"A. E. Van Vogt - The Cataaaa" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

THE CATAAAA
THE CATAAAA
By A. E. Van Vogt
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Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com
1
THE CATAAAA
THE CATAAAA
by A. E. Van Vogt
A Little Classic By One Of The Most Brilliant Science-Fiction Writers of Our Day.
Several years ago this startling story appeared in a Los Angeles publication, FANTASY BOOK,
and it immediately created o furor among the local stf faithful. With the resumption of
MARVEL, we thought it should be brought to a larger audience, particularly since its author has
meantime won recognition as one of America's most brilliant science-fiction writers. We think
you'll agree that "The Cataaaa" is a masterpiece.
THE USUAL group was gathering in the bar. Cathy was already pretending she was far gone.
Ted was busy putting on his stupid look. Myra giggled three times the way a musician tunes his
instrument for the evening. Jones was talking to Gord in his positive fashion. Gord said "Glub!"
every few seconds, just as if he was listening. And Morton tried to draw attention to himself by
remaining aloof and intellectual looking far down in his chair.
No one noticed the slight, slim man sitting on a stool before the bar. The man kept glancing at
the group; but just when he joined them, or who invited him, no one had any clear idea. Nor did
it occur to anyone to tell him to go away.
The stranger said, "You were talking about the basic characteristics of human nature--"
Myra giggled, "Is that what we were talking about? I wondered."
The laughter that followed did not deter the newcomer.
"It so happens that I have had an experience which illustrates the point. It began one day when I
was glancing through the newspaper, and I ran across a circus advertisement . . . "
At the top of the ad (he went on) was a large question mark followed by some equally large
exclamation marks. Then:
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2
The cat turned and touched Silkey's face gently.
THE CATAAAA
WHAT IS IT?
IT'S THE CAT
COME AND SEE THE CAT
THE CAT WILL STARTLE YOU
THE CAT WILL AMAZE YOU
SEE THE CAT AT THE CIRCUS
FREAK SHOW
In smaller letters at the bottom of the ad was the information that the cat was being "shown under
the personal direction of Silkey Travis."
Until that point I had been reading with a vague interest and curiosity. The name made me jump.
"Good lord!" I thought. "It's him. It's Silkey Travis on that card."
I hurried to my desk, and took out a card that had come in the mail two days before. At the time
it had made no sense to me at all. The words written on the back in a fine script seemed pure
gibberish, and the photograph on the front, though familiar, unlocked no real memory. It was of a
man with a haunted look on his face, sitting in a small cage. I now recognized it as being a
likeness of Silkey Travis, not as I had known him fifteen or so years before, but plumper, older,