He'll always make time to talk to you if you call, but it becomes quickly clear in the course of the conversation that spare time is something Zugibe has very little of. He'll be halfway through an explanation of the formula used to determine the pull of the body on each of Christ's hands when his voice will wander away from the telephone for a minute and then he'll come back and say, Excuse me. A nine year old body. Father beat her to death. Where were we?
In Mary Roach's "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," the character Zugibe demonstrates a profound commitment to his work despite his overwhelming schedule. Whenever one calls him, he is always willing to engage, yet it becomes evident that he is exceptionally busy. His conversations often get interrupted as he is pulled away by urgent matters, reflecting the weight of his responsibilities. One such interruption involves a heartbreaking case about a tragic childhood death, highlighting the grim realities he faces in his profession.
Zugibe's willingness to share insights about his work, such as the scientific methods involved in assessing physical trauma, shows his dedication to educating others. However, the heavy emotional toll from witnessing such tragedies often seeps into his conversations. This interaction illustrates the intersection of human curiosity and the somber nature of dealing with cadavers and the cases behind them, revealing the complexity of balancing a passion for science with the harsh realities of life and death.
