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WORDS : FRANCK MARTIN
PHOTOGRAPHY : DEREK OGILVIE & JIM WILSON
sensations to build a picture of what is
“They appear as spirits but I can
going on in the child’s mind.”
only describe them as looking a
bit like the cloaked creature from
Perhaps he senses that I am not the movie predator.”
convinced but Derek is keen to stress
that he has visited prominent American
doctors and is in fact the proud owner The concept of a Predator-like spirit
of an extremely rare brain that has only telling Derek intimate and sometimes
been previously encountered in two disturbing secrets evokes the mental
elderly Buddhist Monks. Intrigued I ask image of a self-righteous hybrid of
him what the condition is called but he Jeremy Kyle and a young Arnold
is unsure but assures me he will email Schwarzenegger. Even more bizarrely,
me a full explanation – three weeks have I am now aware that I think Derek is
passed; I am still waiting. a genuinely nice guy; surely a psychic
is only out to get your money? As I sit
“Sometimes I do not get it right”, and digest my new found confusion
he concedes. “Sometimes I fail to Derek describes how his inability to
communicate effectively to the parents come to terms with his homosexuality
and I do not always know what the child suppressed his psychic abilities for many
or the spirit is saying. However I do my years. “It was only once I was happy and
best to give concrete readings that are comfortable with me that I was able to
unique and specific.” As a man who focus my energy to a level where I could
also claims to be able to liaise with ‘the perform successful readings.”
spirit world’ I inquire how such a feat is
possible and what such an ordeal feels “I have also been doing really well in
like emotionally. Holland”, he assures me. “My television is virtually impossible to prove, it is best
show is becoming one of the most to leave the verdict up to those directly
After a long pause he informs me that it watched in the country but I have also affected. As adults of sound mind his
requires a massive level of concentration. been touring, my new show is due to be clients have willingly entered into an
“It is hard to put that into words”, released soon on DVD and I am busy agreement with this man. The variables
he says as he pauses again and rubs preparing for my new series”, continues which see such an agreement enacted are
his face, clearly straining to convey Derek, “so I am very thankful to God for as diverse as the problems Derek claims
this most uncommon of experiences. the success I have had”. Having done my to have solved, yet these adults appear to
“This is a really hard question”, he research he is certainly something of a leave in a happier state than when they
continues. “You are totally at the mercy big deal to many of our Dutch cousins. arrived and as of yet no one has taken
of the spirit so you have to depress your him to court.
sensory perceptions and open up your Still unconvinced of his claim and
sixth sense. They appear as spirits but somewhat concerned that he may be Accordingly, I leave with a mixed taste
I can only describe them as looking a indulging in the famous psychic practice in my mouth, a blend of the delicious
bit like the cloaked creature from the of duping the emotionally vulnerable full Scottish breakfast he so generously
movie Predator, though I can see what I begin to favour the simple solution. treated me to and a tangy flavour which
would have looked like in my head and Perhaps when one is evaluating claims disagrees with my sceptical pallet; what
understand their message. of psychic ability, or anything else that does Derek’s success say about society?
GUM•
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