Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Allenfoundmoneyfrompaintingshe’dsoldjustwherehe’dhiddenit—behindalooseboardinthebroomcloset—andpaidforthereturnticket.

           "Iwanttothankyou,"hetoldhisescort."PanAmhasbeenveryunderstanding.AssoonasIgetachance,I’mgoingtowritealettertothepresidentofyourcompanyandtellthemwhatawonderfuljobyou’redoing."

           Aloneintheapartment,Allenbecameverydepressed.HetriedtocommunicatewithArthur.Ittookalongtime,butArthurfinallycameoutandlookedaround.WhenhesawhewasnolongerinLondon,herefusedtohaveanythingtodowithanyone.

           "You’reallabunchofworthlessblighters,"hegrumbled.

           Andthenheturnedhisbackandsulked.

           AttheendofSeptember,AllenwashiredbythehugeAnchorHockingGlassCorporation,whereBilly’ssisterKathyhadonceworked.Hisjobwastopacktheglasswareasthewomentookitoffthemovingbelt.Butsometimesheworkedasaselector,examiningtheproductjustoffthebelt.Itwasatorturousjobtostandthere—earsdeafenedbytheroaroftheflamejetsandairblowers—pickupthestill-warmglasses,examinethemfordefectsandstackthemonopentraysforthepackerstoremove.TherewasagreatdealofswitchingbetweenTommy,Allen,PhilipandKevin.

           WithArthursapproval,Allenhadrentedathree-bedroomduplexapartmentinSomerfordSquareinthenortheastsectionofLancaster—1270KSheridanDrive.