New Job
August 21 2013, 2145 hrs
Never much liked writing outside of research notes but much has transpired today and am currently in a motel in Adelanto, 50 miles from home and no one to talk to. Initially disdained Eva's advice about bringing diary to write in but now finding it very useful. Must remember thank her when I return.
Finally received the new case that they have been talking about all week. Long drive out to Adelanto. Initially asked why they could not move patient to psychiatric ward here, but was told that patient was "very upsetting to others". Wanted to make snide remark about since when mental hospital patients were not upsetting to others, but decided better of it. Do not want to risk losing this apparently very interesting case.
Almost mistook Elmwood Psychiatric Home as a luxury retreat from the outside, but once inside the atmosphere changes very much. Do not like the way they treat the inmates; but not my job to comment. Once research is finished, hopefully can twist a few arms to get the place more sympathetic caretakers and better facilities; but for now must concentrate on given case.
Patient was in Cell 7, Floor 2, Block D. Cell was uncharacteristically dark. Perhaps because he had unscrewed the light bulb, and was currently offering it for sale, saying that someone called "Old Woman Josie" had said it had been touched by an angel. Patient did not react when caretaker took light bulb from him and screwed it back in. Under the light could see that patient was hunched over a pizza box with a banana strapped to his head, speaking into it as if it were a headphone set. Caretaker told me that he believed himself to be a radio station operator, and they had given him the pizza box and banana to keep him occupied.
Do not know how long we continued to stand and listen to patient blather on about the "dog park" and "Old Woman Josie" (Note: recurring characters in patient's delusions may offer some clue to possible cure) but suddenly patient stood up and made towards me. Was shocked as I had been told that patient would not notice me. Had my hand on taser ready to use it on patient when he held out his hand. "Good evening, Mr (quick glance at my nametag; had forgotten I was wearing it) Carlos. So nice of you to visit my radio station." Introduced himself as Cecil Palmer; host of Night Vale Radio Station. Was surprised at how well groomed and eloquent patient was. Would have mistaken him for a normal man in the street if not for regulation hospital overalls and banana still strapped to his head.
After termination of observation of patient, caretaker confided that he was surprised that patient had acknowledged me. Apparently, patient has not acknowledged anyone or anything present without his delusions for the past 5 years. Do not know if this is good news or bad news; having an anchor to objective reality will definitely speed up research and information collection, however, am not sure that I want to be that anchor. Will keep this development away from supervisors for now and see how things develop from here.
Am very tired now and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the mug of hot chocolate on bedside stand are beckoning. Miss Eva. Hope she will be okay staying at her father's house until I return. Note to self to request tape recorder to replace pizza box for patient so as to obtain recordings of patient's delusions. Though a portion of it has already burned itself into my brain.
Good night, Night Vale. Good night.