It's Kind of a Funny Story

Bobby takes Craig to a blue dining room where about a dozen residents are sitting, including Jimmy from Room 21. It appears that a woman in a suit is leading a meeting. Bobby shows Craig the halls, the smoking deck that most residents use, and the showers on either hall. He warns against using one set of showers because it would bother Mr. Soloman. As they pass the lounge, a girl named Noelle with cuts on her face scurries away. At the nurse’s station, a resident named Humble argues with the psychologist, claiming that psychologists are “yuppies with no respect” (197). Bobby thinks that Craig will be out in a few days and reveals that he has had serious depression since he was 15.

Craig describes his Egyptian roommate, Muqtada, as “big; straight; gray beard; wide, wrinkled dark face; glasses with white plastic rims” (200). The room is simple without any adornments or even blankets. Muqtada complains about the cold. Craig tries to ask about the food, but Muqtada doesn’t seem to understand. Craig feels like a “spoiled rich kid” (202) compared to other residents. Armelio, the de-facto “President” of the residents, calls everyone to dinner. Craig is nervous that he won’t be able to eat and “they’ll see how bad things are” (203).

Craig is surprised that he can eat the chicken curry and wants seconds. When one resident, Humble, claims to care more for people than others, he admits that sometimes he’s “an animal” (206). Craig responds that “we’re all like animals” (206) which spurs Humble into a rant about Animal Farm. Smitty stops Humble from writing his revelations on a scrabble board. Humble continues to ramble about humans as animals, his love life, and his theory that hormones in milk make girls develop earlier. Craig tunes out and realizes “my problem might be too much thinking” (209). The Army Guy tells him he’s “in the mental army” (209). Humble reveals that he is suicidal, homeless, and appears to have an estranged relationship with his daughter and ex-wife. Craig feels better than he has in a long time. From the other room, the resident he calls “Blue Streak” beckons him over.

“Blue Streak’s” name is Jennifer. Just as Jennifer tells Craig that he is the hottest guy there, the large woman named Becca stops them, saying that Jennifer is a sex addict. Noelle runs out of the room and quickly holds a sign up to the window that says, “Beware of penis” (216). Craig realizes that Jennifer, whose previous name was Charles, is a trans woman. Craig compliments Jennifer (whom he calls J/C)’s pants which are beautifully hand-embroidered. Noelle puts another sign up in the window that says, “Welcome to Six North” (218) before disappearing again. Craig asks for pills from the nurse, but they aren’t ready for him to get medication yet.

Craig’s entire family comes to visit him. Sarah, seeing J/C in the distance, inappropriately questions her gender aloud. Jimmy screams an anti-trans term, drawing J/C’s attention. J/C says hello to Craig’s family, assuring them that Craig will be taken care of and that family support matters most. When Craig’s father asks, “what are you in for?” (221), Craig is mortified, but J/C kindly explains her bipolar disorder.

Craig’s parents promise to bring him a phone card and science magazines. When Sarah jokes about bringing him Star for celebrity gossip, the “professor woman” patient appears. Craig takes up Sarah’s offer, thinking that “the floor will enjoy it” (223). Craig’s father starts making jokes for the third time, saying he’s “just trying to lighten the mood” (224), and Craig asks him to stop.

Craig can’t bring himself to use his phone card and call anyone. He imagines the rumors that will “start flying” at school. Craig checks his messages. Nia, Aaron, and his science teacher have called. As Craig calls Sarah, a “Hasidic Jewish guy” (231) approaches and introduces himself as Soloman. Ebony, a woman with a cane, tells him it’s a big deal for Soloman to introduce himself. Craig calls Nia claiming to be at a friend’s house, explaining that he wasn’t “freaking out about you” (234) but “much bigger things.” Just as Craig tries to explain that he’s figuring things out at a friend’s house, Armelio interrupts, making Nia suspicious. The conversation dissolves awkwardly and Craig says goodbye, thinking, “that’s over.” Instead of feeling disappointed, Craig feels a Shift.

Craig tells Dr. Mahmoud that he wants to return to school on Monday. Dr. Mahmoud insists “we can’t rush it” (238). While Craig presses him to explain when he’ll be “cured, “Dr. Mahmoud tells him that “Life is not cured […] life is managed” (239) and explains that Craig should stay until he has established a baseline, which will probably take about five days. He reminds Craig not to be embarrassed to need help for a chemical imbalance and instructs him to call Dr. Minerva so that she can come meet with him on Monday.

At dinner, Humble gossips about all the other residents. Humble claims that Bobby and Johnny were meth addicts known as “Fiend One and Fiend Two” (245) in the 1990s. While Humble has something to say about everyone, he thinks that Soloman is the “most far gone” (248) after allegedly doing “a few hundred tables of acid” (248). People come and go frequently. Craig is surprised to find out that most residents don’t want to leave since “getting out means going back to the streets or to jail” (249). Noelle leaves a note telling him they can meet from 7:00-7:05 the next day.

Everyone heads for their 10 o’ clock cigarette break. Nurse Monica is happy to hear that Craig doesn’t smoke. Humble keeps joking about his ex-girlfriends which bothers The Professor. Craig gets a phone call from Aaron, who got the hospital number from Nia. Aaron asks “Dude, how’d you get in adult?” makes joke about Craig getting beer, girls, and Vicodin. Craig tries to explain that he has clinical depression, and Aaron makes sarcastic jokes, revealing that he is calling from a party with friends who all know where Craig is. As the conversation gets more frustrating, Craig mentions that Nia is also on depression medication and he and Aaron fight over her. Craig hangs up in anger, slamming his finger. He runs to his room and tells Muqtada he doesn’t have friends anymore. Craig begins to Cycle, feeling that things are worse than the night before, only now everyone knows about his depression. When Craig can’t fall asleep, he goes to the Nurse’s station and gets a sedative.