Конец вечности
Computer
Itdependsontheusestowhichsheisput,andIhaveputhertonone.ButyoumustrealizethatsheisbadforthemoraleofthisSection."
FingestaredathimdistantlyasthoughhisComputer’smindwereweighingabstractionsbeyondthereachofanordinaryEternal."Inwhatwayisshehurtingmorale,Technician?"
"There’snorealnecessityforyoutoask,"saidHarlan,hisangerdeepening."Hercostumeisexhibitionistic.Her—"
"Wait,wait.Nowwaitawhile,Harlan.You’vebeenanObserverinthisera.Youknowherclothesarestandardcostumeforthe482nd."
"Inherownsurroundings,inherownculturalmilieu,Iwouldhavenofaulttofind,thoughI’llsayrightnowthathercostumeisextremeevenforthe482nd.You’llallowmetobethejudgeofthat.HereinEternity,apersonsuchassheiscertainlyoutofplace."
Fingenoddedhisheadslowly.Heactuallyseemedtobeenjoyinghimself.Harlanstiffened.
Fingesaid,"Sheishereforadeliberatepurpose.Sheisperforminganessentialfunction.Itisonlytemporary.Trytoendurehermeanwhile."
Harlan’sjawquivered.Hehadprotestedandwasbeingfobbedoff.Tohellwithcaution.Hewouldspeakhismind.Hesaid,"Icanimaginewhatthewoman’s’essentialfunction’is.Tokeephersoopenlywillnotbeallowedtopass."
Heturnedstiffly,walkedtothedoor.Finge’svoicestoppedhim.
"Technician,"Fingesaid,"yourrelationshipwithTwissellmayhavegivenyouadistortednotionaboutyourownimportance.
