Коллекционер

           ImusthavestoodnexttothemintheTube,passedtheminthestreet,ofcourseI’veoverheardthemandIknewtheyexisted.Butneverreallybelievedtheyexist.Sototallyblind.Itneverseemedpossible.

           Dialogue.HewassittingstilllookingatthebookwithanArt-Is-Wonderfulairabouthim(formybenefit,notbecausehebelievesit,ofcourse).

           M.Doyouknowwhat’sreallyoddaboutthishouse?Therearen’tanybooks.Exceptwhatyou’veboughtforme.

           C.Someupstairs.

           M.Aboutbutterflies.

           C.Others.

           M.Afewmeaslydetectivenovels.Don’tyoueverreadproperbooks—realbooks?(Silence.)Booksaboutimportantthingsbypeoplewhoreallyfeelaboutlife.Notjustpaperbackstokilltimeonatrainjourney.Youknow,books?

           C.Lightnovelsaremoremyline.(He’slikeoneofthoseboxers.Youwishhe’dliedownandbeknockedout.)

           M.YoucanjollywellreadTheCatcherintheRye.I’vealmostfinishedit.DoyouknowI’vereadittwiceandI’mfiveyearsyoungerthanyouare?

           C.I’llreadit.

           M.It’snotapunishment.

           C.IlookedatitbeforeIbroughtitdown.

           M.Andyoudidn’tlikeit.

           C.I’lltryit.

           M.Youmakemesick.

           Silencethen.Ifeltunreal,asifitwasaplayandIcouldn’trememberwhoIwasinit.

           AndIaskedhimearliertodaywhyhecollectedbutterflies.

           C.Yougetanicerclassofpeople.

           M.Youcan’tcollectthemjustbecauseofthat.

           C.ItwasateacherIhad.WhenIwasakid.Heshowedmehow.Hecollected.Didn’tknowmuch.Stillsettheoldway.