Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           AfteracheckoftherecordsfromOhio,theNavydiscoveredthathehadbeeninamentalhospitalandhadliedonrecruitmentpapers.Thepsychiatricreportstated,"HelacksthenecessarymaturityandstabilitytofunctioneffectivelyintheNavy.Itisrecommendedthathebedischargedastemperamentallyunsuitableforfurthertraining."

           OnMay1,amonthandadayafterhisenlistment,WilliamStanleyMilliganwasdischargedfromtheU.S.Navy"underhonorableconditions."

           HewasgivenhispayandanairlinetickettoColumbus.ButonthewayfromGreatLakestoO’HareAirportinChicago,PhiliplearnedthattwootherrecruitsonleavetogohomewereheadingforNewYorkCity.InsteadofusinghisUnitedAirlinesticket,Philipjoinedthemonthebus.HewasgoingtoseeNewYork,theplaceheknewhewasfrombuthadneverseen.

           AttheNewYorkbusterminalPhilipsaidgood-bytohistravelingcompanions,slunghisdufflebagoverhisshoulderandstartedwalking.HepickedupmapsandbrochuresattheinformationdeskandheadedforTimesSquare.Hefeltathome.Thestreets,thevoicesthatsoundednaturaltohisear,assuredhimthatthiswaswherehebelonged.

           Philipspenttwodaysexploringthecity.HetookatripontheStatenIslandFerryandonetotheStatueofLiberty.Then,startingattheBattery,hewanderedthenarrowstreetsaroundWallStreetandwalkeduptoGreenwichVillage.HeateinaGreekrestaurantandsleptatacheaphotel.