Марсианские хроники
August 1999: The Earth Men
Aaaregardedthecaptainforthefirsttime."Where’dyousayyouwerefrom?"
Thecaptainflashedawhitesmile.Asidetohismenhewithpered,"Nowwe’regettingsomeplace!"ToMr.Aaahecalled,"Wetraveledsixtymillionmiles.FromEarth!"
Mr.Aaayawned."That’sonlyfiftymillionmilesthistimeofyear."Hepickedupafrightful-lookingweapon."Well,Ihavetogonow.Justtakethatsillynote,thoughIdon’tknowwhatgoodit’lldoyou,andgooverthathillintothelittletownofIoprandtellMr.Iiiallaboutit.He’sthemanyouwanttosee.NotMr.Ttt,he’sanidiot;I’mgoingtokillhim.Notme,becauseyou’renotinmylineofwork."
"Lineofwork,lineofwork!"bleatedthecaptain."DoyouhavetobeinacertainlineofworktowelcomeEarthmen!"
"Don’tbesilly,everyoneknowsthat!"Mr.Aaarusheddownstairs."Good-by!"Anddownthecausewayheraced,likeapairofwildcalipers.
Thefourtravelersstoodshocked.Finallythecaptainsaid,"We’llfindsomeoneyetwho’lllistentous."
"Maybewecouldgooutandcomeinagain,"saidoneofthemeninadrearyvoice."Maybeweshouldtakeoffandlandagain.Givethemtimetoorganizeaparty."
"Thatmightbeagoodidea,"murmuredthetiredcaptain.
