Цветы для Элджернона

           IwentdowntoMurray’sBarandhadafewdrinks.AndthenIcalledFayandwemadetherounds.Fayisan­noyedthatI’vestoppedtakingheroutdancing,andshegotangryandwalkedoutonmelastnight.Shehasnoideaofmyworkandnointerestinit,andwhenIdotrytotalktoheraboutitshemakesnoattempttohideherboredom.Shejustcan’tbebothered,andIcan’tblameher.She’sin­terestedinonlythreethingsthatIcansee:dancing,paint­ing,andsex.Andtheonlythingwereallyhaveincommonissex.It’sfoolishofmetotrytointerestherinmywork.Soshegoesdancingwithoutme.Shetoldmethattheothernightshedreamedshehadcomeintotheapartmentandsetfiretoallmybooksandnotes,andthatwewentoffdancingaroundtheflames.I’vegottowatchout.She’sbe­comingpossessive.Ijustrealizedtonightthatmyownplaceisstartingtoresembleherapartment—amess.I’vegottocutdownonthedrinking.

           July16

           AlicemetFaylastnight.I’dbeenconcernedaboutwhatwouldhappeniftheycamefacetoface.AlicecametoseemeaftershefoundoutaboutAlgernonfromBurt.Sheknowswhatitmaymean,andshestillfeelsresponsibleforhavingencouragedmeinthefirstplace.Wehadcoffeeandwetalkedlate.IknewthatFayhadgoneoutdancingattheStardustBallroom,soIdidn’texpectherhomesoearly.Butataboutoneforty-fiveinthemorningwewerestartledbyFay’ssuddenappearanceonthefire-escape.