James was slowly starting to show signs of improvement, and was heading towards a new start in his life. His counselor Ken, asked him to fill out a Twelve Step Program and to input a goal in the bulletin board, so James can strive for that. The counselors saw potential in James, and they thought he was beginning to mature and be more serious about his drunk problem. But the next day when James brings in his goal, it says he wants to be a future Laker girl. Ken asks him to be more serious about it, but James says that he does not like programs like this and would much rather prefer a test of his will to become sober rather than programs.
It seems as though Lilly is the only one that James would confide in and is most comfortable speaking to. James and Lilly have a particular place where they like to meet, next to the trees outside. They call it their secret meetings and go there at the preplanned time to speak. Lilly asks James questions about his last girlfriend and James tells her that it did not end well with her, and he misses her. Lilly says how she wishes she was that girl because she wants someone to love her. But what is most effective about these meetings is that it allows James to open up to a person for the first time since entering the clinic. The mood is very loose, sometimes serious and Lilly tries to help James as much as she can. With different, complex questions, Lilly puzzles James at times but he still feels comfortable talking to her and telling her about her life. The setting is very secluded and peaceful, and maybe that has an effect on James because it allows him to feel a sense of calm and no reason to hide anything. The only way James will get over his problem is if he openly speaks to someone about it, and Lilly sets up such a mood and atmosphere where James is very comfortable and open about his life.
Setting and Mood