"Robert A. Heinlein - The Man who sold the Moon (collected sto" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

O.K.
The restaurant where he dined alone was only partly filled. It wouldnтАЩt
become lively until after the theatres were out, but Douglas apprecIated the
hot swing band and the good food. Toward the end of his meal, a young
woman walked past his table and sat down, facing him, one table away. He
sized her up with care. Pretty fancy!
Figure like a strip dancer, lots of corn-colored hair, nice complexion, and
great big soft blue eyes. Rather dumb pan, but what could you expect?
He decided to invite her over for a drink. If things shaped up, Dr. Martin
could go to the devil. He scribbled a note on the back of a menu, and
signalled the wafter.
тАЬWho is she, Leo? One of the entertainers?тАЭ
тАЬNo, mтАЩsieur, I have not seen her before.тАЭ

1
Douglas relaxed, and waited for results. He knew the come-hither look
when he saw it, and he was sure of the outcome. The girl read his note and
glanced over at him with a little smile. He returned it with interest. She
borrowed a pencil from the waiter, and wrote on the menu. Presently Leo
handed it to him.
тАЬSorry,тАЭтАФit readтАФтАЭand thanks for the kind offer, but I am otherwise
engaged.тАЭ
Douglas paid his bill, and returned to the laboratory.
His laboratory was located on the top floor of his fatherтАЩs factory. He left the
outer door open and the elevator down in anticipation of Doctor MarthтАЩs
arrival, then he

busied himself by tryTag to locate the cause of an irritating vibration in his
centrifuge. Just at ten oтАЩclock he heard the whir of the elevator. Ije reached
the outer door of his office just as his visitor arrived.
Facing him was the honey-colored babe be had tried to pick up in the
restaurant
He was immediately indignant тАЬHow the hell did you get here? Follow me?тАЭ
She froze up at on├лe. тАЬI have an appointment with Doctor Douglas. Please
tell him that I am here.тАЭ
тАЬThe hell you have. What kind of a game is this?тАЭ
She c~ntrolled herself, but her face showed the effort
тАЬI think Doctor Douglas is the best judge of that. Tell him Fm hereтАФat
once.тАЭ
тАЬYouтАЩre looking at him. Fm Doctor Douglas.тАЭ
тАЬYou! I donтАЩt believe it. You look more like aтАФa gangster.тАЭ
тАЬI am, nevertheless. Now cut out the clowning, sister, and tell me what the
racket is. WhatтАЩs your name?тАЭ
тАЬI am Doctor M. L. Martin.тАЭ
He looked completely astounded, then bellowed his amusement. тАЬNo
foolinтАЩ? You wouldnтАЩt kid your country cousin, would you? Come in, doe,
come in.тАЭ
She followed him, suspicious as a strange dog; ready to fight at any
provocation. She accepted a chair, then addressed him again. тАЬAre you
really Doctor Douglas?тАЭ