Цветы для Элджернона

           Onthenighttablebesidetheashtrayoverflowingwithcrushedbuttsstoodtheemptybottle,butthelastthingIrememberedbeforethecurtaincamedownwaswatchingmyselftaketheseconddrink.

           Shestretchedandrolledtowardme—nude.Imovedbackandfelloutofbed.Igrabbedablankettowraparoundmyself.

           "Hi,"sheyawned."YouknowwhatIwanttodooneofthesedays?"

           "What?"

           "Paintyouinthenude.LikeMichelangelo’s’David.’You’dbebeautiful.Youokay?"

           Inodded."Exceptforaheadache.DidI—uh—drinktoomuchlastnight?"

           Shelaughedandproppedherselfupononeelbow."Youwereloaded.Andboydidyouactqueer—Idon’tmeanfairyishoranythinglikethatbutstrange."

           "What"—Isaid,strugglingtoworktheblanketaroundsothatIcouldwalk—"isthatsupposedtomean?WhatdidIdo?"

           "I’veseenguysgethappy,orsad,orsleepy,orsexy,butIneversawanyoneactthewayyoudid.It’sagoodthingyoudon’tdrinkoften.Oh,myGod,IonlywishIhadacamera.Whatashortsubjectyou’dhavemade."

           "Well,forChrist’ssake,what’dIdo?"

           "NotwhatIexpected.Nosex,oranythinglikethat.Butyouwerephenomenal.Whatanact!Theweirdest.You’dbegreatonthestage.You’dwowthematthePalace.Youwentallconfusedandsilly.Youknow,asifagrownmanstartsactinglikeakid.Talkingabouthowyouwantedtogotoschoolandlearntoreadandwritesoyoucouldbesmartlikeeveryoneelse.Crazystufflikethat.