"Bradbury, Ray - The Illustrated Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bradbury Ray)

The captain glared at his lieutenant. УWhatТs that to do with us?Ф

УItТs hard to explain. But he was a man for whom theyТd waited a long timeЧa million years maybe. And yesterday he walked into their city. ThatТs why today, sir, our rocket landing means nothing.Ф

The captain sat down violently. УWho was it? Not Ashley? He didnТt arrive in his rocket before us and steal my glory, did he?Ф He seized MartinТs arm. His face was pale and dismayed.

УNot Ashley, sir.Ф

УThen it was Burton! I knew it. Burton stole in ahead of us and ruined my landing! You canТt trust anyone any more.Ф

УNot Burton, either, sir,Ф said Martin quietly.

The captain was incredulous. УThere were only three rockets. We were in the lead. This man who got here ahead of us? What was his name!Ф

УHe didnТt have a name. He doesnТt need one. It would be different on every planet, sir.Ф

The captain stared at his lieutenant with hard, cynical eyes. УWell, what did he do that was so wonderful that nobody even looks at our ship?Ф

УFor one thing,Ф said Martin steadily, Уhe healed the sick and comforted the poor. He fought hypocrisy and dirty politics and sat among the people, talking, through the day.Ф

УIs that so wonderful?Ф

УYes, Captain.Ф

УI donТt get this.Ф The captain confronted Martin, peered into his face and eyes. УYou been drinking, eh?Ф He was suspicious. He backed away. УI donТt understand.Ф

Martin looked at the city. УCaptain, if you donТt understand, thereТs no way of telling you.Ф

The captain followed his gaze. The city was quiet and beautiful and a great peace lay over it. The captain stepped forward, taking his cigar from his lips. He squinted first at Martin, then at the golden spires of the buildings.

УYou donТt meanЧyou canТt meanЧ That man youТre talking about couldnТt beЧЧФ

Martin nodded. УThatТs what I mean, sir.

The captain stood silently, not moving. He drew himself up.

УI donТt believe it,Ф he said at last.

At high noon Captain Hart walked briskly into the city, accompanied by Lieutenant Martin and an assistant who was carrying some electrical equipment. Every once in a while the captain laughed loudly, put his hands on his hips and shook his head.

The mayor of the town confronted him. Martin set up a tripod, screwed a box onto it, and switched on the batteries.

УAre you the mayor?Ф The captain jabbed a finger out.

УI am,Ф said the mayor.

The delicate apparatus stood between them, controlled and adjusted by Martin and the assistant. Instantaneous translations from any language were made by the box. The words sounded crisply on the mild air of the city.

УAbout this occurrence yesterday,Ф said the captain. УIt occurred?Ф