gistfile1.rhtml

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//haHA  This works!  It could probably use some refactoring.
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        help_container = help_icon.parent();
        help = help_icon.siblings('.help_dialog');
        help.css('display','block')
        help.dialog({
            close: function(){
                help.css('display','none');
                help_container.append(help);
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</script>

<p>Item 1
<span class="help_container">
  <img class="help_icon" title="Click for more information." src="/images/icons/help.gif" alt="help alt"/>
  <div class="help_dialog">Help Text for Item1</div>
</span>
</p>

<p>Item 2
<span class="help_container">
  <img class="help_icon" title="Click for more information." src="/images/icons/help.gif" alt="help alt"/>
  <div class="help_dialog">Help Text for the Item2</div>
</span>

<p>Item 3
<span class="help_container">
  <img class="help_icon" title="Click for more information." src="/images/icons/help.gif" alt="help alt"/>
  <div class="help_dialog">Help Text for the Item3</div>
</span>