Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Thejudgetoldareporterhewouldmakehisdecisionwithintwoweeks.

           OnSeptember18,seeingBilly’sagitationafterhisreturnfromLancasterandawareofhisfearofbeingshotatagain,Dr.Caulallowedhimafurlough.SinceBillyrealizedhewouldbeatargetathissistershouseaswellasatthehospital,itwasunderstoodhewouldstayattheHockingValleyMotorLodgeinnearbyNelsonville.Hewouldtakehiseasel,paintsandcanvastoworkundisturbed.

           HecheckedinonTuesdayunderafalsenameandtriedtorelax,butthetensionwastoostrong.Heheardnoiseswhilehepainted.Aftersearchingtheroomandthehall,hedecideditwasinhishead—hisownvoices.Hetriednottolisten,concentratingonhisbrushstrokes,buttheywerestilltalking.Itwasn’tRagenorArthur;he’dhaverecognizedtheiraccentsimmediately.Ithadtobetheundesirables.Nowwhatwaswrongwithhim?Hecouldn’twork,hecouldn’tsleep,hewasafraidtogobacktoKathy’sortoAthens.

           HephonedMikeRupeonWednesdayandaskedhimtocomeout.WhenRupegotthereandsawhownervousBillywas,hephonedDr.Caul.

           "You’reonnightdutyanyway,"Caulsaid."Staywithhimtonightandbringhimbacktomorrow."

           WithMikeRupethere,Billyrelaxed.Theyhadadrinkatthebar,andBillytalkedofhishopeofbeingtreatedbySybil’sphysician.

           "I’llcheckmyselfintoahospitalforacoupleofweeksuntilDr.