"Norman Spinrad - Triceratops" - читать интересную книгу автора (Spinrad Norman)

subtle black and gray, a super-rare item, not available for any amount of sheer purchasing power.
I dared not inquire as to how Mr. Ito had acquired it. We simply shared a long, silent moment
contemplating the poster, its beauty and historicity transcending whatever questionable events
might have transpired to bring us together in its presence.

How could I not like Mr. Ito now? Who can say that the Japanese occupy their present international
position by economic might alone?

"I hope I may be afforded the opportunity to please your sensibilities as you have pleased mine,
Mr. Ito," I finally said. That was the way to phrase it; you didn't
thank them for a gift like this, and you brought them around to business as obliquely as possible.

Ito suddenly became obviously embarrassed, even furtive. "Forgive me my boldness, Mr.
Harris, but I have hopes that you may be able to assist me in resolving a domestic matter of some
delicacy."


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"A domestic matter?"
"Just so. I realize that this is an embarrassing intrusion, but you are obviously a man of
refinement and infinite discretion, so if you will forgive my forwardness . . ."
His composure seemed to totally evaporate, as if he was going to ask me to pimp for some
disgusting perversion he had. I had the feeling that the power had suddenly taken a quantum jump
in my direction, that a large financial opportunity was about to present itself.
"Please feel free, Mr. Ito . . ."
Ito smiled nervously. "My wife comes from a family of extreme artistic attainment," he
said. "In fact, both her parents have attained the exalted status of National Cultural Treasurers,
a distinction of which they never tire of reminding me. While I have achieved a large measure of
financial success in the freight-booster enterprise, they regard me as nikulturi, a mere merchant,
severely lacking in aesthetic refinement as compared to their own illustrious selves. You
understand the situation, Mr. Harris?"
I nodded as sympathetically as I could. These Japs certainly have a genius for making life
difficult for themselves! Here was a major Japanese industrialist shrinking into low posture at
the very thought of his sponging in-laws, whom he could probably buy and sell out of petty cash.
At the same time, he was obviously out to cream the sons of bitches in some crazy way that would
only make sense to a Japanese. Seems to me the Japanese are better at running the world than they
are at running their lives.

"Mr. Harris, I wish to acquire a major American artifact for the gardens of my Kyoto
estate. Frankly, it must be of sufficient magnitude so as to remind the parents of my wife of my
success in the material realm every time they should chance to gaze upon it, and I shall display
it in a manner which will assure that they gaze upon it often. But of course, it must be of
sufficient beauty and historicity so as to prove to them that my taste is no less elevated than
their own. Thus shall I gain respect in their eyes and reestablish tranquility in my household. I
have been given to understand that you are a valued counselor in such matters, and I am eager to
inspect whatever such objects you may deem appropriate."
So that was it! He wanted to buy something big enough to bong the minds of his artsy-
fartsy relatives, but he really didn't trust his own taste; he wanted me to show him something he