"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 30 - Symbol of Terra" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"I had a raft," said Dumarest, "but I didn't want to be followed. So I
dumped it and came here on foot. From the other side of the mountain."

"Where water is scarce and game even scarcer. Well, you are here now,
and can have all you need." Chenault gestured toward the open doors.
"Shall we go in?"

The hall matched the barbaric splendor of the great doors; a place of
vast dimensions, the roof peaked, the floor tessellated in garish diamonds
of red and green. Colors repeated on the walls together with others of
smoldering vividness set in a profusion of designs which Dumarest found
vaguely familiar. As the doors closed behind them the air seemed to
vibrate and the designs to blur, to seem to move as perspective changed,
to freeze in a series of grotesque parodies.

Faces distorted by the painted masks peculiar to clowns.

A circus!

Dumarest halted as he recognized the vague familiarity for what it was.
The floor, the hall, the peaked roof which depicted the summit of a tent,
the designs themselves all reflections of a small and bizarre world. Now he
could recognize the semblance of cages, the hint of watching beasts, the
shape of a ring, the tiered seats, the hanging strands of a trapeze. An
illusion created with paint and light and undoubted genius.
 "You noticed." Chenault stood facing Dumarest his bright eyes direct.
"What do you see?"

"A circus tent, of course. ButтАФ"

"Lopakhin created it. He felt the need and I permitted it. Tyner is a
genius and, I suppose, I have a weakness for the grandiose. A happy
combination and one which allows of such indulgences. Others also find it
amusing and, at times, they come to stare and gawk and make their
observations. Fools for the most part, but it does no harm to cater to their
whims as long as they do not clash with my desires." Casually Chenault
added, "Perhaps you have met those I'm talking about. Jaded dilettantes
from the great Houses. Those of influence and position with too little to do
and too much time in which to do it. At times they visit me and request
permission to view my hall. Sometimes I accommodate them."

"You are gracious."

"Sensible. Why arouse antagonism when there is no need?" Chenault
turned and moved down the hall. As Dumarest fell into step beside him he
said, "I give a little and receive much in return. If they think I am an
amusing eccentric then that is to my advantage. Also, from such people,
information can be gained."