Executioner's Song, The - Norman Mailer [396]
MOODY Well, you're remarkably composed.
GILMORE Thank you, Bob.
MOODY I don't know what to say, I just really . . .
GILMORE Look, man, I'm being kind of rude. You guys are a little upset about all of this, aren't ya?
MOODY It's hard, Gary. I'm physically ill.
At this point, Bob Moody began to cry. A little later, when he got control of himself, he and Gilmore and Stanger talked a bit more. Then, they said goodbye. They would return in the late afternoon to visit through the night. As they went out, Gilmore said, "Don't forget the vest." "The what?" asked Bob. "The bulletproof vest," said Gilmore. "I'll wear it in myself," said Moody. "You guys take care," Gilmore said.
Sunday morning, Vern went to Maximum Security and talked to Gary on the telephone, looking through the glass. For once they spoke about his mother's sisters in Provo. Gary was curious why none of his aunts, except for Ida, had been to see him. "What do you think?" he asked directly.
"Oh, Gary," Vern said, "I'm sure they wanted to, but I can't answer for them." In Vern's head, he was still hearing one of Ida's sisters say, "I just can't make myself go up and talk to him."
Gary said, "Mom is too sick, or she would be here."
There was such a long, grim silence that Gary began to sing a Johnny Cash song. Rolled his eyes back and tried to let her out. When Gary saw Vern laughing, he said, "Well, I satisfy myself." Vern roared. "I'll sing you a little ditty," he told him.
Gary groaned. "Not 'Old Shep.' " Vern was famous for singing "Old Shep." Every year when the Archery Club had their dinner, Vern would sing it.
"Yes, 'Old Shep,' " said Vern.
When I was a lad, and Old Shep was a pup, Over hills and meadows we'd roam.Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun And we grew up together that way.
As the years went along, Old Shep, he grew old And his eyesight was fast growing dim Then one day the doctor looked up at me and said, "I can't do no more for him, Jim."
With a hand that was trembling, I picked up my gun
And aimed it at Shep's faithful head
But I just couldn't do it, oh, I wanted to run,
And wished they would shoot me instead.
Now, Old Shep, he knew he would go,
He looked and licked at my hand,
He stared up at me, just as much as to say,
"We're parting, but you'll understand."
Now Old Shep, he has gone where the good doggies go,
And no more with Old Shep will I roam,
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know,
Old Shep has a wonderful home.
"Yuck," said Gary.
"That's all for today," said Vern. "That's as good as you deserve."
2
The Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP made available a lawyer in Washington named John Shattuck. He was going to present a petition for Athay to the United States Supreme Court. After the loss, therefore, in Judge Lewis's Court on Saturday afternoon, Athay's office dictated a brief over the telephone. On Sunday it was carried by Shattuck to the Supreme Court, and filed.
At 6:25 in the evening, D.C. time, which was 4:25 P.M. in Utah, a phone call came in to Athay from the Clerk of the Court, Michael Rodak. Justice White had endorsed the following quotation: "The application for stay is denied. I am authorized to say that a majority of my colleagues concur in this action. Bryron R. White, Associate Justice."
Since the decision was not unanimous, Shattuck tried to approach other Justices. If one could find the right man on the minority side, he might grant a Stay. That would give an opportunity to offer one's arguments.
Justice Blackmun responded, "The application for stay having been presented to me, after its denial by Justice White, is denied. Harry A. Blackmun, Associate Justice, January