Facing Reality at the Party

The truth A little more of the lilac How's this? Yes, I love that. and just add in the sweet pea and that's it All set. That's perfect, thank you. Wow. You really like purple, huh U No, I Im it's the smell. I'm just like I just like the That's nice. Here you go Miss? Sorry. What? I said That's nice. Here you go. No, u sorry. whyy did you do that? Excuse me? Not you, I Damnit. let's pause here, Helen. Excellent work I can tell you disagree. Why did you change it? I was almost perfect. I can tell that moment is on your mind Can you identify what about it exactly frustrates you, Helen? Maybe a refresh will help Stop. I don't need a refresh. I'm frustrated that you altered the simulation. He's never said that before Very good, Helen. You've identified the source of your discomfort. Let's remember, the purpose of simulation therapy is exposure to discomfort No real world interaction will ever be exactly as you anticipate, Helen That's why we practice our coping strategies Quick, nameame four of our coping strategies Like de catastrophizing, and win five hundred tokens to spend on program features. L like Sulation Mom A mom you can talk to, built to match your real mom. Can we just restart this scenario, please You from this scenario. Six. Times now, Helen It is my recommendation that you either attempt the Real world sccenario, Florist shop visit or move on to an alternate module with simulation therapy I can tell you disagree gototten it right It looks like it's seventy two degrees outside In one hour's time, you could have a vase with flowers in it if you were to end session and visit real flors. Not ready, I need to do it again I can see this is important to you, Helen But it is not recommended I'll have to dedapuct total. That's fine. I'm just yeah, no adjustments this time. Scenario resetting Florist chop module beginning in three to One Hi, how can I help you Hi, I'd like to buy some flowers I know what it feels like to not know what to say And sometimes I think maybe practicing, you know, maybe practicing could help. But then I think, what if uncertainty isn't the problem I don't know. Does that make sense? Am I being weird? Maybe I should start over. This is the Truth. I'm Jonathan Mitchell. and this story is about someone who's not quite ready for this If you enjoy the truth and would like to support the work we do, you can subscribe to our preremium feed where you'll hear every episode ad free plus interviews with our writers about how these stories come together You can learn more at the trruthpodcast. supportppingcast. fm. There's also a link in the show notes. The summer months are starting, the weather is changing, and so are my clothes. And if you've been listening to our show, you know that The Truth is sponsored by Quintince. and Quintince is a fantastic online clothing store and they focus on high quality essentials that feel and look amazing Their t shirts are soft, they fit well. They have lightweight sweaters, which are perfect for a cool summer night. And Quince goes way beyond clothing too. They sell sofas and ceramic cookwear, premium bedding It's the kind of place that you can go for a lot of things, for basic things And I had not replenished my t shirts or shorts in several years now. And so I went on quQints, I found what I needed I love it. The colors are great The fit is great, the feel is great. 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Learn more on the Uber app And now back to Do over Hi, I'd like to buy some flowers Great Do you have any particular flowers in mind or would you like something premade? Yeah, I do have something in mind. My favorite kind of customer. I'd like a blend of lilac, sweet pea, and purple stock with eucalyptus filler. That sounds nice. Yeah Fragrant M Sorry, one second. I had to grab the phone. What No. Flor' flowers, How can I help you? Mhm I said no adjustments. It's for you. What? I don't mind if you take it. It's pretty slow today, and it'll take me a second to get your flowers together anyway. No, really, hang it up Thank you. We were at purple stock and Eucalyptus fillers. Wh do't think that wasn't the phone? You wantanna call them back while I make this? No, I want how would it's probably no one. And it's all done. They're already gone So, hold on. Hey, I'm supposed to have notifications. How gonna to help you It's for you. It's Marissa Hang up Okay Eva, what's going on? Let's pause for a second, Helen You seem to be receiving a series of real world phone calls while in the scenario The scenario is trying to accommodate. Okay, we'll stop and I'll deal with them later. Actually, I'd like you to answer. But that's not the module You're being given an opportunity for reality based social engagement. Avoiding it would be against the principles of our goals here engaging comfortably in unknown social situations. Well, they're probably leaving a voicemail anyway, so like there's There's no point Floris flowers happen to help you. It's for you. J It's our strong recommendation that you answer the phone, Helen. so much so that we can offer you three thousand tokens for premium features, such as Dovvel Ganger Talking to the hidden you, known only in your search history. Fine Hello H. Hi Marissa. Yeah. I'm okay Okay so U Focus on the now, Helen. I'm at home I already He's still there? Yeah, I don't know, He was a few minutes ago. He texted me to see if anything was up up. I know. I'm sorry I got all ready to go out and everything and then I just I just panicked And I can't explain it because it But like if I I was thinking about all the things that could go wrong, so then I got paralyzed and then so I couldn't go Marisa? Yeah Sorry,'m sympathetic to I'm sympathetic to that. You know I am and I want to help, but I have a friend now feeling pretty embarrassed, I have to call and deal with. I'm sorry. unless you want to call and explain it to him yourself didn't think so I'm sorry. I know. I shouldn't have pushed it. Okaykay? I would trying to be a good cousin or something? and I thought you two would get along, but It really should try to get out and meet more people I'm working on it. How are you working on it? If you want to work on getting out and meeting people, you have to actually get out and meet people. I know. And I'm getting there I am getting there. Okay, I have to go, call Roger. He thanks for trying. For her Excellent job, Helen She hates me. And what evidence do you have for that Helen, I want you to really try to ground yourself and listen to this. pres something I might to do alone but we really should try to get out and ev people. Do you hear hate there? No. What do you hear Why is it so much harder? This month, simulation therapy is partnering with Jimulator.imulated for a mentally healthy, endorphin filled life. Use code Jimjoyid twenty on the Jimulator app for twenty percent off your first month Hmm It looks like you need to update your credit card Let's funnel that frustration The first step is taking a first step It's sixty eight and partly cloudy. Why not try buying yourself some flowers Shall we End session System powering downown Have a healthy day Hi I'd like to buy some flowers. Excellent. Yeah, well. Just let me know which one you want. B you one, you can pick one. Oh, okay. Do you know what it's for U don't last I don't know. sure. You want something else we got ten? No, no, no, no, no, no. I this was it it was a mistake All right, yeah now you want to push the door this time Good one He Helen for some other stuff. And anyway, I just I know you're pretty shy. and the reason I wanted to set you up with Roger is I really think you two would get along He's even kind of shy too, but like in a cute way you're not cute, you know, whatever the point is I made an excuse for you and I think we should reschedule them. So We know Thank you Rin Where have you been You don't have to go the roer like against your will if you don't want to. Or we can make it like things if that's like less because I'm actually having a birthday thing in a few weeks And I'd love for you to be there, okay? C me back Bi Hello, Ellen What's I on You don't have to bad a relationship or a boyfriend or whatever, but you need to talk to me. Hello T me. Thank you for entering your simulation Thrapy account code Did you know, for just fifteen dollars ninety nine cents a month, you can now access your simimulation Thraapy Avatar on your mobile device, anywhere you go on the Simulation Thraapy app To set up an intake assessment, press one to set up a new module. Press two Thank you for entering the Simulation Therapy module Development Lab y to help build the perfect modules to help you overcome your greatest Please describe the type of module you'd like to set up I want to set up a date scenario I'm sorry. I didn't quite get that. Could you please repeat Sorry, I wanted to set up a dating scenario ontinue in just a moment too hear all of our stories ad free Go to the trruth podcast thats supportingcast. f Starting or growing your own business can be intimidating and lonely at times. Your to do list may feel endless with new tasks, and lists can easily begin to overrun your life. 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I know but just for now can we rewind, I'm sorry I'll have to deduct tokens. Okay, I'll be more prepared It's like a bookstore during the day and a wine bar at night, very Brooklyn. Nothing's just one thing anymore, is it? I know. I can go up to the bar and order if you know what you want. An anythingything's fine. I'll just get what the bartender recommends. Okay, wait I can go up to the bar and order if you know what you want. I'll have a Mlaot. What about you? I don't really know wine that well. I'll probably just get what the bartender recommends. Nice. It feels like there should be a special name for a wine bar bartender. It's so specialized. likeike a barista, but not as fancy as a somalle Definitely. Be right back Helen, I was pleased to see you moving on to a new module, but if you continue to try to control them, we aren't really making any progress. I am making progress, I promise. I'm feeling more comfortable already. Here we go. Cheers. Cheers How is it? Oh, well, it's I mean, it's not, I'm not. It's fine. Do you want something else? No, no, it's sorry. I didn't mean to it's not like It's not it's just because it's not really num I well I shouldn't have. Here we go. Cheers. Cheers. How is it? It's good. It's great. Thank you So So Tell me about yourself. Oh Right. so u Sorry, that was a bad question. No don't no. Too general. Okay. What about like hobbies? How do you spend your time? Oh, yeah, I like reading. Dragons? No. Aually mostly crime novels. Oh, really? Yeah. Why? I find them cathartic, I guess. Interesting. Yeah. Why? Uh I don't know. I think I like I think I like knowing that there's an answer at the end You don't like surprises No and sometimes if I'm having a really bad day, then I'll just read the end first Sometimes the not knowing is that's too hard me that's cheating, you know. I know, but I can't help it. Well, that's okay. I won't tell anyone. Thank you. That's very You're nice No. No, that was alright, Helen. Let's pause here androd. I was too sad I think for a first date. On the contrary, Helen, you opened up your body language and verbally expressed vulnerability, both positive methods of establishing human connection. Now I suggest we move forward into more intimate Helen, while I congratulate your progress, I must warn you. No, thank you. I know what to do this time. Scenario Retting Romantic enncounter module beginning in three to One Roger. Roger Ava, what's going on? I'm sorry, Helen. Miss Fallow, your recent simulation data indicates improper use of simulation therapy. This level of module use is not safe and could lead to increased levels of anxious attachment For your safety, we must discontinue module use until a more supervised treatment plan can be recommended, or until positive improvement data is made available to our therapy avatar We have scheduled a human evaluation for you on june twelfth Thank you for your understanding. Have a healthy day. N is that the module has closed As we've discussed before Simulation therapy is meant to prepare you to cope with discomfort I did warn you. You are not using it effectively I'm paying for this. And we want you to get what you're paying for Hell no, System reset invalid. I can tell this is important to you, Helen System Reset invalid. If you want to access the modules again, I need to see you are capable of progress. What does that mean It's eighty three and humid. Why not try a real world scenario For only fifteenll ninety nineents a month. You can take me with you. I Okay Excellent work, Kellen. You made it all the way to the party Once your module approved again, you'll have enough tokens for Thanksgiving dinner, Inner Demon, Outer Demon, or a coupon at our new monthly partnership with Sa World. Sometimes inner beauty starts with outer beauty Now it's time to knock on the door and go inside I don't think I can do this Remember, Helen, you're not alone. I'm here. Oh, I can't believe you made it. Yeahes. Come in, come in. Hey! Everybody, this is my cousin, Helen. Helen, take your headphones off. Okay. Helen, this is Carolyn, Ian, Malcolm. That's Malcolm's friend page. Hi everyone. I'm Helen. H Hi. I'm Mad I'm gonna get a drink. Okay. What do you want? No, it's your birthday youdayay. I'm gonna I just I'm gonna go M me, please It's all right, Helen Ground yourself in your senses. Look around Listen Focus on something you can see, hear, smell Everything is like it's too bright or it's too loud. Helen Can you speak to what you're experiencing Yeah No, it's the flowers that Marissa has the flowers. M Can you rate your discomfort for me Someone's in the bathroom. It's all right, Helen. You're safe. This is what you've been working towards Oh, sorry, wereere you waiting for the? No, I'm not. Okay Roger Hi. Sorry. we met? No, I'm Helen Oh. Oh. ye Can I say that that day when I was Marissa said you were sick or something Yeah I was sick It would have been nice to know a little earlier. Yeah. It's just my friend had tickets to the concert, so. I would have gone to that instead. Yeah, right. He't need any? Hey guys. Hi, How's your birthday going? It's great. I love birthdays. Yeah. Sorry, I kind of threw a lot of people at you. That's okay. Helen is very shy, but she's the best. Thank you. Seriously, she was like the sweetest kid growing up. We spent all our summers together. She'd just read a little book on the couch all the rest of us in the But then we'd all play games at night and we have a lot of cousins. Did I don't mention that? No, it sounds great V Very Brooklyn. What? Marissa, I can't believe you have these flowers. Oh, yeah, Grandma's flowers. I buy them every week, just like she used to I just want you to be happy, you know? That's the only reason I bother you so much Remember how happy we used to be playing sccrabble at the kitchen table next to these? Yeah, I remember. I want you to be like that. I just I want you to be happy. I know Are you happy? Marissa. Say you're happy I'm happy. Good. 'ause I have to bring paage more wine. You guys better get out there soon 'cause the games are starting. Byy am Yeah, when we were kids, she used to make us play trruth or dare, but I don't know if she's upgraded. Well, we better Get out there Weait Roger, can we, can I Can I get a do over? just whenn't I didn't answer you right. When I was supposed to meet you before, I wasn't sick, I just panicked And it didn't have anything at all to do with you. You were really nice. Thanks. Yeah. for saying that, Sort of worked it out with my Ava anyways. You use AvVa? Yeah, do you? Yeah. Which package? Like a few of them My friend recommended her. I sort of expected it to be, you know an evil tech company but Yeah. You want someone a drink? Oh, sure. I don't really know wine that well. Do you have a preference Yeah, this one Thanks I us just get whatever the bartender recommends. What? It's dayau Well, u we drink to Ava? Yeah, to Ava So I'm sort of seeing somebody now. Oh, no, Well, no, that's fine. You know what? I wasn't trying to. I just like I really wanted to say I'm sorry. I know, That's great. I just I just wanted to say that because I I was thinking it I'm not the biggest people person either, you know? You gonna hang back here or H. I love lilacax. Do you like lilacax So nice. Right? Yeah, okay. You ready Not at all. Me neither. Yeah, let's go