Девять рассказов
Pretty Mouth and Green my Eyes
Iwouldn’tevenworry,forChrissake,butyoucan’ttrusther!IsweartoGod.IsweartoGodyoucan’t.Youcantrustheraboutasfarasyoucanthrowa—Idon’tknowwhat.Aaah,what’stheuse?I’mlosingmygoddammind."
"Allright.Forgetit,now.Forgetit,now.Willyadomeafavorandtrytoputthewholethingoutofyourmind?"thegray-hairedmansaid."Forallyouknow,you’remaking—Ihonestlythinkyou’remakingamountain—"
"YouknowwhatIdo?YouknowwhatIdo?I’mashamedatellya,butyouknowwhatIverynearlygoddamdoeverynight?WhenIgethome?Youwanttoknow?"
"Arthur,listen,thisisn’t—"
"Waitasecond—I’lltellya,Goddamnit.Ipracticallyhavetokeepmyselffromopeningeverygoddamclosetdoorintheapartment—IsweartoGod.EverynightIcomehome,Ihalfexpecttofindabunchofbastardshidingallovertheplace.Elevatorboys.Deliveryboys.Cops—"
"Allright.Allright.Let’strytotakeitalittleeasy,Arthur,"thegray-hairedmansaid.Heglancedabruptlytohisright,whereacigarette,lightedsometimeearlierintheevening,wasbalancedonanashtray.Itobviouslyhadgoneout,though,andhedidn’tpickitup."Inthefirstplace,"hesaidintothephone,"I’vetoldyoumany,manytimes,Arthur,that’sexactlywhereyoumakeyourbiggestmistake.Youknowwhatyoudo?Wouldyoulikemetotellyouwhatyoudo?Yougooutofyourway—Imeanthis,now—youactuallygooutofyourwaytotortureyourself.Asamatteroffact,youactuallyinspireJoanie-"Hebrokeoff.
