"Robert A. Heinlein - Have Space Suit Will Travel" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

The comics went back where comics go, cigarettes did a cancan, then
dived into their packs while a soothing voice assured us that carcinogenous
factors were unknown in Coronets, the safe. Safe, SAFE smoke with the true
tobacco flavor. The program cut to the local station; we were treated to a
thrilling view of Center Lumber & Hardware and I started pulling hairs out of
the back of my hand.
 The screen filled with soap bubbles; a quartet sang that this was the
Skyway Hour, as if we didn't know. Then the screen went blank and sound cut
off and I swallowed my stomach.
The screen lighted up with: "Network Difficulty -- Do Not Adjust Your
Sets."
I yelped, "Oh, they can't do that! They can't!"
Dad said, "Stop it, Clifford."
I shut up. Mother said, "Now, dearest, he's just a boy."
Dad said, "He is not a boy; he is a man. Kip, how do you expect to face
a firing squad calmly if this upsets you?"
I mumbled; he said, "Speak up." I said I hadn't really planned on facing
one.
"You may need to, someday. This is good practice. Try the Springfield
channel; you may get a skip image."
I tried, but all I got was snow and the sound was like two cats in a
sack. I jumped back to our local station.
" -- jor General Bryce Gilmore, United States Air Force, our guest
tonight, who will explain to us, later in this program, some hitherto
unreleased pictures of Federation Lunar Base and the infant Luna City, the
fastest growing little city on the Moon. Immediately after announcing the
winners we will attempt a television linkage with Lunar Base, through the
cooperation of the Space Corps of the -- "
I took a deep breath and tried to slow my heartbeat, the way you steady
down for a free-throw in a tie game. The gabble dragged on while celebrities
were introduced, the contest rules were explained, an improbably sweet young
couple explained to each other why they always used Skyway Soap. My own sales
talks were better.
At last they got to it. Eight girls paraded out; each held a big card
over her head. The M.C. said in an awestruck voice: "And now...and now -- the
winning Skyway slogan for the...FREE TRIP TO THE MOON!"
I couldn't breathe.
The girls sang, "I like Skyway Soap because -- " and went on, each
turning her card as a word reached her: " --
it...is...as...pure...as...the...sky...itself!"
I was fumbling cards. I thought I recognized it but couldn't be sure --
not after more than five thousand slogans. Then I found it -- and checked the
cards the girls were holding.
"Dad! Mother! I've won, I've won!"


Chapter 3

"Hold it, Kip!" Dad snapped. "Stop it."
Mother said, "Oh, dear!"