Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "

           "Vatisthis‘shock’probation?"

           "That’swhentheylockyouupwithoutlettingyouknowhowlongyou’regonnabethere,andthentheyshockyoubylettingyououtunexpectedlysoyou’llbegratefulandstayoutoftrouble."

           "Well,ifthat’sthecase,"Arthursaid,"let’sfollowthebarrister’sadvice.That’swhatwe’repayinghimfor."

           "Allright,"Allensaid."Sothat’sit.Wepleadguiltyinexchangeforgettingoffonprobation."

           ***

           OnMarch27,1975,WilliamStanleyMilliganpleadedguiltyto,andwasconvictedofrobberyandaggravatedrobbery.Twomonthslater,Allenlearnedthecourtgavehimshockprobationonlyfortheroadside-restassaults,butnotforthelessercharge.Hewouldhavetoserveatwo-tofive-yearsentencefortheGrayDrugStorerobbery.Theywereallstunned.

           OnJune9,afterforty-fivedaysinMansfieldReformatory,AllenwasputonablueOhioStateReformatorybuswithfifty-nineotherinmateshandcuffedinpairstobetransportedtotheLebanonCorrectionalInstitution.

           Hetriedtoavoidtheeyesofthearmedguardsittinginthecageatthefrontofthebus.Howwouldhesurvivefortwoyears?Thefearexpandedinsidehimasthebuspulleduptotheprisonandhesawthebarbed-wirefenceandthewatch-towersaroundthewallsofLebanon.Theprisonersweretakenoffthebusandmarchedintothereceivingentrance