Мгла
An Argument with Norton. A Discussion Near the Beer Cooler. Verification.
Don’tblowupathimjustbecausethisisthewayhewasduringthatstupidproperty-linedispute...firstpatronizing,thensarcastic,andfinally,whenitbecameclearhewasgoingtolose,ugly.Don’tblowupathimbecauseyou’regoingtoneedhim.Hemaynotbeabletostarthisownchainsaw,buthelookslikethefatherfigureoftheWesternworld,andifhetellspeoplenottopanic,theywon’t.Sodon’tblowupathim.
"Youseethosedoubledoorsuptherebeyondthebeercooler?"
Helooked,frowning."Isn’toneofthosemendrinkingbeertheotherassistantmanager?Weeks?IfBrownseesthat,Icanpromiseyouthatmanwillbelookingforajobverysoon.
"Brent,willyoulistentome?"
Heglancedbackatmeabsently."Whatwereyousaying,Dave?I’msorry."
Notassorryashewasgoingtobe."Doyouseethosedoors?"
"Yes,ofcourseIdo.Whataboutthem?"
"Theygiveonthestorageareathatrunsallthewayalongthewestfaceofthebuilding.BillyfellasleepandIwentbacktheretoseeifIcouldfindsomethingtocoverhimupwith.
Itoldhimeverything,onlyleavingouttheargumentaboutwhetherornotNormshouldhavegoneoutatall.Itoldhimwhathadcomein...andfinally,whathadgoneout,screaming.BrentNortonrefusedtobelieveit.No-herefusedtoevenentertainit.ItookhimovertoJim,Ollie,andMyron.Allthreeofthemverifiedthestory,althoughJimandMyrontheflowerwerewellontheirwaytogettingdrunk.
Again,Nortonrefusedtobelieveoreventoentertainit.Hesimplybalked."No,"hesaid."No,no,no.
