The patient, who had come to be called the naked pilot, once again attempted to rip off his clothing until he received a sedative injection. Lately, he displayed more belligerent tendencies, refusing to keep covered. Distinguished Dr. Elliot Fango kept the younger man confined at Hobnar Regional Hospital for observational purposes. Out of necessity, Dr. Fango imposed strict visitation limits for the patient after raging community curiosity brought people throughout the entire county to see firsthand, Luther’s offspring.
According to records contained within the magnificent state of Minnesota, the naked pilot’s official name was Earle B. Goode. Although he didn’t share Luther’s surname, citizens of Dalton Springs referred to the man as Luther’s son.
“Dr. Fango, how long can we hold this man?” Nurse Helga Hofenheimer asked as she disposed of the contaminated syringe.
“Until he’s no longer a threat to the community,” Dr. Fango sharply replied, knowing full well Earle was as harmless as a fly. A little pesky maybe, but harmless nonetheless.
And then there was the little matter of clothing. Earle refused to keep dressed, instead wandering the long halls of the hospital stark naked—until he found himself subdued and brought back to his assigned room. Surely, Earle couldn’t be released into the community without remaining properly attired….which brought the whole mystery full circle. What was Earle doing piloting the plane in the nude? If it had been Earle’s intention to shock his father, Luther, by appearing in Dalton Springs naked, he had succeeded. In fact, he had stunned and appalled the entire prudish county.
“You think he’s dangerous?”
“In freezing temperatures, he flies and crashes a plane naked, speaks deliriously and exhibits belligerent tendencies....You tell me, Helga.”
Psychiatry wasn’t Dr. Fango’s specialty, but he knew more about it than the nurse, and his position of authority gave him credibility to hold Earle B. Goode indefinitely, or until someone offered a darn good reason to release him.
© 2006 by author. All rights reserved.
Comments