"Damon Knight - Life Edit" - читать интересную книгу автора (Knight Damon)

and it was like falling into a well of shadows. Bright images swam up
and receded, but there was nothing to edit or change; it was all
moonlight and shadows, right back to her first birthday. The day when
her drunken father picked her up by the ankles. And swung her.
Against the cold dark.
And there was nothing to edit there, either. Somebody else, her
father probably, had already edited that moment, or she wouldn't be
here wandering like a cool ghost through the life that was so important
to other people.
Orr was bending over her. "Ms. Appleforth?" She opened her
eyes. "Are you all right?"
"I have an awful headache," she said.
"That happens sometimes." He sat down again.
She took the cuffs off, rose and opened the door. "Aside from
that, I'm fine," she said over her shoulder. "You're fine too, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's just fine. Isn't it?"
Orr looked up at her anxiously. "Ms. Appleforth, are you sure
you're all right?"
"Oh, yes. Or if not-" As the door closed, her voice drifted back,
"-does it matter?"