Нейромант

           OnceaseamedEuropeanfacedancedintheglareofamatch,lipspursedaroundtheshortstemofametalpipe.Tangofhashish.Casewalkedon,feelingnothing.

           `Case.’Hermirrorsemergedfromdeepershadow.`Youokay?’

           Somethingmewledandbubbledinthedarkbehindher.

           Heshookhishead.

           `Fight’sover,Case.Timetogohome.’

           Hetriedtowalkpasther,backintothedark,wheresomethingwasdying.Shestoppedhimwithahandonhischest.`Friendsofyourtightfriend.Killedyourgirlforyou.Youhaven’tdonetoowellforfriendsinthistown,haveyou?Wegotapartialprofileonthatoldbastardwhenwedidyou,man.He’dfryanybody,forafewNewones.TheonebacktheresaidtheygotontoherwhenshewastryingtofenceyourRAM.Justcheaperforthemtokillherandtakeit.Savealittlemoney...Igottheonewhohadthelasertotellmeallaboutit.Coincidencewewerehere,butIhadtomakesure.’Hermouthwashard,lipspressedintoathinline.

           Casefeltasthoughhisbrainwerejammed.`Who,’hesaid,`whosentthem?’

           Shepassedhimablood-fleckedbagofpreservedginger.Hesawthatherhandswerestickywithblood.Backintheshadows,someonemadewetsoundsanddied.

           Afterthepostoperativecheckattheclinic,Mollytookhimtotheport.Armitagewaswaiting.He’dcharteredahovercraft.ThelastCasesawofChibawerethedarkanglesofthearcologies.Thenamistclosedovertheblackwaterandthedriftingshoalsofwaste.