"George Alec Effinger - Bird of Time" - читать интересную книгу автора (Effinger George Alec)

given a mild sedative, which had him drifting in a warm,
secure dream in a few minutes. He wasn't sure exactly how
the knowledge was put into his mind; all he knew was that
the letters stood for Electrical Stimulation of the Brain. It
sounded like a sinister process, but it had been used on
Hartstein a dozen times since childhood, during his education.
It was a routine procedure; he was no more afraid of it than
he was of other forms of medical editing. He lay back on the
molded couch and put the intangible contents of his mind in
the care of the ESB trainee who took his voucher. An hour
later Hartstein had been processed. He took back the yellow
slip and set out along the line once more. He tried to draw on
his new knowledge of Egyptian language and social behavior,
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 The Bird of Time
by George Alec Effinger


but nothing came. He worried that perhaps the ESB treatment
hadn't stuck, or that some kind of mistake had been made.
He recalled, however, that he had had the same experience
following his other ESB sessions. When he got to Alexandria,
when he needed the knowledge, it would be there.
The last station was the costume department. A young
man in a tight-fitting Agency uniform told Hartstein to have a
seat. тАЬIt won't take long, God knows,тАЭ said the costumer. тАЬIt
isn't as if you're going to feudal France or someplace
interesting.тАЭ He gave a wistful sigh. тАЬI've always wanted to
work upstairs, you know. Fitting people for the Renaissance.
Can you imagine the materials, the fashions? Maybe
someday. Well, for now, here's yours.тАЭ He handed Hartstein a
large sealed plastic bag.
тАЬThis is it?тАЭ Hartstein asked dubiously. He tossed the bag
in one hand. It weighed very little.
The young man shrugged. тАЬIt's hot there, I guess.тАЭ
Hartstein opened the bag. тАЬDo I have to try it on here?тАЭ
The Agent closed his eyes in exasperation. тАЬOne size fits
all,тАЭ he said in a dull voice. тАЬOh, Lord, why me?тАЭ
Inside the bag was a white cotton skirt and some jewelry.
тАЬNo sandals?тАЭ asked Hartstein.
The young man massaged his forehead in supreme
weariness. He shook his head.
тАЬNo robe? I go around bare-chested?тАЭ
The young man nodded. тАЬYou get a headdress, though.
One of those bath-towel things.тАЭ
тАЬWow,тАЭ said Hartstein without enthusiasm. He examined
the jewelry: there was a gold bracelet with a large golden
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 The Bird of Time
by George Alec Effinger