17 quotes
Discovering the World Together
Jack Newsome
When I was four, I didn't even know about the world, and now me and ma are going to live in it forever and ever until we're dead. This is a street in a city in a country called America, and earth. That's a blue and green planet, always spinning, so I don't know why we don't fall off. Then, there's outer space. And nobody knows where's heaven. Ma and I have decided that because we don't know what we like, we get to try everything. There are so many things out here. And sometimes, it's scary, but that's okay, because it's still just you and me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perspectives on Reality and Understanding
Ma
He's on the other side of this wall.
[about the mouse]
Jack
What other side?
Ma
Jack, there's two sides to everything.
Jack
Not on an octagon.
Ma
Yeah, but...
Jack
An octagon has eight sides
[Interrupts]
Ma
But a wall, okay, a wall's like this, see? And we're on the inside and mouse is on the outside.
Jack
In outer space?
Ma
No, in the world. It's much closer than outer space.
Jack
I can't see the outside-side.
Ma
Listen, I know that I told you something else before, but you were much younger. I didn't think that you could understand, but now you're so old, you're so smart. I know that you can get this. Where do you think that old Nick gets our food?
Jack
From TV by magic!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Unique Perspective on Birth and Life
Ma
Ssh. Go back to sleep.
Jack
Once upon a time, before I came, you cried and cried and watched TV all day, until you were a zombie. But then I zoomed down from heaven, through skylight, into Room. Whoosh-pshew! And I was kicking you from the inside. Boom, boom! And then I shot out onto Rug with my eyes wide open, and you cutt-ed the cord and said, "Hello, Jack!
[reciting to himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Reality Through a Child's Eyes
Jack Newsome
One, two, three... There's room, then outer space, with all the TV planets, then heaven. Plant is real, but not trees. Spiders are real, and one time the mosquito that was sucking my blood. But squirrels and dogs are just TV, except lucky. He's my dog who might come some day. Monsters are too big to be real, and the sea. TV persons are flat and made of colors. But me and you are real.
[thinking to himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discovering the World Beyond Four Walls
Jack Newsome
I've been in the world 37 hours. I've seen pancakes, and a stairs, and birds, and windows, and hundreds of cars. And clouds, and police, and doctors, and grandma and grandpa. But Ma says they don't live together in the hammock house anymore. Grandma lives there with her friend Leo now. And Grandpa lives far away. I've seen persons with different faces, and bigness, and smells, talking all together. The world's like all TV planets on at the same time, so I don't know which way to look and listen. There's doors and... more doors. And behind all the doors, there's another inside, and another outside. And things happen, happen, HAPPENING. It never stops. Plus, the world's always changing brightness, and hotness. And there's invisible germs floating everywhere. When I was small, I only knew small things. But now I'm five, I know EVERYTHING!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Freedom Beyond the Room's Door
Jack
It can't really be Room if door's open.
Ma
Do you want me to close it?
Jack
Nah.
Ma
Jack, can we go?
Jack
Bye, plant. Bye, chair number one. Bye, chair number two. Bye, table. Bye, wardrobe. Bye, sink. Bye-bye, skylight. Ma, say bye-bye to room.
Ma
Bye, Room.
[looks around then mouths silently]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Concerns About Screen Time for Children
Ma
He needs to play with something real. I'm worried about him being on the phone.
Nancy
He's doing fine.
Ma
Well, I don't give him my phone, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't give him yours.
Nancy
Okay, I won't.
Ma
Great. I just want him to connect with something.
[pause]
Nancy
Joy. Joy, he's really doing fine.
Ma
I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm supposed to be happy.
Nancy
You just need to rest, okay?
Ma
No, I don't. I don't need to rest!
Nancy
That's... That's what the doctor...
Ma
That is not what the doctor said. You don't know what he said, because it was a confidential conversation, and you don't know what he said!
[Interrupts]
Nancy
All right, all right, all right! You're impossible to talk to right now.
Ma
Well, sorry.
Nancy
No. No, you're not sorry!
Ma
Yeah, I'm not sorry! You have no idea what's going on in my head.
Nancy
Yeah. Well, try me! I have asked you.
Ma
And then what? Then, every time you look at me, that's all that you see?
Nancy
When I look at you, Joy, I will see my daughter.
Ma
You don't need me. You've been doing just fine without me.
Nancy
Oh. How can you say that, huh? Do you honestly think that you were the only one whose life was destroyed?
Ma
Actually, that's exactly what I think.
Nancy
Yeah? Well how would you feel if somebody took Jack away from you?
Ma
Oh, shut up!
Nancy
Look at him! You should be thinking about him!
Ma
Oh, don't you tell me how to look after my son. I'm sorry that I'm not nice anymore, but you know what? Maybe if your voice saying "be nice" hadn't been in my head, then maybe I wouldn't have helped the guy with the fucking sick dog! Stay there, Jack. I'm calling the fucking lawyer. I can't stay in this place.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Survival is Just the First Step
Taglines
Survive is only the beginning
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Time and Space
Jack Newsome
There's so much of "place" in the world. There's less time because the time has to be spread extra thin over all the places, like butter. so all the persons say "Hurry up! Let's get going! Pick up the pace! Finish up now!". Ma was in a hurry to go "boing" up to Heaven, but she forgot me. Dumbo Ma! So the angels threw her back down. CRASH! And broke her.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discovering the World Together
Ma
You're gonna love it.
Jack
What?
Ma
The world.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Exploring Familiarity in New Surroundings
Jack
Are we in another planet?
Ma
Same one. Just a different spot.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Boundlessness of Love
Taglines
Love knows no boundaries
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Defining Fatherhood Beyond Biological Ties
Talk Show Hostess
When he's older, will you tell Jack about his father?
Ma
Jack's not his. He's not his.
Talk Show Hostess
So are you saying that there were other men?
Ma
No! No. Um... A father is... a man who loves his child.
Talk Show Hostess
Of course. That's so true in a very real sense, but the... the biological relationship that you...
Ma
That's not a relationship.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Celebrating Unconventional Friendships and Abilities
Jack Newsome
Eggsnake's our longest friend and fanciest. Meltedy spoon's the best to eat with because he's more blobbier. Labyrinth is the twistiest and she hides things so I don't know where they are. Toilet's the best at disappearing poo. Lamp's the brightest, except when the power's cut. You're the best at reading and songs and lots, except if you're having a gone day. I'm the best at drawing, and jumping, and growing, and nearly everything!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Child's Request for Scissors
Jack
Grandma?
Nancy
Yes?
Jack
I need the scissors.
Nancy
What for?
Jack
For cutting my hair.
Nancy
Do you really want to do that?
Jack
I want to send it to Ma.
Nancy
How come?
Jack
She needs my strong more than me, so I want to send it to her, or you could take it to her?
Nancy
I could help you, if you'd like?
Jack
Yes please.
Jack
Do you think this will work? Can my strong be her strong, too?
Nancy
Oh. Of course it can. We all help each other stay strong. No one is strong alone. You know, you and your mom, you help each other through, don't you?
Jack
Yep.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Mind Over Matter Conversation
Jack
Is bad tooth hurting?
Ma
Mmhmm, but you know mind over matter.
Jack
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter
Ma
You're right. Hey do you know what we're gonna do today?
Jack
What?
Ma
We're going to bake a birthday cake
Jack
A birthday cake?
Ma
Mmhmm
Jack
Like from TV?
Ma
Mmhmm, but for real
Jack
No way!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Promise Between Mother and Son
Ma
I'm sorry Jack.
[after she returns from the hospital after a suicide attempt]
Jack
It's okay. Don't do it again.
Ma
I promise
Jack
Are you better now?
Ma
Yeah, I'm starting to be. Hey, Jack?
Jack
Yeah?
Ma
When Grandma brought this to me I knew that I could get better. You saved me... Again.
[Shows Jack the trimmings of his hair]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.