"Chalker, Jack L - Hotel Andromeda (SSCol)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chalker Jack L)

muffled -- "honey, they're offering terminations as well.
What do you think? Still want to go through with it? Re-
member what happened with the last one, the police, the
mutations, and all that fuss. Still want to? Honestly, you're
such a sentimental softy. Of course if you want him or her

then I want him or her."

Lekvich Tor watched the other calls blinking and wished
that he had six ears, three mouths, and six arms. Why hadn't
they hired an Arcadian arachnian to handle this job? "Very
good, ma'am," he said, putting a bit more volume into his
voice to regain her attention. "Room 2651?"

"That's right." She sighed theatrically. "He always gets so
attached to his own children."

As Lekvich watched in horror, one of the blinking lights on
the console went out. A caller had actually hung up! Lekvich
wanted to hang his head in shame, but the con line receiver
would have cut off his circulation.

"Good-bye, ma'am." With an urgency bordering on panic
he snatched up the remaining call. "Concierge. I'm terribly
sorry you had to wait."

"Who's this?" demanded a deep male voice.

FIRST NIGHTER 9

"Lekvich Tor."

"Isn't Ranee on tonight?"

"She just stepped away from the desk -- "

'Tell her to call Scadool when she gets back."

"Would you like to leave a message? A number where you
can be reached?"

"She knows."

Before Lekvich Tor could say more, the caller hung up.

Ranee had now been away from the console for almost an
hour. Lekvich Tor was growing more and more worried about
her. Surely she had found an acceptable bathroom by now in me
huge hotel complex. He couldn't leave his post to look for her.
Should he send someone else? If he alerted the night manager,