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

bureaucracy from now till doomsday. Bureaucrats don't like outsiders poaching their
turf. They're afraid you might apply for and get a government grant intended for
them."
"But I'm helping them in their work, fighting evildoers."
"You're not going to have enough time to fight the local school bully. See these?"
French waved another entire sheaf of papers. "Subpoenas. Calling you as a witness
in the Vaan Pelsen's case. Each robber has requested and been granted an
independent trial, so you'll have to give testimony in all of them. Also, at least two
members of the Vaan Pelsen's gang are suing you, including Kreiger. They claim that
since you're not a member of any recognized law-enforcement department, you had
no right to interfere, and that they've suffered irreparable mental harm as a result of
your activities."
"I was making a citizen's arrest."
"They claim use of excessive force. Among other things."
"That's outrageous! They had explosives and automatic weapons."
"Maybe we can cut a deal. I'll speak to their people." The green man's chest
expanded proudly.
"I don't have to belong to an official organization. I represent the Earth."
"Not in this country you don't. And don't go on boasting that you're some kind of
foreigner. This is a conservative community." He murmured half to himself. "We can
use temporary insanity in at least half these cases, if we have to. I mean, just look at
you."
Earth Spirit blinked down at himself. "What's wrong with me?"
"Grown man living alone in a cave atop a mountain? Talking to plants? Running
around in green spandex?"
"It's not spandex."
"Whatever. So long as there's no brand-name infringement involved." French
sighed tiredly. "Then there's the government."
"What about the government?" Earth Spirit said darkly. "I'm trying to help them."
"Why do you think the local police bureaucracy is so afraid of you? If some
superhero starts dropping out of the sky on local criminals and the crime rate falls to
zero, what do you think happens to their budget? Not to mention their jobs. They're
terrified you'll stick around.
"As for helping the government, the spin on the street is good, but they're wary.
Nobody knows which party you belong to."
"I belong to no party. I belong toтАж"
"The Earth; yeah, yeah, you told me already. Even worse. A third-party
iconoclast. They want to know your name."
"I am Earth Spirit!"
"Sure, okay. But they can't find anybody named 'Earth Spirit' anywhere. You're
not on the tax rolls, so they want to know if you've filed any returns. You may be 'of
the Earth,' but if you want to practice your profession in the U.S. you'd better be
able to prove that you're a citizen. Or else have, you should pardon me, a green
card. Do you even have a Social Security number?"
Earth Spirit looked away, clearly uneasy. "If I give up that kind of information, I'll
have to reveal my true identity. I can't do that. Criminals could threaten me and my
work through family and friends."
"There's always the witness protection program, but I don't think it would work
for superheroes. Eventually you'd forget yourself, make a redwood sprout in a mall
or something."