"Harry Harrison - SSR 09 - The Stainless Steel Rat Goes to He" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

social equality. But there is a down side to that, to worshiping the nitty-gritty of society. It
is boring to be so practical. Therefore you can understand why some of us with more sensitivity
search for a higher meaning."
It was I who sniffed meaningfully this time but she graciously ignored me. "If you had
studied more diligently in school and not ignored your Applied Theology class you would know all
this already. Heaven is the place where we go after we die and if we have been good, there you
will reside in happiness forever. Hell is where you go if you have been bad, to suffer intensely
for eternity. I know it sounds very simplistic and illogical. I, as well as lot of the other
girls, felt that way when we first heard of Heaven and Hell. But as I said, to add weight and
gravitas to Heaven it is possible to visit the place, at least temporarily. So you see, having
been there I have lost, shall we say, a certain amount of credulity."
"Hypnotic suggestion," I suggested.
"Jimmy, you sounded just like Angelina when you said that. She flared her nostrils and
snorted lightly in exactly the same way. I told her that I bad felt exactly the same way when
other of my friends had told me about their Heavenly excursions. But I know hypnotism when I see
it-and this was no trance. I can't begin to describe the process of going to Heaven. But I was
there, with Master Fanyimadu holding one of my hands and that incredibly stupid Rosebudd holding
the other. I don't think she has enough mind to hypnotize. Yet we saw each other in Heaven,
experienced the same things. It was simply wonderful and too beautiful to explain in mere words.
It was very. . . inspirational." She had the grace to blush when she spoke the word; inspiration
not being her usual line of work.
"Had Angelina been to Heaven?" I asked. "She never mentioned anything about it to me."
"I know nothing about that. I would never think of snooping into another person's personal
secrets."
She ignored my lifted eyebrow at this preposterous statement. Nor would she go into any
more detail. Saying that if we had the faith we would see Heaven for ourselves. She was very
determined and sure of that; a rock of belief. It was only after she had changed the subject and
taken James by the arm to show him the house I knew that I at least had worn out my welcome. She
was reluctant to let him leave, but a provident call from Bolivar from the spaceport supplied an
inescapable reason to escape.
As we drove towards the spaceport I found myself scowling as I grew more and more angry
"Rrrrr ..." I finally said.
"That was a pretty fair growl, Dad. You wouldn't care to expand upon it?"
"I would-and I shall! I'm angry, James-and growing angrier by the minute. There are a lot
mysteries here-but one thing is not mysterious at all. This con man and his fake church are
raising the wrath in me."
"I thought you had a soft spot for cons and scams?"
"I do-~but only when it comes to bilking the filthy rich. I don't con widows or orphans or
those who can't afford it. And I work for money. Good old green, the folding and golden stuff..."
"I get you now," James said, his angry scowl matching mine. "You're for a good clean con,
taking money from the rich and giving it to the slightly less rich. Namely you. But no one gets


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hurt in the process."
"Exactly! There is money involved in this con, sure, but there is also belief. This fake
guru is trampling about where he doesn't belong. In people's beliefs, their most intimate
feelings. In the matter of religion it is live and let live, I say. I tell no one what to believe.