Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Itwasabusyplace,filledwithpeopleworkingonsilkscreens,lettering,camerasandaprintingpress.Thethin,wirymancalledMr.ReinertlookedatTommysidewisethroughthoughtfuleyesastheprisonersataroundforthefirstfewdays,notinterestedinwhatwasgoingonaroundhim.

           "Whatwouldyouliketodo?"Reinertaskedhim.

           "I’dliketopaint.I’mgoodatoils."

           Reinertcockedhisheadandlookedupathim."Noneoftheprisonersdooilpainting."

           Tommyshrugged."That’swhatIdo."

           "Allright,Milligan.Comewithme.IthinkIknowwherewecangetsomestuffforyou."

           Tommywasinluck:Thegraphic-artsprojectattheChil-licotheCorrectionalFacilityhadrecentlycloseddown,andtheyhadsenttheoilpaints,canvasesandstretcherstoLebanon.Reinerthelpedhimsetupaneaselandtoldhimtogoaheadandpaint.

           Halfanhourlater,TommybroughthimalandscapeandReinertwasstunned."Milligan,I’veneverseensomeonepaintsofast.Andit’sgood."

           Tommynodded."IhadtolearntopaintfastifIwantedtobeabletofinishanything."

           Thoughoilpaintingwasnotapartoftheprogramandwasgenerallynotdoneinthegraphic-artsclasses,ReinertrealizedthatMilliganwasmostateasewithabrushinhishand;so,MondaythroughFriday,heallowedhimtopaintallhewanted.