Цветы для Элджернона

           Iwasunnervedbythethoughtthatanymomentshewouldrealizeshewasundressedandwouldscreamanddashforthebedroom.Itriedtokeepmyeyesmoving,lookingeverywherebutather.

           "Beerorale?Nothingelseintheplacerightnowex­ceptcookingsherry.Youdon’twantcookingsherry,doyou?"

           "Ican’tstay,"Isaid,gettingholdofmyselfandfixingmygazeatthebeautymarkontheleftsideofherchin."I’velockedmyselfoutofmyapartment.Iwantedtogoacrossthefireescape.Itconnectsourwindows."

           "Anytime,"sheassuredme."Thoselousypatentlocksareapainintheass.IlockedmyselfoutofthisplacethreetimesthefirstweekIlivedhere—andonceIwasoutinthehallstarknakedforhalfanhour.Steppedouttogetthemilk,andthegoddamneddoorswungshutbehindme.IrippedthegoddamnedlockoffandIhaven’thadoneonmydoorsince."

           Imusthavefrowned,becauseshelaughed."Well,youseewhatthedamnedlocksdo.Theylockyouout,andtheydon’tprotectmuch,dothey?Fifteenburglariesinthisgoddamnedbuildinginthepastyearandeveryoneoftheminapartmentsthatwerelocked.Nooneeverbrokeinhere,eventhoughthedoorwasalwaysopen.They’dhavearottentimefindinganythingvaluablehereanyway."

           Whensheinsistedagainonmyhavingabeerwithher,Iaccepted.Whileshewasgettingitfromthekitchen,Ilookedaroundtheroomagain.