451 по фаренгейту
It was a pleasure to burn
Montagsankdownintoachairandlookedatthiswoman. Hereyeswereclosednow,gently,andheputouthishandtofeelthewarmnessofbreathonhispalm.
"Mildred,"hesaid,atlast.
Therearetoomanyofus,hethought.Therearebillionsofusandthat’stoomany. Nobodyknowsanyone.Strangerscomeandviolateyou. Strangerscomeandcutyourheartout.Strangerscomeandtakeyourblood. GoodGod,whowerethosemen?Ineversawthembeforeinmylife!
Halfanhourpassed.
Thebloodstreaminthiswomanwasnewanditseemedtohavedoneanewthingtoher. Hercheekswereverypinkandherlipswereveryfreshandfullofcolourandtheylookedsoftandrelaxed. Someoneelse’sbloodthere. Ifonlysomeoneelse’sfleshandbrainandmemory. Ifonlytheycouldhavetakenhermindalongtothedry-cleaner’sandemptiedthepocketsandsteamedandcleanseditandreblockeditandbroughtitbackinthemorning. Ifonly...
Hegotupandputbackthecurtainsandopenedthewindowswidetoletthenightairin. Itwastwoo’clockinthemorning. Wasitonlyanhourago,ClarisseMcClellaninthestreet,andhimcomingin,andthedarkroomandhisfootkickingthelittlecrystalbottle? Onlyanhour,buttheworldhadmelteddownandsprungupinanewandcolourlessform.
Laughterblewacrossthemoon-colouredlawnfromthehouseofClarisseandherfatherandmotherandtheunclewhosmiledsoquietlyandsoearnestly.
