"Heinlein, Robert A - Stranger in a Strange Land (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

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Stranger in a Strange Land
(uncut)

by
Robert A. Heinlein


NOTICE:

All men, gods; and planets in this story are imaginary.
Any coincidence of names is regretted.


Part 1 - HIS MACULATE ORIGIN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Part 2 - HIS PREPOSTEROUS HERITAGE
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Part 3 - HIS ECCENTRIC EDUCATION
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Part 4 - HIS SCANDALOUS CAREER
30 31 32 33

Part 5 - HIS HAPPY DESTINY
34 35 36 37 38 39


Preface


"Catalepsy?" asked Thaddeus.
"Call it that if you like. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one. Don't worry about it, Doctor. There is nothing typical about this case. Just keep him from being bothered and call me if there is any change." He replaced Smith's arm.
When Nelson had left, Thaddeus took one more look at the patient, shook his head and joined Meechum in the watch room. Meechum picked up his cards and said, "Crib?"
"No."
Meechum waited, then added, "Doc, if you ask me, that one in there is a case for the basket before morning."
"No one asked you."
"My mistake."
"Go out and have a cigarette with the guards. I want to think."
Meechum shrugged and left. Thaddeus opened a bottom drawer, took out a bottle and poured himself a dose intended to help his thinking. Meechum joined the guards in the corridor; they straightened up, then saw who it was and relaxed. The taller marine said, "Howdy, pal. What was the excitement just now?"
"Nothing much. The patient just had quintuplets and we were arguing about what to name them. Which one of you monkeys has got a butt? And a light?"
The other marine dug a pack of cigarettes out of a pocket. "How're you fixed for Suction?" he asked bleakly.
"Just middlin'. Thanks." Meechum stuck the cigarette in his face and talked around it. "Honest to God, gentlemen, I don't know anything about this patient. I wish I did."
"What's the idea of these orders about 'Absolutely No Women'? Is he some kind of a sex maniac?"
"Not that I know of. All that I know is that they brought him in from the Champion and said that he was to have absolute quiet."
"'The Champion!' "the first marine said. "Of course! That accounts for it."
"Accounts for what?"