Видоизмененный углерод

           Justmakeshimsomeonewhoscrewedup.Me,Ionlyliveaboutablockawayfromthatmyself."

           "Sure.Sorry."Irubbedatthesideofmyface.Envoyconversationsweren’tsupposedtosliplikethat."I’malittletired.Thatblockyouliveonsoundsfamiliar.IthinkI’mgoingtogotobed.Youwantanotherdrinkbeforeyougo,helpyourself.It’sonmytab."

           "Nothanks."Bautistadrainedwhatwasleftinhisglass."Oldcop’srule.Neverdrinkalone."

           "SoundslikeIshouldhavebeenanoldcop."Istoodup,swayingalittle.Rykermayhavebeenadeath-wishsmoker,buthedidn’thavemuchtoleranceforalcohol."YoucanseeyourselfoutOK,Iguess."

           "Sure."Bautistagotuptogoandmadeaboutahalfdozenpacesbeforeheturnedback.Hefrownedwithconcentration."Oh,yeah.Goeswithoutsaying,Iwasneverhere,right."

           Igesturedhimaway."Youwereneverhere,"Iassuredhim.

           Hegrinnedbemusedlyandhisfacelookedsuddenlyveryyoung."Right.Good.Seeyouround,probably."

           "Seeyou."

           Iwatchedhimoutofsight,then,regretfully,lettheice-coldprocessesofEnvoycontroltrickledownthroughmybefuddledsenses.WhenIwasunpleasantlysoberagain,IpickedupCurtis’sdrugcrystalsfromthebar,andwenttotalktotheHendrix.