Нейромант

           22’smagazineandtheoneloosecartridgeanddroppedthemintoonepocket,thenputthepistolintheother.`IgottaseeShin,getmydepositback.’

           `Gohome,’saidRatz,shiftingonthecreakingchairwithsomethinglikeembarrassment.`Artiste.Gohome.’

           Hefeltthemwatchingashecrossedtheroomandshoulderedhiswaypasttheplasticdoors.

           `Bitch,’hesaidtotherosetintoverShiga.DownonNinseithehologramswerevanishinglikeghosts,andmostoftheneonwasalreadycoldanddead.Hesippedthickblackcoffeefromastreetvendor’sfoamthimbleandwatchedthesuncomeup.`Youflyaway,honey.Townslikethisareforpeoplewholikethewaydown.’Butthatwasn’tit,really,andhewasfindingitincreasinglyhardtomaintainthesenseofbetrayal.Shejustwantedatickethome,andtheRAMinhisHitachiwouldbuyitforher,ifshecouldfindtherightfence.Andthatbusinesswiththefifty;she’dalmostturneditdown,knowingshewasabouttoriphimfortherestofwhathehad.

           Whenheclimbedoutoftheelevator,thesameboywasonthedesk.Differenttextbook.`Goodbuddy,’Casecalledacrosstheplasticturf,`youdon’tneedtotellme.Iknowalready.Prettyladycametovisit,saidshehadmykey.Nicelittletipforyou,sayfiftyNewones?’Theboyputdownhisbook.`Woman,’Casesaid,anddrewalineacrosshisforeheadwithhisthumb.`Silk.’Hesmiledbroadly.Theboysmiledback,nodded.`Thanks,asshole,’Casesaid.

           Onthecatwalk,hehadtroublewiththelock.