"Jack Dann - The Diamond Pit" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dann Jack)

I heard a rustling behind my bed, and although my head felt like it was
half-filled with some vile-tasting, vile-smelling liquid, I managed to turn --
and see a giant dressed in white like the old man.
"Don't give no never mind to Isaac, Mr. Orsatti. You can think of him
as your shadow -- or your own personal bodyguard, if you prefer. Isaac won't
be a bother, as he understands no English -- Now, _you've_ got a big day
today, sir. A bath to start the morning right, sir?"
My head began to clear and I found my voice. "Tell me what the hell I'm
doing here?"
"It's up to the master alone to explain his intentions, sir. But I
believe you're to give a recital in an hour."
"The master?"
"Master Jefferson, sir. Surely you know -- "
"And you, what do _you_ know?" I asked Isaac, who stood as still as one
of the statues in the garden and gazed at me disinterestedly.
"I told you, sir, he cannot understand you."
"Can't slaves understand English?"
"Sir, I am not in a position to advise -- or to educate you. But I'm
sure Master Jefferson will see to all your questions in his time."
"Are _you_ a slave?" I asked. I would recite the Gettysburg Address to
him if I had to.
"I have served Master Jefferson for many years, sir. Now would you
prefer rosewater and a salt-water finish or a milk bath followed by warm
water? Isaac will remove your pajamas."
I wasn't letting Isaac or anyone else near me.
I heard the old man sigh and nod his head, and then the bed tilted, and
before I could gather my wits to grab hold of something, I was sliding toward
the wall, pajamas and all. Drapes parted, as I slid down an incline into warm
water. I heard myself shouting, but brought myself under control immediately.
The chute folded back into the wall. I was in a sunken bath, the water warm as
a womb; but swimming all around me -- and above and below -- were salt-water
fish of every description: spiny fire fish, huge groupers, barramundi,
mackerel, cod, orange-striped dragon fish, and there were jellyfish with long,
almost transparent tentacles, a diamond-toothed moray eel, sea snakes,
turtles, black spotted cuttlefish, and a hammerhead shark that was at least
seven feet long.
The shark swam toward me, swam through the illuminated water.
Only a layer of crystal separated the shark from my feet, for my
bathroom was inside an aquarium, and the great mass of water pressing against
the walls cast shimmering, coruscating reflections everywhere. Then rain began
to fall from the ceiling, and jets of rosewater and liquid soap bubbled into
the bath while electric paddles churned the water into a blanket of sparkling
soap bubbles. Music began playing, as if a chamber orchestra composed of
mermaids were playing beside me.
The old man and Isaac stood on either side of the white marble sunken
bath.
"My name is Robert," the old man said. "When you have completed your
bath, Isaac will give you a rubdown and a shave and dress you. I will serve
you breakfast in the sitting room," and with that he bowed and left.
Perhaps it was a combination of the drugs and warm bath, but -- against