Нейромант

           Whataboutme,Maelcum?’

           `Mon,’Maelcumsaid,`youcomin’wi’me.Ian’IcomeZionwi’Aerol,BabylonRocker.LeaveMr.Armitaget’talkwi’ghostcassette,oneghostt’’nother...’

           Caseglancedoverhisshoulder:hisrentedsuitswungagainstthehammockwherehe’dsnappedit,swayingintheaircurrentfromtheoldRussianscrubber.Heclosedhiseyes.Hesawthesacsoftoxindissolvinginhisarteries.HesawMollyhaulingherselfuptheendlesssteelrungs.Heopenedhiseyes.

           `Idunno,man,’hesaid,astrangetasteinhismouth.Helookeddownathisdesk,athishands.`Idon’tknow.’Helookedbackup.Thebrownfacewascalmnow,intent.Maelcum’schinwashiddenbythehighhelmetringofhisoldbluesuit.`She’sinside,’hesaid.`Molly’sinside.InStraylight,it’scalled.Ifthere’sanyBabylon,man,that’sit.Weleaveonher,sheain’tcomin’out,Steppin’Razorornot.’

           Maelcumnodded,thedreadbagbobbingbehindhimlikeacaptiveballoonofcrochetedcotton.`Sheyouwoman,Case?’

           `Idunno.Nobody’swoman,maybe.’Heshrugged.Andfoundhisangeragain,realasashardofhotrockbeneathhisribs.`Fuckthis,’hesaid.`FuckArmitage,fuckWintermute,andfuckyou.I’mstayin’righthere.’

           Maelcum’ssmilespreadacrosshisfacelikelightbreaking.`Maelcumarudeboy,Case.GarveyMaelcumboat.