Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Inthefallof1970,BillyenteredLancasterHighSchool,theramblingglass-and-concretecomplexofmodembuildingsonthenorthsideofLancaster.Billydidnotdowellinhisclasses.Hehatedhisteachersandhehatedschool.

           Arthurcutmanyofhishighschoolclassestostudymedicalbooksatthelibraryandbecameespeciallyfascinatedbythestudyofhematology.

           Tommyspenthissparetimefixingappliancesandpracticinghisescapeprocedures.Bythistime,noropescouldholdhim.Hecouldworkhishandstoundoanyknotorslideoutthroughanyropesthattiedhim.Heboughthimselfapairofhandcuffsandpracticedgettingoutofthemusingasplitball-pointpenplasticcapasakey.Hemadeamentalnotethatitwouldalwaysbebesttohavetwohandcuffkeysonyouatalltimes—oneinafrontpocketandoneinback—soyoucouldgettoonenomatterwhichwaytheyhandcuffedyou.

           InJanuary1971,Billygotajobasapart-timedeliveryboyatanIGAgrocerystore.HedecidedtousepartofthemoneyfromhisfirstpaychecktobuyasteakforChalmer.ThingshadgoneprettywellovertheChristmasholidays.Hethoughtifheshowedhisstepfathernowthathecaredforhim,maybeChalmerwouldstoppickingonhim.

           Hecameupthebackstepsandsawthatthedoortothekitchenhadbeenknockedoffitshinges.GrandmaandGrandpaMilliganwerethere,andsowereKathyandChallaandJim.Momwasholdingabloodytoweltoherhead.Herfacewasblack-and-blue.