Domestic_v2_original
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- Hello guys, sorry to keep you
waiting.
- That's okay.
- Michelle, it's nice to finally
meet you.
- Hi, Doctor Baker.
This is my husband, Curtis.
- Curtis.
- Hi.
- Have a seat.
So, why are we here?
- I thought we already
talked about that on the phone.
- Yes, but I wanna hear it
from the both of you.
- Well, we have had some problems
over the past few years.
And we're here to try to fix it.
- What kind of problems?
- Look, this is a safe place.
Yeah, I know why you're here.
The first thing we need to do
is for you both
to acknowledge the reasons why.
- Curtis?
- She made me come here.
- Why?
- I don't know.
- Curtis, why?
- Because she says I have
anger issues.
- And do you think you do?
- Everyone gets angry.
- Not everyone has to go to therapy
for domestic violence.
Just put your mind at ease,
I'm not here to point fingers.
I'm just here to help you
figure out what's going on.
Michelle called me because
she wants to save your marriage
and with the way things have been
going it's been very hard on her.
- Right, Michelle?
- Yes.
- So
there have been instances of abuse
in your marriage?
Can we talk about that, Curtis?
- Sure.
Whatever.
- Good.
You won't need that.
This is all the social media
we need.
Right here.
Michelle,
can you tell me about
the first time?
- The first time?
- The first time the abuse
happened.
The physical abuse, I mean.
Do you remember it?
- Uh, yeah. I remember.
It was two years ago.
Curtis had gone out
with his friends.
I wasn't feeling well,
so I went to bed early.
I woke up in the middle
of the night and
he wasn't home.
- What time did you wake up?
- It was 2.30 in the morning.
I was worried, so I tried calling
his cellphone.
He always answers his cell.
[phone ringing]
[phone ringing]
- Hello?
- Hi, Marcus.
I'm so sorry for calling you
this late.
- No, that's cool.
What's up?
- Um, is Curtis with you?
- Curtis, I left him at the bar.
- Oh, okay.
Did he say where he was going
afterwards?
- No, we had met up with
some other people that
I couldn't really hang
so, I had to dip.
- Uh, okay. Thanks.
- I'm sorry I couldn't help you.
But you know Curtis,
I'm sure he's okay.
- Yeah, I'm sure.
Bye.
- Yeah.
[door unlocks]
- Curtis?
Are you okay,
where have you been?
I've been calling you all night.
- I'm okay, okay?
- How come you didn't answer
your phone?
- I'm sorry. It's dead.
- I keep telling you to get a charger
for the car.
Where were you, I was so worried.
- I just had too much to drink
so instead of driving
I crushed at a friends house.
- Wow, that was smart,
but you still could have
called me from there.
- Ugh, you weren't feeling well so
I didn't wanna wake you up.
- I appreciate that, but
a text message would have been
sufficient Curtis,
I was up all night.
- Sorry baby.
I wasn't thinking.
- Yeah, sometimes you don't think.
Do you want coffee?
- God, yes.
I've got to go to the bathroom.
- How are you feeling,
better?
- Still a little anky, but better.
- Good.
- Tell me, who did you crash with
last night so I give them shit
for not letting me know
you were there?
- I crashed with Marcus.
- Marcus?
- Yeah. That fool drank out only
as much as I did, but
he lives close by the bar so
we just went back there.
- You were at Marcus's house
last night?
- Yeah. This is what I just said,
I'm sure.
What's wrong?
- I was really worried about you
last night Curtis.
I thought you may have been
arrested for a DUI,
I thought you had an accident,
I thought you might be dead,
but not once did I think you might be
cheating on me.
Not once.
- What the f*** are you
talking about?
- Where were you last night, Curtis?
- I told you where I was,
what's the matter with you?
- You were not at Marcus's house
last night.
- The f*** what do you mean
I wasn't at Marcus's last night?
- Because I called him
looking for your ass.
He said he didn't see you
after you left the bar.
So where did you go?
- Wait a minute.
What are you doing with
Marcus's number anyway?
- What?
- What are you doing with
my friends number?
You calling him behind my back?
- Are you serious?
- F*** I'm serious.
What's going on there?
- For your information,
I got Marcus's number last year
when we were planning
your surprise birthday party.
And what does that matter
anyway?
Where were you last night?
- I was out drinking.
- With whom?
- Nobody.
- So you were out drinking
with nobody at 6.30 in the morning?
And I guess 'nobody' let you brush
your teeth at her house this morning?
- What?
You brushed your teeth Curtis.
You think I can't tell
the difference?
You think I'm stupid?
- Nobody said you're stupid, Michelle.
- Who is she then?
- Nobody.
- Who is she?
- You better stop f***ing
with me.
- Tell me
Who is she?
- Nobody, I was drinking alone
and I fell asleep in the car.
- Oh, so now you fell asleep
in the car?
You are such a liar.
- And you're tough as bullshit.
- What?
You hit me!
- Baby I'm sorry, I don't know
what came over me babe.
- You f***ing hit me.
- I'm so sorry but you pushed me.
- Oh, get away from me.
- Come on, let me help you up.
- Get away.
Get away. Get away. Get away.
[sobbing]
- That was the first time
he hit you?
- Yes.
- And how long had you been married
up to that point?
- Just over a year.
- Did you think about leaving him?
- Yes.
- Why didn't you?
- I just thought it was a
one time thing.
It's an accident.
- Then you realized it wasn't
a one time thing?
It wasn't an accident?
Why did you stay after
the other times?
- He's my husband.
I love him.
I married him for better
or for worse
and I know he gets passionate
at times
I'm hoping we can work
through this.
- Passionate, that's an interesting
choice of words.
- Well, sometimes I can be
a pain in the ass.
I know that.
- I'm sure I can be a pain in the ass
to my husband too.
But he doesn't hit me
because of it.
Curtis, what did you mean by
you pushed me?
She kept nagging and nagging and...
when she grabbed me,
she kind of set me off.
- And what did you feel
after you hit her.
- What do you mean
what did I feel?
I felt bad.
- You said she kept nagging
and nagging
and after you hit her she wasn't
nagging anymore.
What were your feelings?
I mean, it's okay.
It's okay, we'll come back to it.
Let's stop here.
We'll pick up right here next week.
Okay?
I'll see you next...
see you next week.
- Thank you Doctor Baker.
- Michelle
it's gonna be okay.
[door opens and shuts]
- You okay?
It looks like a pretty nasty cut.
- It's not as bad as it looks.
- Anytime someone else puts
cuts and bruises on you
it's as bad as it looks.
What happened?
- Everything happened so fast.
We were having a great time.
We had friends over
grilling and hitting on the hot tub.
- Hey, so when are gonna start
planning what we're gonna be doing
for the rest of the year?
- I thought we were doing
Oktoberfest.
- Nice, a bunch of crazy drunk
white dudes, getting drunk
poker dancing... no offense.
- Non taken.
And I don't wanna go with a black
() I met with
a bunch of drunken black
people drinking
().
- Now that's just racist.
- There you go.
- Hey babe, can you get me
another drink?
- I got you.
Anybody else?
Ba bang! I'm getting a tip for all this
work I'm doing
I don't even live here.
- Well come and get in the hot tub
brother, I've got a tip for you.
- You stop.
- What about going to the
Renaissance Festival?
Come on, you guys ever been
to a renaissance festival?
- Yeah, folks dressed in
medieval clothes
eating big ass turkey ().
- It's a little more passionate
than that Curtis.
- Oh hey, next weekend, you still
want me to pick you up?
- Next weekend?
- Seriously Chell?
Girls weekend... downtown?
Ugh, you forgot!
- Is it next weekend?
- Yes, it's next weekend.
How could you forget?
- I didn't forget, I just...
- You just forgot.
- I just had a lot on my mind.
Besides, I didn't mention it to...
So, I don't think I can go.
- You see, that's that bullshit
right there.
How could you forget Michelle?
- I'm sorry (), let's just plan
another weekend.
- Ah ah, move.
- Curtis, the girls are all going
on a retreat next weekend,
are you okay with that?
- Looks like it's already been planned
so what are you asking me for?
- I just wanna make sure
you're okay with it.
- I'm fine with it.
- Problem solved.
- Ladies...
All right, here we go.
- Thank you Marcus.
- ()
- Thanks babe.
- Thanks honey.
- Welcome.
- Where's mine honey?
- () got you man.
- Hurry the f*** up.
- Stop being a **** Curtis.
- Stop splashing water on me.
- What's the matter sweetie,
afraid you might melt?
- I'm serious Michelle.
- Aw poor baby,
let me baptize you.
- Michelle!
- Curtis, what are doing, stop.
- How do you like being baptized?
- Curtis you asshole!
- What's the matter with you!
- Yo... what the f*** was that man,
that was fucked up dude.
- Who the f*** asked you anyway?
As a matter of fact, all of you
motherfuckers get out of my house.
Right now.
Get!
Get the f*** out!
[door slams]
- Goddammit!
Curtis, could you bring me
a towel please?
Curtis?
- What?
- Could you bring me a towel?
- Here.
- Can you hand it to me?
- You can come get it.
- Curtis, just give me the towel.
- If you want it come and get it.
- Ugh, you are unbelievable.
Really you're a child Curtis!
- Give me a kiss.
- Seriously?
- All I want is a kiss.
You know, since you are already
all wet
- Are you kidding me?
You know you just drowned me.
- Oh baby, I was just playing.
- I said no. I said no.
I said no!
- Holy shit.
- Hey guys, I don't mean to interrupt
I'm just looking for my purse.
- What the hell?
- I didn't do this, she slipped.
- You back up.
Back up!
Are you okay?
Marcus
Marcus get in here.
Marcus.
Marcus get in here.
- Where is he now?
- They held him overnight.
- And you pressed charges?
- No.
- It really was an accident
but because Marcus and Lin
were there and
they called the police
they had to arrest him.
It really was an accident.
- Oh, I understand.
But maybe this accident wouldn't
have happened if
Curtis hadn't tried to force
himself on you.
And maybe you would have thought
about getting a towel if
he hadn't tried to drown you
a few minutes before.
- He wasn't trying to drown me.
- Yeah, this time.
It's September since July
Curtis has physically assaulted you.
Four times, yet not including
this incident.
I'm, I'm wondering
when is enough enough?
[glass breaking]
- Stop, stop let me go.
- You wanna go?
You wanna go?
Come on bitch!
Come on.
Come on, go.
You wanna go?
Come on.
Come on.
You wanna go?
Huh?
You wanna go?
You get the f*** out of my house.
[door slams]
- Curtis,
I have a question for you.
Do you love your wife?
- Of course I do.
I told you, I don't know why...
- Hang on.
Hang on.
So let me ask you this.
If you were walking down
the street
and you saw some man
beating up Michelle
what would you do?
- I'd kick his ass.
- Why?
- Why?
Because he's hurting my lady.
I'm not gonna let that happen.
- Oh, okay.
So if you don't want Michelle
getting beat up
why are you beating up Michelle?
Does it really matter who's
doing it?
If you love her then protect her.
Yeah, protect her from strangers
but protect her from yourself.
Your job is to protect her and you're
doing a really shady job.
You might as well
just take her downtown and let
strangers punch her in the face.
- I wouldn't do that.
- What's the difference?
I have given you tools to diffuse
any situation,
but you think beating her
into submission is the answer?
This is your wife.
Look at her.
Look at her.
Michelle, Michelle.
Look at him.
Now, I want you to take her face
gently in your hands.
Do it.
Curtis, look at each bruise
each cut
each scrape.
You did that.
You have this beautiful flower
for your wife
and you are desecrating her
with your fists.
Every time you hit her you are
destroying a piece of her soul.
Every hurtful word you are
chipping away at her self worth.
A man is supposed to build up
his woman.
A woman is supposed
to build up her man.
That's what relationships do.
And all you've ever done
is tear her down.
If you aren't gonna change,
then leave her alone.
Michelle
if he isn't gonna change
then leave him alone.
Just leave.
I'll help you whatever you need.
- You can't do that.
- Bullshit I can't.
Try me.
You have to decide right here
and right now
that you have hit her for the very
last time.
And Michelle, you have to decide,
Michelle
you have to decide right here
and right now
that you have been hit for the
very last time.
If you both can't do that there's
no point in coming back here.
'Cause either you'll end up in jail
or Michelle
you'll end up dead.
So decide
[laughter]
- Well, guys. This is awesome.
We have made some really
great progress.
No incidence in seven months,
that's amazing.
What's it been like for you, Curtis?
- You know, it hasn't always
been easy
especially since I cut down
my drinking.
But I've been able to keep
my temper under control
even when she does something
really stupid.
I'm kidding. I'm kidding you.
She's perfect.
- And Michelle, how's it been
for you?
- Oh, my God
it's like living with a whole
different person.
He's caring, and loving
and more attentive.
I couldn't be happier.
- And how is baby?
- The baby is doing great.
Six months now.
I'm ready.
- Do you know if it's a boy
or a girl yet?
- It's a girl.
- Aw I am so happy for you both,
I really am.
And Curtis, I am so proud of you.
You've really stepped up and became
the man I always knew you could be.
And I was hard on you.
But your baby girl is gonna have
a wonderful daddy.
- Thank you.
Thank you for everything.
- Well, guys that's our time
for today.
I'll see you next time.
Oh, okay.
[laughing]
- I'm over at the car babe.
- Okay.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
You take care.
- I will, you too.