Written and Animated by Beetlerat
Theratpy
This series follows a rat therapist named Dr. Zo as he helps his new client, Ratticus, with- among other things- his intrusive thoughts, which range from a comedic nuisance to horribly disturbing.
This series is recommended ages 16+.
Dr. Zo is setting up a clock on the wall. Ratticus enters similar to before, but this time flips the entire table, which, note, had Dr. Zo’s half full coffee mug on it. The flying coffee streaks the window. The mug rolls to a stop as Ratticus and Dr. Zo make eye contact. The “Theratpy” intro plays.
Looks like they're getting RIGHT into it!
Hover for
Author's Note
Dr. Zo speaks first. “You’re early.” “I’m here same time as last week.” Ratticus seats himself.
Oh good! The rug was getting parched
Sure Dr. Zo whatever you say!
"Do you feel a bit better now?" Ratticus rolls his eyes as Dr. Zo sits. "From?" “Getting some of it out of your system. I mean, better enough to sit through the session." Ratticus just gives him a look, then looks around the room, furrowing his brow.
Dr. Zo follows his gaze, then says, "...Is something the matte—?" "—Yeah," Ratticus cuts him short. "Why is the room so empty? There's no kitschy inspirational quotes or 'hang-in-there!' posters or… neat paintings, or anything."
no DUMB shit or DUMB shit or even, any shit that's kinda cool >:(
"That’s a great question. I'll answer it, if you'll... answer mine." "About if I feel better? Yeah, I'm great. I’m over the fuckin' moon." “Oh good. You won’t mind if we just sit quietly then.” Ratticus has at this point sat back, legs over top the arms of the chair. He looks apprehensive about this for a split second.
It would seem
as though he IMMEDIATELY minds sitting quietly
Ratticus has at this point sat back, legs over top the arms of the chair. He looks apprehensive about this for a split second then says, “That’s all you want to do is sit?” Dr. Zo doesn’t say anything. “You aren't gonna tell me about the room?" "Well, you said you're fine. So we can just... relax." Ratticus looks stunned but quickly attempts to recover. "Psh. Yeah, right. Easy.”
Ratticus in his head being like… ‘Oh wait, you’re actually gonna respect me not wanting to chat yet?? Huh, I don’t know how to feel abt that because I’ve hardly ever experienced basic respect.’ but then realizing it means he has to follow through and actually sit quietly with his thoughts, and he’s like ..,,,,,, oh no .
The two do sit quietly, for a few moments. Before Ratticus starts wiggling in his chair, rearranging almost violently, fidgeting. Finally he says, “Soooooo, Doc, uh… come here often?”
RATTICUS PLEASE
“No, it’s my first time.” Ratticus laughs a bit and looks at him expectantly. Dr. Zo quiets again, and Ratticus's expectant look drops into confusion. “...Aren’t you gonna ask me things?” “Such as?” “I dunno, therapy things. Deep things.”
Asking your therapist if he's gonna do his job ? You're so silly . these are silly hours
“Is this a trick or something? … …Is it the silent treatment? What is it?” Ratticus tilts his head. He shifts in his seat. “What did I do? …Is it about the table? Here.”
Let the spiral BEGIN 😃
Ratticus gets up and rearranges the table, dragging it back into place. He stares at it an extra second before looking at Dr. Zo expectantly. “You want me to fix the coffee too? I’ll fix the coffee.”
How are you gonna do that Ratticus ? 🤨 This is carpet and you do not have an awfully 💥 hot 💥 coffee 💥 pot 💥 to roast more 🤨🤨
He gets the cup. He wipes the side of it so there’s no coffee on it, then wipes his hand on his pants, and hands it to Dr. Zo. Their hands brush slightly, and Ratticus backs away quickly. Dr. Zo just looks up at him. “Alright. Do you have, like… a paper towel or something? And some… baking soda?”
When you've only known silence to be a punishment, and only known lack of response now to mean that worse is coming later, silence even in a safe environment can be acutely stress inducing !
“Baking soda," says Dr. Zo. “For the coffee stain.” Dr. Zo only adjusts his hands on his mug, looking pensive. “What the hell do you want from me?"
Hmmm hmm hm hmh m hmmmmm I dunno Ratticus I thought you said you were fine and dandy 🤨🤔
"You've got my attention. I fixed my mess, mostly. Now what?"
"Now what?" does cool spin move for emphasis
Ratticus sneaks back into his chair. "Gonna ask why I did that in the first place? Are you gonna tell me off? I'd prefer you just do it already." Dr. Zo sets his coffee cup down on the now replaced table and folds his hands, but says nothing.
"Doctor do something already" he says, then flinches and squares up as soon as Dr. Zo makes the slightest movement
Ratticus rolls his eyes. "Ugh, you want me to admit guilt or something? Is that it? Here goes."
Admit guilt? Sorry, is this court?? Is this a court session, not a therapy session your honor ??? Shall I load up my latest save of Ace Attorney ?
"I'm incredibly impulsive. I'm impossible to deal with. Please please please diagnose me doctor, I can't wait to see myself through your rose and honey-colored lens of my multitude of conditions. And, by conditions, I mean my disrespectful behavior, my unbearable disposition, my inability to be attentive to whatever you're going to try and teach me, and my complete lack of care and empathy for anything and everything around me."
DEEP IN IT
"Oh, and you can charge me an extra seven ninety nine for the coffee, one cream, one sugar I so rudely wasted, and another forty for the fuckin’ rug doctor rental you'll need for your carpet." Ratticus sits back down. He mumbles, repeating Dr. Zo’s question under his breath. "Do I feel better." He pipes up again. "Do I feel better? I did, yes, for a moment. And then everything comes back, and it comes back fast." He settles, albeit slight.
Hmmmmgmmm rug doctor canon in rat universe
Dr. Zo leans forward. "...It's two sugar." [The line suggests that if Ratticus is wrong about that, maybe he is wrong about other things he just stated as fact.]
Dr. Zo said, you will at least get my order right after spilling my coffee twice already and probably one more time before we're on the same page with one another
A pause. "It's two—" Ratticus shakes his head in irritation. "Piss off. I thought you were gonna do your job.” [The point of Dr. Zo’s simple statement flew straight over his head. Dr. Zo will have to be a bit more direct.] “Well, this is the most you’ve said, and now you've answered my question, so, I think I’m doing alright.” Ratticus looks about to speak but goes quiet. "You asked why the room is empty. I cleared it of anything I found distracting, or valuable to me. Most of it is now in my office."
The question-for-a-question cometh back around 🤝
Dr. Zo gestures to his office door, which Ratticus's eyes follow. “...You tricked me.” “I listened to you. And, I’m glad to hear you vent. Your letter was worrying.” Ratticus looks back at him, eyebrows furrowed. Dr. Zo says, "I understand you might not be interested in answering, but I wanted to ask. what was the thought before you threw the table?” “...” Ratticus stares then looks away.
Getting into some of the nitty gritty ! 💥
"I didn't think about it. I was angry.” "What made you angry? Were the lights too bright? Was the receptionist rude?" “Both." "Hm. How was your carride over?" Ratticus's ears flatten but he responds immediately, "Ride was lovely. Mom's a peach."
The idiom "you're a peach" usually refers to someone being helpful, sweet, or thoughtful. It's a term of endearment used to express gratitude or appreciation for someone's kindness or generosity
Ratticus laughs a bit, awkwardly filling silence and pausing before growing serious, and saying, "And you know... I'm worried I just might."
Next page we meet Ratticus's mom !1!!
"Really." Dr. Zo prompts, but Ratticus stays quiet. "Well that's good. A nice, peaceful trip. What did you talk about?" Ratticus's brow furrows. "You must've talked about something, you can hardly stand silence unless you’re the one keeping it." Ratticus twitches. "Well, no matter."
Dr. Zo is walking a fiiiine line between proactively searching for the information he needs and keeping Ratticus from shutting down
"Your mom driving you is a sweet thing to do. Seems like she cares about you a lot. I'd love to meet her." "I want to kill her." Dr. Zo looks up at him. Ratticus stares back. "The thought was, that I want to kill her."
Heh 😨