Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Samuelshouldhaverealizedhewassellingpaintingstheothershelddeartothemselves,paintingssopersonaltheywerenevermeantfortheeyesofstrangers.HeorderedTommytofindSamuel’sfavoritecreation—adrapedVenussurroundedbycupids,doneinplaster.

           "Destroyit,"Arthursaid.

           Tommytookitoutbackandsmasheditwithahammer.

           "Forthisterriblecrimeofsellingotherpeople’sart,Samuelishenceforthanundesirable.Heisherebybanishedfromthespot."

           Samuelarguedhisfate.HepointedouttoArthurthatheshouldnotbebanished,sincehewastheonlyoneamongallofthemwhobelievedinGod.

           "Godwasinventedbythosewhoareafraidoftheunknown,"Arthursaid."PeopleworshipfigureslikeJesusChristonlybecausetheyfearwhatmighthappentothemaftertheydie."

           "Exactly,"Samuelsaid."Butlook,itwouldn’tbesuchaterribleideatohavealittleinsurance.IfafterwediewefindoutthereisaGod,whatshouldbesobadthatthereshouldbeatleastoneofuswhodidbelieveinHim?Thatwayoneofushasashotatgettingthesoulintoheaven."

           "Ifthereisasoul,"Arthursaid.

           "Sowhatstherushtotakethegamble?Whatwoulditcosttogivemeanotherchance?"

           "I’vemadetherule,"Arthursaid,"andmydecisionstands.Octobersixthisyourholiestday,YomKippur.