"Robert Weinberg - Logical Magician 01 - A Logical Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weinberg Robert)

linked to it. When I perform magic, I merely tap into that bottomless well of mental
power. It requires little effort on my part. With much greater effort, gifted mortals can
sometimes do the same, which explains the occasional human sorcerers."
 Jack nodded. It all fit together. One other question disturbed him, though.
"If what you say is true, then where are the rest of these supernatural beings? If all
of you are immortal, then the world should be overflowing with mythological creatures."
Merlin shook his head. "We are immortal but by no means invulnerable. Each of us
came into being with our specific strengths and weaknesses. The dreams of mankind
define us. Thus, a vampire commands terrible powers but one ray of sunlight turns him into
dust. And a werewolf is helpless before silver. Over the course of centuries, many of us
sank back into the limbo from which we emerged, killed by the very ones who gave us
life."
Leaning forward, Merlin looked Jack straight in the eye. "Can't you guess the rest
of the answer to your question, my young friend? I am not unique. Thousands of us still
survive, living undetected among our creators. As civilization evolved, so did we. We
merely changed with the times."
Again, the magician smiled. "In my youth, I was Merlin the Magician. When people
turned their back on sorcery and burned warlocks at the stake, I hid my powers behind
the title of doctor and pharmacist. Later, when reason became king, I called my magic
science to survive. In this day and age, I predict the rise and fall of stocks and bonds.
Megan makes sure my forecasts are not too accurate. No one trusts a forecaster who is
always correct. Still, we earn a princely sum each month.
"The others are out there, unnoticed by most, still endowed with their original
powers. Like myself they have adapted and changed with the times. Magic fills your daily
life, Jack, though most humans never realize it."
Merlin reached out, and a cup of coffee magically appeared in his hand. He sipped
it slowly, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts.
The cynic within Jack's soul maintained that magic was nonsense and could not
exist in a logical world. Unfortunately, that line of reasoning implied that he had slipped
over the borders of reality and imagined this whole encounter. And was, therefore, totally
nuts.
With a shake of his head. Jack rejected that theory. Ever the pragmatist, he
accepted the evidence before him. His parents taught him the necessity of adapting to
changing circumstances. Though Jack doubted they envisioned a situation like this, he felt
sure they would approve of his reactions.
"I'm convinced," he told Merlin. "But what does it all have to do with my job
application?"
"Just one minute and I'll explain," replied the magician. Opening a drawer in his
desk, he fumbled around with unseen boxes. Finally, he pulled out a small leather case.
"Found them," he announced mysteriously.
"Found what?" asked Jack, his eyes narrowing as Merlin rose from his seat and
circled over to Jack's chair.
"Nothing to worry about, my young friend," said the magician, snapping open the
container. He held it out so that Jack could see the contents. Inside, resting on a bed of
cotton, were two tiny slivers of bright red plastic.
"Enchanted contact lenses," declared Merlin, carefully lifting one out of the case.
"Much more practical than the rose-colored glasses we used for centuries. Wear these
and you'll be able to instantly distinguish between a real human being and those only
masquerading as such."
Jack shuddered. With 20/20 eyesight, he had never worn glasses, much less