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Dr. Balis:
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Hello, This is Doctor Balis.
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Sgt. Keefe:
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Hello, Doctor Balis, this is Sergeant Keefe. I think the last time we spoke--it was over a year ago--it was about Peter and the Wolf.
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Dr. Balis:
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Oh, yes, I do remember. How may I help you today, Sergeant Keefe?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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I've got another one of your patients here, Doctor, Lenore Marconi. It seems she and her husband had a bit of an altercation.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. What happened?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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She's not saying much. From the evidence, it appears Ms. Marconi was performing oral sex on her husband, and she let him know she didn't like it in her own special way.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. I'm not sure I follow you.
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Sgt. Keefe:
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She bit it off, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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What?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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Her husband's in the emergency room right now. Ms. Marconi's in a holding cell, she seems pretty out of it. We couldn't find the missing member until someone thought to pry her mouth open. Maybe she thought she'd help preserve it--keeping it in a warm, moist place. Good thing she didn't swallow--or grind her teeth, for that matter.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see.
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Sgt. Keefe:
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We've had calls about these two lovebirds before. Mostly standard stuff: fighting, throwing things. We couldn't do anything to him because she wouldn't press charges. Her husband's not as charitable. In the emergency room, he was screaming that if we didn't lock her up, he was going to kill her. And judging by the bruises on Ms. Marconi face, I'd say this guy's a real prince
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. How is Mr. Michel doing?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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Last I heard, he was anesthetized, and they were trying to sew it back on.
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Dr. Balis:
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And what is Lenore's status? Is she under arrest?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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That's why I'm calling you, Doctor. She seems almost catatonic. She might be in shock. She's hardly said anything for the last hour, except your name. I could lock her up on assault charges, but the way she's acting, I think she'd be better off in a padded cell. It's a real madhouse here tonight. It'll be a while before I can get one of our psychiatrists to take a look at her. She's not exactly a violent criminal, and she has no previous record. So having her examined isn't a priority, even though she looks pretty wigged-out to me. Some of the women at the station are saying we should give her a medal and let her go. I could use your professional opinion here, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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Has Lenore been examined by a doctor?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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Like I've said, all our psychiatrists are busy right now.
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Dr. Balis:
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No, I mean by a physician, a gynecologist, perhaps. Is there any evidence of rape or sexual assault?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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We haven't checked.
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Dr. Balis:
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Could you arrange for an examination?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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Could do. I'll give them a call right now.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you think I could speak to Lenore for a few minutes?
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Sgt. Keefe:
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She's not very talkative right now. She's been staring into space like some kind of zombie.
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Dr. Balis:
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I would like to try, if you don't mind.
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Sgt. Keefe:
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All right, Doctor. Hey! Bring Jaws over here.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Hello?
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Dr. Balis:
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Lenore? This is Doctor Balis.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Hi.
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Dr. Balis:
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How are you feeling, Lenore?
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Ms. Marconi:
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I...I...
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Dr. Balis:
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It's going to be all right, Lenore. Take a deep breath. Come on, breathe in. Good. Now let it all out. There you go.
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Ms. Marconi:
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I'm sorry.
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Dr. Balis:
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That's all right, Lenore. Do you want to tell me what happened?
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Ms. Marconi:
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He...
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Dr. Balis:
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Take another deep breath, that's it.
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Ms. Marconi:
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I'm scared. I don't want to go to jail, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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I might be able to help you, Lenore, but you've got to tell me what happened.
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Ms. Marconi:
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He...he tried...he was...oh...
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Dr. Balis:
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I asked Sergeant Keefe to arrange for a physician to examine you. I want you to refrain from cleaning yourself up. Try not to go the bathroom even, if you can help it, until after the examination. Is that clear?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Okay.
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Dr. Balis:
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If Herb forced himself on you, I want them to have evidence of that. Understand? Would you be willing to check yourself into a hospital for observation?
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Ms. Marconi:
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A hospital?
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Dr. Balis:
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California Pacific has a very nice inpatient psychiatric ward...
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Ms. Marconi:
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A mental hospital?
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Dr. Balis:
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Lenore, it's a nice, modern facility. And it's much better than jail. Your health insurance will cover it. I think I can persuade the police that you belong in a hospital, not in jail. It will make things much easier if you go voluntarily.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Okay.
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Dr. Balis:
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I'll talk to the police and make arrangements for you to be admitted tonight.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Are you going to be there?
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Dr. Balis:
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No. I can't do that, Lenore. I'm Herbert's psychiatrist. It's very important to keep things separate now. You might be facing criminal...
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Ms. Marconi:
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Oh God...
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Dr. Balis:
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It's going to be all right, Lenore. I know a very nice doctor, she's a friend of mine. Her name is Dr. Whitestone. She knows a lot about spousal abuse...
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Ms. Marconi:
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But you...
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Dr. Balis:
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Lenore, it's very important that you have your own doctor now. It will be okay, I promise. I need to let you go now. I will to call the hospital to have you admitted and I will pass all information to Dr. Whitestone. I'm sure she'll be there when you'll arrive. Okay?
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Ms. Marconi:
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Okay.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hang in there, Lenore.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Thank you, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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You're very welcome. Goodbye, Lenore. Take care of yourself.
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Ms. Marconi:
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Bye bye, Doctor.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Phone Call
Transcripts of Herbert Michel's Communications
