A Joke by Faith: Lacy Dawn Adventures Character

Faith and Shelly were patients in a children’s mental health institution (see, “Stainless Steel” at Atomjack Science Fiction Magazine).

One day, when staff was busy with gossip while smoking, and during an outdoor recreation period, Faith and Shelly made a run for it – escape by going under the chain link fence, a low spot in the ground caused by a neglected drainage line.

They made it to the country club that adjoined the institution’s property. While walking past its swimming pool, Shelly suddenly jumped into the deep end. She sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Faith jumped in to save her. She swam to the bottom and pulled Shelly out. Five minutes later, club security escorted them back to the institution.

When the Director of Psychiatry became aware of Faith’s heroic act, he ordered her discharged from the institution, as she had demonstrated mental stability during an emergency.

“Faith, I have good news and bad news,” he said. “The good news is that you are discharged from this institution because you rationally responded to a crisis by jumping into the pool and saving Shelly’s life. I have concluded that your act displayed sound mindedness.”

“The bad news is that Shelly hung herself in the bathroom with her shoestrings right after you saved her. I’m so sorry, but she’s dead.”

“She didn’t commit suicide,” Faith said. “I put her there to dry. Can I go home today?