I Only Know These Things

Published in Do Androids Sleep With Electric Sheep?, RE/SEARCH and monochrom, 2009

L Ron Hubbard’s FBI files were released through the Freedom of Information Act. The following script is based on the final two pages of a letter by L Ron Hubbard, dated May 14, 1951 and addressed to “THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.”

  • Laffayete Ronald Hubbard, Wichita, Kansas May 14, 1951
    To: The Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington DC
  • I only know these things!
  • While I let them, unsuspected, cluster around me, these people stopped Dianetics in its tracks. With them gone, we can run an organization. But once ejected, they began — [SNEERINGLY] evidently through Sara — these remarkable attacks.
  • I believe this woman to be under heavy duress.
  • She was born into a criminal atmosphere, her father having a criminal record. Her half sister was an inmate of an insane asylum. She was part of a [WISTFUL] free love colony in Pasadena.
  • LOOK AWAY. THOUGHTFUL PAUSE.
  • She had attached herself to a Jack Parsons — [QUEENY] the rocket expert — during the war, and when she left him, he was a wreck. Further, through Parsons, she was “strangely intimate” with many scientists of Los Alamos…
  • TOUCH SELF, NIPPLE?
  • I did not know or realize these things until I myself investigated the matter. [OMINOUS] She may have a record.
  • PICK UP LARGE BOOK
  • My plea is simply this—
  • BRANDISH BOOK
  • Security! In which science can work!
  • Why do these people remain at large?! Free of our press? Destructive of our efforts?
  • I have been developing — in spite of these enturbulences! — data of some value, as this rudimentary pamphlet proves!
  • DROP BOOK
  • Dianetics and the Foundation — potent forces! — almost fell into complete Communist control [OFFHAND] or the control of ex-Communists, whichever it is.
  • I cannot fight the battle of Communist vs the World as the only opponent or threat! [PLEADING] Certainly someone else must be at least faintly interested?
  • My life has been in danger, my work has suffered—
  • CLUTCH AT THROAT
  • My life is still in danger.
  • My reputation is almost ruined so these vermin Communists [OFFHAND] Or ex-Communists, whatever they are… can take over a piece of society! And a technology!
  • PULL OUT NOTES
  • If Russia possessed the notes I have on psychological warfare, she would be that much more potent.
  • CRUMPLE NOTES, HIDE THEM
  • Further, I do not believe these people meant to destroy Dianetics but to drive it underground.
  • They “helped” me with radio programs which did not get played, by pamphlets which did not give the whole story, and by “advice” which attempted [INCREDULOUS] to knock every loyal American out of Dianetics!
  • What can one do in the face of this? When? When? WHEN will we have a round-up??
  • Please compare these notes with your central files. I am certain you will find these names repeated there connect with Communist activities.
  • PICK UP VOODOO DOLL
  • Perhaps in your criminal files or on the police blotter of Pasadena you will find Sara Elizabeth Northrup—
  • BEGIN STABBING DOLL
  • Age, about 26, born April 8, 19… something, about 5’9″ , blonde-brown hair, slender. My own investigation seems to indicate that possibility. Her residence from ’42 to ’45 was [WISTFUL] 1003 South Orange Grove… Pasadena, California…
  • LOOK AWAY, THOUGHTFUL PAUSE…
  • SUDDENLY DROP VOODOO DOLL
  • I have no revenge motive! Nor am I trying to angle this broader than it is. I believe she is UNDER DURESS! That they have something on her! And I believe that under a grilling—
  • MAKE FIST, GRIND JAW
  • she would talk, and turn State’s evidence.
  • PICK UP BEER AND PILLS
  • All these matters are of course, confidential.
  • PILLS + BEER
  • I do not wish them to be published in any way!!
  • FINISH BEER, CRUSH CAN
  • I am not trying to regain a reputation by blaming Communism! But I am trying hard to understand…
  • DROP CAN
  • How is it that these persons, all so solidly ex-affiliated or currently affiliated, as a group work in such close partnership against a technology they know would hurt Communism [CRAZED INCREDULITY] and yet they remain at liberty??
  • PICK UP BRAIN
  • I am applying to the Department of Defense for permit to deliver them my work on psychological warfare.
  • POKE BRAIN
  • I hope this new Foundation can operate. Frankly, from what has happened,
  • LET BRAIN FALL
  • [DESPAIR] I am not certain I will live through this…
  • SUPER HAMLET!
  • If I do not, know that I have only these enemies in the Entire World!
  • May I respectfully request, sir, Assistance! In rendering America a trifle safer for New Sciences! I wish I could ask you to extend that clause in the charter of the FBI about persons in distress.
  • Sincerely, L. Ron Hubbard