"02 - Hot Sleep" - читать интересную книгу автора (Card Orson Scott)

"I know the juvenile code, Jas. And I don't have
to prove malfeasance if I can prove something
else."

His look of triumph was disconcerting. Jas
gripped the sides of the nearest console. "I didn't
cheat, Mr. Tork, and unless you have a witness—"

"The law, boy, is a lot more open when it comes
to the question of the Swipe." Tork pounded his
finger on the teacherboard for emphasis.

"Are you calling me a Swipe, Mr. Tork?" Jas
asked. This time the quaver came into his voice.

"That's slander, Mr. Tork, unless you can
prove—"

"I'm working on that, boy. Now get out."

Jas got out. But at the door he heard Tork call
after him, "You got those answers out of my head
and I'm going to prove it! You passed that test by
picking my brains!"

Jas turned around and said, "Assistant profes-
sor Tork, no one in his right mind, given a choice,
would pick your brains." Tork didn't answer, just
smiled savagely. But Jas felt a little better for hav-
ing said it.

He was shaking and weak all the way home.

His mother met him at the door of their flat.
"What happened?" she asked, trying to keep the
fear out of her voice, as if it couldn't be read on her

face.

"Tork yelled a lot."

"What about the proof? Did you have the
proof?"

"Your bloodiest came out okay, mom." Jas sat
down on the bed that doubled as a sofa in the
living room. "Sorry you had to get jabbed."

His mother sat next to him and took his hand.
Her palms were clammy. "I was so afraid. They