Чужак в чужой стране

           That’syourjob?onlyyouain’tlearnedhow.Shucks,son,eventhemarksknowthatyourtricksarefake?onlythey’dliketobelievethey’rereal,andit’suptoyoutohelp’embelieve,aslongasthey’reinsidetheshow.That’swhatyoulack."

           "HowdoIgetit,Tim?HowdoIlearnwhatmakesachumptick?"

           "Hell,Ican’ttellyouthat;that’sthepieceyouhavetolearnforyourself.Getoutandstiraroundandbeachumpyourselfawhile,maybe.But-Well,takethisnotionyouhadofbillingyourselfas‘TheManfromMars.’Youmustn’tofferthechumpwhathewon’tswallow.They’veallseentheManfromMars,inpicturesandonstereovision.Hell,I’veseenhimmyself.Sure,youlookabitlikehim,samegeneraltype,acasualresemblance–butevenifyouwerehistwinbrother,themarksknowtheywon’tfindtheManfromMarsinaten-in-oneinthesticks.It’sassillyasitwouldbetobillaswordswalloweras‘thePresidentoftheUnitedStates.’Getme?Achumpwantstobelieve–buthewon’tthankyoutoinsultwhattraceofintelligencehehas.Andevenachumphasbrainsofasort.Youhavetorememberthat."

           "Iwillremember."

           "Okay.Italktoomuch–butatalkergetsinthehabit.Areyoukidsgoingtobeallright?How’sthegrouchbag?Hell,Ioughtn’ttodoit–butdoyouneedaloan?"

           "Thanks,Tim.We’renothurtin’any."

           "Well,takecareofyourself.Bye,Jill."Hehurriedout.

           PatriciaPaiwonskicameinthroughtherearfly,wearingarobe.