"Evan Innes - America 2040 01 - America 2040" - читать интересную книгу автора (Innes Evan)

chair, and without a word, without explanation, apology, or a backward look, the Premier was escorted
from the room. Now Hamilton knew his observation was correct; the man was obviously ill, perhaps
even close to death. Hamilton found himself praying. тАЬNot now, God. Give him time to work with me,тАЭ

In a way, Dexter HamiltonтАЩs prayers were answered. The next morning he was awakened in his luxurious
suite in the Kremlin by a knock on the door and the appearance of a smiling, dark-haired little girl in
livery. Pleasant aromas of coffee, real eggs, and melted butter came from the serving cart she was
standing behind. There seemed to be a great number of covered serving bowls on the cart, certainly
enough for more than one man. Well, he thought, rising from his bed to don his dressing gown, he would
eat, then meet with George to go over the agenda meeting. They had not had an opportunity to talk
privately the day before, and he wanted to discuss, among other matters, Yuri KolchakтАЩs sudden
departure from the meeting.

But just as he noticed that the girl was putting out two place settings of china on a table, he heard a deep,
resonant voice behind him.

тАЬGood morning, Mr. President. You slept well?тАЭ

Kolchak was dressed informally, tunic, trousers. There was no hint of his disability of the previous night.
He extended a hand. Hamilton took it. Each grip was firm.

тАЬForgive me for surprising you,тАЭ Kolchak said as the serving girl disappeared out the door. Hamilton
stood aside, wishing that heтАЩd awakened earlier. He felt seedy, unprepared. тАЬBut if I had taken time to
warn you that I was coming, weтАЩd have had to push our way through dozens of others.тАЭ

тАЬI understand,тАЩ Hamilton said. тАЬWould you please have a seat and give me just a minute to freshen up?тАЭ

тАЬOf course,тАЩ Kolchak said, тАЬbut donтАЩt bother to dress. Here we are very informal. Here in this room, it
will be just the two of us.тАЭ

Hamilton splashed water over his face, brushed his teeth, debated slipping quickly into some clothes,
decided, well, what the hell, and went back into the large room. Kolchak was leaning back in his chair,
and Hamilton took his seat across the table. There were real ham, flaky croissants, shirred eggs, fresh
butter better than any Hamilton had enjoyed since he left the farm, and pastries.

тАЬMy people donтАЩt understand why youтАЩre here,тАЭ Kolchak said. тАЬIn fact, some of them wonder if it isnтАЩt
some kind of trick, since there is so much hate for us in your country, so much opposition to your coming
here.тАЭ

So thatтАЩs the way itтАЩs going to be, Hamilton decided. No small talk.

Kolchak chewed thoughtfully for a moment. тАЬIn times past such conferences at least had meaning; one of
the leaders of our two countries had something to gainтАФtrying to influence domestic opinion,
demonstrate statesmancraft, trying to sway what used to be called world opinion to his side.тАЭ

тАЬAnd now thereтАЩs no such thing as world opinion,тАЭ Hamilton said. тАЬIs that what youтАЩre saying?тАЭ

Kolchak shrugged. тАЬThere are only two opinions that matterтАФyours and mine.тАЭ

тАЬAnd not much left of the world that is uncommitted, eh?тАЭ