Нейромант

           Shetalkedabouttheseason’sfashions,aboutsports,aboutapoliticalscandalinCaliforniahe’dneverheardof.

           Helookedaroundthedeserteddeadendstreet.Asheetofnewsprintwentcartwheelingpasttheintersection.FreakwindsintheEastside;somethingtodowithconvection,andanoverlapinthedomes.Casepeeredthroughthewindowatthedeadsign.HerSprawlwasn’thisSprawl,hedecided.She’dledhimthroughadozenbarsandclubshe’dneverseenbefore,takingcareofbusiness,usuallywithnomorethananod.Maintainingconnections.

           SomethingwasmovingintheshadowsbehindMETROHOLOGRAFIX.

           Thedoorwasasheetofcorrugatedroofing.Infrontofit,Molly’shandsflowedthroughanintricatesequenceofjivethathecouldn’tfollow.Hecaughtthesignforcash,athumbbrushingthetipoftheforefinger.Thedoorswunginwardandsheledhimintothesmellofdust.Theystoodinaclearing,densetanglesofjunkrisingoneithersidetowallslinedwithshelvesofcrumblingpaperbacks.Thejunklookedlikesomethingthathadgrownthere,afungusoftwistedmetalandplastic.Hecouldpickoutindividualobjects,butthentheyseemedtoblurbackintothemass:thegutsofatelevisionsoolditwasstuddedwiththeglassstumpsofvacuumtubes,acrumpleddishantenna,abrownfibercanisterstuffedwithcorrodedlengthsofalloytubing.