Цветы для Элджернона

           "No,"Isaid,pullingherdownontothecouchagain."Iwanttolookatyou."

           Shekissedmedeeplyandheldmetightlyinherarms."Justdon’tdisappointmethistime,Charlie.You’dbetternot."

           Herbodymovedslowly,reachingforme,andIknewthatthistimenothingwouldinterfere.Iknewwhattodoandhowtodoit.Shegaspedandsighedandcalledmyname.

           ForonemomentIhadthecoldfeelinghewaswatch­ing.Overthearmofthecouch,Icaughtaglimpseofhisfacestaringbackatmethroughthedarkbeyondthewindow—wherejustafewminutesearlierIhadbeencrouching.Aswitchinperception,andIwasoutonthefireescapeagain,watchingamanandawomaninside,makingloveonthecouch.

           Then,withaviolenteffortofthewill,Iwasbackonthecouchwithher,awareofherbodyandmyownur­gencyandpotency,andIsawthefaceagainstthewin­dow,hungrilywatching.AndIthoughttomyself,goahead,youpoorbastard—watch.Idon’tgiveadamnanymore.

           Andhiseyeswentwideashewatched.

           June29

           BeforeIgobacktothelabI’mgoingtofinishtheprojectsI’vestartedsinceIlefttheconvention.IphonedLandsdoffattheNewInstituteforAdvancedStudy,aboutthepossibilityofutilizingthepair-productionnuclearphotoeffectforexploratoryworkinbiophysics.AtfirsthethoughtIwasacrackpot,butafterIpointedouttheflawsinhisarticleintheNewInstituteJournalhekeptmeonthephonefornearlyanhour.HewantsmetocometotheInstitutetodiscussmyideaswithhisgroup.