"Vernor Vinge - The Cookie Monster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vinge Vernor)

"Then they can turn me back."

"Yeah, what a great way to start out with the new job," said Don. "I donтАЩt think you three realize
what a good deal we have here. I know that none of you have worked a customer support job before."
He looked around challengingly. "Well I have. This is heaven. WeтАЩve got our own frigginтАЩ offices,
onsite tennis courts and health club. WeтАЩre being treated like million-dollar system designers.
WeтАЩre being given all the time we need to give top-notch advice to the customers. What LotsaTech
is trying to do here is revolutionary! And you dips are just going to piss it away." Another all-
around glare. "Well, do what you want, but IтАЩm going to lunch."

There was a moment of embarrassed silence. Ulysse stepped out of the cubicle and watched Don and
others trickle away toward the stairs. Then she was back. "IтАЩll come with you, Dixie Mae, but . .
. have you thought Don may be right? Maybe you could just postpone this till next week?"
Unhappiness was written all over her face. Ulysse was a lot like Dixie Mae, just more sensible.

Dixie Mae shook her head. She figured it would be at least fifteen minutes before her common sense
could put on the brakes.

"IтАЩll come, Dixie Mae," said Victor. "Yeah. . . . This could be an interesting story."

Dixie Mae smiled at Ulysse and reached out her hand. "ItтАЩs okay, Ulysse. You should go to lunch."
The other looked uncertain. "Really. If Mr. Johnson asks about me missing lunch, it would help if
you were there to set him right about what a steady person I am."

"Okay, Dixie Mae. IтАЩll do that." She wasnтАЩt fooled, but this way it really was okay.

Once she was gone, Dixie Mae turned back to Victor. "And you. I want a printed copy of that
freakinтАЩ email."

They went out a side door. There was a soft-drink and candy machine on the porch. Victor loaded up
on "expeditionary supplies" and the two started down the hill.

"Hot day," said Victor, mumbling around a mouth full of chocolate bar.

"Yeah." The early part of the week had been all June Gloom. But the usual overcast had broken, and
today was hot and sunnyтАУand Dixie Mae suddenly realized how pleasantly air-conditioned life had
been in the LotsaTech "sweatshop." Common sense hadnтАЩt yet reached the brakes, but it was getting
closer.

Victor washed the chocolate down with a Dr. Fizzz and flipped the can behind the oleanders that


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hung close along the path. "So who do you think is behind that letter? Really?"

"I donтАЩt know, Victor! Why do you think IтАЩm risking my job to find out?"