12 Hours - 2. Chapter 2

“And then what happened?” Jessica asked. Gene was still under hypnosis.

"They came to our car," he told her.

“The police?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember how many?”

“Two... there were two... the one with the mustache.”

“The one with the mustache? What does the other one look like?”

The other one is boyish... Not young... neither of them. Neither of them is young.”

“OK.

“The one with the mustache opens the door.”

“And then what happens? What do you see?”

“I get out.”

“Get out of your car?”

“Of the police car.”

“Uh-huh. And then who gets out?”

“I don’t know... I’m so concerned.”

“All right. What are you concerned about?”

“What’s happening.”

“OK. Wait. Go back a little, Gene. Go back just a little. I think we’ve missed something. What’s happened just prior to this?”

“I was handcuffed. I was... I couldn’t believe it. I don’t believe it. I’m being arrested. I’m being arrested.”

“For what?”

“That’s the answer. That’s what I want to know.”

“No one’s told you yet?”

“No.”

“Did they give you your rights?”

“No. There’s a reason... He resents me asking questions. ‘Shut up!’”

“Pardon...”

“He keeps telling me to ‘Shut up!’ ‘Get on the ground!’... I know he hates... I can feel the hate... It’s... God, it’s... it’s so much of it.”

“All right. What else is he saying?”

“He... God, the hate. It’s just unbelievable. I’m on the ground. ‘Why? Why am I being arrested? Help me. Why am I being arrested?’ ‘Shut up!’”

“OK. What happens after that? How do you get off the ground?”

“He pulls me up. He pulls me up.”

“OK. Did he tell you why you’re being arrested?”

“‘You’re drunk!’ I said... ‘I want... I want a blood test. I want to talk to my attorney.’ ‘Shut up!’”

“Did he read you your rights yet?”

“No.”

“And what’s happening now?”

“Nothing... Nothing is... everything is with action. Everything is... nothing is with words. Everything is physical.”

“OK.”

“‘Stay there!’... and he’s going in the car. He’s bending over the seat. He’s wiping his hands all over everything. He doesn’t... There’s no hat.”

“He’s not wearing a hat?”

“No. He’s... he’s in the car, and now he’s... he’s out of the car. He’s... He looks... He looks in everything. He’s out of the car. He looks in the glove compartment. He looks in the console. He looks... he feels... he’s reaching around. I’m thinking, ‘My God! What’s he doing? Why?’ And I’m... I just... I just don’t... it’s... it’s unbelievable. I don’t believe it. It’s my car. It’s my car, and it’s... it’s... it’s happening to me. That’s... that’s not right.”

“All right. What else is happening around you?”

“Ron... is to my left.”

“What is?”

“Ron.”

“OK.”

“He’s standing with his handcuffs on.”

“Is the other officer with him?”

“He’s standing between us. He’s shorter. He’s shorter than the other one. The other one is tall.”

“The other what?”

“The other policeman. He’s very tall. And... he locks the car. He bends over to lock the car.”

“Are you off the ground yet?”

“Yes. I’m standing and...”

“What can you hear? What’s being said?”

“He’s... there’s... there’s not much to be said. He doesn’t... He’s not. He’s not talking so much. He’s... he’s not talking. He’s not... He’s just moving. He’s walking around. ‘Come on!’ I... I think he’s putting... I think he’s putting the key in my pocket.”

“OK.”

“He’s looking at the... He’s looking at my license.”

“What’s the other officer doing?”

“He’s... He was in his car and back. He was in his car and back and nobody‘s... nobody’s doing anything. John’s... John... I think it’s... I don’t know why ‘John.’ I think it’s ‘John.’”

“OK. Want to call him John from now on?”

“Yes.”

“All right.”

“John... John’s just standing there, and he’s looking... He’s not... He’s not looking at me. He’s just looking... He’s just looking out... to the road, over the car. With his hands behind his back. And... We’re getting in the car. He goes first. Then me. Then he goes around to the other side... the police officer.”

“Uh-huh.”

“He’s... the hate isn’t as much now. I can... I could’ve felt it before. He’s in the car, and I’m... I’m saying, ‘I don’t believe this.’”

“Is anyone else in the back seat with you?”

“Yes. John’s there. He’s right next to me.”

“Anyone else?”

“The police officer’s next to him.”

“I see. So you’re by the door?”

“I’m by the door.”

“Which side?”

“The right side.”

“OK. Have you been read your rights yet?”

“No.”

“All right. So you’re driving now to the police station.”

“I don’t believe it. The car is... we’re actually going.... This is amaz... I don’t believe it.”

“OK. You’ve gotten to the police station.”

“Going... I want to know how we got there.”

“What street are you on?”

“We’re on Laurel Canyon, and behind my car. And I see the car is gone. We’re driving away...”

“What car?”

“My car.”

“I see.”

“And I’m... I’m saying to John, ‘I don’t believe this... I don’t believe this. I don’t believe this. I want to call my attorney. I... I want... I want to speak to my attorney.’ ‘Who’s your attorney?’”

“Who said that?”

“The police officer.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“‘Oh... He’ll get you off for marijuana.’”

“I beg your pardon.”

“‘He gets you off for marijuana.’ ‘He... gets you off for marijuana.’”

“What does that mean? Do you know?”

“He’s saying that my attorney is... my attorney, because he gets people off for marijuana. ‘How does he know my attorney?’ I... I’m... I’m thinking. I... I... what is this? I know... I know Ben doesn’t have... doesn’t deal with that. And he doesn’t deal with it with me... he doesn’t deal with it with me.”

“Who’s Ben?”

“Ben’s my attorney. Our business is... is protecting me. Protecting me.”

“OK. Now what street are you on?”

“I need Ben. I need his help.”

“What street are you on now?”

“I... I’m... I... everything is just light.”

“All right. Tell me when you get to the station.”

“We’re coming in. We’re going down... we’re going down the off-ramp. We’re coming in. I’m look... I’m looking, and I don’t believe it. I’m looking where I am, and it amazes me. It’s... I’m scared.”

“What’s happening now?”

“The car is turning and turning. Around the other cars, and there is a curb, and there’s... where we can’t get out, because we’re handcuffed behind our backs.”

“Uh-huh.”

“We can’t get out.”

“Out of the car?”

“No. We can’t do that... until they open the door. He opens the door.”

“Have they told you that you’re under arrest?”

“No. Just that I’m drunk. ‘Why am I being arrested?’ ‘You’re drunk!’”

“OK. You’re out of the car.”

“I’m out of the car. I got... I feel so strange. I don’t know... This is... He’s got my arm.”

“Who does?”

“The officer.”

“OK. Are you walking now?”

“We’re walking. It’s like... it’s like a back door. It’s... there’s no steps... it... It feels like it’s the back door.”

“All right. The door is opened, and you’re inside. What’s happening?”

“I don’t know... I can’t... I’m inside. The door is... I...”

“Pardon?”

“I want to see the doors. I’m... I’m having so much trouble with the details of the doors. I want to see them.”

“Why?”

“But I... Why?”

“Why?”

“Why, why, why? Because I know they’re there.”

He’s getting upset again. Jessica calms him.

“That’s a good reason.”

“And I want to see them, but... hate.”

“Pardon.”

“...The hate. I just... I just... I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be there. I just... I’m... I’m shuf... no, I’m walking. I’m shuffling, and I’m... I’m only concerned for myself. I won’t... but I know everything’s going to be all right if I can get my attorney. I just want it to stop, because it’s... it’s... it’s... a mistake, and I want... I’m not saying anything, because... because I was hurt when I said something, but...”

“How were you hurt when you said something?”

“I was told to ‘Shut up!’”

“I see.”

“Because I... I shouldn’t be talking, I guess.”

“OK. So what’s happening now?”

“But, but it’s me, it’s me. I’m in there. I’m shuffling my feet.”

“OK.”

“With the sandals.”

“Are you being led somewhere?”

“Yes.”

“Are you inside?”

“Yes.”

“OK. What’s being said to you?”

“Nothing. Everything is... Everything is physical. You’re pulled. You’re not told anything.”

“OK. Have you been told you’re under arrest yet?”

“No.”

“Have they read you your rights yet?”

“I can see someone...”

“Who can you see?”

“Behind... Behind the... it’s like a cashier’s cage.”

“OK. All right. Are you being led there?”

“And the doors are opening...”

“What’s happening?”

“I’m in the police station. I can see the jail. I can see the bars. I can see bars all over. It’s all bars.”

“Where are you being led to?”

“To a hallway, it’s like... it’s like a room. It’s all one room, but it’s a hallway. It’s all one room, but it’s a hallway.”

“And what are you doing now?”

“I’m... I’m being... my pockets are being pulled.”

“Pulled?”

“Yeah. “

”Someone’s in your pockets?”

“Yes. There’re hands in my pockets.”

“Are your hands still behind your back?”

“Yes. ‘Why? Why are you doing this to me?’”

“Are you getting any answers?”

“‘Please help me.’”

“Is anyone answering you, Gene?”

“‘Shut up!’”

“What’s happening to you now?”

“‘Why are you doing this to me? I don’t believe this.’”

Gene is getting very emotional.

“All right Gene... Sleep Gene. Relax. Take a deep breath. Very relaxed. Good. A deep breath. A deep, deep breath. Good. Now relax. Look at me for a minute. Look at me. Look at me. Look over here. Open your eyes, and look over here.”

He looks at her and laughs.

“Oh!” he says.

“How are you doing?” Jessica asks.

“Oh, man!”

“OK. Just look at me for a minute. Look at me. OK?”

“Yes.”

“All right. Now what’s going to happen... what’s going to happen now... You’re not going to feel...”

“I don’t want to stop.”

“Oh, you’re not going to stop. You don’t have to stop. But from now on you won’t feel anything. OK? You won’t feel any of the hurt. You’ll just be telling me about it. Just like you’re seeing it. Look at me, OK? You’re just... you’re not alone. I’m right here.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. You won’t feel anything. You’ll just see it as though you’re watching it happen. You’re just watching it happen.”

“Just like the 6 o’clock news.”

“Right. That’s all it will be. You’ll just be able to see it take place. OK?”

“All right.”

“All right.”

“All right.”

Gene starts to giggle.

“OK. You want to giggle... go ahead.”

“Let’s smoke a cigarette.”

“Umm.”

“I want to smoke a cigarette.”

“Why don’t we continue this for a while? Is that all right? We’ll just continue where we left off. We’re going to continue, but not in the same way. This time, you’ll just be able to tell me... just tell me as it’s happening. As it is happening just like a newscaster tells it. Just like a newscaster tells it. You won’t feel anything. You’re be just like you’re watching a movie. Just like you’re watching a movie of yourself. You’ll be able to tell me what’s going on. What you’re seeing and what’s happening. You’ll be able to tell me what you were seeing, and what you’re hearing. Everything you’re hearing. Everything that you’re saying. Everything that’s happening to you. You’ll be able to see it. You won’t be doing it. You’ll be seeing it. You won’t be doing it.”

“Yes.”

“All right. Good. Now... they’ve taken the things out of your pockets.”

“Yes. He’s standing...”

“Who?”

“The police officer.”

“All right. Does he... Have you ever heard his name?

“No. No. I...”

“What distinguishes him from the rest of them?”

“His glasses. His eyes. His mustache.”

“What color is his mustache?”

“Dark.”

“What color is his hair?”

“Dark. Black. No... not black. But dark... Dark.”

“OK. Is he as tall as you?”

“He’s taller.”

“How much taller?”

“A head.”

“A head taller?”

“A head taller.”

“How tall are you?”

“5-11... almost 6 feet. 5-11.”

“OK. Is he saying anything to you?”

“He’s... He’s... frisking me I guess... my pockets.”

“Are your hands still behind your back?”

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh.”

“John... John’s against the wall. He’s against the side. Standing... the officer... the other officer is standing... what looks like a... a half a door... the bottom part.”

“Uh-huh. Is he standing in front of it or in behind of it?”

“To the side... the... the tall one is... he’s standing, and he’s leaning on the... on the... He’s leaning on the shelf. He’s standing.”

“OK.”

“‘I want a... I want to speak to my attorney,’ is what... what I’m saying. I’m saying... ‘I want to speak to my attorney.’”

“And what’s being said to you?”

“‘Shut up!’”

“OK. What’s happening now?

“I’m... ‘I want to speak to my attorney.’ I’m repeating it. I’m repeating it. ‘Shut up!’”

“Has anyone told you you were under arrest yet?”

“No.”

“Have they told you what you were there for?”

“No... only that... when I was at the car... I was told I... ‘You’re drunk!’”

“OK.”

“‘I... I want a blood test.’”

“OK. Let’s go back to the jail.”

“Yes, the... ‘I want to speak to my...’ ‘Shut up!’”

“What’s happening now?”

“He’s grabbing me with his arm.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Around my neck.”

“Is he saying anything?

“‘You! Shut up! You shut up!’”

“OK And what’s happening?”

“He’s pulling me down. He’s pulling me down to the ground. To the floor, and... and my head is bending.”

“Bending which way?”

“To my chest, with his arm underneath... He’s... He’s pushing, and I’m gagging... ‘Oh, help... help me, please.’”

“OK. What’s happening now?”

“He’s pushing me down... on the floor... He’s... just squeezing... I don’t... everything is just chills. And... I’m... I’m wet. I’m... everything is coming... it’s... It’s my everything is wet behind me. I’m on the floor.”

“What’s causing the wet? What’s happened?”

“My... It’s like diarrhea.”

“OK.”

“And... ‘Help.’”

“What caused that?”

“I’m... I’m... I’m gagging... I’m choking.”

“Are your eyes open or closed?”

“They’re... They’re back.”

“They’re rolled back?”

“They’re rolled back. ‘Help!’ I’m... I’m... I’m barely audible.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You can hardly hear me calling for help. I... I can’t...”

“Do you know if anyone else is in that area?”

“Yes, the other one is there.”

“Uh-huh.”

“He’s watching.”

“Anyone else there?”

“Nothing is being said.”

“Nothing is being said?”

“Other than... the arm... the arm is around my neck.”

“All right... What stops it?”

“He stops. I’m laying... I’m laying there. He stops. He pulls me up, and he...”

“Did you remain conscious the whole time you were on the floor?”

“I... I don’t... I went from the floor. I got up... he... He pushed me up from the floor.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I tried to stand up. I don’t... I can’t believe it... Because it’s... it’s... I’m all wet now, and he takes the cuffs off. In the cell... he takes the cuffs off.”

“Uh-huh. Have they said anything to you?”

“I’m in the cell... ‘Get in there!’ I’m in the cell... I’m walking around in the cell with this stuff... all over me... With this stuff all over me. And I’m... I rub it. ‘Help me please. Help me!’ I’m telling him. I’m not telling him... he’s not listening. I’m hoping that somebody is hearing. Somebody different is there.”

“Different is where?”

“In the police station.”

“I see. That’s what you’re hoping?”

“I’m hoping. ‘Help me please,’ is what I’m saying.”

“OK.”

“I’m walking around in a circle... and I can’t believe what I’m doing... I can’t... the whole thing’s just a... it’s... it’s not even me, and I’m... I don’t know why I’m doing it. I’m just doing it. I’m... I’m picking this stuff off my body, and I’m rubbing it on the walls.”

“Is there anyone else in the cell with you?”

“No. No.”

“How soon until someone comes in?”

“‘Help me please...’ I keep saying it over and over.”

“Can anyone see you from where you are?”

“Yes, they’re right outside. They’re all... They’re all outside. In the hall, and the... The cell is very small and narrow... It’s, it’s... The door... the door is... the door is... I don’t... It’s... the bars. It’s... yeah... it’s all bars.”

“OK. How soon until someone comes in?”

“‘Please help me.’ I keep saying it over and over.”

“Can anyone see you from where you are?”

“Yes. They’re right outside. They’re all... They’re all outside in the hall.”

“OK.”

“‘Come on!’ Not to... John... John is... is... The pictures are being taken. I’m... I’m not in the cell. The pictures are being taken.”

“How do you feel now? How do you physically feel?”

“I see... I... I need... I want to use the... How do I physically feel? I physically feel... docil... Docil?... Docile?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why? You know... Why... why bother?... Why bother?”