"Тед Чан. Seventy-Two Letters (72 буквы, Рассказ) (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

where to begin listing the objections. A dancing bear would sooner perform
in the London Ballet."
"If youТd care to develop an automaton that can dance the ballet, I
would fully support such an enterprise. However, you cannot continue with
these dexterous automata."
"Pardon me, sir, but I am not bound by your decisions."
"YouТll find it difficult to work without sculptorsТ cooperation. I
shall recall Moore and forbid all the other journeymen from assisting you
in any way with this project."
Stratton was momentarily taken aback. "Your reaction is completely
unwarranted."
"I think it entirely appropriate."
"In that case, I will work with sculptors at another manufactory."
Willoughby frowned. "I will speak with the head of the Brotherhood of
Sculptors, and recommend that he forbid all of our members from casting
your automata."
Stratton could feel his blood rising. "I will not be bullied," he said.
"Do what you will, but you cannot prevent me from pursuing this."
"I think our discussion is at an end." Willoughby strode to the door.
"Good day to you, Mr. Stratton."
"Good day to you," replied Stratton heatedly.


* * *


It was the following day, and Stratton was taking his midday stroll
through the district of Lambeth, where Coade Manufactory was located.
After a few blocks he stopped at a local market; sometimes among the
baskets of writhing eels and blankets spread with cheap watchs were
automatous dolls, and Stratton retained his boyhood fondness for seeing
the latest designs. Today he noticed a new pair of boxing dolls, painted
to look like an explorer and a savage. As he looked them over while, he
could hear nostrum peddlers competing for the attention of a passerby with
a runny nose.
"I see your health amulet failed you, sir," said one man whose table
was arrayed with small square tins. "Your remedy lies in the curative
powers of magnetism, concentrated in Doctor SedgewickТs Polarising
Tablets!"
"Nonsense!" retorted an old woman. "What you need is tincture of
mandrake, tried and true!" She held out a vial of clear liquid. "The dog
wasnТt cold yet when this extract was prepared! ThereТs nothing more
potent."
Seeing no other new dolls, Stratton left the market and walked on, his
thoughts returning to what Willoughby had said yesterday.
Without the cooperation of the sculptorsТ trade- union, heТd have to
resort to hiring independent sculptors. He hadnТt worked with such
individuals before, and some investigation would be required:
ostensibly they cast bodies only for use with public-domain names, but
for certain individuals these activities disguised patent infringement and