"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 23 - World of Promise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

does not come cheap? That to fail an examination could mean
the loss of years of effort? Isn't it logical to take all precautions
against that happening?"

Dumarest said flatly, "I told you I'm not interested. You're
wasting your time. Now just move on and stop bothering me."
 He finished the tisane as the stranger moved away in search
of a more gullible victim. He could even find one; some scared
and timid youth desperate at the thought of failure and willing
to buy an imagined security. More likely the relative of a student
would fall for his lies and hand the expensive rubbish over as a
final gift. In either case both would have paid for their folly.

Setting down the empty mug, Dumarest moved from the tent
and paused on the wide path running between the facing booths.
Between two of them he could see the area beyond; more open,
thronged now with little groups, studded with stands selling
drinks, comestibles, gaudy confections. A scene lit with the
burning hues of torches set high on slender poles; chemical flares
casting patches of somber browns, smoldering oranges, dusty
blues, intense purples, vivid greens, burning yellows, savage reds.
Circus colors augmented by the blaze of stars covering the sky in
a myriad of glittering points, the sheets and curtains of
luminescence, the silver glow of triple moons.

From somewhere down the midway came the thud of drums
and a sudden burst of laughter; strained amusement too raucous
to be genuine, sounds made to cover an aching grief, a fear, an
anxiety grown too great. Those gathered had not come for the
fun available but to make their farewellsтАФ all wearing the
dun-colored robe would be taking ships for Ascelius, the vessels
themselves now ranked on the field or heading into orbit.

"Mister!" A woman called to him, her body moving with
sinuous grace. "A lecture hall can be a dull placeтАФwhy not take a
little pleasure while you can? Come with me and taste the
realities of life. For ten corlms I will teach you a new art. For
twenty I will stun your senses. For fifty I will give you paradise."

She shrugged as he moved on, knowing better than to scream
insults, knowing such actions could bring an ugly return. And
why waste time on one when others were available?

Dumarest heard her make a fresh offer as he slipped between
two booths and into the open area. His ship was on the field, his
passage booked, but for reasons of his own he delayed boarding.
Instead he walked to where a throng had gathered around an
area bright with unexpected light. The crowd had formed a
circle, faces turned like sun-loving flowers toward the
illumination, eyes intent on what they saw.