Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "Ivilltalktoreporters."

           Caulledhimbacktotheconferenceroom,andthereporterslookedupapprehensively.

           "Ivillanswerquestions,"Ragensaid.

           Startledbytheaccent,Ekeyhesitated."I—Imeanwe—wereasking...Wewantedtoassurethecommunitythatyou—thatBillyisn’tviolent."

           "IvouldbeviolentonlyifsomeonevouldtrytohurtBillyortoharmafemaleorachildinhispresence,"Ragensaid."OnlyinsuchcaseIvouldintervene.Letmeputitthisvay.Vouldyouallowpersontohurtyourchild?No.Youvouldprotectvife,childoranyvoman.IfsomeonetryhurtBilly,Ivouldprotect.Buttoattackwithoutprovocationisbarbaric.Iamnotbarbarian."

           Afterafewmorequestions,thereportersaskedtospeaktoArthur.Caulrelayedtheirrequest,andtheysawRagen’shostileexpressionchangeasifmelting.Aninstantlaterithardenedintoahaughty,thin-lippedfrown.Arthurlookedaround,preoccupied,tookapipefromhispocket,lititandblewalongstreamofsmoke."Thisisquitemad,"hesaid."Whatis?"Dr.Caulasked.

           "PuttingWilliamasleeptobringusoutondisplay.Ihavebeentryingmyhardesttokeephimawake.Itsimportantforhimtostayincontrol.However"—heturnedhisattentiontothereporters—"toansweryourquestionaboutviolence,Icanassurethemothersofthiscommunitythattheydonothavetobolttheirdoors.Williamisimproving.