"Джон Варли. Платежное поручение(engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

Jennings smiled. He felt a little better, now that the sum had been
spoken aloud. Maybe it wasn't so bad, after all. Almost like being paid to
sleep. But he was two years older; he had just that much less to live. It
was like selling part of himself, part of his life. And life was worth
plenty, these days. He shrugged. Anyhow, it was in the past.
"We're almost there," the older man said. The robot pilot dropped the
cruiser down, sinking toward the ground. The edge of New York City became
visible below them. "Well, Jennings, I may never see you again." He held out
his hand. "It's been a pleasure working with you. We did work together, you
know. Side by side. You're one of the best mechanics I've ever seen. We were
right in hiring you, even at that salary. You paid us back many times --
although you don't realize it."
"I'm glad you got your money's worth."
"You sound angry."
"No. I'm just trying to get used to the idea of being two years older."
Rethrick laughed. "You're still a very young man. And you'll feel
better when she gives you your pay."
They stepped out onto the tiny rooftop field of the New York office
building. Rethrick led him over to an elevator. As the doors slid shut
Jennings got a mental shock. This was the last thing he remembered, this
elevator. After that he had blacked out.
"Kelly will be glad to see you," Rethrick said, as they came out into a
lighted hall. "She asks about you, once in a while."
"Why?"
"She says you're good-looking." Rethrick pushed a code key against a
door. The door responded, swinging wide. They entered the luxurious office
of Rethrick Construction. Behind a long mahogany desk a young woman was
sitting, studying a report.
"Kelly," Rethrick said, "look whose time finally expired."
The girl looked up, smiling. "Hello, Mr. Jennings. How does it feel to
be back in the world?"
"Fine." Jennings walked over to her. "Rethrick says you're the
paymaster."
Rethrick clapped Jennings on the back. "So long, my friend. I'll go
back to the plant. If you ever need a lot of money in a hurry come around
and we'll work out another contract with you."
Jennings nodded. As Rethrick went back out he sat down beside the desk,
crossing his legs. Kelly slid a drawer open, moving her chair back. "All
right. Your time is up, so Rethrick Construction is ready to pay. Do you
have your copy of the contract?"
Jennings took an envelope from his pocket and tossed it on the desk.
"There it is."
Kelly removed a small cloth sack and some sheets of handwritten paper
from the desk drawer. For a time she read over the sheets, her small face
intent.
"What is it?"
"I think you're going to be surprised." Kelly handed him his contract
back. "Read that over again."
"Why?" Jennings unfastened the envelope.
"There's an alternate clause. 'If the party of the second part so