Нейромант

           Hewascomingout.Welivedinaconvertedfactoryspace,lotsofyoungcomersfromSense/Net,likethat.Prettygoodsecuritytostartwith,andI’dputinsomereallyheavystufftomakeitreallytight.IknewJohnnywasupthere.Butthislittleguy,hecaughtmyeye,ashewascomingout.Didn’tsayaword.WejustlookedateachotherandIknew.Plainlittleguy,plainclothes,noprideinhim,humble.Helookedatmeandgotintoapedicab.Iknew.WentupstairsandJohnnywassittinginachairbythewindow,withhismouthalittleopen,likehe’djustthoughtofsomethingtosay.’

           Thedoorinfrontofherwasold,acarvedslabofThaiteakthatseemedtohavebeensawninhalftofitthelowdoorway.Aprimitivemechanicallockwithastainlessfacehadbeeninsetbeneathaswirlingdragon.Sheknelt,drewatightlittlerollofblackchamoisfromaninsidepocket,andselectedaneedle-thinpick.`NevermuchfoundanybodyIgaveadamnabout,afterthat.’

           Sheinsertedthepickandworkedinsilence,nibblingatherlowerlip.Sheseemedtorelyontouchalone,hereyesunfocusedandthedoorwasablurofblondwood.Caselistenedtothesilenceofthehall,punctuatedbythesoftclinkofthecandelabrum.Candles?Straylightwasallwrong.HerememberedCath’sstoryofacastlewithpoolsandlilies,and3Jane’smanneredwordsrecitedmusicallybythehead.Aplacegrowninuponitself.Straylightsmelledfaintlymusty,faintlyperfumed,likeachurch.