"Jack Dann - Going Under (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dann Jack)

as though Stephen had suddenly disappeared.
"1 beg your pardon?" he asked.
"That's French, which no one uses anymore, but it was the language of the world when this
ship first sailed."
"I believe it was English," Stephen said smoothly.
"Well," she said, looking up at him, "it means that 1 might be interested if you'd kindly
sit down instead of looking down at me from the heights." Stephen sat down beside her and she
said, "It took you long enough to find me."
"Well," Stephen said, "I had to dress. Remember? You didn't find my previous attire ac-"
"I agree and I apologize," she said quickly, as if suddenly afraid of hurting his
feelings. She folded her hands behind the box that she had centered perfectly on the damask-
covered table. Her leg brushed against his; indeed, he did look fine, dressed in gray striped
trousers, spats, black morning coat, blue vest, and a silk cravat tied under a butterfly collar.
He fiddled with his hat, then placed it on the seat of the empty chair beside him. No doubt he
would forget to take it.
"Now," she said, "don't you feel better?"'
Stephen was completely taken with her; this had never happened to him before. He found it
inexplicable. A tall and very English waiter disturbed him by asking if he wished to order
cocktails, but Esme asked for a Narcodrine instead.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Narcodrines or inhalors are not publicly sold on the ship," the
waiter said dryly.
"Well, that's what I want."
"One would have to ask the steward for the more modern refreshments."
"You did say you wanted to live in the past," Stephen said to Esme, and ordered a Campari
for her and a Drambuie for himself.
"Right now I would prefer a robot to take my order," Esme said.
"I'm sorry, but we have no robots on the ship either," the waiter said before he turned
away.
"Are you going to show me what's inside the box?" Stephen asked.
"I don't like that man," Esme said.


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"Esme, the box . . ."
"It might cause a stir if I opened it here."
"I would think you'd like that," Stephen said.
"You see, you know me intimately already." Then she smiled and winked at someone four
tables away. "Isn't he cute?"

"Who?"
"The little boy with the black hair parted in the middle." She waved at him, but he
ignored her and made an obscene gesture at a woman who looked to be his nanny. Then Esme opened
the box, which drew the little boy's attention. She pulled out a full-sized head of a man and
placed it gently beside the box.
"Jesus," Stephen said.
"Stephen, I'd like you to meet Poppa. Poppa, this is Stephen."
"I'm pleased to meetcha, Stephen," said the head in a full, resonant voice.
"Speak properly, Poppa," Esme said. "Meet you."