Цветы для Элджернона

           Iknownowthatthisistrue.Iamsorry,however,thatmyowncon­tributiontothefieldmustrestupontheashesoftheworkofthisstaffandespeciallythosewhohavedonesomuchforme.

           Yourstruly,

           CharlesGordon

           end:report

           copy:Dr.Strauss

           TheWelbergFoundation

           September1

           Imustnotpanic.soontherewillbesignsofemotionalinstabilityandforgetfulness,thefirstsymp­tomsoftheburnout.WillIrecognizetheseinmyself?AllIcandonowiskeeprecordingmymentalstateasobjec­tivelyaspossible,rememberingthatthispsychologicaljournalwillbethefirstofitskind,andpossiblythelast.

           ThismorningNemurhadBurttakemyreportandthestatisticaldatadowntoHallstonUniversitytohavesomeofthetopmeninthefieldverifymyresultsandtheapplicationofmyformulas.AlllastweektheyhadBurtgoingovermyexperimentsandmethodologicalcharts.Ishouldn’treallybeannoyedbytheirprecautions.Afterall,I’mjustaCharlie-come-lately,anditisdifficultforNemurtoacceptthefactthatmyworkmightbebeyondhim.Hehadcometobelieveinthemythofhisownauthority,andafterallIamanoutsider.

           Idon’treallycareanymorewhathethinks,orwhatanyofthemthinkforthatmatter.Thereisn’ttime.Theworkisdone,thedataisin,andallthatremainsistoseewhetherIhaveaccuratelyprojectedthecurveontheAl­gernonfiguresasapredictionofwhatwillhappentome.

           AlicecriedwhenItoldherthenews.Thensheranout.