Конец вечности
Observer
HisownfeelingforFingeapproachedsomethinglikedetestationthereafter.
Threemonthsofrakingthroughthe482ndhadexhaustedmostofitsworth-whilemeatandwhenHarlanreceivedasuddencalltoFinge’soffice,hewasnotsurprised.Hewasexpectingachangeinassignment.Hisfinalsummaryhadbeenprepareddaysbefore.The482ndwasanxioustoexportmorecellulose-basetextilestoCenturieswhichweredeforested,suchasthe1174th,butwereunwillingtoacceptsmokedfishinreturn.Alonglistofsuchitemswascontainedindueorderandwithdueanalysis.
Hetookthedraftofthesummarywithhim.
Butnomentionofthe482ndwasmade.InsteadFingeintroducedhimtoawitheredandwrinkledlittleman,withsparsewhitehairandagnomelikefacethatthroughouttheinterviewwasstampedwithaperpetualsmile.Itvariedbetweenextremesofanxietyandjovialitybutneverquitedisappeared.Betweentwoofhisyellow-stainedfingerslayaburningcigarette.
ItwasthefirstcigaretteHarlanhadeverseen,otherwisehewouldhavepaidmoreattentiontotheman,lesstothesmokingcylinder,andbeenbetterpreparedforFinge’sintroduction.
Fingesaid,"SeniorComputerTwissell,thisisObserverAndrewHarlan."
Harlan’seyesshiftedinshockfromthelittleman’scigarettetohisface.
SeniorComputerTwissellsaidinahigh-pitchedvoice,"Howdoyoudo?Sothisistheyoungmanwhowritesthoseexcellentreports?"
Harlanfoundnovoice.LabanTwissellwasalegend,alivingmyth.LabanTwissellwasamanheshouldhaverecognizedatonce.
