Нейромант
Chapter 1
Hewasridinghighthatnight,withabrickofWage’sketamineonitswaytoYokohamaandthemoneyalreadyinhispocket.He’dcomeinoutofthewarmrainthatsizzledacrosstheNinseipavementandsomehowshe’dbeensingledoutforhim,onefaceoutofthedozenswhostoodattheconsoles,lostinthegamesheplayed.Theexpressiononherface,then,hadbeentheonehe’dseen,hourslater,onhersleepingfaceinaportsidecoffin,herupperliplikethelinechildrendrawtorepresentabirdinflight.
Crossingthearcadetostandbesideher,highonthedealhe’dmade,hesawherglanceup.Grayeyesrimmedwithsmudgedblackpaintstick.Eyesofsomeanimalpinnedintheheadlightsofanoncomingvehicle.
Theirnighttogetherstretchingintoamorning,intoticketsatthehoverportandhisfirsttripacrosstheBay.Therainkeptup,fallingalongHarajuku,beadingonherplasticjacket,thechildrenofTokyotroopingpastthefamousboutiquesinwhiteloafersandclingwrapcapes,untilshe’dstoodwithhiminthemidnightclatterofapachinkoparlorandheldhishandlikeachild.
Ittookamonthforthegestaltofdrugsandtensionhemovedthroughtoturnthoseperpetuallystartledeyesintowellsofreflexiveneed.He’dwatchedherpersonalityfragment,calvinglikeaniceberg,splintersdriftingaway,andfinallyhe’dseentherawneed,thehungryarmatureofaddiction.
