Case #8 - Francis Russo
Francis Russo began sleepwalking in the summer. At first, Frank's behavior amused his then girlfriend, Molly Walker, but as his nocturnal activities increased she became very concerned for Frank's health and both of their safety.
Molly set up cameras to capture Frank's sleepwalking. Sometimes he was very active, drumming, or driving. Other times he would sit or stand still for several hours at a time.
I didn't know Frank from the sleep clinic. I knew him from a meeting we both attended. I never got his last name and he never got mine but I got his full story.
Frank was an alcoholic. I first became aware of him at a meeting I recorded:
LAURA
Last week, I woke up to get a drink of water and he was gone. So was his car. He'd left his wedding ring on the dresser and his coat was still on the hook. I don't know where he went. I was scared he wasn't coming back. When I woke up in the morning, he was there. I still haven't asked him about it, because I already know why. It's because of me. Because of the choices I've made and continue to make. To be honest, this isn't the first time.
Laura begins to cry.
MARIA
Laura, why don't we come back to you. Thank you for sharing.
GROUP
Thank you Laura. Thanks for sharing.
Maria turns to Ellie.
MARIA
It's your turn if you want it.
ELLIE
Hi, sorry. My name is Ellie.
GROUP
Hi, Ellie.
ELLIE
And I really appreciate... what everyone's been saying so far. I haven't been to a meeting in a long time. I guess that's because I know if I go to a meeting -- I gotta stop drinkin', at least 'til the meeting is through.
The group laughs.
ELLIE
But today I woke up and knew I had to come. (pause) Now, I am no stranger to waking up in strange places. I've long accepted that with my habit come the obligatory lapses in judgment and memory. But this morning I woke up in a quarry 40 miles outside the city. I have no idea how I got there. Woke up lying on the ground. On top of a pile of shale. I found my truck nearby, with about 200 extra miles on it. Listen, I've blacked out and driven myself home before, but I never driven to another state. God knows where I went or what I did before passing out. Anyway, it turns out my rock bottom is waking up at the bottom of a rock quarry in central PA. And tonight, I am here to... well, I'm here.
The group claps.
GROUP
Thanks for sharing, thanks Ellie, etc.
MARIA
That was wonderful. I think many of us can relate to the feeling of losing control, of powerlessness. It can often feel as though our addiction is in control of us rather than the other way around.
FRANK
Oh it's definitely in control.
MARIA
Frank...?
FRANK
Oh yeah, my bad. Hi, I'm Frank. It definitely has control... of me. One night, I woke up and my sheets were wet. Embarassed that I'd apparently soiled my bed for the first time in my adult life, I pulled back the covers to find that my feet were black. Wet footprints went from my bed to the front door. I'd been out walking in the snow. I wake up late at night and eat shit I don't even like. The other day I woke up next to two empty bags of Doritos.
ANDREW
Are you sure you were drinking?
Someone chuckles.
MARIA
Andy, please.
FRANK
I hate Doritos. I drive places late at night and in the morning I don't remember a thing. I used to think it was Ambien but, I haven't taken that in a month and I still keep... time traveling and waking up with orange on my fingers. When I was a teenager my friends nicknamed my alter ego. The one I become when I black out. "Mongo". It sounds silly now but Mongo is real and does whatever the fuck he wants. He has a mind of his own.
Frank heard my story as well. We never spoke directly but he left a napkin on my wind shield
Frank was right.
Yes it was wrong to record such a meeting but I've changed the names and transcribed it to protect those who were really there.
Yes it was wrong to record such a meeting but I've changed the names and transcribed it to protect those who were really there.
Frank playing with "Molly Walker and The Possession" in 2014
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