James Finnigan[to Norma] So, I, I, I've got this theory called "The Secret Club of the Damaged". It's, um, people who have had crappy upbringings who can sense it in other people. It's like an aura around them that we can sense immediately. I, I, I don't know you from Adam, but I see a kindness and a sensitivity in your face, and also hurt. I don't know if you've never tried therapy before, or if you've had a ton of it, but if it's the former, and if you've ever thought about just sitting down and talking to somebody about all the stuff you've been carrying around with you your whole life, maybe you'd want to give me a call.
James Finnigan
Look, I-I know it doesn't seem like it, but you're in a very fragile state right now. You need to stop worrying about everybody else and just take care of yourself.
I hear you, but I can't take care of myself. I'm a mother. Now I have to go talk to my horrible brother. You know what, I have no choice because it is important to my sons.
James Finnigan
Yeah, and what about your own needs?
Parents do not have needs. You ever read the book The Giving Tree? It's about a tree, and this kid keeps coming and taking stuff from it his whole life, until there's nothing left but a stump. And then the kid sits on the stump. That's being a parent.
James Finnigan
So you like taxidermy, no?
Yeah, I do. I find it very peaceful. Sort of allows me to shut the world out.
James Finnigan
"Shut the world out"?
Yeah, sometimes when I'm in the world, I feel almost like there's this annoying sort of buzzing that just won't stop. And then I get down here with my animals, and it all goes silent.
James Finnigan
It's interesting. Tell me more about that. Of the "buzzing" you experience.
Well, it's like a world full of people. So many people, all with opinions and judgments and arrogance and theories. People who think that they help people. And they're pointless. None of them know anything. You might as well listen to a woodpecker pecking in a tree. Can I ask you something now?
James Finnigan
Of course, shoot.
How was it, sleeping with my mother?
James Finnigan
What makes you think I slept with your mother, Norman?
Let's just say I've known her a long time.
James Finnigan
And would it bother you if someone slept with your mother?
Let's see, if your mother ran out on you and your brother one night, didn't tell you where she was going or when she was coming back, and then threw herself, like a whore, into the bed of someone she barely knows, some licensed family therapist who could probably lose his license for such behavior, but that's not really the point... Would all of that behavior bother you?
James Finnigan
Yes, it might.
James Finnigan
That's not an appropriate question, Norman.
Come on. We're both men here. It's not like we don't know what goes on. Did she give too easily?
James Finnigan
You know, I think we're done here.
What, are you uncomfortable? Huh? 'Cause I know? 'Cause I can imagine what it was like? Did you really think that you'd come down here and it would be your little secret? "Oh, we banged each other, but now let's send you downstairs to fix crazy Norman".
James Finnigan
Norman, why do you care so much who your mother might be sleeping with? What does it mean? That she could be attracted to someone? Does that take her away from you? Norman, do you want to sleep with her?
James, listen I need you to tell me anything she told you, anything, 'cause I need to get some leverage on her.
James Finnigan
You're asking me to violate patient confidentiality, I, I-I, I can't do that. I won't do that. Look, I don't know what you guys are up to, and and, frankly, I don't I don't care, but there are some things that matter in this world, some lines that can't be crossed. Basically, I'm telling you that you can go to hell.
Bates Motel · 193 quotes
