Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "

           Hewentovertotheeaselandpickedupabrushtoworkonalandscapehehadstarted.Arthurwouldknowhewasdoingwhathewassupposedto,perfectinghistalents.

           "Ithinkyoucaremoreaboutyourpaintingthanyoudoaboutme."

           TommyturnedandsawthatMarlenewasdressed,brushingherhair.Hesaidnothingbutwentonpainting.

           "Painting,painting,that’sallyouthinkaboutisyourdamnedpainting.Talktome,Billy."

           RememberingArthur’sruleaboutbeingpolitetowomen,Tommyputthebrushdownandsatinthechairacrossfromher.Shewasbeautiful.Thoughshewasfullydressednow,hevisualizedherslenderbody,everycurve,everyhollow.Hehadneverpaintedanudebefore,buthewouldlovetopainther.Heknewlewouldn’t,though.Allenwastheonewhopaintedpeople.

           Hespoketoherforawhile,fascinatedbyherdarkeyes,herTill,poutinglips,herlongthroat.Heknewthatwhoevershewas,whateverhadbroughtherhere,hewascrazyabouther.

           ***

           NoonecouldunderstandwhyBillyMilliganstartedmissingdaysatworkorwhyhebecamesoclumsyandstupid.Onceheclimbeduptofixthechainoverthetanksandfellintotheacidbath.Theyhadtosendhimhome.Hewalkedoffthejoboneday,andonDecember21,1973,hewasfiredfromLancasterElectro-Plating.Hestayedhomealonepaintingforafewdays.