Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Onnight,ArthursuggestedthatAllentrytofindajobasamaintenanceman.ItwasthekindofworkTommycouldhandleeasily:repairingelectricalappliances,mechanicalequipment,heatingunitsandplumbing.AsArthurunderstoodit,arent-freeapartmentandfreeutilitiescamewiththejob.HesuggestedAllengetintouchwithaformerinmatewhomhe’doncehelpedinLebanonandwhonowwasamaintenancemaninasuburbofColumbuscalledLittleTurtle.

           "Perhapsheknowsofanopening,"Arthursaid."Callhim.Tellhimyou’reintownandwouldliketodropby."

           AllengrumbledaboutitbutfollowedArthursinstructions.

           NedBergerwasgladtohearfromhimandinvitedhimover.Theyweren’thiringatLittleTurtle,hesaid,butBillyMilliganwaswelcometospendacoupleofnightsathisplace.Allendroppedby,andtheypartiedandswappedstoriesaboutprisonlife.

           Onthemorningofthethirdday,BergercamebacktotheapartmentwiththenewsthatChanningwayApartmentswasabouttoadvertiseforoutdoormaintenancehelp."Call’em,"Bergersaid,"butdon’tsayhowyoufoundouttheywerehiring."

           JohnWymer,theyouthfulpersonnelmanagerofKellyandLemmonManagementCompany,wasimpressedwithBillyMilligan.Ofallthemenwhoansweredhishelp-wantedad,hefoundMilliganthemostqualifiedandpersonable.