"Edward L. Ferman - Best From F&SF, 23rd Edition" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ferman Edward L)

leadership role in the production of the final package, he simply shook his head and said, "The Zorphs
aren't going to like this." I hope the kid isn't going flaky on us.

Megalo Network Message: September 21, 1977
Source: P. T. Warrington
Destination: W. S. Halson
Subject: Zorphwar Contract
Bill, Old Buddy: I hate to bring this up, but J.L. was down this morning to say that there have been
no reports on the progress of the Zorphwar project from you people. Please get the necessary input into
the computer as quickly as possible so we can start tracking this vital project. I hope that this omission on
your part does not mean that schedules are slipping down there.

Zorph Commonwealth Network Message: Celestial Date 7654-55
Source: Central Computing Message Processing
Destination: P. T. Warrington Tribute Station 756
Subject: Admission to Commonwealth of Zorph
His Imperial Majesty, Ruler of Zorphdom and the Greater Galaxy, The Middle Claw of Justice in the
Universe, Benefactor of all Sentient Beings, does hereby proclaim that your planet, Solus III, has been
admitted to the Commonwealth of Zorph as a Status V member. As a member in this privileged class,
you will be expected to pay tribute in measure of your standing. The requisite payment for your
Corporation is twelve ingots of gold of 100-kilogram weight per week. These should be placed on the
roof of the Megalo Corporation Headquarters for pickup by Zorph shuttle craft. Failure to comply with
this order will result in immediate penalties, including criminal trials of your leaders. Address all
subsequent messages to Message Central for relay to the Zorph commandship assigned to your sector.

Megalo Network Message:
September 22,1977 Source: P. T. Warrington Destination: W. S. Halson Subject: Attempts at
Humor Bill, this is definitely not the time for jokes. Something has gone wrong with the Megalo Banking
Network, a program bug that appears to have taken roughly ten percent out of every account in the six
major banks on the system. The funds have been transferred to some unknown account. This place is,
needless to say, Panic City, with vice-presidents screaming for action all over the place.
Fortunately, I intercepted your little jest before anyone else saw it Now forget the fun and games and
get that data into the computer pronto.
 Zorph Commonwealth Network Message: Celestial Date 7654-57
Source: Central Computing Message Processing
Destination: P. T. Warrington
Message sent represents an invalid communication and has not been dispatched to addressee. Please
respond immediately to Central Processing with date and time of initial tribute delivery.

Date: September 23,1977
From: P. T. Warrington
To: W. S. Halson
Subject: Problems with Communications Network I am sending this message by mail as there seems
to be something wrong with the Megalo telephone system and the message network is all fouled up.
Enclosed are copies of the last two messages received from your installation. I shall assume that your
screwball friend Ha-zeldorf has gotten into the guts of the message-switching system and reprogrammed
it to produce these messages as a practical joke. If this is the case, correct the situation immediately and
dismiss Hazeldorf. Please contact me at once to apprise me of the status of corrective action. I assume
that you are still in charge down there and that all of this is merely some kind of poor-taste humor.
It is all a joke, isn't it?