Нейромант

           Beyondthearmyblanket,theFinnwaitedatthewhitetable.

           Mollybegantosignrapidly,producedascrapofpaper,wrotesomethingonit,andpassedittotheFinn.Hetookitbetweenthumbandforefinger,holdingitawayfromhisbodyasthoughitmightexplode.HemadeasignCasedidn’tknow,onethatconveyedamixtureofimpatienceandglumresignation.Hestoodup,brushingcrumbsfromthefrontofhisbatteredtweedjacket.AglassjarofpickledherringstoodonthetablebesideatornplasticpackageofflatbreadandatinashtraypiledwiththebuttsofPartagas.

           `Wait,’theFinnsaid,andlefttheroom.

           Mollytookhisplace,extrudedthebladefromherindexfinger,andspearedagrayishslabofherring.Casewanderedaimlesslyaroundtheroom,fingeringthescanninggearonthepylonsashepassed.

           TenminutesandtheFinncamebustlingback,showinghisteethinawideyellowsmile.Henodded,gaveMollyathumbsupsalute,andgesturedtoCasetohelphimwiththedoorpanel.WhileCasesmoothedthevelcroborderintoplace,theFinntookaflatlittleconsolefromhispocketandpunchedoutanelaboratesequence.

           `Honey,’hesaidtoMolly,tuckingtheconsoleaway,`youhavegotit.Noshit,Icansmellit.Youwannatellmewhereyougotit?’

           `Yonderboy,’Mollysaid,shovingtheherringandcrackersaside.`IdidadealwithLarry,ontheside.’

           `Smart,’theFinnsaid.`It’sanAI.