The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [86]
An aide comes in and offers Leon another ground card, this one without Dr. Dukay’s signature. Leon looks at it and says: “My intuition tells me there is no offense. I accept it. Thank you, sir.”
May 9. Leon says he walked sixteen miles yesterday. He is very cheerful. Clyde and Joseph have also made good use of their newly issued passes. But, once outdoors, the three men go their separate ways.
May 25. A letter arrives signed by Dr. Yoder[1] and addressed to all three men, appointing them to the Flora and Fauna Commission, and suggesting that they map out the flora and fauna to be found on the hospital grounds, preparatory to entering a float in the annual Patients’ Carnival which will be held in late June. Leon and Joseph express interest and pleasure. Clyde says that he will let Dung and Joseph take care of the request and he will take care of the money. He says that fourteen more cars of money arrived today and this will keep him very busy.
Leon seems really interested, mobilized and organized. He is animated as he talks to Joseph about plans for the project. He expresses his ideas in a straightforward manner and accepts suggestions from Joseph and us without his usual negativism. A slight sour note is introduced when he suggests that to prepare a float they will need a list of materials and that he will see the occupational therapist about it. We suggest that he and Joseph go together. Leon balks momentarily but gives in.
May 26. To help them with the task of identification, we bring the men two paperback books, one on birds, the other on trees. Leon accepts, saying the books will be very helpful in preparing the float. He appears more relaxed than I have seen him in a long time. But Joseph seems to be apprehensive and unsure whether or not he will be able to do a good job. (This fear of failure is a typical reaction for him.) He and Leon discuss the float, talking about trees, the leaf specimens they will collect, and the albums they will put them in. I suggest to Clyde that he get in on the project, to which he replies: “I’m all right; I listen.” When Leon asks Joseph for cigarette papers, Joseph pulls out a whole wad and gives them to him. Such generosity is unusual. During this interchange Clyde has fallen peacefully asleep.
May 26
Dear Dr. Yoder:
As per your letter of May 25th instant, in regard to appoint the three of us, Joseph Cassel, Dr. R. I. Dung, Clyde Benson, I have followed suit: That is, so far.
Mr. Dung will write you anent the birds.
We shall do our best for everything.
Yours truly,
Joseph Cassel
May 27. During the noon meal Joseph reminds Leon of their appointment with the occupational therapist. The two men leave the ward together immediately after lunch. They are seen shortly afterward, walking the grounds together, books in hand, examining some leaves and apparently conferring.
May 31. Leon tells us he wishes to make an announcement. Instead of collecting actual specimens, he has decided to collect only photographs—cosmic photographs! He shows us his cosmic camera and his cosmic pictures, consisting of several layers of blank pieces of paper which he says are photographic plates, photographs, etc. Joseph says he can’t see anything on a paper which Leon has labeled the photograph of an elm tree. Leon laughs. “There’s nothing real about it,” Joseph says flatly. He says he will refuse to co-operate with Mr. Dung. “He’s too full of friction.”
Leon then admits that he can’t see the pictures either. But he says he knows they are there. We point out that his approach may not meet Dr. Yoder’s expectations, since no one will be able to see the