Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Afewcollegestudents,recognizinghimfromhispicturesinthenewspapersandontelevision,wavedtohim.Itmadehimfeelgood.Maybenoteveryonehatedhimforwhathehaddone.Maybesocietywasn’ttotallyagainsthim,afterall.

           FinallyBillyaskedthathistherapytakethenextstep.Hehadbeenagoodpatient,heargued.Hehadlearnedtotrustothersaroundhim.Nowhisdoctorhadtoshowhimthathewastrustedaswell.Otherpatients,manyofthemwithmoreseverementalillnessthanhisown,wereallowedtogointotownunattended.Hewantedthesameprivilege.

           CaulagreedthatBillywasready.

           Tomakecertaintherewouldbenomisunderstandings,CaulcheckedwithSuperintendentSueFosterandconcernedlaw-enforcementofficials.Conditionswereset:ThehospitalwastonotifythepoliceinAthensandtheAdultParoleAuthorityinLancastereachtimeMilliganleftthegroundsunattendedor’returnedtothehospital.Billyagreedtoabidebytherules.

           "We’vegottoplanahead,Billy,"Caulsaid."We’vegottoconsidersomeofthethingsyoumightfaceoutonthestreetalone.",

           "Whatdoyoumean?"

           "Let’sthinkofthingsthatmighthappenandhowyoumightrespond.SupposeyouwerewalkingdownCourtStreetandafemalesawyou,recognizedyouandjustwalkeduptoyouandslappedthehelloutofyourightacrossyourfacewithoutanywarning.Doyouunderstandthat’sapossibility?Peopleknowwhoyouare.