"Dickson, Gordon - Stranger Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dickson Gordon R)

"Yes..." he said. He became more brisk. "Well, the matter at hand is that you now have an offer. Your education was in null-gravity flow mechanics, I see. But no experience?"

"They aren't hiring many U.S. citizens to work outside the atmosphere these days." Merlin knew his bitterness was showing. He felt a twinge of fear at the thought that he might already have prejudiced the interview, but the words had come by themselves before he could stop them. Ghosh. however, did not seem offended.

"Very true," he said, nodding. "But you can't blame off-Earth installations and factories for giving first chance to their own nationals. Many people, you know, want to work in space these days."

As many, thought Merlin, as want to enter heaven.

"No experience," Ghosh went on. "Well, we could wish you had. But, in this case, the fact you don't isn't a complete barrier. I can offer you a job in your specialty. But I warn you to treat this offer, and all information concerned with it, as a matter of secrecy, whether you accept the job or not."

Merlin felt an icy shock that gave way to a glow of hope so powerful that he feared it showed on his face.

"Of course," he said, slowly and clumsiiy. "Professional confidentiality... I understand."

"Good," said Ghosh, smiling again. "All right. The job will be in the metals-forming group of an electronics research unit to be placed in high orbit in the next two years. Your work would be classified and would have to be explained to you later if you accept the job. But it's within your-ability and education, and you'd be paid at going rates for a space-qualified engineer of your specialty and experience..."

Merlin's mind reeled. The pay rate Ghosh was talking about would make him comfortably welt off in any other society in the world. Here in the U.S., it would make him wealthy, by comparison with those at the income level at which he had been living for the last five years.

"I should say, that's what your pay rate would be once you were in orbit and on the job," Ghosh continued. "During your training period, here on the surface, you'd be paid at a standby rate of half your space-borne pay. Should you accept..."

In a euphoric daze, Merlin found himself signing papers, shaking Ghosh's hand and receiving congrat- illations as a new employee of something called Trans- Space Electronics.

"You'll report to the training center in Huntsville, Utah," Ghosh said. "The receptionist outside has all the necessary information, transportation vouchers and the rest..." He coughed. "If you could use an advance on your first month's wages..."

"I... ves," Merlin said. He had been so overwhelmed by good fortune that he had completely forgotten he would need decent clothes, luggage, a dozen other things he had once taken for granted but no longer owned.

"My secretary can give you a check for up to a third of your first pay period's wages."

"Thank you," said Merlin. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Not at all." Ghosh smiled. "I must admit I like this job. I've had less happy ones. If you know of anyone else whom you think might work out for us..."

"I'm afraid not," Merlin said quickly. The hard years had taught him not to recommend anyone. There was too much risk; the other person's actions might recoil against one's own record. Life had become too brutal for casual favors.

They shook hands and Merlin went out. With the advance check and other materials in hand, he stepped back out into the lobby of the Trade Building. For a moment he hesitated, his mind whirling, unable to think of what to do first.

He turned toward the drinking fountain. The cold water tasted like expensive wine. Then he saw Church.

"I got the job," said Merlin.

"God!" said Church.

"Engineering, in my specialty," said Merlin- "Halfpay at the trainee level until I go into space, then full pay."

Church said nothing, but there was a look on his faceЧone of incredulity and envy and disbelief, all mixed.

And it was a look that touched Merlin's inner core. In this moment of incredible happiness, he saw himself standing where Church was, hearing of someone else's good fortune. He knew too well what the other must be feeling. Impulsively, he spoke.

"You've got an electronics degree, you said?"