Цветы для Элджернона

           "MyGod!I’veneverseenaplaceasneatasthis.Whowoulddreamthatamanlivingbyhimselfcouldkeepaplacesoorderly?"

           "Iwasn’talwaysthatway,"Iapologized."It’sjustsinceImovedinhere.ItwasneatwhenImovedin,andI’vehadthecompulsiontokeepitthatway.Itupsetsmenowifanythingisoutofplace."

           Shegotdownoffthewindowsilltoexploretheapartment.

           "Hey,"shesaid,suddenly,"doyouliketodance?Youknow—"SheheldoutherarmsanddidacomplicatedstepasshehummedaLatinbeat."TellmeyoudanceandI’llbust."

           "Onlythefoxtrot,"Isaid,"andnotverygoodatthat."

           Sheshrugged."I’mnutsaboutdancing,butnobodyIevermeet—thatIlike—isagooddancer.I’vegottogetmyselfalldolleduponceinawhileandgodowntowntotheStardustBallroom.Mostoftheguyshangingaroundtherearekindofcreepy,buttheycandance."

           Shesighedasshelookedaround."TellyouwhatIdon’tlikeaboutaplacesogoddamnedorderlylikethis.Asanartist...it’sthelinesthatgetme.Allthestraightlinesinthewalls,onthefloors,inthecornersthatturnintoboxes—likecoffins.TheonlywayIcangetridoftheboxesistotakeafewdrinks.Thenallthelinesgetwavyandwiggly,andIfeelalotbetteraboutthewholeworld.WhenthingsareallstraightandlinedupthiswayIgetmorbid.Ugh!IfIlivedhereIwouldhavetostaydrunkallthetime."

           Suddenly,sheswungaroundandfacedme."Say,couldyouletmehavefiveuntilthetwentieth?That’swhenmyalimonycheckcomes.