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"Marilyn Monroe is dead!"

"You have to wake up now...the hypnotic-therapy session is now over. And please Mr. Tipple; you must realize that Marilyn Monroe is dead! The woman that lives in the cell opposite from yours is not really Marilyn Monroe, or Norma Jean for that matter. Her real name is Cherry Oman--she's an ordinary woman who is just sick; nothing more, nothing less."

Sheryl Walkman tilted over her most aggressive patient with a strong sense of caution. Standing over a strong, bald man with intense eyes, Sheryl had her apprentice recheck the restraining cuffs and straps that held the wild man in a resting position. On the soft couch, Johnny Tipple looked less dangerous than he actually was, but Sheryl was no fool. Johnny Tipple was a former US Marine with extensive training as a deadly covert agent, but that was before he went insane, or at least that was the story that the veteran's hospital told her when they sent him to the asylum three years ago.

Usually housed in a cell with bulletproof glass as a front gate, Johnny's home for the last three years was now opposite an attractive newcomer to the Phage asylum. He had recently developed a whopping crush on a freshly institutionalized woman named Cherry Oman. Cherry was never called by her real name in the asylum; because she despised her own life -- and her real name as well. Instead, she went by the stage name she was famous for. Before being sent to the Phage asylum for the criminally insane, she was a celebrity impersonator that worked at a savvy theme bar in downtown Chicago. Her alternate persona was of Norma Jean, or as many people knew the sexy, pop icon -- Marilyn Monroe.

Johnny had finally woken from his hypnotic-induced trance and his wild eyes immediately set upon the local psychologist. With his usual aggressive mumbling, he addressed Sheryl with stern angst.

"What are you doing to me? Let me loose from here, Bitch! It's a damn conspiracy, Jack Kennedy tried to kill her - she knew too much, but she got away, damn it! I seen her with my own eyes, Marilyn Monroe is alive and she's here for me! I got to see Norma jean--Marilyn needs me!"

"Now calm down, Mr. Tipple. You'll see her soon enough; I intend to bring you back to your cell and when Norma Jean - I mean, Cherry gets better; we will release her from the infirmary. Until then, I think you should relax and take your pills."

In the opposite side of the Phage asylum, the house doctor was examining Cherry Oman. The ward she was held in was secured like no other infirmary, mainly due to its potential for violent outbursts and escape attempts. Laying in a bed and restrained by a typical straightjacket, Cherry Oman/Norma Jean wiggled about in a fitful dance as she tried to squeeze herself free. The doctor, being frustrated by her lack of cooperation had two orderlies inject her with a sedating serum.

"There, isn't that better? You really must calm yourself, Ms. Oman. There is no point of fighting us - all we're trying to do is make you better. It seems that you have picked up a rather nasty bite from Douglas, the visiting patient from Joliet prison. You see, that's why we don't encourage visitors, and poor Douglas; he just came into the asylum so recently and had to be put down by our guards. It really wasn't our fault, you know. He was raging mad and nearly killed Nurse Whitman!"

Fighting the slumbering affects of the serum, Norma spat at the doctor and hurled a string of unflattering insults toward the sarcastic Dr. Isles. But he just wiped away the spit and forcefully pushed her back down onto the examination table.

"You know, you're not a bad looking woman. When I see girls like you, it makes me wonder why I hadn't studied to be a gynecologist instead of a state doctor. Oh well, I'll be getting to your...good side in time."

Norma clearly didn't agree.

"You're all heartless, godforsaken liars! Douglas was my friend; you killed the only one who ever visited me. You took away our free time in the yards, because you fuckin' bastards are just plain mean, not cause Douglas blew his top!"

The cynical doctor laughed and pointed to a deep bite mark on Norma's right shoulder.

"Oh, really now? Come on, Ms Oman; can't you see the damage that Douglas inflicted upon you? You're sick...the wound is infected and we have to take the adequate precautions for your own safety."

"I'll get you for this," shouted Oman. "And my name is Norma Jean, not Cherry Oman! Gosh damn it, can't you recognize Marilyn Monroe when you see her. I'm Marilyn Monroe...me -- I am!"

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