"Ludlum, Robert - Rhineman Exchange" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ludlum Robert)

knew who he was, but I didn't know anything about him - until you called!
Ryan handed the colonel the manila envelope. 'Here's a list of the shows
and the agencies he's worked for. I called around; implied that we were
considering him for a running lead. The Hammerts use him a lot. . . .
'The whoT
'They're packagers. They've got about fifteen programs; daytime serials and
evening shows. They say he's reliable; no sauce problems. He's used
exclusively for dialects, it seems. And language fluency when it's called
for.'
'German and Spanish.' It was a statement.
'That's right .... I
'Only,it's not Spanish, ies Portuguese!
'Who can tell the difference? You know who his parents are.' Another
statement, only agreement anticipated.
'Richard and Margo Spaulding. Concert pianists, very big in England and the
Continent. Current status: semi-retirement in Costa del Santiago, Portugal!
'They're American, though, aren't theyT
'Very. Made sure their son was born here. Sent him to American settlement
schools wherever they lived. Shipped him back here for his final two years
in prep school and college.'
'How come Portugal, thenT
'Who knows? They had their first successes in Europe and

14
 decided to stay there. A fact I think we're going to be grateful for. They
only return here for tours; which aren't very frequent anymore.... Did you
know that he's a construction engineer?'
'No, I didn't. That's interesting.'
'Interesting? Just "interesting"?'
Ryan smiled; there was a trace of sadness in his eyes. 'Wen, during the
last six years or so there hasn't been a lot of building, has there? I
mean, there's no great call for engineers ... outside of the CCC and the
NRA.' He lifted his right hand and waved it laterally in front of him,
encompassing the group of men and women inside the studio. 'Do you know
what's in there? A trial lawyer whose clients - when he can get a few -
can't pay him; a Rolls-Royce executive who's been laid off since
thirty-eight; and a former state senator whose campaign a few years ago not
only cost him his job but also a lot of potential employers. They think
he's a Red. Don't fool yourself, Ed. You've got it good. The Depression
isn't over by a long shot. These people are the lucky ones. They found
avocations they've turned into careers.... As long as they last.'
. 'If I do my job, his career won't last any longer than a month from now.'
'I figured it was something like that. The storm's building, isn't it?
We'll be in it pretty soon. And I'll be back, too .....
Where do you want to use him?'
Usbon.'

David Spaulding pushed himself away from the white studio wall. He held up
the pages of his script as he approached the microphone, preparing for his
cue.