Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "That,"saidArthur,"wasabarbaricwayofhandlingthesituation."

           "Vatyouvouldhavedone?"Ragenasked.

           Arthurshrugged."IfIhadyourphysicalcapabilities,probablythesamething."

           Ragennodded.

           "WhataboutLee?"Arthurasked."Itisyourdecision."

           "Heisundesirable."

           "Yes.Whatgoodisapersonwhosewholelifeismadeupofpracticaljokes?Heisauselessandroid."

           Leewasbanished.Butratherthanliveinthelimboofthedarknessaroundthespot,unabletofaceanexistencewithoutpracticaljokesandcomicbehavior,hemadehimselfdisappearcompletely.

           Foralongtime,noonelaughed.

           Tommy’slettersbegantoshowunpredictableswingsofmood.HewroteMarlene,"Myknucklesareswollen,"anddescribedafighthe’dhadwithsomeinmateswhohadbeenstealinghispostagestamps.OnAugust6,hesworehewasgoingtocommitsuicide.Fivedayslaterhewrotehertosendhimacrylicssohecouldstartpaintingagain.

           Arthurcapturedfourmicethathekeptaspets.Hestudiedtheirbehaviorandbegantowritealongreportaboutthepossibilityofgraftingtheskinofmiceonhumanbumvictims.Oneafternooninthelab,whilehewasmakingsomenotes,threeinmatescamein.Onestoodguardandtheothertwoconfrontedhim.

           "Gimmethepackage,"oneofthemsaid."Weknowyougotit.