Нейромант

           `Tonight,’Rivierasaid,hislongeyesshining,`Iwouldliketoperformanextendedpieceforyou.Anewwork.’Acoolrubyoflightformedinthepalmofhisupraisedrighthand.Hedroppedit.Agraydoveflutteredupfromthepointofimpactandvanishedintotheshadows.Someonewhistled.Moreapplause.

           `Thetitleoftheworkis`TheDoll.’’Rivieraloweredhishands.`Iwishtodedicateitspremierehere,tonight,toLady3JaneMarie-FranceTessier-Ashpool.’Awaveofpoliteapplause.Asitdied,Riviera’seyesseemedtofindtheirtable.`Andtoanotherlady.’

           Therestaurant’slightsdiedentirely,forafewseconds,leavingonlytheglowofcandles.Riviera’sholographicaurahadfadedwiththelights,butCasecouldstillseehim,standingwithhisheadbowed.

           Linesoffaintlightbegantoform,verticalsandhorizontals,sketchinganopencubearoundthestage.Therestaurant’slightshadcomebackupslightly,buttheframeworksurroundingthestagemighthavebeenconstructedoffrozenmoonbeams.Headbowed,eyesclosed,armsrigidathissides,Rivieraseemedtoquiverwithconcentration.Suddenlytheghostlycubewasfilled,hadbecomearoom,aroomlackingitsfourthwall,allowingtheaudiencetoviewitscontents.

           Rivieraseemedtorelaxslightly.Heraisedhishead,butkepthiseyesclosed.`I’dalwayslivedintheroom,’hesaid.`Icouldn’tremembereverhavinglivedinanyotherroom.