Цветы для Элджернона

           Atthispointtheyburstoutofthelathes’roomandtheforcessplit.IfollowedbehindtheStrausscontingentuptothesecondfloorastheytriedtodiscoverwheretheventilatorledto.WhenStraussandWhiteandtheirhalf-dozenfollowersturnedrightdownCorridorB,IturnedleftupCorridorCandtooktheelevatortomyroom.

           Iclosedthedoorbehindme,andpattedmypocket.Apinksnoutandwhitefuzzpokedoutandlookedaround."I’lljustgetmythingspacked,"Isaid,"andwe’lltakeoff—justyouandme—acoupleofman-madegeniusesontherun."

           Ihadthebellhopputthebagsandthetape-recorderintoawaitingtaxi,paidmyhotelbill,andwalkedouttherevolvingdoorwiththeobjectofthesearchnestlinginmyjacketpocket.Iusedmyreturn-flighttickettoNewYork.

           Insteadofgoingbacktomyplace,Iplantostayatahotelhereinthecityforoneortwonights.We’llusethatasabaseofoperationswhileIlookforafurnishedapartment,somewheremidtown.IwanttobenearTimesSquare.

           Talkingallthisoutmakesmefeelalotbetter—evenalittlesilly.Idon’treallyknowwhyIgotsoupset,orwhatI’mdoingonajetheadingbacktoNewYorkwithAlger­noninashoeboxundertheseat.Imustn’tpanic.Themis­takedoesn’tnecessarilymeananythingserious.It’sjustthatthingsarenotasdefiniteasNemurbelieved.ButwheredoIgofromhere?

           First,I’vegottoseemyparents.AssoonasIcan.

           ImaynothaveallthetimeIthoughtIhad....