Нейромант

           Ittastedvaguelylikebeef.Whenitwasgone,hetossedthecanintothefireplaceandwentout.

           Lateafternoon,bythefeelofthesun,itsangle.Hekickedoffhisdampnylonshoesandwasstartledbythewarmthofthesand.Indaylight,thebeachwassilver-gray.Theskywascloudless,blue.Heroundedthecornerofthebunkerandwalkedtowardthesurf,droppinghisjacketonthesand.`Dunnowhosememoriesyou’reusingforthisone,’hesaidwhenhereachedthewater.Hepeeledoffhisjeansandkickedthemintotheshallowsurf,followingthemwitht-shirtandunderwear.

           `Whatyoudoin’,Case?’

           Heturnedandfoundhertenmetersdownthebeach,thewhitefoamslidingpastherankles.

           `Ipissedmyselflastnight,’hesaid.

           `Well,youdon’twannawearthose.Saltwater.Giveyousores.I’llshowyouthispoolbackintherocks.’Shegesturedvaguelybehindher.`It’sfresh.’ThefadedFrenchfatigueshadbeenhackedawayabovetheknee;theskinbelowwassmoothandbrown.Abreezecaughtatherhair.

           `Listen,’hesaid,scoopinghisclothesupandwalkingtowardher,`Igotaquestionforyou.Iwon’taskyouwhatyou’redoinghere.ButwhatexactlydoyouthinkI’mdoinghere?’Hestopped,awetblackjeans-legslappingagainsthisbarethigh.

           `Youcamelastnight,’shesaid.Shesmiledathim.