"Barry N. Malzberg - Shiva" - читать интересную книгу автора (Malzberg Barry N)

Winding down. Everyone knows that it is on the line now;
this is the time when men and boys get separated. It is a
time for greatness. Fourth and one on the ten-yard line,
thirty-six seconds left on the stadium clock, no time-outs,
game hanging in the balance. Anderson perches over the
center, his eyes filled with alertness, his chest heaving with
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 Shiva and Other Stories
by Barry N. Malzberg


the excitement of it all, the lacerating cold turning warm
inside, each exhalation truly a burst of fire. He has never felt
so alive as at this moment when truly he is dead, the ball
coming into his hand, he scurries and sees the middle
linebacker shooting through unblocked, coming upon him,
eyes huge. Anderson gives an eh! of woe and cocks the ball
for a desperation pass, try and get it into the end zone
anyway but his foot slips and even before the linebacker hits
him he feels himself falling to the hard Astroturf and then the
man is upon him, grunting.
Even as the horn sounds, Anderson hears not only the
game but all circumstance spilling from him. He knew that it
was going to be very difficult but could not surmise that it
was going to be like this. Not quite. Sounds are all around
him as he spirals out. Down and out. Game to go on the two.
In coma, he hears the sound of engines.
****


Anderson, awakening from an unrecollected dream of loss,
plots his moves, considers his fortune, then opens his eyes to
look at the lustrous plaster of the bedroom as his wife
tumbles all over him. This is not characteristic of Sylvia.
Petulant, demanding, she seizes him. Wearily, he commits
himself. Foreign policy, ceremonial pens, the medal of
freedom, state banquets, it is just another of the obligations
of office.
Sylvia is inflamed by the idea of touching a President: she
has never shown so much interest in the act as in this last
year. Anderson does as he can, serves as he will, utters oaths
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 Shiva and Other Stories
by Barry N. Malzberg


of office, does as he must, holds to the center. He is a
moderate. Sylvia capsizes upon him mumbling. Anderson