Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           AsJudyhadputit,"Thefearthatyoumightbeslightingsomeoneelsemakesyouworktentimesashardsoyouwon’tshort-changetheothers.Ourhomesandfamiliespaidtheprice."

           Garylookedupatthehuge,uglyVictorianbuildingashegotintothecar,andhenodded.NowBillyMilliganwassomeoneelse’scareandresponsibility.

           BillyawokeonDecember23,nervousatthethoughtoftalkingtothewriter.Therewassolittlehecouldactuallyrememberofhisearlyyears,justbitsandpieces,thethingshehadpickedupfromothers.Howcouldhetellthewriterthestoryofhis

           Afterbreakfast,hewalkedtotheendofthelobby,filledasecondcupofcoffeefromtheurnandsatinanarmchairtowaitforhim.Lastweekhisnewlawyer,AlanGoldsberry,representedhimonthebook,andtheyhadsignedcontractswiththewriterandthepublisher.Thathadbeenhardenough.Butnowpanicwassettingin.

           "Billy,youhaveavisitor."NormaDishong’svoicestartledhim,andhejumpedup,splashingcoffeeonhisjeans.Hesawthewritercomingthroughthedooroftheward,downthestepsintothecorridor.God,whathadhegottenhimselfinto?

           "Hi,"thewritersaid,smiling."Readytostart?"

           Billyledthewaytohisroom,thenwatchedastheslight,beardedwriterunpackedhistaperecorder,notebook,pencils,pipeandtobacco,andsettledbackinachair."Letsmakeitapracticetostarteachsessionwithyourname.