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

drag across his high stiff collar, and resumed:
"May it please the honorable court, I represent the public-"
"Just a moment. I thought you were appearing for Amalgamated Life
Insurance."
"I am, Your Honor, in a formal sense. In a wider sense I represent
several other major assurance, fiduciary, and financial institutions; their
stockholders, and policy holders, who constitute a majority of the citizenry. In
addition we feel that we protect the interests of the entire population;
unorganized, inarticulate, and otherwise unprotected."


8
 "I thought that I represented the public," observed the judge dryly. "I am
afraid I must regard you as appearing for your client-of-record. But continue;
what is your thesis?"
The elderly barrister attempted to swallow his Adam's apple, then
began again. "Your Honor, we contend that there are two separate reasons
why this injunction should be made permanent, and, further, that each reason
is sufficient alone. In the first place, this person is engaged in the practice of
soothsaying, an occupation proscribed both in common law and statute. He
is a common fortune teller, a vagabond charlatan who preys on the gullibility
of the public. He is cleverer than the ordinary gypsy palm-reader, astrologer,
or table tipper, and to the same extent more dangerous. He makes false
claims of modern scientific methods to give a spurious dignity to his
thaumaturgy. We have here in court leading representatives of the Academy
of Science to give expert witness as to the absurdity of his claims.
"In the second place, even if this person's claims were true-granting for
the sake of argument such an absurdity" - Mr. Weems permitted himself a
thin-lipped smile - "we contend that his activities are contrary to the public
interest in general, and unlawfully injurious to the interests of my client in
particular. We are prepared to produce numerous exhibits with the legal
custodians to prove that this person did publish, or cause to have published,
utterances urging the public to dispense with the priceless boon of life
insurance to the great detriment of their welfare and to the financial damage
of my client."
Pinero arose in his place. "Your Honor, may I say a few words?"
"What is it?"
"I believe I can simplify the situation if permitted to make a brief
analysis."
"Your Honor," cut in Weems, "this is most irregular."
"Patience, Mr. Weems. Your interests will be protected. It seems to me
that we need more light and less noise in this matter. If Dr. Pinero can
shorten the proceedings by speaking at this time, I am inclined to let him.
Proceed, Dr. Pinero."
"Thank you, Your Honor. Taking the last of Mr. Weems' points first, I
am prepared to stipulate that I published the utterances he speaks of"
"One moment, Doctor. You have chosen to act as your own attorney.
Are you sure you are competent to protect your own interests?"
"I am prepared to chance it, Your Honor. Our friends here can easily
prove what I stipulate."