Мор - ученик смерти

           ’Justaboutanything,then,’saidthebarmanand,becauseheknewhisjobandknewwhatwasexpectedofhimwhenpeopledrankaloneinthesmallhours,hestartedtopolishaglasswiththeslopsclothandsaid,’Yourladythrownyouout,hasshe?’

           PARDON?

           ’Drowningyoursorrows,areyou?’

           IHAVENOSORROWS.

           ’No,ofcoursenot.ForgetImentionedit.’Hegavetheglassafewmorewipes.’Justthoughtithelpstohavesomeonetotalkto,’hesaid.

           Thestrangerwassilentforamoment,thinking.Thenhesaid:YouWANTTOTALKTOME?

           ’Yes.Sure.I’magoodlistener.’

           NO-ONEEVERWANTEDTOTALKTOMEBEFORE.

           ’That’sashame.’

           THEYNEVERINVITEMETOPARTIES,YOUKNOW.

           ’Tch.’

           THEYALLHATEME.EVERYONEHATESME.IDONTHAVEASINGLEFRIEND.

           ’Everyoneoughttohaveafriend,’saidthebarmansagely.

           ITHINK—

           ’Yes?’

           ITHINK...ITHINKICOULDBEFRIENDSWITHTHEGREENBOTTLE.

           Thelandlordslidtheoctagon-bottlealongthecounter.Deathtookitandtilteditovertheglass.Theliquidtinkledontherim.

           YOUDRUNKI’MTHINK,DON’TYOU?

           ’Iserveanyonewhocanstanduprightbestoutofthree,’saidthelandlord.

           YOURRREABSOROOTLYRIGHT.BUTI—

           Thestrangerpaused,onedeclamatoryfingerintheair.

           WASWHATISAYING?

           ’YousaidIthoughtyouweredrunk.’

           AH.YES,BUTICANBESHOBERANYTIMEILIKE.THISISHANEXPERIMENT.ANDNOWIWOULDLIKESTOEXPERIMENTWITHTHEORANGEBRANDYAGAIN.

           Thelandlordsighed,andglancedattheclock.