"Vernor Vinge - Fast Times at Fairmont High" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vinge Vernor)

electron transfer during organic decay.тАЭ It had been just a
silly puzzle Bertie proposed, but it had given Juan a low-
stress way to try out his new abilities.
тАЬYes!тАЭ said Bertie, slapping his forehead. тАЬOf course! It's
not directly related, but it might give the other guys some
ideas.тАЭ
Talking over the details took them through the bottom of
the valley, past the newer subdivisions and then down the
offramp that led to the old casinos. Bertie and his flying
carpet flickered for a second, and then the overlay vanished
as his friend lost the battle to find a handoff link.
тАЬDunno why you have to live in an unimproved part of
town,тАЭ Bertie grumbled in his ear.
Juan shrugged. тАЬThe neighborhood has fixed lasers and
wireless.тАЭ Actually, it was kind of nice to lose the flying
carpet. He let his bike's recycler boost him up the little hill
and then off into Las Mesitas. тАЬSo how are we going to work
the concurrency on the unlimited test?тАЭ
тАЬEasy. I'll chat up the Siberians in a couple of hoursтАФthen
shuffle that across to my other groups. I don't know how fast
things will break; it may be just you and me on the Fairmont
side. Synch up with me after you get done with Miri Gu
tonight, and we'll see about using your тАШmagical memory'.тАЭ
Juan frowned and pedaled fast along white sidewalks and
turn-of-the-century condos. His part of town was old enough
that it looked glitzy even without virtual enhancements.
Bertie seemed to notice his lack of response. тАЬSo is there a
problem?тАЭ


22
 Fast Times at Fairmont High
by Vernor Vinge


Yes! He didn't like Bertie's unsubtle reference to what the
little blue pills did for him. But that was just Bertie's way. In
fact, today was all Bertie's way, both the good and the bad of
it. тАЬIt's just that I'm a little worried about the local test. I
know Miri gets good grades, and you say she is smart, but
does she really have any traction?тАЭ What he really wanted to
ask was why Bertie had pushed him into this, but he knew
that any sort of direct question along those lines might
provoke a Freeze Out.
тАЬDon't worry, Juan. She'd do good work on any team. I've
been watching her.тАЭ
That last was news to Juan. Aloud he said, тАЬI know she has
a stupid brother over in senior high.тАЭ