Цветы для Элджернона

           Atmealtimeshetakeshisplaceatthesmallgatelegtable.Helikespretzels,andtodayhetookasipofbeerwhilewewatchedtheballgameonTV.IthinkherootedfortheYankees.

           I’mgoingtomovemostofthefurnitureoutofthesecondbedroomandusetheroomforAlgernon.Iplantobuildhimathree-dimensionalmazeoutofscrapplasticthatIcanpickupcheaplydowntown.TherearesomecomplexmazevariationsI’dlikehimtolearntobesurehekeepsinshape.ButI’mgoingtoseeifIcanfindsomemo­tivationotherthanfood.Theremustbeotherrewardsthatwillinducehimtosolveproblems.

           Solitudegivesmeachancetoreadandthink,andnowthatthememoriesarecomingthroughagain—toredis­covermypast,tofindoutwhoandwhatIreallyam.Ifanythingshouldgowrong,I’llhaveatleastthat.

           June19

           MetFayLillman,myneighboracrossthehall."WhenIcamebackwithanarmfulofgroceries,IdiscoveredIhadlockedmyselfout,andIrememberedthatthefrontfireescapeconnectedmylivingroomwindowandtheapartmentdirectlyacrossthehall.

           Theradiowasonloudandbrassy,soIknocked—softlyatfirst,andthenlouder.

           "Comeonin!Door’sopen!"

           Ipushedthedoor,andfroze,becausestandinginfrontofaneasel,painting,wasaslenderblondeinpinkbraandpanties.

           "Sorry!"Igasped,closingthedooragain.Fromout­side,Ishouted."I’myourneighboracrossthehall.Ilockedmyselfout,andIwantedtousethefireescapetogetovertomywindow."