Цветы для Элджернона

           Charlie,it’sthegreatestthingsincejunkmobilesandtincannia."

           Itriedtoexplain,butsheinsistedthatthelivingele­mentwouldmakesculpturehistory.OnlywhenIsawthelaughterinherwildeyesdidIrealizeshewasteasingme."Itcouldbeself-perpetuatingart,"shewenton,"acreativeexperiencefortheartlover.Yougetanothermouseandwhentheyhavebabies,youalwayskeeponetoreproducethelivingelement.Yourworkofartattainsimmortality,andallthefashionablepeoplebuycopiesforconversationpieces.Whatareyougoingtocallit?"

           "Allright,"Isighed."Isurrender...."

           "No,"shesnorted,tappingtheplasticdomewhereAl­gernonhadfoundhiswayintothegoal-box."Isurrenderistoomuchofacliche.Howabout:Lifeisjustaboxofmazes?"

           "You’reanut!"Isaid.

           "Naturally!"Shespunaroundandcurtsied."Iwaswonderingwhenyou’dnotice."

           Aboutthenthecoffeeboiledover.

           Halfwaythroughthecupofcoffee,shegaspedandsaidshehadtorunbecauseshehadadateahalf-hourear­lierwithsomeoneshemetatanartexhibit.

           "Youwantedsomemoney,"Isaid.

           Shereachedintomyhalfopenwalletandpulledoutafive-dollarbill."Tillnextweek,"shesaid,"whenthecheckcomes.Thanksamill."Shecrumpledthemoney,blewAl­gernonakiss,andbeforeIcouldsayanythingshewasoutthewindowontothefireescape,andoutofsight.Istoodtherefoolishlylookingafterher.

           Sodamnedattractive.Sofulloflifeandexcitement.Hervoice,hereyes—everythingaboutherwasaninvita­tion.