"L. E. Modesitt - A House By Any Other Name" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

A HOUSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
L. E. Modesitt JR.
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"George, we are on the Brink of a Recession!" announced James Boulin Chartwell, III.

George arranged his face to show concern. The Senior Member of the Council of Economic Advisers
glowered.

"This is Serious, young man. There is a Major Metropolitan Area where employment and wages in the
Construction Sector have actually declined in the last quarter."

George refrained from asking if he were sure. The Honorable James Boulin Chartwell, III, was always
SURE.

"What area?" inquired George politely.

"The Greater Denver Area."

George understood. Denver was somewhere near the Rockies.

"Now admittedly, the Deviation from the National Trend is Not Yet Significant. But the level of
employment for carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers, and heating technicians is down One Tenth of
One Percent. This is Inconceivable. The Denver Area is one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the
country. More houses are being built, but construction workers are making less money. What will the
Unions say? What will the President say?"

Chartwell's voice, while not quite to the point of professorial panic, had lost the deep, firm, and
convincing tone he employed to sway the policy makers.

"And... ?" prompted George.

"George, you will Look Into It. We must have The Answer before the Budget is Finalized."

George struggled out of the deep leather armchair. He smiled at Mildred as he ambled out into the hall.
This time she refused to look at him. George suspected that it was the purple shirt and gold tie, rather
than the maroon plaid jacket.

In his office, the other three staff economists were all at their desks. George had been on the staff two
years. This was the first time he had seen them all together.

"Hey, Ed. What's the big project?"

Ed--Theodore Hastings Freylinghausen--rolled his eyes. "The Recommended Executive Budget.
Balance of Payments. Special Drawing Rights. Proposed Variations in Variable Budgets..."

Ferron Riccardo didn't look up. Norman Dentine flashed George a brief smile.

George shuffled behind his desk.