"Jack Vance - Meet Miss Universe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

was to judge the contest she became even more vivacious. She knew a few words
of English, and taking both Tony's hands in hers, she expressed her pleasure
at his visit.
"And after the contestтАФthen you must come see me! On Plais, by the star you
call Alschain. Ah, it is a lovely planet! You will be my guest, you will live
with me in my little house by River Chthis. Of course I will win, and I will
buy a million yards of rich black silk, and then you will find what gratitude
means to one of my race!"
Tony laughed. "You're sweet, you little rascal!" He put his arm around her
shoulders, which pulsed like the breast of a bird. He kissed the tip of her
nose, and would have proceeded further, but she held him off. "No, no, my
Tony! After the contest!"

* * * *
Miss Sancha Garay had taken an apartment at the Desert Inn on the slopes
of Mount Whitney. The call-button sounded, and a maid answered the summons.
She recog-nized the face in the reception plate, and spoke to Miss Garay over
the intercom. "It's that young man from the Exposition. The one that wanted
all the information."
"Peste !" said Sancha. "How tire-some. Must I see him?" She gave the pillow
by her feet a petulant kick. "Very well. Allow him in the room for two
minutes. No more. Be firm. Take no excuse."
Tony came into the room. "Hello, Miss Garay." He looked around.
"Completely comfortable, I hope?"
"Yes. Very." Sancha scowled out across Death Valley, jumped up to her
knees, turned her back on Tony, put her chin on her hands.
"It's a nuisance," said Tony. "As if I don't have enough work, now I'm one
of the judges at the beauty contest."
With one movement Sancha Garay had whirled, jumped to her feet, and was
facing him, her love-ly face radiant. "Toneee! How wonderful! And to think
that we're such friends!"
"It is nice, isn't it?" said Tony.
"Mmm," said Sancha, "you're so sweet, Tony, coming to see me like thisтАФSo
sweet. Give me a little kissтАФ"
The maid entered the room. "I'm sorry, Miss Garay. The dress-fitter is
here. She won't wait. You have got to come at once."
"Rats," said Tony. "Very well. I guess I better go."
"Grand diable du sacre feu !" said Sancha Garay under her breath.

* * * *

"You're so strong," said Miss Fradesut Consici, of Veidranu, in her
husky-sweet voice. "On my planet the men are effete. After the contest I will
stay on Earth, where men are strong! The money I winтАФperhaps you help me spend
it? Eh, Tony?"
"I'd sure like to help," said Tony. "Ah, but you're so soft, fragile . . ."
He put his hands on her arm, stroked the skin which glowed with subtle
moth-wing colors, began to draw her toward him. She fluttered like one of the
butterflies she was accustomed to ride through the Veidranu swamps.
"No, no! Love is not for now! You would not wish the gloss to leave my