"Mike Resnick - The Long and Short of It" - читать интересную книгу автора (Resnick Mike)

"No, I won't," Felina assured him. "Oh, I'll desert you when the going gets roughтАФbut in the meantime
I'm your devoted friend."

"I don't suppose you could devote yourself to getting off my back," said Mallory.

"Yes, John Justin," she purred, leaping lightly to the floor.

"You're going to listen to orders and do exactly as I say, right?"

"Yes, John Justin," she purred.

"And you'll behave yourself?"

"Yes, John Justin," she purred.

"Why don't I believe you?" he said.

"Yes, John Justin," she purred.

Mallory and Winnifred exchanged looks. "Okay," he said, "let's get this show on the road."

Winnifred walked through the doorway. Mallory was about to follow her when Felina leaped onto his
back again.

"Prove your love," she purred. "Carry me."



The Ringling & Bailey Barnum Brothers Circus was ensconced in an abandoned hockey stadium. Here
and there were small crosses commemorating where various hockey players had died in fights, or from
minor infractions like high-sticking, knifing, mugging, or shooting with an unregistered handgun.

The main arena now housed three rings, plus rigging for all the high-wire and trapeze acts. It was
midmorning, and some of the performers were running through their routines. Winnifred seemed to know
her way around, so Mallory fell into step behind her. Finally, after greeting a number of old friends, she
stopped and turned to him.

"I think we can cover a lot more ground if we split up, John Justin," she said. "I'll start interviewing the
performers, and you can concentrate on the sideshow."

"Sounds good to me," said Mallory. "Come along, Felina."
"Look at those juicy birds!" whispered Felina, pointing above the center ring.

"Those are trapeze artists," said Mallory. "Come on now."

He reached out, grabbed her hand, and began walking off toward the sideshow.

"I wonder how much white meat they have?" mused Felina.

"I never knew you to be that fussy about what you ate before," noted Mallory.