Нейромант

           Ahand,Casesaw,butnotaseveredhand;theskinsweptbacksmoothly,unbrokenandunscarred.HerememberedatattooedlozengeofvatgrownfleshinthewindowofaNinseisurgicalboutique.Rivierawasholdingthehandtohislips,lickingitspalm.Thefingerstentativelycaressedhisface.Butnowasecondhandlayonthebed.WhenRivierareachedforit,thefingersofthefirstwerelockedaroundhiswrist,abraceletoffleshandbone.

           Theactprogressedwithasurrealinternallogicofitsown.Thearmswerenext.Feet.Legs.Thelegswereverybeautiful.Case’sheadthrobbed.Histhroatwasdry.Hedrankthelastofthewine.

           Rivierawasinthebednow,naked.Hisclothinghadbeenapartoftheprojection,butCasecouldn’trememberseeingitfadeaway.Theblackflowerlayatthefootofthebed,stillseethingwithitsblueinnerflame.Thenthetorsoformed,asRivieracaresseditintobeing,white,headless,andperfect,sheenedwiththefaintestglossofsweat.

           Molly’sbody.Casestared,hismouthopen.Butitwasn’tMolly;itwasMollyasRivieraimaginedher.Thebreastswerewrong,thenippleslarger,toodark.Rivieraandthelimblesstorsowrithedtogetheronthebed,crawledoverbythehandswiththeirbrightnails.Thebedwasthicknowwithfoldsofyellowed,rottinglacethatcrumbledatatouch.MotesofdustboiledaroundRivieraandthetwitchinglimbs,thescurrying,pinching,caressinghands.

           CaseglancedatMolly.