Коллекционер

           Shestruggledofcourse,sheshookherhead,shelookeddaggerswithhereyes,astheysay,sheeventriedtogoallsoft,butIkeptather.Igothergarmentsoffandatfirstshewouldn’tdoasIsaidbutintheendshelayandstoodlikeIordered(Irefusedtotakeifshedidnotco-operate).SoIgotmypictures.ItookhertillIhadnomorebulbsleft.

           Itwasnotmyfault.HowwasItoknowshewasillerthanshelooked.Shejustlookedlikeshehadacold.

           Igotthepicturesdevelopedandprintedthatnight.Thebestoneswerewithherfacecutoff.Shedidn’tlookmuchanyhowwiththegag,ofcourse.Thebestwerewhenshestoodinherhighheels,fromtheback.Thetiedhandstothebedmadewhattheycallaninterestingmotif.IcansayIwasquitepleasedwithwhatIgot.

           ThenextdayshewasupwhenIwentin,inherhousecoat,likeshewaswaitingforme.Whatshedidwasverysurprising,shetookastepforwardandwentdownonherkneesatmyfeet.Likeshewasdrunk.Herfacewasveryflushed,Ididsee;shelookedatmeandshewascryingandshehadgotherselfupintoastate.

           "I’mterriblyill.I’vegotpneumonia.Orpleurisy.You’vegottogetadoctor."

           Isaid,getupandgobacktobed.ThenIwenttogethercoffee.

           WhenIcamebackIsaid,youknowyou’renotill,ifitwaspneumoniayoucouldn’tstandupeven.

           "Ican’tbreatheatnights.I’vegotapainhere,Ihavetolieonmyleftside.Pleasetakemytemperature.Lookatit."