The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [107]
September 26. At the meeting the conversation turns to tobacco. Leon says that his wife told him to buy some London Dock, and that he spent fifty cents for it and gave away the other fifty cents. He goes on to say that there were “some complications” yesterday, “due to the insanity of God.”
“God is not insane,” Joseph objects; “you’re crazy!”
“God requested that I commit adultery with twelve girls in Guinea and I refused,” Leon insists.
“It’s too crazy,” says Joseph.
Leon then tells an incoherent tale about God who is first a male and has intercourse with Princess Margaret; then a female who has intercourse with Prince Philip. Then Prince Charles has intercourse with Princess Anne. Finally, Leon has intercourse with his wife, God.
Joseph moves that they adjourn the meeting.
September 27
My dear husband,
I am very happy to see you enjoying the London Dock tobacco so much. The reason why I told you to get this brand is because of the aroma. I deliberately wanted you to get aromatic tobacco because it was a good way to reduce the interferences at that time. This, of course, is because I am always thinking of your welfare and your redemption. As always, I am for you 100 percent.
Now that the interferences are reduced it will no longer be necessary for you to smoke London Dock. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that you should go to the store and buy an ordinary pack of cigarettes. The best brand for you at this time is Chesterfield until further notice. Enclosed is 30 cents, and tomorrow I will send you more.
I am counting on your truthful cooperation and your enjoyment of the things I want you to enjoy. This will assist me in working for your redemption, for which I am responsible and, of course, I won’t let you down.
Truthfully,
Madame Yeti Woman
This evening Leon comes over to the aide and asks: “Is there a woman in this hospital who calls herself a female God?” He then inquires whether the lady who gave the aide the letters mentioned her name. When the aide says no, Leon requests that he get her name and ward number the next time she gives him a letter.
September 28. Leon requests another aide to ask the girl who has been writing him and sending him money what her name is and what ward she is on.
This afternoon another letter is delivered. After taking it and feeling the coins inside, Leon hands it back to the aide, saying he refuses to accept it.
Early in the evening, the aide makes a second attempt to deliver the letter. Leon again refuses it, saying that the money enclosed is from misappropriated funds and that he wants nothing to do with it. He is very firm.
Still later in the evening, Leon hands a letter to the aide with the request that it be delivered to Dr. Broadhurst.
Respected Dr. Broadhurst
Please return these three dimes to Madam Yeti Woman, I know you know who she is.
Tell her I do not want any more donations, or letters. Tell her I trust in the sanity of God, the Ten Commandments of God.
Respectfully,
Dr. R. I. Dung
Dr. Broadhurst, the new resident psychiatrist assigned to Ward D-16 just a few days before, happens to be a young woman, and very attractive.
September 29. Meeting. Leon looks different today. He has had his hair and beard neatly trimmed by the barber. When the aide brings him a letter, he refuses to accept it, saying that Dr. Broadhurst wrote it. I ask to see the letter to look at the signature. I take the letter, open it, and inspect the signature. I then announce that it is clear the signature is not Dr. Broadhurst’s. Leon insists it is.
After the meeting is adjourned, we talk further with Leon alone. I tell him that Dr. Broadhurst has received his letter and has told me she is puzzled by it. Leon replies that Madame Yeti