Конец вечности
Trapped!
"Doyoustillwantthetruth?"Fingeflashedback,andseemedtogaincourageinproportionasHarlansankintofrustration.
"Goon."
"ThenletmetellyouthatIdidn’tconsideryouaproperEternalfromthestart.AflashyObserver,perhaps,andaTechnicianwhowentthroughthemotions.ButnoEternal.WhenIbroughtyouhereonthislastjob,itwastoproveasmuchtoTwissell,whovaluesyouforsomeobscurereason.Iwasn’tjusttestingthesocietyinthepersonofthegirl,Noys.Iwastestingyou,too,andyoufailedasIthoughtyouwouldfail.Nowputawaythatweapon,thatwhip,whateveritis,andgetoutofhere."
"Andyoucametomypersonalquartersonce,"saidHarlanbreathlessly,workinghardtokeephisdignityandfeelingitslipfromhimasthoughhismindandspiritwereasstiffandunfeelingasthewhiplashedlittlefingeronhislefthand,"togoadmeintodoingwhatIdid."
"Yes,ofcourse.Ifyouwantthephraseexactly,Itemptedyou.Itoldyoutheexacttruth,thatyoucouldkeepNoysonlyinthethenpresentReality.Youchosetoact,notasanEternal,butasasniveler.Iexpectedyouto."
"Iwoulddoitagainnow,"saidHarlangruffly,"andsinceit’sallknown,youcanseeIhavenothingtolose."HethrusthiswhipoutwardtowardFinge’splumpwaistlineandspokethroughpalelipsandclenchedteeth."WhathashappenedtoNoys?"
"Ihavenoidea."
"Don’ttellmethat.
