"Barry Longyear - Dark Corners" - читать интересную книгу автора (Longyear Barry)

The desk is new, as is the chair in which I am sitting. Instead of pajamas I am wearing my raw silk sport
jacket and tan slacks. Suede shoes are on my feet. Socks, too.

I put them all on myself. I fed myself, washed myself, made my own way to the new doctor’s office. I
lean forward and eye a manila folder upon the new doctor’s new desk and grin inwardly as the world
suddenly opens its doors.

My name is Paul Linden.

Mr. Paul Linden.

It’s printed in big letters right on my file folder. Now I know my name. Suddenly I’m sane.

“With what you’ve suffered here, Paul, I don’t know how many of us could have maintained our sanity,
much less your excellent attitude,” says the new doctor. He speaks in a calm but rapid manner. My
imaginary fingers have difficulty keeping up.

“They were human beings doing the best they could with what they had,” I answer. “Besides, forgiveness
is the price of serenity, isn’t it?”

The doctor nods, a big smile on his face. He waves his hand at my folder. “You’ve been rather suddenly
cleared of all charges, which means that your reason for being committed here expired with them. If you
want, I imagine you could sue the police, the state, and this institution for a considerable fortune.”

“I’m aware of that, doctor. I can’t afford to be vindictive, however. Things happen, and I understand
that. Besides, resentment and revenge can eat me alive. I’ve learned that much here. As far as I’m
concerned, the past is past.”

“Well, the sessions we’ve had together, as well as all of your tests, show you to be one of the best
adjusted humans on Earth. Of course no one will ever accuse the previous administration of this institution
with keeping too many records.”

He laughs.

I laugh.

The Misty Man laughs.

Doctor and former patient stand, shake hands, and laugh again. It is funny. The right papers aren’t there,
the right persons aren’t available, and out of the shadows comes this editor of Danny’s, Herb Liselli, to
admit to everything.

In the hallway the doctor walks ahead to talk with the guard on the security door. I stay behind for a
moment. Danny and a dozen other patients are waiting to say good-bye. Danny turns away, hurt that I
am leaving him there.

“Danny. Good-bye.”

Danny shrugs, shakes his dark curls, and keeps his eyes closed. “Guess I’ll miss you, Nut. You didn’t tell
the new doc anything about my plan, did you? You didn’t tell him what I’m going to do to Boyle?”