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

Ranee might get in trouble. But what if she were already in
trouble? Lekvich felt his head swimming. He decided to wait
another five minutes and then to inquire -- discreetly -- if some-
one could please look for his supervisor in me ladies* room.

An orange, fur-covered humanoid from Fragis Ipsilon ap-
proached the desk on three of its six limbs. "Excuse? Excuse?"

Lekvich Tor took a deep breath. It was his first alien, face-to-
face. Luckily it seemed to speak some English. "Yes? How can
I help you?" he said.

"Halp, yesh- Halp."

"That's what I said. How can I be of service?"

"Servish?" The Fragis Ipsilonian seemed puzzled by the
concept. His eyestalks drooped in what must have been con-
fusion. "Servish? Thish one?"

Lekvich Tor felt his patience begin to unravel. "Yes, I'm
the concierge," he said. "At the moment, anyway. What can
I do for you?"

"Rum," said the Ipsilonian.

"You want the bar?" Lekvich Tor said. "But I thought alco-
hol was poisonous to Ipsilonians.

"Rum, plish."

Lekvich stared at the matted orange fur in growing confu-
sion. What did it want? To drink? To commit suicide? To
drive Lekvich Tor crazy?

Bzzzt!

"Excuse me," he said, turning to the board. "Concierge."

"This is room 2651, again." The caller sounded tearful. "I

10

Karen Haber

want to cancel the genetic splicer and order a relationship

counselor instead."

"Yes, ma'am. Any specialization?"