Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "

           TheyoungwomancameoverandStanleysaid,"Marlene,thisisBillyMilligan."

           Stanleywanderedoff,andMarlenetalkedwithAllenfornearlyanhour,tradingobservationsabouttheotherpeopleintheroom.Allenfoundheramusingandwarm.Hecouldtellshewasattractedtohim.Herdarkcatlikeeyesgavehimanoddfeelingandhewasdrawntoher.ButheknewthatbecauseofArthur’srules,nothingwouldcomeofit.

           "Hey,Marlene!"Stanleycalledfromacrosstheroom."Youwannasplit?"

           Sheignoredhim.

           "Yourboyfriendiscallingyou,"Allensaid.

           "Oh,"shesaidsmiling,"he’snotmyboyfriend."

           Shewasgettinghimnervous.HerehehadjustgottenoutofZanesvilleafterservingtimeonaphonyrapecharge,andthisgirlwasmakingmovesonhim.

           "Excuseme,Marlene,"hesaid."I’vegottaleave."

           Sheseemedsurprised."Maybewe’llrunintoeachotheragainsometime."

           Allentookofffast.

           ThefollowingSunday,Allendecided,wasaperfectfalldayforaroundofgolf.Hetossedhisclubsintothecar,drovetothe

           LancasterCountryClubandrentedanelectriccart.Heplayedseveralholesbutdidpoorly;whenheputhisthirdshotintoasandbunker,hegotsodisgustedwithhimselfthatheleftthespot.