Цветы для Элджернона

           Whoisbetterequipped?Whoelsehaslivedinbothworlds?

           Tomorrow,I’mgoingtogetintouchwiththeboardofdirectorsattheWelbergFoundationandaskforpermis­siontodosomeindependentworkontheproject.Ifthey’llletme,Imaybeabletohelpthem.Ihavesomeideas.

           Thereissomuchthatcanbedonewiththistech­nique,ifitisperfected.IfIcouldbemadeintoagenius,whataboutthemorethanfivemillionmentallyretardedintheUnitedStates?Whataboutthecountlessmillionsallovertheworld,andthoseyetunborndestinedtobere­tarded?Whatfantasticlevelsmightbeachievedbyusingthistechniqueonnormalpeople.Ongeniuses?

           TherearesomanydoorstoopenIamimpatienttoapplymyownknowledgeandskillstotheproblem.I’vegottomakememallseethatthisissomethingimportantformetodo.I’msuretheFoundationwillgrantmepermission.

           ButIcan’tbealoneanymore.IhavetotellAliceaboutit.

           June25

           IcalledAlicetoday.Iwasnervous,andImusthavesoundedincoherent,butitwasgoodtohearhervoice,andshesoundedhappytohearfromme.Sheagreedtoseeme,andItookataxiuptown,impatientattheslow­nesswithwhichwemoved.

           BeforeIcouldknock,sheopenedthedoorandthrewherarmsaroundme."Charlie,we’vebeensoworriedaboutyou.Ihadhorriblevisionsofyoudeadinanalley­way,orwanderingaroundskidrowwithamnesia.Whydidn’tyouletusknowyouwereallright?Youcouldhavedonethat."

           "Don’tscoldme.Ihadtobealoneforawhiletofindsomeanswers."