Нейромант
Chapter 1
ABraziliankidcalledKurtwasonthebar,tendingathincrowdofmostlysilentdrunks.Ratz’splasticarmbuzzedasheraisedthepitcheranddrank.Hisshavenheadwasfilmedwithsweat.`Youlookbad,friendartiste,’hesaid,flashingthewetruinofhisteeth.
`I’mdoingjustfine,’saidCase,andgrinnedlikeaskull.`Superfine.’HesaggedintothechairoppositeRatz,handsstillinhispockets.
`Andyouwanderbackandforthinthisportablebombshelterbuiltofboozeandups,sure.Proofagainstthegrosseremotions,yes?’
`Whydon’tyougetoffmycase,Ratz?YouseenWage?’
`Proofagainstfearandbeingalone,’thebartendercontinued.`Listentothefear.Maybeit’syourfriend.’
`Youhearanythingaboutafightinthearcadetonight,Ratz?Somebodyhurt?’
`Crazycutasecurityman.’Heshrugged.`Agirl,theysay.’
`IgottatalktoWage.Ratz,I...’
`Ah.’Ratz’smouthnarrowed,compressedintoasingleline.HewaslookingpastCase,towardtheentrance.`Ithinkyouareaboutto.’
Casehadasuddenflashoftheshurikenintheirwindow.Thespeedsanginhishead.Thepistolinhishandwasslipperywithsweat.
`HerrWage,’Ratzsaid,slowlyextendinghispinkmanipulatorasifheexpectedittobeshaken.`Howgreatapleasure.Tooseldomdoyouhonorus.’
CaseturnedhisheadandlookedupintoWage’sface.Itwasatannedandforgettablemask.Theeyeswerevatgrownsea-greenNikontransplants.Wageworeasuitofgunmetalsilkandasimplebraceletofplatinumoneitherwrist.
