Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           OnJanuary10,alittlemorethanamonthafterhistransfertoAthens,Billyopenedabankaccountinthenameofthe

           FoundationAgainstChildAbuseanddepositedathousanddollars.Itwaspartofthefive-figurepaymenthehadreceivedfromawomaninColumbuswhowasplanningtoopenanartgalleryandwhocametotheAthensMentalHealthCentertobuythepaintingoftheladywiththesheetmusicinherhand,"TheGraceofCathleen."

           Hethenhadabumperstickerprinted,blacklettersonayellowbackground:

           HUGYOURCHILDTODAY

           "it’spainless"

           PLEASEHELPSTOPCHILDABUSE—BILLY

           Billytalkedoftenwiththeyoungfemalepatients.Thenursesandmentalhealthtechniciansknewthattheyoungwomenwereplayinguptohim,competingwitheachotherforhisattention.NursePatPerrynoticedthatMary,aformeranthropologystudent,cameoutofherdepressionwhenBillywasaroundandtalkedtoher.BillyadmiredMarysintelligence,oftenaskingheradvice,assheaskedhis.HemissedherwhenshewasdischargedinJanuary,butshepromisedtocomebacktovisithim.

           Whenhewasn’ttalkingtoMary,Dr.Caulorthewriter,theTeacherwouldfindhimselfboredandirritatedbytheconfinement,andhewoulddropdowntothelevelofDanny,DavidortheunfusedBilly.Itwaseasierforhimtorelatetotheotherpatientsthisway.