"Anthony, Piers - Adept - 01 - Split Infinity" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

lected modes but in no way a serious competitor. Her
body was too lush for most physical sports; the top
females in track, ball games and swimming were small-
breasted, lean-fleshed, and lanky, and this in no way
described Sheen. Therefore he would have no physical
competition here.

Yet she was beautiful, and he was unable to speak.
So he nodded acquiescence. She took his arm in an easy
gesture of familiarity that startled him. Stile had known
women, of course; they came to him seeking the no-
toriety of his company, and the known fact of his hesi-
tancy lent them compensating courage. But this one
was so pretty she hardly needed to seek male company;

it would seek her. She was making it look as if he had
sought and won her. Perhaps he had, unknowingly: his
prowess in the Game could have impressed her enough
from afar to bring her to him. Yet this was not the type
of conquest he preferred; such women were equally
avid for Game-skilled teeners and grayheads.

They found an unoccupied cubicle. It had a column
in the center, inset with panels on opposite sides. Stile
went to one side. Sheen on the other, and as their
weights came on the marked ovals to the floor before
each panel, the panels lighted. The column was low, so
Stile could see Sheen's face across from him; she was
smiling at him.

Embarrassed by this open show of camaraderie. Stile
looked down at his panel. He hardly needed to; he
knew exactly what it showed. Across the top were
four categories: PHYSICAL—MENTAL—CHANCE—ART, and
down the left side were four more: NAKED—TOOL—
MACHINE—ANIMAL. For shorthand convenience they
were also lettered and numbered: 1—2—3—4 across




the top, A—B—C—D down the side. The numbers
were highlighted: the Grid had given him that set of
choices, randomly.

THE GAME: PRIMARY GRID

1. PHYSICAL 2. MENTAL 3. CHANCE 4. ART