"John DeChancie - Skyway 3 - Paradox Alley" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dechancie John)

8 John DeChancie

Susan bent over and placed a palm on his forehead. "Are
you okay, honey?"

"Uig..." Tugging at Lori's arms, Carl nodded.

Prime clapped his hands. "Well! No harm done, it seems."

"Let him breathe, Lori," Susan admonished.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Carl finally managed to say. "What the
hell happened?"

"You should ask this gentleman," John told him, inclining
his head toward Prime.

"Oh." Carl looked up at our host. "I thought you were
dead."

Prime laughed. "Not quite. Your friends seem prone to
worrying about people's health, including yours." Prime
turned to me. "By the way, your concern about me was very
commendable. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I said. "You had me fooled pretty
good, though. Tell me something. Are you human?"

"In part, yes."

After waiting for elaboration that didn't come, I repeated,
"In part," not knowing what else to say.


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He was willing to go a bit further, but no more. "A small
part, but I assure you, a very active one." He clapped his
hands again. "So! I shall bid you good day." He made a mo-
tion to turn, then halted. "Incidentally, young man..."

Carl was getting to his feet. "Carl Chapin."

Prime took a step forward, his expression hardening just
the slightest. "Mr. Chapin. I have recommended that no re-
straints be put upon you and that you be allowed to move
about as you wish. The concern here is not that you may cause
me harm. You can't. But an unruly attitude might get in the