"Mack Reynolds - After Utopia" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

He had to ferret out information about what was going
on. PerhapsтАж just perhapsтАж there was some explanation
that would make sense to Dan Whiteley and the
International Executive Committee. At least that was the
straw he clung to.
He had made his own way out to the terrace again and
had seated himself on a piece of furniture somewhat
similar to a lawn chair. That was one of the things that
got to him. Even the furniture in this ultra-automated
house was so far out as to be unbelievable.
Jo Edmonds drifted easily onto the terrace and raised
his eyebrows at Cogswell. He was wearing shorts today,
and slippers that seemed somehow to cling to the bottom
of his feet, although there wasnтАЩt a strap on top. He was
flipping, as though it was a coin, the flat green stone.
тАЬHow do you feel?тАЭ he said.
Cogswell said irritably, indicating the stone, тАЬWhat in
the hellтАЩs that?тАЭ
Edmonds said, in his mild voice, тАЬThis? A piece of
imperial jade. Do you enjoy tactile sensation?тАЭ
Cogswell scowled at him. тАЬWhat in the devil are you
talking about?тАЭ
Edmonds said, and there was enthusiasm in his usually
lazy voice, тАЬThe Chinese have been familiar with the
quality of jadeiteтАФa sodium aluminum silicate, belonging
to the pyroxenes, you knowтАФfor centuries. TheyтАЩve
developed its appreciation into an advanced art form. I
have a small collection and make a point of spending an
hour or so every day over it. It takes considerable
development to obtain the sensual gratification possible
by stroking jade. Some people never develop it.тАЭ
Cogswell said disgustedly, тАЬYou mean to say youтАЩve got
nothing better to do with your time than to pet a piece of
green stone?тАЭ
Edmonds was somewhat amused. тАЬThere are less
kindly things to which to devote yourself,тАЭ he said.
Walter Stein emerged from the house and looked
worriedly at Cogswell. He said, тАЬHow are you feeling?
YouтАЩre not overexerting yourself, are you?тАЭ
A Paul Lucas type, Tracy had already decided. Paul
Lucas playing the part of an M.D.
Tracy said, тАЬIтАЩm all right, but, look, IтАЩve gotten to the
point where if I donтАЩt find out whatтАЩs going on, IтАЩll go
completely around the corner. LetтАЩs get to some
explanations. I realize that somehow or other you
rescued me from a crazy nightmare I got myself into. My
only explanation is that I must have had a complete
nervous breakdown. I didnтАЩt think I was the type.тАЭ
Jo Edmonds chuckled, good-naturedly.
Cogswell turned on him. тАЬWhatтАЩs so damn funny?тАЭ