Марсианские хроники
December 2005: The Silent Towns
NumbertwolivedinNewNewYork,fivethousandmilesacrossthebluemountains.
Noanswer.
Hecalledthree,four,five,six,seven,eight,hisfingersjerking,unabletogripthereceiver.
Awoman’svoiceanswered,"Hello?"
Waltercriedbackather,"Hello,ohlord,hello!"
"Thisisarecording,"recitedthewoman’svoice."MissHelenArasumianisnothome.Willyouleaveamessageonthewirespoolsoshemaycallyouwhenshereturns?Hello?Thisisarecording.MissArasumianisnothome.Willyouleaveamessage—"
Hehungup.
Hesatwithhismouthtwitching.
Onsecondthoughtheredialedthatnumber.
"WhenMissHelenArasumiancomeshome,"hesaid,"tellhertogotohell."
HephonedMarsJunction,NewBoston,Arcadia,andRooseveltCityexchanges,theorizingthattheywouldbelogicalplacesforpersonstodialfrom;afterthathecontactedlocalcityhallsandotherpublicinstitutionsineachtown.Hephonedthebesthotels.Leaveittoawomantoputherselfupinluxury.
Suddenlyhestopped,clappedhishandssharplytogether,andlaughed.Ofcourse!Hecheckedthedirectoryanddialedalong-distancecallthroughtothebiggestbeautyparlorinNewTexasCity.Ifevertherewasaplacewhereawomanwouldputteraround,pattingmudpacksonherfaceandsittingunderadrier,itwouldbeavelvet-soft,diamond-gembeautyparlor!
Thephonerang.Someoneattheotherendliftedthereceiver.
Awoman’svoicesaid,"Hello?"
"Ifthisisarecording,"announcedWalterGripp,"I’llcomeoverandblowtheplaceup."
