Чужак в чужой стране

           Theinsidesaretransistorsandresistorsandcapacitorsandstuff,allpackedinplastic-youcoulddropitoutofacabandnothurtit.Thepowerisaboutasmuchradioactivityasyouwouldfindinawatchdial,butshielded,Thewireisgoodfortwenty-fourhours.Thenyouslideoutaspoolandstickinanotherone-thespringispartofthespool,alreadywound."

           "Willitexplode?"sheaskednervously.

           "Youcouldbakeitinacake."

           "But,Ben,you’vegotmescaredtogobackintohisroomnow."

           "Unnecessary.Youcangointotheroomnextdoor,can’tyou?"

           "Isupposeso."

           "Thisthinghasdonkey’sears.Fastentheconcavesideflatagainstawall-surgicaltapewilldonicely-anditpicksupeverywordspokenintheroombeyond.Isthereaclosetorsomething?"

           Shethoughtaboutit."I’mboundtobenoticedifIduckinandoutofthatadjoiningroomtoomuch;it’sreallypartofthesuitehe’sin.Ortheymaystartusingit.Look,Ben,hisroomhasathirdwallincommonwitharoomonanothercorridor.Willthatdo?"

           "Perfect.Thenyou’lldoit?"

           "Umm

           Caxtonstoppedtopolishitwithhishandkerchief."Putonyourgloves."

           "Why?"

           "Possessionofitisslightlyillegal,goodforashortvacationbehindbars.Alwaysuseglovesonitandthesparespools-anddon’tgetcaughtwithit."

           "Youthinkofthenicestthings!"

           "Wanttobackout?"

           Jillletoutalongbreath."No.I’vealwayswantedalifeofcrime.Willyouteachmegangsterlingo?Iwanttobeacredittoyou."

           "Goodgirl!"Alightblinkedoverthedoor,heglancedup.