Dear Huck,

Sorry I haven't written for so long, but the doctor's been bringing in lots of people to "observe" me lately, and know I can't concentrate with them, whispering and taking notes and everything. I've never seen such a group of goddamn phonies in my life! Bunch of rich kids dressed up to play doctor, pretending to listen to their instructor and trying to stay interested. Nothing makes me sick like trying to watch those idiots. I don't even really belong here, anyway, but hell, it's not like I'd have anything better to do.

I'm not sure if I told you already, but I'm not a total nut case or anything, so they let me go around town sometimes. It's okay and all, but this town is so full of idiots and phonies I usually want to go back after an hour or so. Like the other day. I went to Andy's Tobacco Shop -- sort of a quaint little joint about fifteen minutes from the hospital -- to see some of the new magazines and maybe get some cigarettes. Doctor says they're bad for me, but it's a sort of nervous habit and I'm addicted or something. It's not so bad anyhow. It's not like I'm going to be in the Olympics or anything. What do you think?

Anyway, so I was at Andy's and it was raining out, so I started to browse around and came across these news magazines. I think I looked at Time or something, I don't even remember. It talked about all these people in Palestine or something all killing each other. It showed a bunch of guys with rocks being attacked by goddamn soldiers. And the thing was, the U.S. was there, too, in the way, acting phony, pretending to care. It just wants oil, or something, and it makes me angry. It really does.

Oh, well.

Well, "doctors" are coming now to evaluate me, so I'll close this.

Write soon.

HOLDEN

Dear Holden,

Dont fret for not writin to me because I and Tom has been out adventurin so much I haint remembered to write neither. The way I figure, writin outsides of school can be a right pain sometimes.

Im sure sorry to hear about your A-rab friends, because killin aint right. Our govment is always killin people, but if its to get us more awl it aint so bad. Im glad the govment stays off my back because then theyd probly send me back to Pop if he warnt dead already.

Im agreein with you most ways on the tobacco, seeing as how I enjoy myself a good pipe now and again. Although the ladies at school is telling me how it aint proper. A good pipe aint addictive, but mostly sets my mind in line. I dont know about them cigarettes though -- they haint caught on round here. I reckon, though, a small chaw can be all right too, but mainly the old folk like chaws.

Adventurin is what I do now, since I am not in a mind to go to school. After me and Tom freed Jim -- remember, I told you -- I decided to go explorin. I am now headed to Ala -- wait, heres Ole Jim. Well, Ill go now. Please write me at the enclosed address.

Your pal Huck Finn.