Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           Ateighto’clock,NurseHelenYaegerwentintohisroomandstayedwithhimforfortyminutes.Herfirstentryinthenurses’noteswasbrief:

           3/16/78Mr.Milliganremainsinspecialcare—observedcloselyforspecialprecautions.Spokeofhismultiplepersonalities."Arthur"didmostofthetalking—hehasanEnglishaccent.Statedthatoneofthepersons—namelyBilly—issuicidalandhehasbeenasleepsince16yearsofageinordertoprotecttheothersfromharm.Eatingwell.Voidingwell.Takingfoodswell.Pleasantandcooperative.

           AfterNurseYaegerleft,ArthursilentlyinformedtheothersthatHardingHospitalwasasafeandsupportiveenvironment.Sinceitwouldtakeinsightandlogictoassistthephysiciansintherapy,he,Arthur,wouldhenceforthassumecompletedominationofthespot.

           Attwotwenty-fivethatmorning,Psych-techChrisCannheardaloudnoisefromtheroom.Whenhewenttocheck,hesawthepatientsittingonthefloor.

           Tommywasupsetathavingfallenoutofbed.Secondslater,heheardthefootstepsandsawtheeyeatthepeephole.Assoonasthefootstepsfadedaway,Tommypulledthetapedrazorbladefromthesoleofhisfootandcarefullyhidit,retapingittotheundersideofoneofthebedslats.Hewouldknowwheretofinditwhenthetimecame.

           OnhisreturnfromChicagoonMarch19,Dr.GeorgeHarding,Jr.,wasannoyedthathiscarefularrangementshadbeenupsetbytheearlytransfer.