Темная башня: Стрелок

           Theonewiththeheartsswore,handedoverhisbet,andthenextwasdealt.

           Thegunslingerapproachedthebar."Yougothamburger?"heasked.

           "Sure."Shelookedhimintheeye,andshemighthavebeenprettywhenshestartedout,butnowherfacewaslumpyandtherewasalividscarcorkscrewedacrossherforehead.Shehadpowdereditheavily,butitcalledattentionratherthancamouflaging."It’sdear,though."

           "Ifigured.Gimmethreeburgersandabeer."

           Againthatsubtleshiftintone.Threehamburgers.MouthswateredandtongueslikedatsalivawithslowlustThreehamburgers.

           "Thatwouldgoyoufivebucks.Withthebeer."

           Thegunslingerputagoldpieceonthebar.

           Eyesfollowedit.

           Therewasasullenlysmolderingcharcoalbrazierbehindthebarandtotheleftofthemirror.Thewomandisappearedintoasmallroombehinditandreturnedwithmeatonapaper.Shescrimpedoutthreepattiesandputthemonthefire.Thesmellthatarosewasmaddening.Thegunslingerstoodwithstolidindifference,onlyperipherallyawareofthefalteringpiano,theslowingofthecardgame,thesidelongglancesofthebarflies.

           Themanwashalfwayupbehindhimwhenthegunslingersawhiminthemirror.Themanwasalmostcompletelybald,andhishandwaswrappedaroundthehaftofagigantichuntingknifethatwasloopedontohisbeltlikeaholster.

           "Gositdown,"thegunslingersaidquietly.

           Themanstopped.Hisupperlipliftedunconsciously,likeadog’s,andtherewasamomentofsilence.Thenhewentbacktohistable,andtheatmosphereshiftedbackagain.