"Thomas M. Disch M - Casablanca" - читать интересную книгу автора (Disch Thomas M)

December 2. Mond. Afternoon Dear N
There's no use pretending any more with you! You saw it in my first letterтАФbefore I eve
knew my own feelings. Yes, Morocco has been a terrible disappointment. You wouldn't
believe some of the things that have happened. For instance, it is almost impossible to mail
package out of this country! I will have to wait till we get to Spain, therefore, to send Billy
Midge their Xmas presents. Better not tell B & M that, however!
Marrakesh was terrible. Fred and I got lost in the native quarter, and we thought we'd ne
escape! The filth is unbelievable, but if I talk about that it will only make me ill. After our
experience on "the wrong side of the tracks," I wouldn't leave our hotel. Fred got very angr
and we took the train back to Casablanca the same night. At least there are decent restauran
Casablanca. You can get a very satisfactory French-type dinner for about $1.00.
After all this you won't believe me when I tell you that we're going to stay here two mor
weeks. That's when the next boat leaves for Spain. Two more weeks!!! Fred says, take an
airplane, but you know me. And I'll be dтАФтАФed if I'll take a trip on the local railroad with
our luggage, which is the only other way.
I've finished the one book I brought along, and now I have nothing to read but newspape
They are printed up in Paris and have mostly the news from India and Angola, which I find
depressing, and the political news from Europe, which I can't ever keep up with. Who is
Chancellor Zucker and what does he have to do with the war in India? I say, if people wou
just sit down and try to understand each other, most of the world's so-called problems wou
disappear. Well, that's my opinion, but I have to keep it to myself, or Fred gets an apoplexy
You know Fred! He says, drop a bomb on Red China and to HтАФтАФ with it! Good old Fred
I hope you and Dan are both fine and dan-dy, and I hope B & M are coming along in sch
We were both excited to hear about Billy's A in geography. Fred says it's due to all the stor
he's told Billy about our travels. Maybe he's right for once!
Love and kisses,
"Grams"
Fred had forgotten to mail these two letters yesterday afternoon, and now, after the news
the paper, it didn't seem worthwhile. The Holts, Nan and Dan and Billy and Midge, were a
very probably dead.
"It's so strange," Mrs. Richmond observed at lunch at their restaurant. "I can't believe it
really happened. Nothing has changed here. You'd think it would make more of a difference
"Goddamned reds."
"Will you drink the rest of my wine? I'm too upset."
"What do you suppose we should do? Should we try and telephone to Nan?"
"Trans-Atlantic? Wouldn't a telegram do just as well?"
So, after lunch, they went to the telegraph office, which was in the main post office, and
filled out a form. The message they finally agreed on was: IS EVERYONE WELL QUESTI
WAS CLEVELAND HIT QUESTION RETURN REPLY REQUESTED. It cost eleven dol
to send off, one dollar a word. The post office wouldn't accept a traveler's check, so while
Mrs. Richmond waited at the desk, Fred went across the street to the Bank of Morocco to c
it there.
The teller behind the grille looked at Fred's check doubtfully and asked to see his passp
He brought check and passport into an office at the back of the bank. Fred grew more and m
peeved as the time wore on and nothing was done. He was accustomed to being treated wit
respect, at least. The teller returned with a portly gentleman not much younger than Fred
himself. He wore a striped suit with a flower in his buttonhole.
"Are you Mr. Richmon?" the older gentleman asked.
"Of course I am. Look at the picture in my passport."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Richmon, but we are not able to cash this check."