Чужак в чужой стране

           Nelson:Andyouhadbetterusesimpleone-syllablewords,ifImayofferalastadvice.

           SecretaryGeneral:Oh,Iwill.

           Nelson:Good-by,YourExcellency.Good-by,son.

           SecretaryGeneral:Thanks,Doctor.Seeyoulater.

           SecretaryGeneral:(continued)Howdoyoufeel?

           Smith:Feelfine.

           SecretaryGeneral:Good.Anythingyouwant,justaskforit.Wewantyoutobehappy.NowIhavesomethingIwantyoutodoforme.Canyouwrite?

           Smith:’Write?’Whatis’write?’

           SecretaryGeneral:Well,yourthumbprintwilldo.Iwanttoreadapapertoyou.Thispaperhasalotoflawyertalk,butstatedsimplyitsaysthatyouagreethatinleavingMarsyouhaveabandoned-Imean,givenup-anyclaimsthatyoumayhavethere.Understandme?Youassignthemintrusttothegovernment.

           Smith:(noanswer)

           SecretaryGeneral:Well,let’sputitthisway.Youdon’townMars,doyou?

           Smith:(longishpause)Idonotunderstand.

           SecretaryGeneral:Mmm

           Smith:Idonotknow.IwassentbytheOldOnes.(Longuntranscribablespeech,soundslikeabullfrogfightingacat.)

           SecretaryGeneral:Damnit,theyshouldhavetaughthimmoreEnglishbynow.Seehere,son,youdon’thavetoworryaboutthesethings.Justletmehaveyourthumbprinthereatthebottomofthispage.Letmehaveyourrighthand.No,don’ttwistaroundthatway.Holdstill!I’mnotgoingtohurtyou

           SecondDoctor:Yes,sir?

           SecretaryGeneral:GetDoctorNelson.

           SecondDoctor:DoctorNelson?Buthehasleft,sir.Hesaidyoutookhimoffthecase.

           SecretaryGeneral:Nelsonsaidthat?Damnhim!Well,dosomething.