Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Therewassomethinginmydrink.It’stheairline’sfault.Everything’sontheplane.I’veonlygotafewdollarsinmypocket.How’mIgonnagetbacktotheUnitedStates?Ohmigod,I’mstranded.Ican’taffordatickethome!I’mnodeadbeat.Look,Iwouldn’tpullsomethingtocomeoverhereandspendonedayinLondon.Yougottahelpmegethome."

           Asympatheticyoungwomanlistenedtohispleasandtoldhimshewoulddowhatshecouldforhim.Hewaitedinthelounge,pacingbackandforth,chain-smokingashewatchedhermakingseveralphonecalls.

           "Thereisonethingwecando,"shesaid."Wecanputyouonstand-byforareturnflighttotheStates.Onceyougethome,you’llhavetopayforthereturnticket."

           "Ofcourse!"hesaid."I’mnottryingtobeattheticket.I’vegotmoneyathome.AllIwanttodoisgetback,andI’llpayitrightaway."

           Hekeptbabblingawayatwhoeverwouldlistentohim,andfinallyhecouldseethattheyweredesperatetogethimofftheirhands.Itwaswhathecountedon.Theyfinallyputhimona747backtotheStates.

           "ThankGod!"hewhisperedashesankintotheseatandfastenedhissafetybelt.Hedidn’ttrusthimselftogotosleep,sohekeptawakereadingeverymagazineonboard.WhenhegotbacktoColumbus,asecurityofficialdrovehimtoLancaster.