Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           OnJune21,eightmonthsafterhavingfirstbeenputinprotectiveisolation,hewroteMarlenethathewascertaintheparole-hearingdelaywassomekindofpsychologicaltesting,"orelseI’msogoddamnedstonecrazyIdon’tknowwhatthefuckI’mdoingDa-da-da."Stillisolated,hewasmovedtoCblock’s"psychrange,"agroupoftencellsreservedforinmateswithmentalproblems.Dannystabbedhimselfshortlyafter,andwhenherefusedtreatment,hewastakenonceagaintotheCentralMedicalCenterinColumbus.AfterabriefstayhewasreturnedtoLebanon.

           DuringhisstayinCblock,Allenkeptsending"kites"toWardenDallman,officialmessagesprotestinghisprotectiveisolation,whichhehadbeentoldhadtobevoluntary.Hisconstitutionalrightswerebeingviolated,hewrote,andhethreatenedtosueeverybody.Afterafewweeks,Arthursuggestedachangeoftactics—silence.Speaktonoone,neitherinmatesnorguards.Heknewthatwouldworrythem.Andthechildrenrefusedtoeat.

           InAugust,afterelevenmonthsinprotectiveisolation,beingshiftedbackandforthfromthepsychrange,hewastoldhecouldreturntotheprisonpopulation."Wecouldputyoutoworkwhereitisn’tverydangerous,"WardenDallmansaid.Heindicatedthepencilsketchesalloverthecellwall."I’veheardaboutyourartistictalents.WhatifweputyoutoworkinMr.Reinert’sartclass?"

           Allennoddedhappily.

           ThefollowingdayTommywenttothegraphic-artsroom.