Entry #15

Outside the Lines
by Josh Vogt


Transcript Begins

Doctor: “Timothy’s attempted suicide placed him in intensive care, where, after stabbing a nurse with an IV needle, he was transferred to our psych ward.”

(Indistinct murmur)

“He claims self-defense, as the nurse’s soul had a rusty hue, indicating sadism.” (Papers shuffle.) “Timothy’s color synesthesia, once a boon to his painting career, has disconnected him from reality. He believes the ‘auras’ he perceives are measurements of one’s spiritual state, i.e. the soul.”

Attached crayon sketch details Timothy’s spectrum and associated soul characteristics.

“After several sessions, I decided to demonstrate that the soul—should it even exist—cannot be visually detected, nor treated as some metaphysical mood ring.” (Speaking away from recorder) “Timothy, observe your fellow patients on the other side of this window. What do you discern?”

(Pause before patient speaks.)

“That man’s soul is bruised. Did he beat his wife?”

“I…cannot divulge confidential information.”

“Okay. Well, that lady has two colors. Lavender and cyan. Schizophrenic? The guy with the piss-yellow soul must be majorly depressed.”

“Perhaps we should postpone—”

“And that guy…drug addict?”

“No. In fact—”

“Wait! Gambling addict. Shades of green are tricky.”

(Silence for several minutes)

Personal note: Double-check security cameras and confirm patient has never accessed case files.

“Timothy, I notice you’ve never volunteered the color of my soul.”

“No, sir.”

“Yet you’ve observed it?”

“…yes.”

“Come now. Why the hesitation? What do you see?”

“It’s…you…did something. A patient died. You covered it up. Your soul is bla—”

Transcript Ends