The Sessions (2012) Edit

A dense, heavy, blue glowing ocean

A door had opened that I could not close.

A hug?

A life lived fully...

A little.

A sex therapist.

A very good feeling. Good.

A wicked sense of humor.

Admit them willingly into your being

After poetry and sex?

Again, the idea of being punished.

Ahem. Cheryl, would you please pass the salt?

Ahh! My fingers are caught. It's okay. It's okay.

All I feel is shame and mortification while other men apparently get pleasure. I...

All I have are these vague ideas about life and death...

All I wished for were hands that moved...

All right.

Although the aim is for us to have sex...

Am I sharing too much, Father?

Amanda could have been a pretty girl...

Amanda would have been a pretty girl

Amanda.

Amen.

And against all odds, by Mark's own admission...

And all I get is a thin stream of it

And are you mad at him?

And as I said, I'm here for you.

And can you really picture him?

And do I want to find out?

And do you touch him? What do you...? Yeah.

And drop your robe halfway.

And how do you feel right now?

And I want people to say, Hey, who's that gimp with that beautiful blond?

And I'm probably getting close to my use by date.

And in invisible writing, it said, Do not enter.

And in this way, Mark lived his life.

And it does? And it does.

And it's really not sexy when you yell at me. Okay?

And let go.

And now Susan Fernbach will read one of Mark's favorite poems.

And one thing that really works in my favor...

And passed the test in cap and gown.

And since he wanted to be a writer...

And stamina is key in cunnilingus.

And stick the straw in my mouth, please.

And stop reading those stupid sex manuals.

And the pitch.

And the sound of her tearing off toilet paper incredibly intimate.

And thought about revenge.

And we wrote each other mushy poems.

And what did the boyfriend think?

And what?

And when it's ready, I'll guide you in.

And when we both feel you're aroused...

And who will all show up at my funeral.

And you are a saint.

And?

And...

Any parts of your body you don't want me to touch?

Anything. Okay.

Are these the body awareness exercises?

Are we talking about sexual intercourse?

Are you okay down there?

Are you religious? Yes.

Are you? No.

As are many others. I'll do my best to fill his shoes.

As my husband.

As she glided through crowds of lives

As you are now.

As your boyfriend?

At fifteen pounds per square inch

At the same time, his anxiety about sexual performance has diminished.

At the very least...

Baseball pretty much came first.

Baseball, for example.

Basically he can only move his head.

Basically, in spite of all the mirrors, I couldn't see where I was going.

Be careful. Hold your breath.

Bearing torches

Because I never... Mark, take a deep breath.

Because we've got the money now.

Beer? No, I'm okay.

Before that, I remember feeling sorry for myself.

Blah, blah, blah.

Bonny girl, bonny girl

Boston. You?

Breathe slowly and think of something delicious.

Breathing.

But before I go, I want you to close your eyes.

But careful enough so she could say:

But if you're working on something else, then we can talk about it later.

But in the little bit that's left...

But not today.

But she kept holding me inside her.

But why now?

But you could touch me anywhere.

But you'll tell me, calmly...

By the time she came back, I had a terrific boner.

Bye, Mark.

Bye.

Bye. Bye.

Can I ask you something? Sure. What would you like to ask?

Can I use the phone? Sure.

Can we try for that next time?

Can you do that?

Can you hear me?

Can you hold on one second?

Can you open your eyes for me, Mark?

Careful. Not so fast.

Cheryl?

Cheryl.

Cleansed and victorious.

Come here. I need to look at your hands...

Come on in. All right.

Come on in. I'm Vera, one of Mark's helpers.

Come on, give it a try. Open your eyes.

Come on, make up your mind.

Come on, Mark.

Come on. Lighten up.

Concentrate on breathing out rather than in.

Correct. Has anyone done it for you?

Could we meet somewhere for coffee?

Could you put my cup right on the edge here?

Depends on how much fun I'm having.

Dick...

Did I?

Did Laura mention that when you saw her?

Did she reciprocate your feelings?

Did that hurt?

Did you come?

Did you come?

Did you hear what I said?

Do I have the deciding vote, so to speak?

Do I have to take this off? Can I please leave this on?

Do I seem anxious? You do a little.

Do you blame him for getting polio?

Do you feel relieved now? No.

Do you have any areas of unusual sensitivity?

Do you have any experience?

Do you have anything on the ground floor?

Do you know how many men there are who would give anything for a natural erection?

Do you like watching me undress?

Do you really feel like him?

Do you think I could be one of those people?

Do you want to continue?

Do you want to see this woman or not? No!

Does it feel good? It does.

Doesn't get any better than that.

Don't worry about it. Go on.

Don't worry about the technical stuff. You're a poet.

Don't you say that to all the girls?

Dried out bubble gum

Eighteenth floor. Oh...

Elizabeth, pregnant herself with Saint John...

Even if it was a power trip.

Even less reason to open it. Where is it? Give it to me.

Even the animals need a couple of tries to get it right.

Everything all right? He did great. See you.

Everything's great.

First session.

For 49 years, he loved and he was loved.

For how long?

For how long? At least five or six seconds.

For my hands

For my hands

For my hands lie limp as empty gloves.

For No One in Particular.

Forget the psychobabble. I grew up on a farm.

Friday the 20th, same time?

Futon, I mean. How much do you think a good one would cost?

Gave me a life.

Gave up theirs.

Go ahead.

Go for it. Huh?

Go on.

God wasn't actually denying my sexuality.

God, he's much more a man than you are.

God, no. Ha ha ha.

Good morning, UC Berkeley. May I please speak to someone...

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good night.

Graduation.

Great.

Gross. What?

Ha, ha, ha. How did he get so lucky?

Have fun. Thanks. Bye.

Have sex with a person known as a sex surrogate...

Have you considered sharing your feelings with a therapist?

Have you?

Haven't heard from you for a while. How are you?

He believes he doesn't deserve sex.

He believes he's responsible for his little sister's death at the age of 7...

He cannot help but seeing me as the multifunctional, all purpose woman.

He cannot masturbate, has had only the occasional kissing experience.

He did the controlled breathing as I suggested...

He had polio when he was six years old.

He has it in his head that after meeting three times...

He runs the house and plays guitar.

He says he can already see changes.

He thinks a lot.

He thinks that you are some kind of Svengali...

He was extremely nervous.

He was just pointing out to me how useless it was.

He was nice. I guess he couldn't help it.

He wrote this poem for us about school here and about graduation.

He yelled a lot when I took off his shirt, but I think more out of fear than pain.

He's an asshole. Doesn't matter what he thinks of you.

He's capable of achieving an erection easily, but the unusual curvature of his body...

He's never seen female genitalia before and seems quite frightened at the thought of it.

He's right.

He's supposed to be having a therapy session.

Heh, heh. Dick sounds like what it is.

Heh. The big one.

Hello.

Hello. Mark O'Brien's phone.

Hello. This is Cheryl. Hi. It's Laura.

Hello. This is Mark.

Hello. Welcome back.

Her name's Vera. Welcome, Vera.

Here I was, ready to offer comfort to the forlorn.

Here we go.

Hey, we did great today.

Hey.

Hey. It's Tony.

Hey...

Hi, Cheryl Cohen Greene.

Hi, Mark O'Brien.

Hi, Mark. This is Cheryl.

Hi, this is Cheryl Cohen Greene. May I speak to Mark?

Hi.

Hi. Hi.

Hi. How you doing? Good. Good. Come on in.

Hi. This is Laura White.

Hi. Vera? Yes.

His deeper emotional needs...

Holy Mother of God.

How about your first time?

How are you? Still exhausted.

How close was I?

How much I was touched by that?

How old are you? Thirty eight.

How special this has been for me?

Hypothetically...

I almost wept.

I asked someone to marry me once. She declined.

I believe the root of his anxiety is his parents and his religion.

I can't stand it.

I could see you on the thirteenth at 11:00.

I did do my best on the question of marriage.

I did it again.

I didn't think it would fit. It was scary.

I do believe there's a...

I do everything.

I don't just write poems to anyone.

I don't know if you can quite visualize it, but it's called a lateral...

I don't think you'd understand. You can try me.

I don't understand. I said I could feel like him.

I don't usually like cologne, but I like that.

I don't usually meet with clients outside of working hours.

I don't want to hurt you or injure you in any way.

I don't, either. Heh.

I don't.

I don't... I don't go to any church or...

I feel comfortable talking to you.

I feel exhilarated.

I feel the wind.

I felt cursed.

I found the sound of her peeing incredibly erotic.

I grew up in Salem.

I guess that makes me a spiritual type.

I had a feeling it was never going to happen...

I had this...

I have a good feeling about today.

I have a new attendant. She answered the phone.

I have normal sensitivity all over.

I have nothing against prostitutes, but there's a difference.

I haven't even seen my penis for over 30 years.

I haven't seen you in a while.

I hope you get this in time.

I just kept thinking, Is that it?

I just need to get to sleep.

I just started working with this gentleman who spends almost his entire life...

I just wanted to be seen with you in public.

I just wish I had something more useful to offer.

I know I really upset you before. No, no, no. You didn't.

I like him.

I like it already.

I love you, Mark.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I mean, as an adult.

I mean, as an adult.

I mean, I get just as excited when he licks my nipples.

I mean, it was consensual and everything...

I mean, look at all the years of unendurable crap I've had to put up with.

I mean, why not go all the way?

I mean, you can leave it at love and attraction...

I meant your breathing. Oh, fine.

I met Susan five years before I died.

I need an advance on my pay.

I need you to be aware of that. But that's about it.

I never expected it, nor did she...

I never had any cash before, that's a major factor.

I only dated white guys in high school. Why is that?

I promise you nothing bad will happen.

I promise. Really?

I really do. Really?

I see you're very comfortable being naked.

I still don't believe you.

I still feel sorry for myself.

I swear this was one crazy bitch

I think I need a hug.

I think I've actually got enough to work on.

I think it's great what you're doing with that surrogate lady.

I think sex is a serious matter.

I think so. Outside marriage?

I think we should.

I think you've done a great thing.

I think your tape's run out.

I thought there would be more to it.

I thrived in her garden...

I told my attendant to come back in half an hour. Is that okay?

I told you the first time. She's a sex therapist.

I try to help people with sex problems that can be addressed.

I want the credit. It was my overpowering beauty that did it.

I want to know how you feel. That doesn't come into it.

I want you to look at me this time.

I wanted to believe that because of Cheryl my life had changed, but it hadn't.

I was finally there.

I was sort of hoping to get a quote in advance.

I wish I knew what to say to you.

I won't yell at you any more.

I would appreciate your advice as a friend, if you know what I mean.

I would find it absolutely intolerable not to be able to blame someone for all this.

I... I usually do 4 to midnights...

I'd always expected that God or my parents would intervene...

I'd like to show her she's wrong just for the evil satisfaction it will give me.

I'd love to hear it.

I'd say I got about three hours before I start to turn blue.

I'll be back around 1, but if you guys are finished early...

I'll be back in, say, two hours?

I'm always in somebody's way, I thought

I'm choking.

I'm definitely a true believer, but I believe in a God with a sense of humor.

I'm fine. You sure?

I'm flabbergasted.

I'm gonna check for any loose hairs on your back.

I'm gonna rub the tip of your penis around my vulva.

I'm gonna slide these down. Be careful with my feet, okay? My feet.

I'm gonna start with the top of your head.

I'm gonna take that as a yes.

I'm gonna touch you.

I'm good.

I'm here for you, Mark.

I'm here to help you learn about your sexual feelings...

I'm in no rush. I can be a bit time consuming...

I'm just smiling at the idea that a therapist...

I'm just talking hypothetically.

I'm Mark O'Brien.

I'm never gonna have intercourse with Cheryl or any other woman.

I'm not a therapist.

I'm not a virgin.

I'm not acting.

I'm not paralyzed exactly. It's just my muscles don't work too good.

I'm not your girlfriend. When someone calls...

I'm really sorry that the last time I saw her...

I'm really sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry if I sound angry.

I'm sorry, sir. The Center for Sexuality and Disability has been shut down.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I don't remember.

I'm thinking of getting rid of her.

I'm thinking.

I'm touching you. Okay.

I'm... I'm sorry to be rude.

I've been giving it some thought. Hold... Hold on.

I've been wondering maybe about possibly buying a futon...

I've got a book to read. I'll be hanging around reception if you need me.

I've got a single. How much?

I've got it. I've got you. Don't worry. Be careful, please.

I've got the space, I think.

If an old girlfriend from school you hadn't seen for years...

If I were in a position to choose, I'd find someone nice.

If it's any consolation...

If she does arrive, she'd be perfectly within her rights to turn around and run.

If something is ticklish or bothers you, I want you to let me know.

If you feel up to it. Do you feel up to it?

Imposing on someone I hardly know to fornicate in their home.

In my heart, I feel like he'll give you a free pass on this one.

Is Cheryl in, please?

Is that a sin, Father?

Is that all there is?

Is that all?

Is that okay? Perfect.

Is that what you remember? No, I assume I passed out.

Is that what you want?

Is there anything I need to do?

Is this a game? It's not a game.

Is this your place? No, it's a friend's.

It can be expensive, though, a nice...

It had caused a couple of spectacular accidents.

It keeps me breathing.

It really was. Shall we start again?

It seemed like a totally just punishment.

It took you by surprise. Now, where were we?

It was all a jumble of sensations.

It was Elizabeth, and her absolute faith...

It was okay.

It was penis vagina all the way...

It was quite a lovely poem, really.

It was scented. I assumed it was junk mail.

It was so unexpected.

It was...

It wasn't all that pleasant. Oh.

It won't fit. It's not going to fit. Mark, it will fit just fine.

It's amazing to me how often God is brought into the sex act.

It's an evil thought, but I can't help it. Is she dishonest?

It's getting late.

It's good to see you. How are things?

It's Mark. I'll try 911.

It's never been one of my problems.

It's no bother.

It's okay.

It's okay. It's just a question of depth of penetration for most people.

It's one of the most persistent themes in the Bible.

It's perfectly normal.

It's really in.

It's really nice to touch.

It's Sandy from Pacific News Service.

It's supposed to be my specialty.

It's that You need me more than I need you look.

It's the only place in the world where humor is forbidden.

Joan.

Joan.

Just a second.

Just close your eyes...

Just do as I say. Close your eyes.

Just tell me something about yourself.

Just try and think about something else.

Just weird.

Laura called to introduce you. I understand you'd like to meet. Is that right?

Let me get you Greg's number. He's full of things you wouldn't believe were possible.

Let me touch you with my words

Let me touch you with my words.

Let my words enter your mind

Let my words stroke your hair

Let's go back. Come on.

Let's try again while you're still hard.

Lie limp as empty gloves.

Light and free flying as bricks

Like my partner, for instance. It doesn't really matter to me.

Like, two weeks.

Listen, I'm... I'm sorry.

Local boy makes good...

Look at this.

Look, it may not be exactly what we had in mind...

Looking at him, with his...

Love is a journey.

Love is a journey. Heh.

Lust crackled in the air.

Mark appears to be indulging in typical transference behavior.

Mark is breathing well...

Mark O'Brien has been going to UC Berkeley since 1978.

Mark O'Brien is the oldest of four children...

Mark, I want you to tell me how it feels each time I touch a different part of your body.

Mark, I'm gonna be really careful with you.

Mark, I'm just a humble sex therapist.

Mark, what do you want me to say?

Mark, would you like to see what I feel like?

Mark?

Mark?

Mark? Hey.

Mark.

Mary's fear and apprehension slowly gave way to pride and purpose.

May I suggest you try to enjoy it more?

May the spirit of the Lord be amongst you and remain with you always.

Maybe I don't want to cross that line.

Maybe I was mistaken. Turn around.

Maybe intercourse would prove I was an adult.

Maybe this is a bad idea.

Me against the world? I really wouldn't worry about that.

Might be worth checking out.

Most positions like that one are pretty much impossible.

Mother, sister, teacher, lover, best friend.

My boss is the gentleman in the gurney.

My dad used to sing that to my little sister Karen before she died.

My God, the pressure already.

My husband asked me to do it before his grandmother dies.

My parents could have left me in a nursing home, you know.

My penis speaks to me, Father Brendan.

My priest couldn't.

My worry now is that it's never gonna happen.

Next time, we'll start to work on intercourse.

Nice shirt, by the way.

Nice shirt. As in racy and sophisticated?

Nice shirt. You already said that.

Nice to meet you, too. Just...

Nice to meet you.

No one had ever done anything like that.

No, everything will be provided.

No, honey, it all has to come off.

No, it won't fit. It'll hurt. It's too risky. Mark, Mark, stop.

No, it's dangerous. It's too big. It's not too big. Relax.

No, Mark, I didn't.

No, no. I'm used to it.

No, no. Please, make the little speech.

No.

No. Have you ever asked anyone?

No. I don't think so.

No. I'm busy. That's all.

No. None at all.

No. Then please visit as often as you can.

Not really.

Not specifically.

Not that it was unpleasant.

Not yet.

Nothing astounding...

Nothing or everything.

Nothing to hide behind.

Nothing.

Now is fine.

Now that I'm in bed with another naked person, it's very confusing.

Now what was all the yelling about?

Now, that's not exactly asking too much, is it?

Of achieving your romantic fantasy?

Of course I can picture him. From the outside.

Of course, the two halves were never even.

Of course.

Oh, about 37,000 here tonight at the Stick.

Oh, God! Oh, God.

Oh, hi, I'm Rod. Hi.

Oh, I didn't think of that. Then why are you doing it?

Oh, let me think. What was it like?

Oh, look, you don't have to pull any punches. You can be direct with me.

Oh, my God, Mark.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. The mouthpiece.

Oh, no, come on, tell me for real.

Oh, sir, before you go, I can give you a phone number...

Oh, sir, I'd wait a couple minutes. That coffee's kind of hot.

Oh, that's okay. I'll bring my own sheets and towels.

Oh, wonderful.

Oh, you need a glass? That'd be great.

Oh.

Oh. Nice job.

Oh. Oh.

Oh. Uh...

Ohh!

Okay, fine. Here goes.

Okay, I don't want to hear any more about God cursing you.

Okay, I was just thinking about the whole conversion thing.

Okay, just focus.

Okay, look, no need to be defensive, okay? I'm not exactly threatened by this guy.

Okay, Mark.

Okay, that's it.

Okay, the purple one.

Okay, then.

Okay, your mind.

Okay? You know, whenever I'm naked...

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay. All right. Be like that. Uh...

Okay. I'm going.

Okay. I'm shitting you.

Okay. Whoa. There you go.

One or two years, maybe.

One who created me in his own image.

Oops. Too late. What floor?

Or incompetent? No. Neither of those.

Or we could stop now.

Or what?

Or which would you like to do first?

Or you could suck my nipples. That went well.

Oral sex is a matter of taste.

Out of my league.

Overrated but necessary.

Ow! Ow!

Penis sounds like some vegetable you don't want to eat.

Perfect size.

Perfect timing. I hope you guys kept the noise down.

Phone.

Picture yourself as a 6 year old boy at the beach.

Piece of cake. Heh.

Please leave a message.

Please.

Please.

Please. You start.

Plenty of other ways of achieving the same result.

Presses down upon me

Pretty well. Look, I called to ask how you would feel...

Raised Catholic, like you...

Really?

Really? Really, aren't you the one...

Really? Yes.

Receive congratulations from my friends

Relieved that Rod got to me in time, but I...

Remember about your breathing?

Runner on first with one out to the lanky left fielder.

Running along the Atlantic Ocean.

Scratch with your mind.

Scratch with your mind.

See you then.

Seriously.

Shall we get undressed?

She adores me.

She couldn't leave me lying there

She didn't seem to.

She either forgot to close the bathroom door or didn't bother to close it.

She has not forgotten. See?

She held my penis.

She looks at me the wrong way.

She put her hands down on the bed by my shoulders...

She was kind of a sad little girl. It didn't do much good.

She was the love of my life.

She was very apologetic.

She won't.

She'll do anything for me, and I can get pretty kinky sometimes.

She's coming.

She's the most wonderful person on the planet.

Shirts, shirts, shirts.

Shit! Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit. Is it really in?

Shows you how naive I am.

Six.

So am I. Congratulations.

So come on, tell me.

So how long can you stay out?

So I understand you're able to have an erection.

So I'm gonna ask you some basic questions, okay?

So if something feels good, you tell me.

So is this your first time? It is. I'm converting.

So it's good for me... Be careful.

So Laura tells me you're a poet.

So natural.

So next week.

So the difference between me and a prostitute...

So they may caress you gently within

So this is how it ends.

So you're only doing this for the money? Oh, absolutely.

So you're saying that...

So, for years, I didn't believe in anything...

So, Mark, I'm gonna move my hand along your body...

So, what do you do?

So, what sort of therapy are they doing?

So, what's on the menu for today?

So?

So...

So...

So...

So... Your money's on the desk over there.

Some people find motels exciting.

Some.

Somehow you don't feel like you've done it until you've gone all the way in.

Sometimes I ejaculate during a bed bath in front of my attendants.

Sometimes new brides come with their mothers.

Sometimes people can be very shy about their emotions.

Sometimes the head of the penis may be too large...

Somewhere nice? My treat.

Sorry I'm late. Oh, no, no, not a problem.

Sorry. I have to run. Okay.

Stay.

Stick it to my mom and dad, I suppose.

Still good? Everything good so far except the ear.

Stop being sorry.

Stop thinking about it.

Stop! It hurts! It hurts! Holy Mother of God. What...? What's wrong?

Stuck on the underneath of existence.

Sure.

Sure. And I understand what you mean.

Sure. Explain to me, so that I really understand...

Sure. Right on the edge.

Susan Fernbach.

Sweet Jesus...

Ta da! Wow.

Take care. Hey, hang on a second.

Teasing me with its nearness and immensity

Tell me...

Tell...

Thank God. Sir?

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Mark, we're doing a series of articles...

Thanks.

Thanks.

Thanks. Thanks, Rod.

Thanks. Well, give me a call if you need anything.

That feels weird.

That I was in his way?

That looks good. I'll take the robe...

That makes me feel so much better about everything.

That sounds perfect.

That the whole enterprise was cursed.

That was the wrong way to start off.

That way, you'll be able to have some control...

That would count.

That would have been enough.

That's a good rule. Are you wearing cologne?

That's a whole other thing. What are you doing opening my mail?

That's good enough for me.

That's good for me.

That's good.

That's great.

That's helpful.

That's not gonna help you. It's gonna make it worse.

That's O'Brien in the motorized gurney heading for class last week.

That's okay, Carmen.

That's right, or...

That's what they usually tell boys to do. Baseball.

The disease left his body crippled, but his mind remained sharp and alert.

The facility we normally use had some scheduling mix up.

The fact that I was no longer a virgin...

The fact that I'm already happy does not seem to be relevant.

The idea is, if it makes her happy and him happy...

The light and the voice saying, Don't go near the light.

The limit is six, but that gives us plenty of opportunity to explore.

The most immediate thing on my mind would be one of my attendants.

The mouth...

The only bedroom furniture I have at my place is an iron lung.

The other thing is, there's a limit to the number of sessions we can have.

The person you are calling is not in.

The power's gone out...

The question is whether you like having her around.

The question is whether you like having her around.

The rest is by negotiation, as it were.

The self propelled one.

The subject is sex and the disabled.

The sun in my eyes.

Then a look of pleasure brushed lightly over her face...

Then I have your blessing to fire her?

Then they found out that the average life expectancy for polios...

Then whatever it is...

Then, afterwards...

There are all sorts of useful things in that drawer over there...

There are people called sex surrogates. Oh?

There is no real impediment to a variety of sexual activities...

There you go.