"Karl Glogaver - 02 - Breakfast In The Ruins" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moorcock Michael)

The waitress came back with a mock-silver tray on which stood a teapot, a milk
jug and a hot water jug, also of mock silver, together with cups and saucers and
plates. She began to set her load down between the two men. The Nigerian
leaned back but continued to smile into Karl's eyes while Karl murmured "Thank
you" every time the waitress placed something in front of him. These
ingratiating noises were his usual response to most minor forms of human misery,
as they had been to his mother when she had made it evident what it had cost her
to prepare a meal for him.

"Shall I be mother?" said Karl and again the not unpleasant sensation of
weakness swept through him. The Nigerian was looking away, vague once again,
his handsome profile in silhouette as he took an interest in the garden. Karl
repeated eagerly: "Shall I -?" The Nigerian said: "Fine." And Karl realized that
he was now desperate to please his companion, that he needed the man's whole
attention, that he would do anything to ensure that he got it. He poured the
tea. He handed a cup to his friend, who accepted it absently.

"We haven't introduced ourselves," Karl said. He cleared his throat. "I'm Karl
Glogauer."
The attention was regained. The eyes looked directly into Karl's, the pressure
of the leg was deliberate. The Nigerian picked up the bowl nearest him and
offered it to Karl.

"Sugar?"
"Thanks." Karl took the bowl.

"You've got nice hands," said the Nigerian. "An artist's hands, of course."
Briefly, he touched Karl's fingers.

Karl giggled. "Do you think so?" The sensation came again, but this time it was
a wave and there was no doubt about its origin. "Thank you." He smiled suddenly
because to remark on their hands and to pretend to read their palms was one of
his standard ways of trying to pick up girls. "Are you going to read my palm?
"
The Nigerian's brows came together in a deep frown. "Why should I?"
Karl's breathing was heavier. At last he understood the nature of the trap.
And there was nothing he wished to do about it.

In silence, they ate their sandwiches. Karl was no longer irritated by the
pressure of the man's leg on his.

A little later the Nigerian said: "Will you come back with me?"
"Yes," whispered Karl.

He began to shake.

What Would You Do? (1)
You are a passenger on a plane which is about to crash. The plane is not a jet
and so you have a chance to parachute to safety. With the other passengers, you