"James Patrick Kelly - Monsters" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kelly James Patrick)

Besides there weren't any customers. Maggie was listening for the door chime.
Mr. Kaplan, please say something."

The creature squirmed in delight at Kaplan's distress, watching as he worried
at the drink tab on the lid. "You had your hand in her pants."

Celeste used both hands to smother a giggle and Jerry realized he had an
audience. Since Kaplan's back was turned, he let a grin slink across his
face.

"No, no," he said. You don't understand. Yes, we were kissing. That's what
you saw and I'm sorry but it's not what you think."

Kaplan tore the plastic lid off and hot coffee slopped onto his hand and down
his trousers. "Shit!" When he tried to dance out of the way, he bumped into
Jerry and half the cup splatted onto his shoes. Celeste laughed out loud.

"Okay, okay, so I was playing with the elastic a little." Jerry's smirk
curdled what little sincerity he had left. "But that was as far as we were
going. I mean, this is a public place. We're not stupid or anything."

"You're right, Jerry. You're not stupid." Kaplan put the dripping coffee cup
back on the shelf as if it were a weight he was glad to set down. "I'm the
stupid." He finally turned to confront Jerry. "You've worked here for two
whole months and done nothing but screw up. I guess that makes me dumb as a
box of rocks. But I've learned my lesson, kid. Get your stuff and go.
You're finished."

"You're firing me?" Jerry seemed to shrink six inches. "What is this, a
joke?"

"I'll give you a week's severance. The check will be ready by closing. You
can come back then."

"Oh come on, Mr. Kaplan. Give me a break."

His voice was hard as the sidewalk. "Take your lunch, you can even take your
coffee, if you want. But go."

"Henry." Jerry spun toward him in desperation. "You can't let this happen.
He'll make you do both our jobs, Henry. Tell him you need help."

Henry was certain that if he opened his mouth the monster would leap out and
strangle them all. Jerry plucked a vest from the basket and shook it at
Henry. "Who do you think is

going to clean this? Miss Dumpty Humpty?"

"He already does most of your work," said Celeste. "Asshole."