"John Morressy - Rimrunners Home" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

reach; that much he could remember. And now he was thoroughly disgusted with
himself. He did not belong to this time, and never would.

A soft tone announced his morning meal. He rose from his bed, stretched, and
went to the serving slot. The screen above the opening brightened at his
approach, and a smiling young woman appeared, greeting him, "Good morning,
Captain Vanderhorst. Did you sleep well?"

"I always sleep very well. It's a big part of my job."

"We want you to get back into proper condition. You've placed quite a strain on
your body these past --"

"How about breakfast?" he broke in.

"Certainly, Captain. Do you feel more like talking with us today? We're very
fortunate. The senior counselor is free all afternoon, and he's personally
interested in offering you --"

"All I want from anyone here is breakfast. Do I get it?"

She took on the expression of a mother whose child has misbehaved and now revels
in his misbehavior. "Captain Vanderhorst, if you tried to understand what we
want to do for you, I'm sure you'd be glad to cooperate with us."

"I never cooperate on an empty stomach."

Each meal on that and the following days was served to a similar accompaniment
of cajolery and gently expressed concern. Early in the evening of the fifth day,
as Vanderhorst sat at his pale blue table, playing solitaire, his door opened. A
husky junior social assistant stood in the opening. In one hand he held a small
travel case.

"Will you come with me, please, Captain Vanderhorst?"

"Where are we going?"
"You've been cleared for re-entry in the mainstream. For your own sake, Captain,
you ought to --"

"Just show me the way out."

To his surprise, the young man did so at once. Vanderhorst had anticipated a
marathon of interviews and a final outpouring of solicitude by the entire staff
of the Assistance House. Instead, he was led through pale blue corridors and
down gentle ramps to a plain door. The junior social assistant handed him his
travel case, opened the door, and said, "It was our pleasure to offer
assistance, Captain Vanderhorst."

Vanderhorst did not reply. He was too surprised by the sight of Senator Dalton,
standing by a private landroller.