Конец вечности
Full Circle
Hisfinalthoughtofhimselfwasasaheroicsocialrevolutionary,withNoysathisside,whenhesankfinallyintoadreamlesssleep..
Thedoorsignalawokehim.Itwhisperedathimwithhoarseimpatience.Hecollectedhisthoughtstothepointofbeingabletolookatthesmallclockbesidehisbedandgroanedinwardly.
FatherTime!Afterallthathehadoverslept.
Hemanagedtoreachtheproperbuttonfrombedandtheviewsquarehighonthedoorgrewtransparent.Hedidnotrecognizetheface,butitcarriedauthoritywhoeveritwas.
Heopenedthedoorandtheman,wearingtheorangepatchofAdministration,steppedin.
"TechnicianAndrewHarlan?"
"Yes,Administrator?Youhavebusinesswithme?"
TheAdministratorseemedinnowisediscommodedatthesharpbelligerenceofthequestion.Hesaid,"YouhaveanappointmentwithSeniorComputerTwissell?"
"Well?"
"Iamheretoinformyouthatyouarelate."
Harlanstaredathim."What’sthisallabout?You’renotfromthe575th,areyou?"
"The222ndismystation,"saidtheotherfrigidly."AssistantAdministratorArbutLemm.I’minchargeofthearrangementsandI’mtryingtoavoidundueexcitementbyby-passingofficialnotificationovertheCommuniplate."
"Whatarrangements?Whatexcitement?What’sitallabout?Listen,I’vehadconferenceswithTwissellbefore.
