535 words (2 minute read)

Archival film footage, circa July, 1974; audio commentary August, 1974

INT—Solarium – Day

 Smithy plays on the floor with large colorful stuffed blocks, unattended. Maisie sleeps in the corner behind him.  Suddenly, Maisie’s ears twitch.  She sits up and whines, staring straight ahead.  The fur on her back bristles.  Maisie yelps and runs out of the room.  Smithy pauses in his play and turns to look after the fleeing dog.  He turns again to his blocks and continues to play for a moment, then turns to stare into thin air.  Smithy shifts his body so his back is to the doorway and hunches protectively over his blocks.  After a few seconds, he turns back again to look at the same spot by the door. This time, he signs, “Who what.”  He pauses and signs again, “Toys mine go out.” 

 

Gail VO: Is he talking to Maisie?  She just went out.

 

Eric VO: I don’t think so.

 

In the footage, Smithy returns to his play, but squirms as if in discomfort.  Again, he turns to look at the door.  He signs “No happy go out.” A third time he signs, “Go out.”

 

Jeff V.O.: What do you make of this?

 

Ruby VO: It looks like he’s talking to an imaginary friend.

 

Eric VO (laughing): No way!

 

Ruby VO: Why not?  La Fontaine reported that Osage would sometimes sign to her dolls in the absence of live people.  Why couldn’t Smithy sign to a make-believe person?

 

Gail VO: That’s far out!  We’ve got to tell Piers.  He’ll be thrilled!  This will prove that Smithy is far more advanced than we thought.  He has an imagination!

 

Jeff VO: I’m not so sure.

 

In the film, Smithy hugs himself and rock back and forth, whimpering.  All the while, he continues to stare fixedly at the wall. He jerks his head back with a small cry and leaps up, then runs out of the room just as Maisie did before him. 

 

The screen turns white. The audio commentary continues.

 

Jeff VO: Ruby’s suggestion is enticing, but for now, I’d like to refrain from making any speculation about Smithy’s inner life, at least until we’ve observed some more examples.  Let’s treat this like we would his use of a new sign: if we can find three to five more examples of this type of behavior—either him speaking to inanimate objects or speaking to imaginary people—within the next few weeks, then I’m all for bringing it to Piers.  But we don’t want to jump the gun or look foolish.

 

Eric VO: Have you shown this to Wanda yet?

 

Jeff VO: No.  I only reviewed the footage this morning and she had already left for the university.  You’re my first test audience.  She’ll be next, and then, depending on what she thinks, I’ll show it to Piers.

 

Ruby VO (excited): This’ll blow everybody’s minds if we’re right!

 

Jeff VO: Yeah…I just wonder why he was so jumpy toward the end .

Next Chapter: Excerpt from Letter by Ruby Cardini to Sarah Beth Andrews, dated August 10, 1974