Hello!

Somehow I found this brief little scene at the cottage with James and Ben very touching. "I'm having a bad hair day" happens for thousands of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy around the world every day. This version takes place in the boys' bedroom at bedtime by the light of an oil lamp, our cottage being delightfully without electricity. I was catching up on paperwork at the time, and so I was able to jot down the conversation as it happened. The mood shifts between hilarious and quietly serious, but mostly the former. B is for Ben and J is for James.

J: "Whenever my head gets really itchy like this it's time for my hair to fall out."

James gives a trial tug and drops a chunk of hair onto the floor. It comes out very easily. A bald patch appears on his head. Ben watches with the calm acceptance of a five year old. James pulls out another chunk. Then I guess Ben senses an unusual opportunity.

B: "James, can I help you pull it out?"

J: "Yes."

Ben reaches over and tentatively pulls.

B: "Nice big mess on the floor!"

J: "Hey! Quit pulling so hard!"

B: "Like that? Nice and slow. .. This is fun, I'm getting a big load!"

J: "Nuggy!"

B: "It's nice and fluffy!"

J: "Thanks for helping, Ben."

B: "It looks like you're getting a buzz cut, but it's a finger cut."

J: "Nuggy!!"

B: "Soon you're not gonna need a haircut for a long time!"

J: "I like it when my hair falls out 'cos then I only have to have my head wiped with a warm wet cloth and no more shampoos!"

B: "James, you look like Captain Hook."

J: "Nuggy!!"

B. "What does nuggy mean?"

J: "It means don't pull so hard!"

B: "You look funny, James!"

J: "It is fun to pull your hair out, but it is not funny."

Pause.

B: "James, we missed some over here."

J: "DAPOO!"

B: "What's that mean?"

J: "Time to spit some hair out of my mouth!"

Come to think of it, pulling hair out is a very messy business. It gets in your eyes, ears, mouth, and all over everything. Quite regularly the hair pullers can be seen with their tongue sticking out, groping with fingers for that elusive strand of hair. Spitting is quicker.

J: "Hair tastes really awful!"

B: "Can we use your hair for crafts?"

J: "No way! I'm gonna keep it in an envelope."

B: "DAPOO!!!"

Fifteen minutes later and we're done. Definitely a nice big pile on the floor. A new look for James. Off hand we can't figure out if this is the third or fourth time James has lost his hair. As I type this email the boys come in and demand that I read it to them. They think it's very funny, and they hoot with laughter, especially at the "Dapoo!" word. I print up a copy and now they're in the rec room reading it noisily together, and playing with the plastic sandwich bag containing his hair. I wasn't looking forward to James losing his hair all over again, but it seems the boys have got the right attitude. DAPOO!

Syd