"Jack Vance - The Houses of Iszm" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

"Most of our visitors say the same," responded the clerk. "Kindly step
into the next chamber, remove all your clothes and personal effects. These
will be returned to you at your departure."

Fair looked at him blankly. "My moneyтАФmy camera тАФmyтАФ"

"You will be issued Iszic equivalents."

Farr wordlessly entered a white enameled chamber where he
undressed. An attendant packed his clothes in a glass box, then pointed
out that Farr had neglected to remove his ring.

"I suppose if I had false teeth you'd want them too," growled Farr.

The Iszic quickly scanned the form. "You assert quite definitely that
your teeth are integral to your body, natural and without modification."
The upper segments regarded Farr accusingly. "Is this an inaccuracy?"

"Of course not," protested Farr. "They are natural. I merely put forward
as a hypothesisтАж a joke."

The Iszic muttered into a mesh and Farr was taken into a side room
where his teeth were given an exacting inspection. "I'll learn not to make
jokes," Farr told himself. "These people have no sense of humor."

Eventually the medics, shaking their heads glumly, returned Farr to the
outer chamber, where he was met by an Iszic in a tight white and gray
uniform, carrying a hypodermic.

Farr drew back. "What's this!"

"A harmless radiant."

"I don't need any."

"It is necessary," said the medic, "for your own protection. Most visitors
hire boats and sail out upon the Pheadh. Occasionally there are storms,
the boats are blown off course. This radiant will define your position on
the master panel."

"I don't want to be protected," said Farr. "I don't want to be a light on a
panel."

"Then you must leave Iszm."

Farr submitted, cursing the medic for the length of the needle and the
quantity of radiant.

"NowтАФinto the next room for your tri-type, if you please."