"Godwin, Parke - Snake Oil 02 - The Snake Oil Wars, or Scheherazade Ginsberg Strikes Again (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Godwin Parker)

BARION: They're human, they'll try. Hope springs eternal. Your teeth are okay
but your gums have to come out

The television commentator's voice was far more familiar to older viewers than
his image on camera, cadenced and thoughtful, recalled as filtering through the
shortwave radio static of 1940,

"This is John Mcbain for Topside Television, Not since the days of the London
Blitz have I reported a story so fraught with consequence for Mankind. In a few
moments, here in this Megachurch, Coyul, the alleged younger brother of Mon,
will address the population of Topside on an issue that promises to rock the
establishment to its religious foundations, Barion was said by some to be God-
not as we conceived of Him, but in fact. Darker stories are told of Coyul and
his longtime sway over Below Stairs. One thing is certain: there are few Topside
today not watching and listening for what Coyul has to say . , ,"

Main's estimate was conservative; there were few Below Stairs not watching with
equal concern, Their friend and cosmic therapist, the beloved and sympatico
Prince was assuming the mantle dropped by Barion, They knew Coyul's message to


Topside would be as popular as the repeal of Prohibition to bootleggers.

Brooding in the cool, dark Sports Bar in the high-rise district of Below Stairs,
Arnold Rothstein squinted at the TV set and wished money were still meaningful.
In life he'd financed much of the action along Broadway, immortalized by Damon
Runyon as the Brain, Now he felt ancient stirrings like a hunting call. He
wanted to lay a sound bet for a piece of the action, however meaningless. The
Brain turned to his drinking companion, a former New York editor who had offed
himself through a fondness for chic narcotics.

"Ten to one they don't buy him at all. Seven to five they don't let him finish
the telecast. Even money he won't make it out of the starting gate,"

"I'll take some of that," The editor was known in betting circles as more of a
fish than a handicapper. "The Prince is upscale, man, High concept, great moves.
What's the bet?"

Arnold Rothstein considered. Money was a pleasant memory. The stake should be
something one desired very much or wanted, out of common sense, to avoid, "Loser
goes Topside to a revival meeting." "That is a downer." "I am not finished."
Rothstein lifted a qualifying finger. "Just to make it interesting, loser has to
come forward and wave to the winner on camera."

"What the hell, I feel lucky today. Bet." They shook hands. Toyul will finesse
the whole scene."

RIOT IN TOPSIDE MEGACHURCH! FUNDys VOTE RIOTOUS NO ON COYUL
NEW PREXY HAS NARROW ESCAPE