Мор - ученик смерти

           Theyhadtheheavy,stolidlookofthosethugswhoseappearanceinanynarrativemeansthatit’stimefortheherotobemenacedabit,althoughnottoomuch,becauseit’salsoobviousthatthey’regoingtobehorriblysurprised.

           Theywereleering.Theyweregoodatit.

           Oneofthemhaddrawnaknife,whichhewavedinlittlecirclesintheair.HeadvancedslowlytowardsMort,whiletheothertwohungbacktoprovideimmoralsupport.

           ’Giveusthemoney,’herasped.

           Mort’shandwenttothebagonhisbelt.

           ’Hangonaminute,’hesaid.’Whathappensthen?’

           ’What?’

           ’Imean,isitmymoneyormylife?’saidMort.’That’sthesortofthingrobbersaresupposedtodemand.Yourmoneyoryourlife.Ireadthatinabookonce,’headded.

           ’Possibly,possibly,’concededtherobber.Hefelthewaslosingtheinitiative,butralliedmagnificently.’Ontheotherhand,itcouldbeyourmoneyandyourlife.Pullingoffthedouble,youmightsay.’Themanlookedsidewaysathiscolleagues,whosniggeredoncue.

           ’Inthatcase—’saidMort,andheftedthebaginonehandpreparatorytochuckingitasfaroutintotheAnkhashecould,eventhoughtherewasareasonablechanceitwouldbounce.