"David Robbins - Blade 04 - Pipeline Strike" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robbins David L)

"At least once a day," Tyler disclosed.

"Why?"

"Are you kidding me? Haven't you heard about the life those people
led? They had it easy. There weren't any mutants around back then. The
criminal element was held in check by the law-enforcement authorities. A
person could travel anywhere they wanted without having to be on the
lookout for scavengers and raiders. If they were hungry, they went to the
store or to a restaurantтАФ"

"We have stores and restaurants in California," Captain Bowen said,
interrupting.

"But they're not the same," Tyler said. "Our stores offer the necessities
and very few luxuries, and even the necessities are rationed whenever
there's a shortage. And our restaurants aren't as ritzy as the restaurants
before the war. I was told there were some that had golden arches."

"Golden arches?"

"Yep. Had something to do with their architecture. Imagine that!
Golden arches!"
 "I find it hard to believe," Captain Bowen commented.

"I'm only relaying the information I was told," Lieutenant Tyler
mentioned.

"Captain Bowen swiveled the binoculars to the right. "Well, I don't
know if I would have liked living then. They may have enjoyed an easier
lifestyle, but easier isn't always better."

"It is in my book, sir."

"You're like most people I know," Bowen said. "You believe the prewar
society was some sort of Utopia. It wasn't. They had their problems too."

"Name one, sir?"

"They were a society of addicts."

"How do you mean?"

Captain Bowen lowered the binoculars and glanced at Tyler. "Study the
history books sometime, and you'll see I'm right. The people suffered from
countless addictions. Drugs, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, television, and
sex."

"They were addicted to sex?" Tyler asked, and laughed.