A Very Clear Case

“... like, I don't have enough problems, now I'm hearing voices?”

“Please elaborate. These voices, Charles? What kind of voices?”

“Voice. One voice. You know? I mean like inside my mind!”

“And what does the voice say?”

“Well, Doc, I don't...” his voice trailed off.

“No. Please, elaborate.”

“Look Doc, it's about you; private stuff, you know? Real, real, private, private... I don't know...”

“Well, Charles, if you want me to help you, I---”

“It's like the staff, the orderlies--”

“The orderlies, you mean... Joseph?”

“Joe thinks you're a little iffy, Doc.”

“Joseph said that? I was 'iffy'?”

“Joe never said a word. The voice... something 'bout you tickling Joe--”

“I tickled him one time,” the doctor said. “I mean we were--”

“No! No!” Henry held up his hand, tried to wave him off.

“What else does this voice of yours say?”

“No,” Charles said under his breath. He shook his head and said "No" several times. Then he said, “Alright!” He looked up at Dr. Eichmann. “Was there a goat in a tree-house, something like that? Your mother maybe thought--”

“Ridiculous!”

"And peanut butter...Like a huge tub of... I didn't really get that part."

"Enough!"

“Hey don't get mad at me! That was a long time ago.”

“Well, that never happened!”

“I think I'm due in Circle, aren't I?”

“Do you know what 'Psychosis” is Charles? That's what you suffer from; Abnormal Psychosis. Look it up in the medical dictionary.”

“Hey, no, Doc-- I'm sure you're right.”

“I am right.”

“Okay, then...” Charles said standing.

Dr. Eichmann stared down at the blotter on his desk. “A very clear case, but I know just the cure. A Lobotomy should do the trick.”

"I'm sure you're right, Doc."

"I know I'm right," said Dr. Eichmann.


w/c 300