Мгла
An Argument with Norton. A Discussion Near the Beer Cooler. Verification.
"Hey!Everybodyinthestore!Youwanttocomeupbackandhearthis!Itconcernsallofyou!"Helookedatmelevelly,ignoringBrownaltogether."AmIdoingallright?"
"Fine."
Peoplebegantogather.TheoriginalknotofspectatorstomyargumentwithNortondoubled,thentrebled.
"There’ssomethingyouallhadbetterknow-"Olliebegan.
"Youputthatbeerdownrightnow,"Brownsaid.
"Youshutuprightnow,"Isaid,andtookasteptowardhim.
Browntookacompensatorystepback."Idon’tknowwhatsomeofyouthinkyouaredoing,"hesaid,"butIcantellyouit’sgoingtobereportedtotheFederalFoodsCompany!Allofit!AndIwantyoutounderstand-theremaybecharges!"Hislipsdrewnervouslybackfromhisyellowedteeth,andIcouldfeelsympathyforhim.Justtryingtocope;thatwasallhewasdoing.AsNortonwasbyimposingamentalgagorderonhimself.MyronandJimhadtriedbyturningthewholethingintoamachocharade-ifthegeneratorcouldbefixed,themistwouldblowover.ThiswasBrown’sway.Hewas...ProtectingtheStore.
"Thenyougoaheadandtakedownthenames,"Isaid."Butpleasedon’ttalk."
"I’lltakedownplentyofnames,"heresponded."Yourswillbeheadonthelist,you...youbohemian."
"Mr.DavidDraytonhasgotsomethingtotellyou,"Olliesaid,"andIthinkyouhadbetteralllistenup,incaseyouwereplanningongoinghome."
SoItoldthemwhathadhappened,prettymuchasItoldNorton.Therewassomelaughteratfirst,thenadeepeninguneasinessasIfinished.
"It’salie,youknow,"Nortonsaid.
