Нейромант

           ItwasdisturbingtothinkoftheFlatlineasaconstruct,ahardwiredROMcassettereplicatingadeadman’sskills,obsessions,kneejerkresponses...Thelocalcameboominginalongtheblackinductionstrip,finegritsiftingfromcracksinthetunnel’sceiling.Caseshuffledintothenearestdoorandwatchedtheotherpassengersasherode.ApairofpredatorylookingChristianScientistswereedgingtowardatrioofyoungofficetechswhoworeidealizedholographicvaginasontheirwrists,wetpinkglitteringundertheharshlighting.ThetechslickedtheirperfectlipsnervouslyandeyedtheChristianScientistsfrombeneathloweredmetalliclids.Thegirlslookedliketall,exoticgrazinganimals,swayinggracefullyandunconsciouslywiththemovementofthetrain,theirhighheelslikepolishedhoovesagainstthegraymetalofthecar’sfloor.Beforetheycouldstampede,takeflightfromthemissionaries,thetrainreachedCase’sstation.

           Hesteppedoutandcaughtsightofawhiteholographiccigarsuspendedagainstthewallofthestation,FREESIDEpulsingbeneathitincontortedcapitalsthatmimickedprintedJapanese.Hewalkedthroughthecrowdandstoodbeneathit,studyingthething.WHYWAIT?pulsedthesign.Abluntwhitespindle,flangedandstuddedwithgridsandradiators,docks,domes.He’dseenthead,orotherslikeit,thousandsoftimes.Ithadneverappealedtohim.Withhisdeck,hecouldreachtheFreesidebanksaseasilyashecouldreachAtlanta.Travelwasameatthing.