Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           "

           "Hesgoingtogetusintotrouble,"Allensaid.

           OneafternoonStevewasstandinginthecorridorbehindCaptainLeach,armscrossed,mimickingLeach’smannerofrockingbackandforthonhisheels.Leachturnedandcaughthimatit."Allright,Milligan,youcanpracticeyourperformanceinthehole.Maybetendaysinisolationwillteachyoualesson."

           "Allenwarnedussomethingwouldhappen,"ArthursaidtoRagen."Steveisuseless.Hehasnoambition,notalent.Allhedoesislaughatpeople,andwhileobserversmaylaughathisantics,theindividualwhoismockedbecomesourenemy.You’reindomination,butIputittoyouthatwehardlyneedmoreenemies."

           RagenagreedthatStevewasundesirableandtoldhimhewasbanished.Steverefusedtogetoffthespot,andmockingRagensaccent,hegrowled,"Vatyoumean?Youdonotexist.Noneofyou.Youareallfigmentsofmyimagination.Iamonlyonehere.Iamonlyrealperson.Therestofyouarehallucinations."

           Ragenslammedhimintothewallandbloodiedhisforehead.ThenSteveleftthespot.AtArthursurging,AllenappliedtotakecoursesgivenattheprisonbyinstructorsfromtheShakerValleybranchcampusofthecommunitycollege.HeenrolledinEnglish,industrialdesign,basicmathandindustrialadvertising.HegotAsintheartclassesandB+’sinEnglishandMath.