Коллекционер
Chapter 2
Sohechangedtack.Cutusshorteverytimewetriedtospeak(metoo).
AndthenIdidsomethingevenmorestupidthanthehavinggonethereinthefirstplace.Therewasapause,andheobviouslythoughtwewouldgo.ButIidioticallythoughtIcouldseeAntoinetteandPierslookingratheramusedandIwassureitwasbecausetheyfeltIdidn’tknowhimaswellasI’dsaid.SoIhadtotrytoprovetothemthatIcouldmanagehim.
Isaid,couldwehavearecord,G.P.?
Foramomenthelookedasifwouldhesayno,butthenhesaid,whynot?Let’shearsomeonesayingsomething.forachange.Hedidn’tgiveusanychoice,hejustwentandputarecordon.
Helayonthedivanwithhiseyesclosed,asusual,andPiersandAntoinetteobviouslythoughtitwasapose.
Suchathinstrangequaveringnoise,andsuchatenseawkwardatmospherehadbuiltup;Imeanitwasthemusicontopofeverythingelse.PiersstartedtosmirkandAntoinettehadafitof—shecan’tgiggle,she’stooslinky,herequivalent—andIsmiled.Iadmitit.Pierscleanedouthisearwithhislittlefingerandthenleantonhiselbowwithhisforeheadonoutstretchedfingers—andshookhisheadeverytimetheinstrument(Ididn’tknowwhatitwasthen)vibrated.Antoinettehalf-choked.Itwasawful.Iknewhewouldhear.
Hedid.HesawPierscleaninghisearsagain.AndPierssawhimselfbeingseenandputonacleversortofdon’t-mind-ussmile.G.P.jumpedupandturnedofftheplayer.
