sk.carrie-第15章

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s　for　pilferage。　One　of　them　had　been　a　friend　of　these　boys；　a　luckless　bastard　named　Freddy　Overlock。　Freddy　had　been　caught　red…handed　in　old　man　Henty's　henhouse；　and　had　received　a　double　dose　of　number…six　bird　where　the　good　Lord　had　split　him。　Good　ole　Fred　had　spent　four　raving；　cursing　hours　on　his　belly　in　an　Emergency　Wing　examining　room　while　a　jovial　interne　picked　tiny　pellets　off　his　butt　and　dropped　them　into　a　steel　pan。　To　add　insult　to　injury；　he　had　been　fined　two　hundred　dollars　for　larceny　and　trespass。　There　was　no　love　lost　between　Irwin　Henty　and　the　Chamberlain　greaser　squad。
'What　about　Red？'　Steve　asked。
'He's　trying　to　get　into　some　new　waitress　at　The　Cavalier；'　Billy　said；　swinging　the　wheel　and　puffing　the　Biscayne　through　a　juddering　racing　drift　and　on　to　the　Henty　Road。　Red　Trelawney　was　old　man　Henty's　hired　hand。　He　was　a　heavy　drinker　and　just　as　handy　with　the　bird…shot　as　his　employer。　'He　won't　be　back　until　they　close　up。'
'Hell　of　a　risk　for　a　joke；'　Jackie　Talbot　grumbled。
Billy　stiffened。　'You　want　out？'
'No；　uh…uh；'　Jackie　said　hastily。　Billy　had　produced　an　ounce　of　good　grass　to　split　among　the　five　of　them　…　and　besides；　it　was　nine　miles　back　to　town。　'It's　a　good　joke；　Billy。'
Kenny　opened　the　glove　partment；　took　out　an　ornate　scrolled　roach　clip　（Chris's）；　and　fixed　the　smouldering　butt…end　of　a　joint　in　it　This　operation　struck　him　as　highly　amusing；　and　he　let　out　his　highpitched　giggle　again。　
Now　they　were　flashing　past　No　Tresspassing　signs　on　either　side　of　the　road；　barbed　wire；　newly　turned　fields。　The　smell　of　fresh　earth　was　heavy　and　gravid　and　sweet　on　the　warm　May　air。
Billy　popped　the　headlights　off　as　they　breasted　the　next　hill；　dropped　the　gearshift　into　neutral　and　killed　the　ignition。　They　rolled；　a　silent　hulk　of　metal；　toward　the　Henty　driveway。
Billy　negotiated　the　turn　with　no　trouble；　and　most　of　their　speed　bled　away　as　they　breasted　another　small　rise　and　passed　the　dark　and　empty　house。　Now　they　could　see　the　huge　bulk　of　barn　and　beyond　it；　moonlight　glittering　dreamily　on　the　cow　pond　and　the　apple　orchard。
In　the　pigpen；　two　sows　poked　their　flat　snouts　through　the　bars。　In　the　bar；　one　cow　lowed　softly；　perhaps　in　sleep。
Billy　stopped　the　car　with　the　emergency　brake　…　not　really　necessary　since　the　ignition　was　off；　but　it　was　a　nice　mando　touch　…　and　they　got　out。
Lou　Garson　reached　past　Kenny　and　got　something　out　of　the　glove　partment。　Billy　and　Henry　went　around　to　the　trunk　and　opened　it。
'The　bastard　is　going　to　shit　where　he　stands　when　he　es　back　and　gets　a　look；'　Steve　said　with　soft　glee。
'For　Freddy；'　Henry　said；　taking　the　hammer　out　of　the　trunk。
Billy　said　nothing；　but　of　course　it　was　not　for　Freddy　Overlock；　who　was　an　asshole。　It　was　for　Chris　Hargensen；　just　as　everything　was　for　Chris；　and　had　been　since　the　day　she　swept　down　from　her　lofty　collegecourse　Olympus　and　made　herself　vulnerable　to　him　He　would　have　done　murder　for　her；　and　more。
Henry　was　swinging　the　nine…pound　sledge　experimentally　in　one　hand。　The　heavy　block　of　its　business　end　made　a　portentous　swishing　noise　in　the　night　air；　and　the　other　boys　gathered　around　as　Billy　opened　the　lid　of　the　ice　chest　and　took　out　the　two　galvanized　steel　pads。　They　were　numbingly　cold　to　the　touch；　lightly　traced　with　frost
'Okay；'　he　said。
The　six　of　them　walked　quickly　to　the　hogpen；　their　respiration　shortening　with　excitement。　The　two　sows　were　both　as　tame　as　tabbies；　and　the　old　boar　lay　asleep　on　his　side　at　the　far　end。　Henry　swung　the　sledge　once　more　through　the　air；　but　this　time　with　no　conviction。　He　handed　it　to　Billy。
'I　can't；'　he　said　sickly。　'You。'
Billy　took　it　and　looked　questioningly　at　Lou；　who　held　the　broad　butcher　knife　he　had　taken　from　the　glove　partment。
'Don't　worry；'　he　said；　and　touched　the　ball　of　his　thumb　to　the　honed　edge。
'The　throat；'　Billy　reminded。
'I　know。'
Kenny　was　crooning　and　grinning　as　he　fed　the　remains　of　a　crumpled　bag　of　potato　chips　to　the　pigs。　'Doan　worry；　piggies；　doan　worry；　big　Bills　gonna　bash　your　fuckin　heads　in　and　you　woan　have　to　worry　about　the　bomb　any　more。'　He　scratched　their　bristly　chins；　and　the　pigs　grunted　and　munched　contentedly。
'Here　it　es；'　Billy　remarked；　and　the　sledge　flashed　down。
There　was　a　sound　that　reminded　him　of　the　time　he　and　Henry　had　dropped　a　pumpkin　off　Claridge　Road　overpass；　which　crossed　495　west　of　town。　One　of　the　sows　dropped　dead　with　its　tongue　protruding；　eyes　still　open；　potato　chip　crumbs　around　its　snout
Kenny　giggled。　'She　didn't　even　have　time　to　burp。'
'Do　it　quick；　Lou；'　Billy　said。
Kenny's　brother　slid　between　the　slates；　lifted　the　pig's　head　toward　the　moon…the　glazing　eyes　regarded　the　crescent　with　rapt　blackness　…　and　slashed。
The　flow　of　blood　was　immediate　and　startling。　Several　of　the　boys　were　splattered　and　jumped　back　with　little　cries　of　disgust。
Billy　leaned　through　and　put　one　of　the　buckets　under　the　main　flow。　The　pail　filled　up　rapidly；　and　he　set　it　aside。　The　second　was　half　full　when　the　flow　trickled　and　died。
'The　other　one；'　he　said。
'Jesus；　Billy；'　Jackie　whined。　'Isn't　that　en…'
'The　other　one；'　Billy　repeated。
'Soo…ee；　pig…pig…pig；'　Kenny　called；　grinning　and　rattling　the　empty　potato…chip　bag。　After　a　pause；　the　sow　returned　to　the　fence；　the　sledge　flashed；　the　second　bucket　was　filled　and　the　remainder　of　the　blood　allowed　to　flow　into　the　ground。　A　rank；　coppery　smell　hung　on　the　air。　Billy　found　he　was　slimed　in　pig　blood　to　the　forearms。
Carrying　the　pails　back　to　the　trunk；　his　mind　made　a　dim；　symbolic　connection。　Pig　blood。　That　was　good。　Chris　was　right。　It　was　really　good。　It　made　everything　solidify。
Pig　blood　for　a　pig。
He　nestled　the　galvanized　steel　pails　into　the　crushed　ice　and　slammed　the　lid　of　the　chest。　'Let's　go；'　he　said。
Billy　got　behind　the　wheel　and　released　the　emergency　brake。　The　five　boys　got　behind；　put　their　shoulders　into　it；　and　the　car　turned　in　a　tight；　noiseless　circle　and　trundled　up　past　the　barn　to　the　crest　of　the　hill　across　from　Henty's　house。
When　the　car　began　to　roll　on　its　own；　they　trotted　up　beside　the　doors　and　climbed　in　panting。
The　car　gained　speed　enough　to　slew　a　little　as　Billy　whipped　it　out　of　the　long　driveway　and　on　to　the　Henty　Road。　At　the　bottom　of　the　hill　he　dropped　the　transmission　into　third　and　popped　the　clutch。　The　engine　hitched　and　grunted　into　life。
Pig　blood　for　a　pig。　Yes；　that　was　good；　all　right。　That　was　really　good。　He　smiled；　and　Lou　Garson　felt　a　start　of　surprise　and　fear。　He　was　not　sure　he　could　recall　ever　having　seen　Billy　Nolan　smile　before。　There　had　not　even　been　rumours。
'Whose　funeral　did　ole　man　Henty　go　to？'　Steve　asked。
'His　mother's；'　Billy　said。
'His　mother？'　Jackie　Talbot　said；　stunned。　'Jesus　Christ；　she　musta　been　older'n　God。'
Kenny's　high…pitched　cackle　drifted　back　on　the　redolent　darkness　that　trembled　at　the　edge　of　summer。
Part　Two
Prom　Night
She　put　the　dress　on　for　the　first　time　on　the　morning　of　May　27；　in　her　room。　She　had　bought　a　special　brassiere　to　go　with　it；　which　gave　her　breasts　the　proper　uplift　（not　that　they　actually　needed　it）　but　left　their　top　halves　uncovered。　Wearing　it　gave　her　a　weird；　dreamy　feeling　that　was　half　shame　and　half　defiant　excitement。
The　dress　itself　was　nearly　floor…length。　The　skirt　was　loose；　but　the　waist　was　snug；　the　material　rich　and　unfamiliar　against　her　skin；　which　was　used　only　to　cotton　and　wool。
The　hang　of　it　seemed　to　be　right　…　or　would　be；　with　the　new　shoes。　She　slipped　them　on；　adjusted　the　neckline；　and　went　to　the　window。　She　could　see　only　a　maddening　ghost　image　of　herself；　but　everything　seemed　to　be　right。　Maybe　later　she　could。。。
The　door　swung　open　behind　her　with　only　a　soft　snick　of　the　latch；　and　Carrie　turned　to　look　at　her　mother。
She　was　dressed　for　work；　wearing　her　white　sweater　and　holding　her　black　pocketbook　in　one　hand。　In　the　other　she　was　holding　Daddy　Ralph's　Bible。
They　looked　at　each　other。
Hardly　conscious　of　it；　Carrie　felt　her　back　straighten　until　she　stood　straight　in　the　patch　of　early　spring　sunshine　that　fell　through　the　window。
'Red；'　Momma　murmured。　'I　might　have　known　it　would　be　red。'
Carrie　said　nothing。
'I　can　see　your　dirtypillows。　Everyone　will。　They'll　be　looking　at　your　body。　The　Book　says…'
'Those　are　my　breasts；　Momma。　Every　woman　has　them。'
'Take　of　that　dress；'　Momma　said。
'No。'
'Take　it　of；　Carrie。　We'll　go　down　and　bum　it　in　the　incinerator　together；　and　then　pray　for　forgiveness。　We'll　do　penance。'　Her　eyes　began　to　sparkle　with　the　strange　disconnected　zeal　that　came　over　her　at　events　which　she　considered　to　be　tests　of　faith。　'I'll　stay　home　from　work　and　you'll　stay　home　from　school。　We'll　pray。　We'll　ask　for　a　sign。　We'll　get　us　down　on　our　knees　and　ask　for　the　Pentecostal　Fire。'
'No；　Momma。'
Her　mother　reached　up　and　pinched　her　own　face。　It　left　a　red　mark。　She　looked　to　Carrie　for　reaction；　saw　none；　hooked　her　right　hand　into　claws　and　ripped　it　across　her　own　cheek；　bringing　thin　blood。　She　whined　and　rocked　back　on　her　heels。　Her　eyes　glowed　with　exultation。
'Stop　hurting　yourself；　Momma。　That's　not　going　to　make　me　stop　either。'
Momma　screamed。　She　made　her　right　hand　a　fist　and　struck　herself　in　the　mouth；　bringing　blood。　She　dabbled　her　fingers　in　it；　looked　at　it　dreamily；　and　daubed　a　spot　on　the　cover　of　the　Bible。
'Washed　in　the　Blood　of　the　Lamb；'　she　whispered。　'Many　times。　Many　times　he　and…'
'Go　away；　Momma。'
She　looked　up　at　Carrie；　her　eyes　glowing。　There　was　a　terrifying　expression　of　righteous　anger　graven　on　her　face。
'The　Lord　is　not　mocked；'　she　whispered。　'Be　sure　your　sin　will　find　you　out。　Burn　it；　Carrie！　Cast　that　devil's　red　from　you　and　burn　it！　Burn　it！　Burn　it！'
The　door　slammed　open　by　itself。
'Go　away；　Momma。'
Momma　smiled。　Her　bloody　mouth　made　the　smile　grotesque；　twisted。　'As　Jezebel　fell　from　the　tower；　let　it　be　with　you；'　she　said。　'And　the　dogs　came　and　licked　up　the　blood。　It's　in　the　Bible！　It's…'
Her　feet　began　to　slip　along　the　floor　and　she　looked　down　at　them；　bewildered。　The　wood　might　have　turned　to　ice。
'Stop　that！'　She　screamed。
She　was　in　the　hall　now。　She　caught　the　doorjamb　and　held　on　for　a　moment；　then　her　fingers　were　torn　loose；　seemingly　by　nothing。
'I　love　you；　Momma；'　Carrie　said　steadily。　'I'm　sorry。'
She　envisioned　the　door　swinging　shut；　and　the　door　did　just　that；　as　if　moved　by　a　light　breeze。　Carefully；　so　as　not　to　hurt　her；　she　disengaged　the　mental　hands　she　had　pushed　her　mother　with。
A　moment　later；　Margaret　was　pounding　on　the　door。　Carrie　held　it　shut；　her　lips　trembling。
'There's　going　to　be　a　judgment！'　Margaret　White　raved。　'I　wash　my　hands　of　it！　I　tried！'
'Pilate　said　that；'　Carrie　murmured。
Her　mother　went　away。　A　minute　later　Carrie　saw　her　go　down　the　walk　and　cross　the　street　on　her　way　to　work。
'Momma；'　she　said　softly；　and　put　her　forehead　on　the　glass。
From　The　Shadow　Exploded　（p。　129）：
Before　turning　to　a　more　detailed　analysis　of　Prom　Night　itself；　it　might　be　well　to　sum　up　what　we　know　of　Carrie　White　the　person。　
We　know　that　Carrie　was　the　victim　of　her　mother's　religious　mania。　We　know　that　she　possessed　a　latent　telekinetic　talent；　monly　referred　to　as　TK。　We　know　tha