"Zelazny, Roger - Fire And Or Ice, Exeunt Omnes, A Very Good Year" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

УСHey, this is Gotterdammerung,Т I said, СisnТt it?Т

УA nearby TV crew moved in on us as the person paused in hacking away at an amorphous mass with lots of eyes and nodded.

УСSure is,Т he said. СSay, you must beЧТ and then the amorphous mass ate him.

УI crossed the street to where another one in a horned helmet was performing atrocities on a fallen foeperson.

УСPardon me,Т I asked him, Сbut who are you?Т

УСLokiТs the name,Т was the reply. СWhat is your part in all of this?Т

УСI donТt know that I have a part,Т I said. СBut that other person started to say something like I might and then the amorphous mass which was just stepped on by the giant with the arrow in his throat sucked him in.Т

УLoki dispatched his victim with a look of regret and studied my torn garment.

УСYouТre dressed like a man,Т he said, СbutЧТ

УI drew my shirt together.

УСI amЧТ I began.

УСSure. HereТs a safety pin. What a fine idea youТve just given me! Come this way. ThereТve got to be two human survivors,Т he explained, pushing a path through a pack of werewolves. СThe gods will give their lives to defend you, once IТve delivered you to HoddmimirТs HoltЧthatТs the designated fallout shelter.Т He snatched up an unconscious woman and slung her over his shoulder. СYouТll live through all this. A new day will dawn, a glorious new world will be revealed requiring a new first couple. Seeing you waiting, the gods will die believing that all is wellЕТ He broke into a fit of laughter. СThey think that all the deaths will bring a new regime, of love, peace and happinessЧand a new raceЕТ The tears streamed down his face. СAll tragedies require liberal doses of irony,Т he concluded, as he bore us in a psychedelic chariot through rivers of blood and fields of bones.

УHe deposited us here, amid warmth, trees, fountains, singing birdsЧall those little things that make life pleasant and trite: plenty of food, gentle breezes, an attractive house with indoor plumbing. Then still laughing, he returned to the front.

УLater, my companion awokeЧblond and lithe and lovelyЧ and her eyes flashed when she turned my way.

УСSo,Т she snapped, Сyou drag me from this horrible masculine conflict that I may serve your lusts in a secret pleasure haven! IТll have none of it, after all youТve done to me!Т

УI moved to comfort her, but she dropped into a karate stance.

УСTell me,Т I said then, Сwhat you mean. Nothing has been done to you.Т

УСYou call leaving a girl pregnant nothing?Т she cried. СWith all the abortionists busy treating frostbite? No! I want no part of men, never again!Т

УСBe of good cheer, sister,Т I replied, unpinning my shirt. СI found myself too attractive to men, not to mention weak-willedЧ this long night being what it isЧand suffering with a similar medical quandary, I resolved in a fit of remorse to lead the life of a simple transvestite.Т

УСSappho be praised!Т she replied.

УAnd we both had twins, and lived happily ever after. Winter faded, and the Twilight of the Gods passed. The world is a new place, of love, peace and happiness, for so long as it lasts this time. That is the story. Go play nicely with your sisters now.Ф

УBut they wonТt play nicely. They keep tiring me out doing the thing you told me not to.Ф

УHow did you even learn to do such a thing in the first place?Ф the other mommy asked.

УA shining person with a golden staff showed me how. She also said that the gods move in mysterious and not terribly efficient ways.Ф

УThis could be the beginning of philosophy,Ф said the first mommy.