What Undecided Voters Look Like To Everyone Else

Summary

A patient, Mr. Thomas, is faced with a life-or-death decision about surgery. He is given two choices: a highly trained surgeon or a famous circus clown. As absurd as the situation becomes, Mr. Thomas humorously questions the integrity of the medical system and the credentials of both options. The script cleverly plays with societal doubts, misinformation, and the allure of the unconventional. Ultimately, it's a satirical look at decision-making under pressure, with the clown representing a dangerous, yet tempting alternative to expert care.

Takeaways

• 😨 The patient, Mr. Thomas, is informed of a life-threatening condition that requires immediate surgery.
• 🤔 He is given two options: a highly trained surgeon or a circus clown.
• 🎓 The surgeon attended Purdue University for undergrad, NYU for medical school, and did residency at Johns Hopkins.
• 🤡 The clown is famous but has no medical training, only experience performing in a circus.
• 😅 Mr. Thomas is skeptical of the surgeon's credentials, suggesting they seem too 'elite' and questioning the surgeon's moral integrity.
• 🤷‍♂️ He is oddly drawn to the clown, despite being informed that the clown has no medical knowledge and has killed over 200,000 people in failed surgeries.
• 📊 The clown tries to convince Mr. Thomas by presenting a confident-looking but nonsensical graph.
• 💀 Mr. Thomas entertains the idea of choosing the clown for the surgery, partly due to the absurdity and fame potential of such a choice.
• ⚖️ The medical professional warns that choosing the clown will lead to death, emphasizing the importance of picking the surgeon for survival.
• 🔚 In the end, Mr. Thomas is caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to trust the established system or take a bizarre, reckless chance with the clown.

Q & A

What serious decision is Mr. Thomas faced with?

Mr. Thomas must decide between undergoing a life-saving surgery performed by a trained surgeon or a circus clown, with the outcome being a matter of life or death.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Stewart, the surgeon?

Dr. Stewart did undergrad at Purdue University, attended medical school at NYU, and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins. He is highly trained in the specific procedure Mr. Thomas needs.

What is the clown's background?

The clown is a circus performer known for his work at Bartholomew and Bott's Big Ring. He has no medical training or experience as a surgeon.

Why does Mr. Thomas hesitate to choose the surgeon?

Mr. Thomas expresses concerns about the surgeon's background, perceiving his educational path as 'suspicious' due to moving around. He also questions the surgeon's morals, suggesting that he might secretly be involved in nefarious activities.

Why is Mr. Thomas drawn to the clown as an option?

Despite the clown's lack of medical expertise, Mr. Thomas is impressed by the clown's confidence, humor, and even a 'confident-looking graph.' He is also intrigued by the idea of making a bold, unconventional choice.

How does the representative warn Mr. Thomas about the clown?

The representative explains that the clown has no medical training and has been responsible for over 200,000 deaths in the past eight months, emphasizing that he is not qualified to perform surgery.

How does Mr. Thomas respond to the facts presented by the representative?

Mr. Thomas becomes increasingly skeptical of the system, questioning its integrity. He even begins to doubt his diagnosis and considers the possibility that both the surgeon and representative might be lying to him.

What is the significance of the clown and surgeon in the broader context of the script?

The clown and surgeon represent a metaphor for choosing between expertise and entertainment or misinformation. The script explores themes of distrust in authority, the appeal of alternative options, and the consequences of rejecting proven expertise.

What emotional conflict is Mr. Thomas experiencing?

Mr. Thomas is torn between fear, skepticism, and a desire to make a meaningful choice in a flawed system. He feels pressured by the weight of the decision and unsure of who to trust, leading to frustration and defiance.

What message does the representative try to convey to Mr. Thomas at the end?

The representative appeals to Mr. Thomas by acknowledging that the system is flawed but emphasizes the importance of choosing expertise over entertainment, warning that if enough people choose the clown, there may not be real doctors available in the future.