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

truth, and nothing but the truth. There was only one sure way to find out. He decided to
test the Universal Charge Card.
It didn't take him very long to find an outdoor cash station. They were scattered all
over the Loop. Even the local McDonald's had one.
Gingerly, Jack put the plastic rectangle into the ATM. Without a flicker of
hesitation, the machine sprang to life. "Please enter your four-digit identification code"
appeared on the video monitor directly in front of him. Gulping, Jack typed in the special
code listed on the back of the card he had memorized earlier. No alarms sounded. So far,
so good.
Following the instructions on the screen, he entered "withdrawal" when asked what
type of transaction he wanted to perform. Up to then, everything followed the usual
routine for cash stations. Then magic took over.
Normally, the next screen should ask where he wanted the money taken fromтАФhis
savings account, checking account, or as a cash advance against his credit card. Instead,
large block letters merely asked, "How much, Jack?"
Licking his lips, he typed in "$250." Jack found it somewhat unnerving to have a
machine address him by name.
"Small bills okay?" flashed the new message.
"Yes," typed in Jack.
With a hum, the machine closed up tight. When it opened a few seconds later, there
was $250 in fives and tens in the money drawer. Along with Jack's card.
"Take care" flashed across the video screen as Jack scooped up the cash and
stuffed it in his pockets. There was no receipt nor did Jack ask for one.
After three more withdrawals at different machines. Jack was convinced. He had
remained cautious, never taking out more than $250 at any one machine. Not that the
automatic tellers questioned the amount. As far as he could tell, they would have given him
as much as he wanted. Thousands at least, if not more.
At least he had been smart enough to ask for big bills when prompted by the other
machines. Even then, the wad of cash bulging in his pocket made him slightly paranoid.
And, he had to admit, feeling terribly tempted.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of cash machines dotted the city and surrounding
suburbs. Finding them wouldn't be difficult. It might take a few days to reach them all but
he could do it. Especially considering the reward. If he withdrew a thousand bucks from
each ATM, he would end up with over a million, tax free, cold cash, dollars. Enough pay
to make his most decadent imaginings come true. The thought of that much money his for
the taking gave him the shakes.
Jack shook his head. It was a seductive idea, but he was much too honest to do
anything more than dream. Merlin obviously knew the power of the card, and yet he had
still given it to Jack. There was no way he could betray the magician's trust. Besides, a
fortune wouldn't mean much if Merlin's ominous forecast of the future came true.
That thought in mind, Jack started walking down the street to the El. If he was
going to save the world, it was time to stop daydreaming and do something. Always
methodicalтАФthe mark of a good mathematicianтАФJack planned his next moves.
First and foremost, he needed to return to the university and get some medical
attention. After that, dinner would be nice, and some time to reflect carefully on what little
Merlin had told him. Then, hopefully, working from that information, he could formulate a
plan of attack. Though, he suspected preventing the destruction of civilization might prove
to be a bit more of a challenge than his usual routine.
Reaching the entrance to the subway, Jack hesitated. He wondered if taking the
underground back to campus might be a bad idea. Money in his pockets put a new twist