Libby’s Tegretol regimen

Libby’s Tegretol regimen is a doctor-advised safeguard against depression, and a recurring focus of Bunny’s anxious, directive exchanges with Libby. He treats adherence as urgent, but the scenes also show how his attempts to care for her are entangled with frustration and emotional distance.

Prescription and Risk

Bunny understands the regimen as a response to Libby’s vulnerability to depression: he recalls that her doctor warned her that not taking Tegretol could make her depressed, and that depression would be dangerous for her. The evidence establishes his understanding of the medical advice, but does not confirm whether Libby has in fact missed any doses.

Bunny’s Reminders

During a phone call, Bunny notices a change in Libby’s voice and asks whether she is still taking Tegretol. Libby does not answer directly; instead, she tells him that Bunny’s father has called again, shouting and raving, and that she does not know what to say to him. Bunny returns to the medication, emphasizing the doctor’s warning and asking how often they must revisit the issue. When Libby begins to cry, he tells her to take the medicine, softening as he speaks.

Care at a Distance

In another exchange, Bunny is away from Libby and says he will return early the next day. He tells her to turn off the television, take Tegretol, and take a sleeping tablet, even suggesting two. The instruction is part of a brisk series of directions rather than a detailed discussion of her treatment. As he gives it, he is choosing a Smirnoff from the miniature bottles beside him. Libby then says that the pier is burning down; Bunny responds with confusion, and the conversation offers no further account of her medication or what happens after his promised return.