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