Коллекционер

           AllthistimeIneverthoughtitwasserious.Iknowthatmustsoundverystrange,butitwasso.Iusedtosay,ofcourse,I’llneverdoit,thisisonlypretending.AndIwouldn’thavepretendedevenlikethatifIhadn’thadallthetimeandmoneyIwanted.InmyopinionalotofpeoplewhomayseemhappynowwoulddowhatIdidorsimilarthingsiftheyhadthemoneyandthetime.Imean,togivewaytowhattheypretendnowtheyshouldn’t.Powercorrupts,ateacherIhadalwayssaid.AndMoneyisPower.

           AnotherthingIdid,IboughtalotofclothesforheratastoreinLondon.WhatIdidwas,inoneIsawanassistantjusthersizeandIgavethecoloursIalwayssawMirandawearandIgoteverythingtheretheysaidagirlwouldneed.Itoldastoryaboutagirl-friendfromtheNorthwho’dhadallherjuggagestolenandIwantedittobeasurprise,etcetera.Idon’tthinkshebelievedmeinthestore,butitwasagoodsale—Ipaidoutnearlyninetypoundsthatmorning.

           Icouldgoonallnightabouttheprecautions.Iusedtogoandsitinherroomandworkoutwhatshecoulddotoescape.Ithoughtshemightknowaboutelectricity,youneverknowwithgirlsthesedays,soIalwaysworerubberheels,Inevertouchedaswitchwithoutagoodlookfirst.Igotaspecialincineratortoburnallherrubbish.Iknewnothingofhersmusteverleavethehouse.Nolaundry.Therecouldalwaysbesomething.

           Well,atlastIwentbackuptoLondontotheCremorneHotel.ForseveraldaysIwatchedforherbutIdidn’tseeher.Itwasaveryanxioustime,butIkepton.Ididn’ttakethecamera,Iknewitwastoorisky,Iwasafterbiggergamethanjustastreetshot.Iwenttwicetothecoffee-bar.OnedayIspentnearlytwohourstherepretendingtoreadabook,butshedidn’tcome.Ibegantogetwildideas,perhapsshe’ddied,perhapsshewasn’tdoingartthereanymore.