Цветы для Элджернона
PROGRESS REPORT 16
Theodorsofthelaboratoryanimals,dogs,monkeys,mice,spinmebackintomemories,anditisdifficulttoknowwhetherIamexperiencinganewsensationorrecallingthepast.Itisimpossibletotellwhatproportionismemoryandwhatexistshereandnow—sothatastrangecompoundisformedofmemoryandreality;pastandpresent;responsetostimulistoredinmybraincenters,andresponsetostimuliinthisroom.It’sasifallthethingsI’velearnedhavefusedintoacrystaluniversespinningbeforemesothatIcanseeallthefacetsofitreflectedingorgeousburstsoflight....
Amonkeysittinginthecenterofhiscage,staringatmeoutofsleepyeyes,rubbinghischeekswithlittleold-manshriveledhands...chee...cheee...cheeeee...andbouncingoffthecagewire,uptotheswingoverheadwheretheothermonkeysitsstaringdumblyintospace.Urinating,defecating,passingwind,staringatmeandlaughing...cheeee...cheeeee...cheeeee....
Andbouncingaround,leap,hop,uparoundanddown,heswingsandtriestograbtheothermonkey’stail,buttheoneonthebarkeepsswishingitaway,withoutfuss,outofhisgrasp.Nicemonkey...prettymonkey...withbigeyesandswishytail.CanIfeedhimapeanut?...No,theman’llholler.Thatsignsaysdonotfeedtheanimals.That’sachimpanzee.CanIpethim?No.Iwanttopetthechip-a-zee.Nevermind,comeandlookattheelephants.
Outside,crowdsofbrightsunshinypeoplearedressedinspring.
Algernonliesinhisowndirt,unmoving,andtheodorsarestrongerthaneverbefore.
