"George Alec Effinger - Slow, Slow Burn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Effinger George Alec)

to think of himself as her manager. The adman's throat is very dry

after his speech, yet he is too self-conscious to sip from the fluted

glass of Perrier-Jouët in front of him. He glances quickly at his

associate, but it is easy to see that he can expect no help from that

quarter.

Kit stares, but he's not going to say anything. The silence goes on

and on. The hopeful smile the adman is wearing begins to vanish. He

looks again at his associate, who is still no help whatsoever.

тАЬOn the phone, I think we discussed the kidsтАЩ market,тАЭ says Kit,

just as they reach the breaking point. He purses his lips and turns to

Honey, who is sipping Campari and soda through a straw. тАЬShe

doesn't like it. I don't like it. Come back with something else.тАЭ

The adman lays his sweating hands on the beautiful glossy

tabletop. тАЬMiss P├нlar?тАЭ he says hopelessly.
5
 Slow, Slow Burn
by George Alec Effinger



тАЬKit doing business,тАЭ she says and shrugs. When she smiles, both

account executives are inspired with possible new approaches. The

sound of her voice, they tell themselves, is something, after all. The

opportunity to meet with her again will motivate them to find just

the pitch she and Kit are looking for. тАЬYou have nice flight,тАЭ she

says.

****
Kit is in the control room, watching his wife on the bed with a 17-

year-old Italian boy. Kit watches them through the grimy glass,