"C M Kornbluth - The Cosmic Charge Account" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kornbluth C M)

The Cosmic Charge Account



C. M. Kornbluth




The Cosmic Charge Account



TheLackawannawas still running one cautious morning train a day intoScranton, though the city was said
to be emptying fast. Professor Leuten and I had a coach to ourselves, except for a scared, jittery
trainman who hung around and talked at us.



"The name's Pech," he said. "And let me tell you, the Peches have been around for a mighty long time in
these parts. There's a town twenty-three miles north ofScrantonnamed Pechville. Full of my cousins and
aunts and uncles, and I used to visit there and we used to send picture post cards and get them, too. But
my God, mister, what's happened to them?"



His question was rhetorical. He didn't realize that Professor Leuten and I happened to be the only two
people outside the miscalled Plague Area who could probably answer it.



"Mr. Pech," I said, "if you don't mind we'd like to talk some business."



"Sorry," he said miserably, and went on to the next car.



When we were alone Professor Leuten remarked: "An interesting reaction." He was very smooth about
it. Without the slightest warning he whipped a huge, writhing, hairy spider from his pocket and thrust it at
my face.



I was fast on the draw too. In one violent fling I was standing on my left foot in the aisle, thumbing my
nose, my tongue stuck out. Gooseflesh rippled down my neck and shoulders.