"FWLS57" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

layered thick, a sure sign of improper timing in the inversion
process. The meat itself was of low grade, which I found
extremely tacky. It was similar to a Wae Spat master fighting
with cheap plastics bought at an anything-for-a-credit store.

However, when I told the lady at the information desk that I
was here for an appointment with William Doors, she asked me to
stay here and she'd send someone around. I had made the
appointment days ago, telling them that a friend of mine named
Help needed some repairs and I'd be bringing her by for Mr. Doors
to fix... certainly a company cares for its personnel, even if
they have long since left the company. If so, why was I being
made to wait?

Help didn't need to worry about the wait, being in a duffel
bag and non-functional, but I was very much awake and very much
annoyed. Fortunately I spotted a technician walking my way
before I could go complain to the information lady again.

"Are you... Sarah Tackywagy?" he asked, reading from a small
electronic pad.

"Sarah Ann," I corrected.

"Now, I know you had scheduled an appointment for Mr. Doors,
but he's in a meeting right now and dispatched me to handle this.
He's quite a guy, and it wouldn't be wise for Macroware to load
him down in simple duties like this; promotes an inefficient use
of resources. Are you correct in saying that you've returned the
Help-type android, and she's in need of service?"

"That is correct. There was an unfortunate incident on
C'atel with some anti-android terrorists," I confirmed.

"C'atel! I should have known. Well, this is great! Do you
have the unit here?"

"Yes. She has taken some damage by a saw, so I placed the
parts in this padded, waterproof duffel."

"Good thinking. Mustn't let her get damaged any more than
she already is... the hardware department's going to have a fun
time fixing her up, I can tell you that much. I really need to
thank you for helping her back here, we've been quite worried,
even though Mr. Doors officially terminated the search for her.
Never know what kind of trouble she could get into. She's quite
special, you know."

"That I do," I nodded, recalling her past tidbits of wisdom.