Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Theyspokeforawhile,andthewriter,hopingtorecapturetheTeacher’sinterest,askedBillytoexplaintheradiotelephonehehadbeenworkingon.AsBillyfumbledforwords,slowly,almostimperceptibly,thevoicestrengthened,thelanguagebecamemorearticulate,andthediscussionbecamemoretechnical.TheTeacherhadcomeback.

           "Whyareyousoupsetanddepressed?"thewriterasked.

           "I’vebeentired.I’mnotgettinganysleep."

           ThewritergesturedtowardthebookfromtheCodyElectronicsandRadioSchool."Who’sbeenworkingonthatequip-‘ment?"

           "That’sthereasonthisthingwasbuilt,becauseTommy’sbeenheremostoftheday.Dr.Caulsbeentalkingtohim.""Whoareyourightnow?"

           "TheTeacher,butinaverydepressedstate."

           "Whydidyouleave?WhydidTommycome?"

           "Mymom,andherhusbandnow.Andherpast.I’matapointwherenotawholelotmatterstome.I’msotense.ItookaValiumyesterdayandsleptthewholeday.Iwasupalllastnight,untilsixo’oclockthismorning.Iwantedtogetaway...Iwasupsetabouttheparoleboard.TheywantmebackinLebanon.SometimesIfeelI’dratherletthemtakemebackandgetitoverwith.SomehowI’vegottogetthemtoleavemealone."

           "Butunfusingisn’ttheanswer,Billy."

           "Iknow.I’veseenmyselfstrugglingdaytoday,tryingtoachievemoreandmoreandmore