Нейромант

           Neitherdidthefearandagonyhe’dseenthroughMolly’seyesinthelobbyofSense/Net.Hefoundhimselftryingtorememberthefacesofthethreepeoplehe’dkilledinChiba.Themenwereblanks;thewomanremindedhimofLindaLee.Abatteredtricycle-truckwithmirroredwindowsbouncedpasthim,emptyplasticcylindersrattlinginitsbed.

           `Case.’

           Hedartedsideways,instinctivelygettingawallbehindhisback.

           `Messageforyou,Case.’LupusYonderboy’ssuitcycledthroughpureprimaries.`Pardon.Nottostartleyou.’

           Casestraightenedup,handsinjacketpockets.HewasaheadtallerthantheModern.`Yououghtabecareful,Yonderboy.’

           `Thisisthemessage.Wintermute.’Hespelleditout.

           `Fromyou?’Casetookastepforward.

           `No,’Yonderboysaid.`Foryou.’

           `Whofrom?’

           `Wintermute,’Yonderboyrepeated,nodding,bobbinghiscrestofpinkhair.Hissuitwentmatteblack,acarbonshadowagainstoldconcrete.Heexecutedastrangelittledance,histhinblackarmswhirling,andthenhewasgone.No.There.Hooduptohidethepink,thesuitexactlytherightshadeofgray,mottledandstainedasthesidewalkhestoodon.Theeyeswinkedbacktheredofastoplight.Andthenhewasreallygone.

           Caseclosedhiseyes,massagedthemwithnumbfingers,leaningbackagainstpeelingbrickwork.

           Ninseihadbeenalotsimpler.