828: Positive Attitude
Explanation
This is another reference to Randall's fiancée having cancer. It's talking about how thinking positively helps with recovery, while thinking negatively can have a detrimental effect.
This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect: Please include the reason why this explanation is incomplete, like this: {{incomplete|reason}} If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks. |
Transcript
[Cueball sits hunched with his knees drawn up to him on a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV. A friend stands by.] Man: I'm sick and I'm scared. Friend: Well, remember - having a good attitude is the most important thing. Think positively and you'll get better.
[Darkness surrounds Cueball on the bed. The friend is off-screen.] Cueball: So if I'm sad or afraid or feel like crap sometimes, then... Friend: ...then if you don't recover, it will be your fault.
[Cueball clutches his hands to his face and leans back.] Cueball: Well that makes me feel even worse. Friend: See? You're doing this to yourself. Cueball: No! Friend: Stop it! Man: Argh!
[Close up on Cueball, holding up his hand, pointing to himself.] Cueball: Okay, you know what? Screw this. My attitude isn't my problem. -- My disease is my problem, and I'm treating it. -- I'm going to be glum and depressed and pessimistic some days, and I'm going to get better anyway.
[Cueball sits on the edge of the bed, his friend still standing in front of him.] Cueball: Wait, that ended up sounding optimistic. Friend: I guess you suck at pessimism. Cueball: Maybe I'll be better at it tomorrow.
Discussion
What is an IV instrument? It has to be explained. --Dgbrt (talk) 20:58, 30 November 2013 (UTC)
I've rewritten all the explanation, expanding it a bit, adding the title text part and the IV explanation. So I've also removed the incomplete tag. Hope it can be now considered "complete". 173.245.53.117 02:49, 5 December 2013 (UTC)
I can't believe no one has mentioned the INT, CON and CHR stats on the monitor -- CardaStcol (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)
Maybe the Cueball on the bed is Megan after chemo (and associated hair loss )?
- What I thought to - Donthaveusername (talk) 17:12, 10 October 2020 (UTC)
In related comics there is usually a Megan and Cueball character. Some whould say the personality is a little off to be Megan and fits Cueball better. 162.158.255.117 18:16, 4 March 2016 (UTC)
Why INT/CON/CHR is listed as a reference to ACKS in particular, rather than to much more venerable D&D it is based on? D&D has the same attributes, except Charisma is abbreviated as CHA, not as CHR. Is it CHR in ACKS? 162.158.93.27 15:10, 17 February 2019 (UTC)
Was anyone else staring at the art, going "That IV line should not be on the floor!" in your head? Nitpicking (talk) 01:11, 7 September 2021 (UTC)
Surely this is a comic about Randall's then-girlfriend (now wife) and her cancer diagnosis and treatment? That's what I've always presumed. 172.71.178.176 01:43, 10 December 2023 (UTC)
- Influenced by it, sure. Cueball is generally not used to represent Randall's actual wife. Nitpicking (talk) 01:57, 10 December 2023 (UTC)