Letters from the Inside, Michael Swango, #62-64

Ed.: Got three letters from Swango today. Most discuss recent movies and tv shows. I'll be omitting that, but typing passages from all three that I find noteworthy. Probably the thing that is noteworthy to me is that I wrote to him about how I feel Don Draper of Mad Men is a true sociopath. I listed the DSM characteristics of one and Swango (who has also been called one) agrees. I find it interesting that I'm discussing sociopathy with a sociopath.



Dear Kelly,

...

Now to everyone's favorite "classic narcissistic sociopath" --Don Draper. Your analysis is totally correct, in my opinion, and I know quite a lot about this subject, unfortunately... Your quotes from the DSM IV are on-point. And you are right, your friend is wrong: Don Draper has absolutely no remorse. He is only sorry when he is caught.

Is he or she one of those who believe I am (or was, or both) the Devil Incarnate?

KK--it's clear you have studied the subject and know it well. Does that freak out your friends?! The better question is: Have you run across any classic sociopaths in your personal or business interactions?

...

Dear KK (AKA Rachel!), (Chill out, Kelly, it's a joke!)

Glee continues to fascinate...

Hoping to receive one of your scintillating letters when a full mail week begins tomorrow. In the meantime some items to share with you:

...

I'm enclsoing a column by Julia Baird on Letterman and workplace romances/affairs.

So KK-- pray tell, have you ever had any workplace affairs, hookups, or relationships? Within hospitals, I don't need to tell you what goes on...so much sexual tension and so many extra-marital affairs.

I must say, you do meet some unusual folks out there in the dating jungle, Kelly!

Your "Paranormal Activity" date with NoteGuy truly sounds like an episode of SEINFELD! OMG! that habit of acting out things with your hands would get VERY annoying VERY quickly.

And hands fused to arms with no wrists: "Mannequin Hands". How did ten years of Seinfeld miss that gem?!

The handsign for "Going Dutch" would be a finger stuck in a dike/since the guy is screwing his date (moneywise)--- It's the middle finger!

Ok now--what am I missing? In your apartment, you lying in bed all snuggled up in your pink scrubs. Almost every nurse I ever knew started out in bed wearing scrubs...cute, sexy and so much more.

You invite him into bed sans shoes and fall asleep...And you say he is good looking and I assume sexually attractive and I assume you are to him as well...As Chelsea Handler would say, why did thistory not end with multiple penetrations, multiple orgasms, and the tasting of bodily fluids by both of you?

I would say--why were there not loving, powerfully sexual and intimate moments---bringing each other to orgasm, every possible way...in the warmth and heat of that very inviting bed??

Again, sorry to corss your imaginary lines, but you have to admit that your story/date was heading in that direction. C'est la vie... Then again, perhaps (like "man hands") the idea of mannequin hands pawing and caressing one's body was simply too much! Ok. I'll stop now.

***

Finally your extensive two-page blog about "REIDTARD" was savagely funny. Woe be to these men who cross your path! you summed it up perfectly in your final comment, "He is all smoke and a 99 cent mirror." OUCH!!

...

Thanks for the list of paperback books on Bernardo/Homolka. [Ed.: if you don't know about these two sociopathic murderers, Google those two last names. The story is wild and so awful.]

Comments on the whole subject to follow. Here's an idea: Choose one of those paperbacks and buy one for you and another sent to me via Amazon.com---and we can discuss in detail. Remember--this is a long-term project . Will discuss all aspects of their relationship---the sociopathy, possible Stockholm Syndrome, etc. etc.

Will address the "insight" and "windows" & "willing partner" aspects of your letter over the weekend--BUT the above: reading this book together--all out on the table, would be a great way to make a breakthrough.

"OCD Underlining"---Trying too hard to make a letter more like a face-to-face converatoin, with emphasis & relative importance, etc.


Yours,

Michael