What are those little sticks called?
Tissue-depth markers. Theyre usually made of ordinary pencil erasers, the kind you use in a me-chanical pencil. I cut each marker to the proper mea-surement and glue it onto its specific point on the face. There are more than twenty points of the skull for which there are known tissue depths. Facial tissue depth has been found to be fairly consistent in people the same age, race, sex, and weight. There are anthro-pological charts that give a specific measurement for each point. For instance, in a Caucasian male of average weight, the tissue-depth thickness at the mid-philtrum point is
What?
Sorry. I mean the space between the nose and top lip is ten millimeters. The architecture of the bone beneath the tissue determines whether someone has a jutting chin or bulging eyes or what-ever.
And what do you do next?
I take strips of plasticine and apply them between the markers, then build up to all of the tissue-depth points.
It sounds like a connect the dots game.
Sort of, only in three-dimension and its a hell of a lot more difficult. I have to concentrate on the scien-tific elements of building the face, like keeping true to the tissue-depth measurements as I fill in between the plasticine strips and considering where the facial muscles are located and how they affect the contours of the face.
But what about the size of the nose? Old Jimmy doesnt have one.
Thats a toughie. The width and length is determined again by measurements. For a Caucasian like Jimmy, I measure the nasal opening at the widest point and add five millimeters on each side for the nostrils. That gives me the width. The length, or pro-jection, depends on the measurement of the little bone at the base of the nasal opening, called the nasal spine. Its very simple. I multiply the spine measure-ment by three and add the mid- philtrum tissue-depth measurement.
Ah, the dreaded mid-philtrum again.
Do you want to know this or not?
Yes, I always joke when Im faced with some-thing a little out of my depth. He made a face. Honest, I didnt mean it. Go on.
The nasal spine also determines the angle of the nose. It will show me if the nose is turned up, angled down, or very straight. Once youve got the nose, the ears are easier. Theyre usually as long as the nose.
It sounds very precise.
She shrugged. I wish it were. Even with all the formulas and measurements and scientific data about what makes up a nose, theres no way I can be sure Im reconstructing the original nose. Ive just got to do my best and hope I come close.
And the mouth?
Measurements again. The height of the lips is determined by measuring the distance between the top and bottom gum line. The width is generally the distance between the canine teeth, which usually co-incides with the distance between the centers of the eyes. Thickness of the lips comes from the anthropo-logical charts for tissue depth. Like the nose, I have no clues about the unique shape, so I have to use instinct and judgment to She pushed the tray away and stood up. I dont have time to talk anymore. I have to get back to work.
Then I assume Im dismissed again. He rose to his feet and picked up the tray. Would it be all right if I come in and watch you sometime, or would that be invading your space?
Why? Do you think Im really going to make him look like Jimmy Hoffa?
No. But could it happen?
She shook her head. Havent you been listening? The bone structure tells the tale.
What about the smoothing and filling-in process and the judgment calls on the nose and mouth and
Okay, if you have a preconceived idea of iden-tity, it might influence what you do. Thats why I never look at photos until Im finished. During this period I dont allow myself any creativity. Pure sci-ence has to guide the basic foundation for the face. When the technical development is complete, then I can consider the face as a whole and give artistic judg-ment full rein until its finished. If I didnt do it that way, the product would just be a sculpture and not a facial reconstruction. Her lips tightened. You can bet I wouldnt let that happen. Jimmys not going to look like Hoffa unless hes Hoffa. So you dont have to keep an eye on me, Logan.
That wasnt my intention. He grimaced. If I admit Im tense and maybe a little worried, would you please let me come?
Doubts? I thought you were so sure it was Kennedy.
I want to see that skull come to life, Eve, he said simply. I know that I dont deserve any consid-eration, but will you let me?
She hesitated. She was still annoyed and re-sentful. After all he had done, she should tell him to go jump in the lake. On the other hand, a truce might be necessary for getting out of this predicament safely. She lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. I dont care if you dont talk to me. I probably wouldnt know youre in the room. If you open your mouth, youre out.
Not a word. He headed for the door. You wont even know Im here. Ill bring you food and coffee and then curl up in the corner like a docile pussycat.
I dont know any cats that are docile. She moved toward the pedestal and was already closing him out. Just be quiethellip;
CHEVY CHASE
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
