"Philip Jose Farmer - The Gate of Time" - читать интересную книгу автора (Farmer Phillip Jose)

 A year after the war, my publisher sent me to Stavanger, Norway, to interview Roger Two
Hawks. I had full authority to negotiate a contract with him. The terms were very favorable,
especially when the lack of printing facilities and distribution of that postwar period is considered.
I had asked for the assignment, since I had heard so much about Roger Two Hawks. Most of the
stories were incredible, even contradictory yet my informants swore to the truth of their
testimonies.
So high-pitched was my curiosity, I would have quit my job and gone on my own to Norway if
my publisher had refused me. And this was at a time when jobs in my field were not easy to get.
Rebuilding our destroyed civilization was the foremost goal; craftsmanship in steelworking or
bricklaying was more desired than facility with the pen.
Nevertheless, people were buying books, and there was a worldwide interest in the mysterious
stranger, Roger Two Hawks. Everyone had heard of him, but those who had known him well were
either dead or missing.
I booked passage on an old steamer that took five days to get to Stavanger. I did not even wait to
check in at the hotel, since it was late evening. Instead, I asked directions, in my abominable
Norwegian, to the hotel at which I knew Two Hawks was staying. I had tried to get reservations
there with no success.
The taxi fare was very high, since fuel was still being rationed. We drove through many dark
streets with unlit gaslights. But the front of the hotel was brightly illuminated, and the lobby was
crowded with noisy and laughing guests, still happy about having lived through the war.
I asked the desk clerk for Two HawksтАЩ room and was told that he was in the ballroom, attending
a large party given by the mayor of Stavanger.
I had no trouble locating Roger Two Hawks, since I had seen many photographs of him. He
stood at one corner of the room, surrounded by men and women. I pushed my way through them
and soon stood near him. He was a tall well-built man with a handsome, although aquiline, face.
His hair was a dark brown; his skin was dark although not much darker than that of some of the
Norwegians present. But his eyes were unexpectedly grey, as cool and grey as a winter Icelandic
sky. He was holding a drink of Norland in one hand and chatting away with frequent flashings of
his white teeth. His Norwegian was no better than mine, that is, fluent but heavily accented and not
always grammatically acceptable. Beside him stood a beautiful blonde whom I also recognized
from photographs. She was his wife.
When a short pause came in the conversation, I took the opportunity to introduce myself. He had
heard of me and my visit, of course, because both my publisher and myself had corresponded with
him. His voice was a deep rich baritone, very pleasant and at the same time confidence-inspiring.
He asked me how my trip was, and I told him that it was endurable. He smiled and said, тАЬI had
begun to think that your publisher had changed his mind and you werenтАЩt coming after all.
Apparently, the wireless had also broken down on your ship.тАЭ
тАЬEverything did,тАЭ I said. тАЬThe vessel was used for coastal shipping during the war and was
bombed at least four times. Some of the repairs were pretty hasty and done with shoddy materials.тАЭ
тАЬIтАЩm leaving Norway in two days,тАЭ he said abruptly. тАЬThat means that I can give you about a
day and a half. IтАЩll have to tell you the story and depend on you to get it right. HowтАЩs your
memory?тАЭ
тАЬPhotographic,тАЭ I replied. тАЬVery well. But that means that neither of us will get much sleep. IтАЩm
tired, but IтАЩd like to start as soon as possible. So. . .?тАЭ
 тАЬRight now. IтАЩll tell my wife weтАЩre going up to my room and IтАЩll be a moment explaining to my
host.тАЭ
Five minutes later, we were in his room. He put on a big pot of coffee while I got the contract
and my pen and notebook out. Then he said, тАЬI really donтАЩt know why IтАЩm doing this. Perhaps IтАЩd
like. . . well, never mind. The point is, I need money and this book seems to be the easiest way to get
it. Yet, I may not come back to collect any royalties. It all depends on what happens at the end of