Вино из одуванчиков

           Ithadtakenhimtenminutestogetupenoughcouragetocrossthestreet,hisheartslowing,andtherewasthearcadeandhesawthestrangewaxwitchbackwhereshehadalwayshiddenincooldustyshadowwiththeFatesandFuriestuckedunderherfingernails.Acarpassingflashedanexplosionoflightthroughthearcade,jumpingtheshadows,makingitseemthatthewaxwomannoddedswiftlyforhimtoenter.

           Andhehadgoneinatthewitch’ssummoningandcomeforthfiveminuteslater,certainofsurvival.Now,hemustshowTom...

           "Shelooksalmostalive,"saidTom.

           "Sheisalive.I’llshowyou."

           Heshovedapennyintheslot.

           Nothinghappened.

           DouglasyelledacrossthearcadeatMr.Black,theproprietor,seatedonanupendedsoda-popcrateuncorkingandtakingaswigfromathree-quartersemptybottleofbrownyellowliquid.

           "Hey,something’swrongwiththewitch!"Mr.Blackshuffledover,hiseyeshalfclosed,hisbreathsharpandstrong."Something’swrongwiththepinball,wrongwiththepeepshow,wrongwiththeELECTROCUTEYOURSELFFORAPENNYmachine."Hestruckthecase."Hey,inthere!Comealive!"Thewitchsatunperturbed."Costsmemoretofixhereachmonththansheearns."Mr.Blackreachedbehindthecaseandhungasign"OUTOFORDER"overherface."Sheain’ttheonlything’soutoforder.Me,you,thistown,thiscountry,thewholeworld!Tohellwithit!"Heshookhisfistatthewoman.