"Laurence M. Janifer - Count Down" - читать интересную книгу автора (Janifer Laurence M)

Parran Allerton was greatly surprised to find that Minister Dall Freeman wanted to speak with him.
And, after half an hour of talk. chatting between FreemanтАФthat idiotтАФand his sister Marian, and
Marian's explanations, followed by further talk with the minister, Allerton was even more surprised to
discover that he hadтАФas he expressed it to Marian immediately afterwardтАФjoined the ranks of idiocy.
"And the ranks of hypocrisy as well, I suppose," he said. "But, tell me, Marian: what else could I have
done?"
 "Nothing," Marian said with perfect assurance. "You did the right thingтАФthe only thing. You were
exactly, entirely, thoroughly correct, and you deserve congratulations for it."
"MarianтАФ"
"But I'm afraid all you're going to get right now is a report of the findings in square six.
Disappointing."
"There's always tomorrow," Allerton said automatically, and then, blinking: "Do you know, Marian, I
begin to believe there is? I begin to believe there really always is?"

CENTRAL BUILDINGS,
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JUNE 3-JUNE 5, 2113
"And I'm sure that you fine people out there won't be influenced by a silly notion of the ancients, and
will ignore their idea that numbers have a power of their own. We all know now that numbers won't
influence the Roubins . . ."

"The upcoming flight of the Roubins has aroused a great deal of controversy, Minister Freeman.
Would you care to make a comment on that?"
"Why, yes, I would, Charles. It would appear that the people are trying to get the entire matter
straight in their own minds, and come to the realization that numbers have no influence over the flight of
this ship. And I'm sure that, in the end, they will see that the only sensible attitudeтАФthe only logical
attitude . . ."

"Friday the thirteenth is just another day, ladies and gentlemen. It means nothing to me, nothing to
youтАФand nothing to the Roubins. I'm sure you all know that. And if you do, then the Roubins can take
off, can supply our people, stranded and awaiting this needed ship, this desperately needed ship . . ."

"тАжFive minutes, Minister."
"Thank you. Sam, what in God's name are you doing down here?"
"I came to see you. To try to talk some sense into you. Dall, do you know how much harm you're
doing?"
"Harm?"
"Damn it, don't you read the sampling sheets? The Roubins takeoff gets less popular by the day.
Every time you mention numbers, or superstition, you give the nonsense free publicity: people talk it over
among themselves. And . . . well, you know. 'There just might be something in it.' Dall, every speech you
make strengthens the whole idea that numbers run the world. That this silly superstition runs the world."
"Exactly. But why is this harmful?"
"... If you want the Roubins to take offтАФ"
"Sam, I've always thought of you as a good man."
"Thanks."
"An intelligent man, a good minister. But not a subtle man. Not, really, a politician. A politician has
only one job."
"To work against the things the Comity needs? DallтАФ"
"I'm not working against what the Comity needs, Sam. Time enough; you'll see where all this is going
very shortly now, so I'll give you a preview."