a Man’s Best Friend

Larry’s friends barely managed to bring him back home from India. It was about ten days after they had the greatest full moon party at one of Goa’s charming beaches.  The previous night, Larry and his friends decided they were going to the edge this time. They were going to fly so high–they were going to double the dose of L.S.D and have the wildest trip ever. Before the party they bought the drugs, ate some fruit and took water bottles with them. They entered the party area and took the drugs together. Every one of them took two drops, except for Larry who took four. 

The first hour was great for all of them but after a about fifty minutes Larry disappeared from the party area and wasn’t found until six o’clock the next day. His friends had searched for him everywhere, including the beaches. He was found face-down in the sand. It was Dalya who found him. He was lucky that he didn’t suffocate.  How stupid of him to take four doses. Jonathan had warned them not to take more than two. She turned him over and felt his pulse. Thank G-d that she had done that course with Magan David Adom and could check his pulse and other vital signs, she told herself.  His pulse was fine but his breathing was very slow. He wasn’t waking up either.  She knew that she had to call for help, but she lost her cell phone at the party last night. No one was in the area.  She would have to try to wake him. “Larry! she shouted, “Please wake up. Please! We want you to live” There was no reaction from the young man.  Dalya had known him for years and was worried. She began questioning herself about taking the L.S. D. It was a great feeling and everyone in the room seemed to be in a crazy state of euphoria.  It reminded her of the Beatles video her mother watched of the “Yellow Submarine.” Just then Daniel showed up at the beach. He crawled on all fours like a dog. Why was he doing that? “Daniel?” she exclaimed. “Help me take Larry to the hospital”.  Daniel just barked back. “Oh no! She thought. What happened to him?!

Dalya looks at him and starts to think about what to do. She remembers that L.S.D has side effects. It is known for a psychological impact that includes increased thought processes, closed-eye hallucinations, synthesis (cognitive conditioning between different senses), a change in the sense of time, and a sense of identity loss (ego death). Also, the trips start within 20-30 minutes after taking, peaking after 3-4 hours, and lasting up to 12 hours. Most importantly, if the user is in a hostile or unpleasant environment, or is not mentally prepared for the powerful changes in the worldview and thought that the drug causes. The experience tends to be less pleasant and risky to the user than if the user is in a friendly environment, calm, balanced, and open to experiences. Dalya starts to bark and smile at him. Daniel came closer until they were eye to eye. She touched Larry, and Daniel looks at him. 

Reality starts to sink in for Dalya as she contemplates the possibility that Larry may not wake up at all. He might die, she thinks… all they wanted was to enjoy themselves and have a good time. They never wanted anyone to get hurt or ill and yet, there she was looking at Larry’s non- responsive eyes. His breathing was so weak she couldn’t even be sure he was ok. How did this happen? How could we have been this irresponsible? No time for beating myself now… there will be plenty of time later. Now is the time to find a way to bring him to a hospital. A car passes by, maybe there is hope. She waves her arms in a desperate attempt to obtain help. It seems to have worked as the driver stops. He is a “local”. Good, she thinks… he will be able to help. Everything is going to be ok. 

Dalya asked the man for help and he immediately got out of the car, looked at the man and carried him to his car. The man took Larry, Dalya, and Daniel–who still believed he was a dog–to a local doctor, who, after a few minutes of looking at Larry and examining him, injected him with a substance to wake him up. The doctor turned to Dalya and said Larry will wake shortly, but that the effect of the drug might be permanent because he took a larger dose, unlike his friend Daniel who will return to normal in no time. The doctor could sense her sadness and distress, so he considered for a moment whether or not to say something, but looking at Dalya and her imploring eyes he decided to do it. He said that there might be a way to bring him back, but that the chances are very slim. Desperation changed instantly to hope and determination as she said “ anything.” The doctor said that Daniel who had already experienced this side-effect could trick Larry into going back to his normal self by convincing him that they are the same and slowly change his misguided belief that he is a dog. However, he added it is essential to be patient and remain calm while Daniel shares Larry’s madness in a way and employs illogical and strange arguments to convince him. Dalya nodded as the doctor continued with his plan.

The doctor finished explaining by saying that communicating with Larry correctly delicately was crucial for his healing. So they waited; Larry began regaining consciousness. Daniel and Dalya waited outside the room hoping for the best. Suddenly they heard barking and noises of things breaking. Dalya and  Daniel ran into the room to see Larry standing on four. Dalya was thrilled to see him awake and healthy yet, concerned about her friend. She looked at Daniel and nodded her head as a sign that he should do what they agreed on. Daniel smiled and said: ”Hey dude, what’s up? Do you want a belly rub?– a dog joke! too soon?– ok”. 

Daniel sat next Larry and barked at him. Larry stared at him and asked what that was. Daniel replied that he was a dog. Larry looked at him with eyes of joy and told him that he was one too. He then said that he was confused, Daniel then assured him that all was well and they would be together in this. Daniel told him that they will take puppy steps (baby steps)  which made Dalya laugh. She then sat next to them and they started telling each other stories about their trip and explained what happened to them. Larry kept barking at them all the time, but they kept patient and loving. It took them about two hours until they convinced Larry to stand on two feet. Dalya looked at Larry with eyes of joy, but he surprised her with a “wuff.” She then looked at Daniel and said, “Well it is the lesser of two evils.”