INTERVIEW WITH DR. JANEZ TRATNIK,
THE CORONER ASSIGNED TO MATEJ SMOLNIK'S CASE

Dr. Janez Tratnik, 60, professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, has been a pathologist for almost half of his life. In 1998, he was the physician assigned to perform the autopsy on Matej Smolnik's body. The result was a puzzling death certificate and a report that even now, four years after Matej's death, remains highly classified material.
Mr. Tratnik is a rigorous man who puts little faith in explanations of extraordinary phenomena that defy the axioms of modern science and common sense. Using a popular analogy, he is more Scully than Mulder…

Just a curiosity to begin with, Dr. Tratnik. Have you visited the Vain tribute site?
Actually, I did. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Smolnik's artwork. He knew what he was doing, that's for sure. Unlike you people and your cheap, 'Twilight Zone' absurdities…

I gather you disagree with our explanation of Matej's death.
Of course I do! Your so-called 'explanation' is not only untrue, it is also irresponsible and extremely damaging to Smolnik. Can't you see? You will smear the undeniable quality of his work with all this mystic nonsense.

Come now, Dr. Tratnik, you must admit certain facts concerning Matej's demise are somewhat strange. For instance, the recurring nightmares he described in his diary, the fact he suffocated in a room full of air…
This is why I was so reluctant to do this interview! I knew we'd go on clearing what we've already cleared in our first conversation. (see Statements) I've told you about similar cases…

Yes, you did. However, Matej Smolnik was not a baby.
Indeed he wasn't. But you've heard of adults who died of chicken pox, haven't you? Look, I admit Smolnik's case is rare. So is Alzheimer's disease. But it's no less real. And, however morbid this may sound, it's absolutely normal. Believe me - as a pathologist, I have seen stranger cases than this.

For instance?
Well… People who died of no apparent reason. Cases in which, even after an extensive, meticulous examination, my colleagues and I were unable to determine the precise cause of death. I'm talking about people who just simply ceased living. Just like that (snaps his fingers)! In Smolnik's case, his physiognomy, the unnatural, convulsed posture of his body reveal the intense physical pain he was feeling prior to his death. And pain is always the symptom of something gone wrong in the body - in his case, a fatal chemical unbalance that disrupted inhalation and led to heart failure.

We've seen the death certificate, but not your report on the Smolnik case. Even now, four years after the incident, it remains classified. Why is that so? Coroner's reports are usually accessible to the public.
I don't know. Ask the responsible at the police.

You're trying to convince us you don't have the slightest idea as to why the contents of your report have been deemed confidential for the last four years?
Believe what you want to.

Anonymous sources from within the police claim a considerable amount of water - salty water, to be precise - was found in Matej's lungs. You've already rejected these allegations, I know - but why, in your opinion, would these people lie?
(a long sigh) This reminds me of a scene in a movie I once saw. I think it was 'Joan of Arc'. In this scene, Joan of Arc has a dialogue with an inquisitor, who is actually her other half, her subconscious. She explains him that all she did, all the fighting, all the killing, all the blind fanaticism, was actually triggered by a trivial event in her youth - she found a sword lying beside her, while she was wallowing in the grass. Of course, in her twisted mind, she saw this as a sign from god, as a call to arms against the English invaders. The inquisitor opened her eyes with a bunch of incredibly simple - simple to the point of banality - yet realistic explanations as to how the sword got there in the first place. This story is a perfect analogy for you people. From all the possibilities, you go and choose the most preposterous one! Let it go, for crying out loud!

Thank you for your time, Dr. Tratnik.
Sure. I hope I won't regret this conversation (smile).