Мгла
An Argument with Norton. A Discussion Near the Beer Cooler. Verification.
Asmanyastwodozenpeoplemilledrestlesslyinthespacebetweentheendofthecheckoutlanesandthelongshowwindow.Alotofthemwerelinedupattheglass,lookingoutintothemist.Iwasagainremindedofthepeoplethatcongregateatabuildingsite,
Mrs.Carmodywasseatedonthestationaryconveyorbeltofoneofthecheckoutlanes,smokingaParliamentinaOneStepataTimefilter.Hereyesmeasuredme,foundmewanting,andpassedon.Shelookedasifshemightbedreamingawake.
"Brent"Isaid.
"David!Wheredidyougetoffto?"
"That’swhatI’dliketotalktoyouabout."
"Therearepeoplebackatthecoolerdrinkingbeer,"Brownsaidgrimly.HesoundedlikeamanannouncingthatX-ratedmovieshadbeenshownatthedeacons’party."Icanseetheminthesecuritymirror.Thishassimplygottostop."
"Brent?"
"Excusemeforaminute,wouldyou,Mr.Brown?"
"Certainly."Hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischestandstaredgrimlyupintotheconvexmirror."Itisgoingtostop.Icanpromiseyouthat."
NortonandIheadedtowardthebeercoolerinthefarcornerofthestore,walkingpastthehousewaresandnotions.Iglancedbackovermyshoulder,noticinguneasilyhowthewoodenbeamsframingthetall,rectangularsectionsofglasshadbuckledandtwistedandsplintered.Andoneofthewindowswasn’tevenwhole,Iremembered.Apie-shapedchunkofglasshadfallenoutoftheuppercornerattheinstantofthatqueerthump.Perhapswecouldstuffitwithclothorsomething-maybeabunchofthose$3.
