Нейромант

           Herfacewasblank;thecolorsofRiviera’sprojectionheavedandturnedinhermirrors.Armitagewasleaningforward,hishandsroundthestemofawineglass,hispaleeyesfixedonthestage,theglowingroom.

           Nowlimbsandtorsohadmerged,andRivierashuddered.Theheadwasthere,theimagecomplete.Molly’sface,withsmoothquicksilverdrowningtheeyes.RivieraandtheMollyimagebegantocouplewitharenewedintensity.Thentheimageslowlyextendedaclawedhandandextrudeditsfiveblades.Withalanguorous,dreamlikedeliberation,itrakedRiviera’sbareback.Casecaughtaglimpseofexposedspine,buthewasalreadyupandstumblingforthedoor.

           Hevomitedoverarosewoodrailingintothequietwatersofthelake.Somethingthathadseemedtoclosearoundhisheadlikeavisehadreleasedhimnow.Kneeling,hischeekagainstthecoolwood,hestaredacrosstheshallowlakeatthebrightauraoftheRueJulesVerne.

           Casehadseenthemediumbefore;whenhe’dbeenateenagerintheSprawl,they’dcalledit,`dreamingreal.’HerememberedthinPuertoRicansunderEastSidestreetlights,dreamingrealtothequickbeatofasalsa,dreamgirlsshudderingandturning,theonlookersclappingintime.Butthathadneededavanfullofgearandaclumsytrodehelmet.

           WhatRivieradreamed,yougot.Caseshookhisachingheadandspatintothelake.

           Hecouldguesstheend,thefinale.