"Alan Dean Foster - Empowered" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

"They were dining in the restaurant where you threw Mr. Kreiger and his stolen
truck. Ms. Mildred Fox is the mother of the two named children. She claims that her
kids suffered severe emotional distress from nearly being struck by the escape
vehicle, and that among other things they now refuse to ride in the family minivan,
thus forcing Ms. Fox, a working mother, to sell it at a loss and buy an ordinary car.
Claimant further deposes that her children now experience uncontrollable fits at the
sight of any large delivery vehicle."
"ThisтАж this is ridiculous!" Earth Spirit sputtered.
 "I heartily concur, and we'll make Ms. Fox and her well-coached little schemers
look that way in court."
As if by magic more papers appeared.
"Is there much more of this?" Earth Spirit regarded the phone book-sized pile
with growing trepidation.
"Depends on your definition of 'much.' A Mr. Colin Hvarty is suing you for
medical expenses pursuant to a broken leg and sprained back, plus possible
concussion."
"I never intended to break anybody's leg, not even one of the robbers!" the
green-clad man protested.
French looked up and smiled apologetically. "Apparently Mr. Hvarty was
standing in the street opposite Vaan Pelsen's when he was struck by a flying crook.
Did you happen, in the course of your work, to perhaps fling one or more of the
miscreants in that direction?"
"I didn't mean to hit anybody."
"Well, you did." French adjusted his glasses. "We'll have to see about getting you
some liability insurance, though after the business at Vaan Pelsen's you'd better be
prepared to deal with an outrageous monthly premium."
"Superheroes don't need liability insurance."
French peered over the top of his glasses. "Is that so? You want to perform good
deeds in this country, you'd better make sure you're fully covered before you start.
"The owner of the parking lot behind Pelsen's has presented a bill for the
following: to wit, expenses directly related to removing a large oak tree and a number
of smaller growths from his property, and repaving the damaged area. The owner of
the restaurant where Ms. Fox and her offspring suffered their trauma is suing for
damage to eight tables and chairs, umbrellas, railing, landscaping, and assorted
crockery, glassware and utensils.
"A Mr. Loemann and a Mr. Kelly are suing for damage to their respective
vehicles. Those are the two cars you unfortunately hit with the getaway truck. Or
rather, their insurance companies are suing you. A local nature organization has filed
a writ to prevent you from utilizing any vegetation of any species whatsoever in your
crimefighting activities until you can present them with an acceptable environmental
impact report demonstrating beyond argument that your work does not involve the
use of dangerous chemicals, stimulants, or scientifically unapproved bioengineering.
The local office of the Food and Drug Administration wants to talk to you about
essentially the same thing."
"Go on." Earth Spirit's expression was grim.
"I intend to. The municipal police have a warrant out for your arrest for interfering
with police activities. I don't think we have to worry about this one. They don't want
to jail you; just co-opt you."
 "I don't work for anybody. I'm independent."
"Then you're going to be butting heads with the local law enforcement