Цветы для Элджернона

           Thefeelingwasoflivingdeath—orworse,ofneverhavingbeenfullyaliveandknowing.Soulswitheredfromthebeginning,anddoomedtostareintothetimeandspaceofeveryday.

           Iwonderedaboutthehouse-motherwithherred-blotchedface,andthestutteringshopteacher,andthemotherlyprincipal,andyouthfultired-lookingpsycholo­gist,andwishedIknewhowtheyhadfoundtheirwayheretoworkanddedicatethemselvestothesesilentminds.Liketheboywhoheldtheyoungeroneinhisarms,eachhadfoundafulfillmentingivingawayapartofhimselftothosewhohadless.

           AndwhataboutthethingsIwasn’tshown?

           ImaysoonbecomingtoWarren,tospendtherestofmylifewiththeothers...waiting.

           July15

           I’vebeenputtingoffavisittomymother.IwanttoseeherandIdon’t.NotuntilI’msurewhatisgoingtohappentome.Let’sseefirsthowtheworkgoesandwhatIdiscover.

           Algernonrefusestorunthemazeanymore;generalmotivationhasdecreased.Istoppedoffagaintodaytoseehim,andthistimeStrausswastheretoo.BothheandNemurlookeddisturbedastheywatchedBurtforce-feedhim.StrangetoseethelittlepuffofwhiteclampeddownontheworktableandBurtforcingthefooddownhisthroatwithaneye-dropper.

           Ifitkeepsupthisway,they’llhavetostartfeedinghimbyinjection.WatchingAlgernonsquirmunderthosetinybandsthisafternoon,Ifeltthemaroundmyownarmsandlegs.Istartedtogagandchoke,andIhadtogetoutofthelabforfreshair.I’vegottostopidentifyingwithhim.