"George Zebrowski - Augie" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zebrowski George)

AUGIE
George Zebrowski


Copyright ┬й2001 by George Zebrowski

First published in Analog, January 2001

Distributed by Fictionwise.com

640,000 bytes of memory ought to be enough
for anybody.
тАФBill Gates.



The phone chirped at himтАФ

тАФThen flashed a freeze eye-dee of Mira's tired face on the small screen in his kitchen nook.

тАЬWhat?тАЭ he said impatiently, hoping that she had blanked her kitchen screen for the morning hours. He was
not vain enough to ever blank his screen, but face to face with her, even on the phone, always threw him into
the repetitive turmoil that he wanted to avoid, at least until their separation settled in sufficiently to give him
the emotional firebreak behind which he could sort out his feelings.

Don't take the call, he told himself, even though it was already too late.

тАЬJimmy, it's me,тАЭ Mira said weakly, gazing down into her cup of coffee. Her crankiness would depend on how
much caffeine she had already swallowed.

But the remains of his feelings for Mira softened his reluctance to talk.

тАЬWell, what is it?тАЭ he asked.

As usual, she hesitated before answering. тАЬIt's Augie. Can you come over?тАЭ

тАЬWhat is it?тАЭ he asked sternly, knowing that his manner would not stop her from insisting.

тАЬYou'll have to see. Don't waste time.тАЭ She sounded authoritative now, so he knew the matter was serious, if
only in her head. At least he wouldn't have to dress much for her.

She had seen what there was of him in all his guises, but for a moment he thought he might dress up a little,
if only to cheer the limp figure who sat at the tiny table on the screen.

He was glad that he had taken the call in his kitchen nook. The sight of her bathrobed figure would have been
too emotionally wrenching on the large living room threedee.

тАЬDon't waste time!тАЭ she shouted, crushing his kinder feelings for her, but they flowed into him again as soon
as she blanked her screen.