"Zelazny, Roger - My Lady Of The Diodes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

When they had finished loading the truck and the guards and laborers had withdrawn from sight, I strolled past, managing to accost the driver before he mounted into the cab.

УJust the man IТm looking for!Ф I cried. УA man of taste and discrimination! I should like, sir, to give you a free sample of Doub-Alert gum! The chewing gum that is doubly refreshing! Doubly enlivening! I should also like to record your reaction to this fine new chewing adventure!Ф

УI donТt chew much gum,Ф said the driver. УThanks anyhow.Ф

УBut, sir, it would mean very much to my employer if you would participate in the chewing reaction test.Ф

УTest?Ф he asked.

УIn the nature of a public opinion sample,Ф I said. УIt will help us to know what sort of reception the product will receive. ItТs a form of market research,Ф I added.

УYeah?Ф

УHey you!Ф called out one of the guards who had returned to the dock. УDonТt move! DonТt go away!Ф

I dropped into a crouch as he leapt down. Another guard followed.

УYou giving away free samples?Ф asked the first one, drawing near.

УYeah. Chewing gum.Ф

УCan we have some?Ф

УSure. Take a couple.Ф

УThanks.Ф

УThanks.Ф

УIТll take some too,Ф said the driver.

УHelp yourself.Ф

УNot bad,Ф said the first guard. УKinda pepperminty and tangy, with that pick-you-up feeling.Ф

УYeah,Ф said the second one.

УUh-huh,Ф added the driver. Then the guards turned away and headed back toward the ladder on the side of the dock. The driver moved back toward his cab.

УWait,Ф I said to him. УWhat about the chewing reaction test?Ф

УIТm in a hurry,Ф he said. УWhat do you want to know?Ф

УWellЧ How did it strike you?Ф

УKinda pepperminty and tangy,Ф he said, Уwith that pick-you-up feeling. ЧI gotta go now!Ф he said, entering the cab and starting the engine.

УMr. Doub-Alert thanks you,Ф I said, glancing back over my shoulder to be sure the dock was empty. I climbed up onto the dock as the bell went off.