
DAN: … I got scared, just like Ruby with the spider.
TOM: Ah, So you learned your lesson.
DAN: That everybody’s afraid of something, and it isn’t funny!
RUBY: So, Tom. What are you afraid of?
TOM: Me? Nothing, really. But now, I think I’m afraid of Ellie!
