Overtalking

Chance meeting crossing a street…

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William: Professor Goldman. I say, Professor Goldman!

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Prof. Goldman: (under his breath): Discovered! William, didn’t realize it was you. How you doing?

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William: OK. OK, I guess. Well, maybe not OK. Just been to my GP and he said I have this cancer. HUGE, he said. HUGE.

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Prof. Goldman: Oh, so sorry. Where?

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William: In here. What you call it? Easy way. O solo mio.

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Prof. Goldman: Oesophagus?

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William: That’s it. I googled it but the computer broke.

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Prof. Goldman: There are computers in the city library.

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William: It’s closed. The virus.

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Prof. Goldman: Sorry. Of course. Look, try the National Cancer Hospital. Central Station.

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William: They’re good?

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Prof. Goldman: They’re a research hospital, have the latest equipment, good doctors.

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William: You’re a life saver.

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Prof. Goldman: You’ll need a referral from your GP.

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Voice-over

A conversation edited down from 30 minutes. William is an overtalker as Professor Goldman well knows. Overtalking is often due to anxiety or being overactive. Enter into labyrinthine anecdotes. Sometimes mix words up. The speaker is often not aware of their problem, although William was self-monitoring. “I’m probably talking too much,” and “Thanks for listening, most people are just in a hurry to leave.” But sometimes they need to be listened to, especially if there’s something you can help them with.

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