"Samuel R. Delany - Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones" - читать интересную книгу автора (Delaney Samuel R)

тАЬOkay. Jasper.тАЭ But from her face I knew she had seen in my face a look that had finally revealed I knew
she knew I knew.

тАЬJust whom have you got me confused with, MaтАЩam?тАЭ

Jasper, this month, is the Word.

Jasper is the pass/code/warning that the Singers of the Cities (who, last month, sang тАЬOpalтАЭ from their
divine injuries; and on Mars IтАЩd heard the Word and used it thrice, along with devious imitations, to fix
possession of what was not rightfully my own; and even there I pondered Singers and their wounds) relay
by word of mouth for that loose and roguish fraternity with which I have been involved (in various guises)
these nine years. It goes out new every thirty days; and within hours every brother knows it, throughout
six worlds and worldlets. Usually itтАЩs grunted at you by some blood-soaked bastard staggering into your
arms from a dark doorway; hissed at you as you pass a shadowed alley; scrawled on a paper scrap
pressed into your palm by some nasty-grimy moving too fast through the crowd. And this month, it was:
Jasper.

Here are some alternate translations:

Help!

or

I need help!

or

I can help you!

or

You are being watched!

or

TheyтАЩre not watching now, so wove!

Final point of syntax: If the Word is used properly, you should never have to think twice about what it
means in a given situation. Fine point of usage: Never trust anyone who uses it improperly.

I waited for her to finish waiting.

She opened a wallet in front of me. тАЬChief of Special Services Department Maudline Hinkle,тАЭ she read
without looking what it said below the silver badge.

тАЬYou have that very well,тАЭ I said, тАЬMaud.тАЭ Then I frowned. тАЬHinkle?тАЭ

тАЬMe.тАЭ

тАЬI know youтАЩre not going to believe this, Maud. You look like a woman who has no patience with her