Грань будущего

           Shewipedtheedgesofhermouthasshegaspedforbreath.

           "Notsouratall."

           "Notatthiscafeteria,"Isaid."Toomanypeoplefromoverseas.Gotoalocalplaceifyouwanttherealstuff."

           Ipickeduptheumeboshifrommytrayandpoppeditintomymouth.Imadeashowofsavoringtheflavor.Truthbeknown,itwassourenoughtotwistmymouthastightasacrab’sassatlowtide,butIwasn’tabouttogiveherthesatisfactionofseeingthat.

           "Prettygood."Ismackedmylips.

           Ritastood,hermouthasternline.Sheleftmesittingatthetableasshestrodedownthecorridorbetweenthetables,pastthrongsofsoldiers,anduptotheservingcounter.There,Rachelspoketoagorillaofamanwhocouldreachupandtouchtheceilingwithoutsomuchasstretching-thesamegorillafromthe4thwhosefistmyjawhadencounteredallthoseloopsago.BeautyandtheBeastwereunderstandablysurprisedtoseethesubjectoftheirconversationwalkuptothem.Theentirecafeteriacouldsensethatsomethingwasup;theconversationsdimmed,andthebanjomusicstopped.ThankGod.

           Ritaclearedherthroat."CouldIgetsomedriedpickledplums?"

           "Umeboshi?"

           "Yeah,those."

           "Well,sure,ifyoulike."

           Racheltookoutasmallplateandstartedpilingitwithumeboshifromalarge,plasticbucket.

           "Idon’tneedtheplate."

           "I’msorry?"

           "Thatthingyou’reholdinginyourlefthand.Yeah,thebucket.I’lltakeallofthem."

           "Um,peopledon’tusuallyeatthatmanyatonce,"Rachelsaid.