"James Patrick Kelly - Chemistry (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kelly James Patrick)

sort of thing.
"You too," said Lily, "but that's not what I mean.
Look
where we are. We can't afford this -- unless you
don't
mind eating Cheerios for supper until finals."
"Come on. How much could it cost?"
"What's the gross national product of Portugal?"
"I'll ask, okay? I'll just poke my head in the door
and
find out."
"No, I'm coming." Lily rammed her purse deeper into
her
armpit and clamped it.
Lily had expected flocked wallpaper and leather
couches.
Instead there were lots of bright plastic surfaces and
a
rug with all the ambiance of sandpaper. The lobby of
the
Hothouse was emphatically air-conditioned and
illuminated almost to the point of discomfort. Only
two
of the five ticket booths were open. Beyond them was
a
bank of sliding doors, textured to look like the
trunks
of trees.
"Hi." The cashier was a young woman in an extravagant
foliage print dress. She had jade highlights in her
 black hair and an expression as guileless as a pansy.
"Are you together?" The button on her collar said Ju.
"Yes," said Marja.
"No." Lily nudged her. "We came together, but we're
not
together together."
Ju smiled. "Whatever."
"We're interested," Marja said, "but we're not really
sure this place is for us. Can you tell us about it?"
"As in, what does it cost?" Lily said.
Ju slid a brochure across the counter toward them;
her
fingernails were polished the same green as her hair.
"Your basic attraction enhancement is $39.95." She
opened it; inside was a map. "Includes admission to
all
public areas on the third and fifth floors, all
gardens,
three dance floors, both pools, complimentary
swimsuits