"Paul Di Filippo - Two CC's of Bestseller, Stat" - читать интересную книгу автора (Di Filippo Paul)

“Sir,” said one, “I’m afraid our instruments reveal that you’re carrying a
communicable disease.”

All the other nearby patrons were looking at me and shying away. I felt
immediately like a leper.

“Well, perhaps a touch of flu. My throat’s a bit raspy....”

“Sir, are you actually unaware of the new Schwarzenegger-Clinton
Public Safety Act of 2007, which mandates that anyone wishing to utilize a
commonly shared public space must possess a clean bill of health, as
determined biometrically? Mutant tuberculosis alone last year accounted for
ten fatalities among Harry W. Schwartz customers. If we permit you to
infect your fellow booklovers, the annual bottom line of Harry W. Schwartz
could be severely impacted.”

“I—I hadn’t heard anything....”

One nurse handed me a pamphlet. “Here are the details, sir.”

I studied the material—inside an invisible bubble of contempt
maintained by my fellow book-browsers—before speaking.

“It seems I have only two choices. I can proceed straight home—”

“Your license plate has already been registered,” one of the nurses
stipulated, “and you’ll be under constant automated satellite monitoring by
GoogleEarth.”

“—or I can submit to treatment immediately.”

“So long as you have adequate healthcare insurance.”

“I do.”

“And do you wish to undergo treatment?”
 “Well, sure, why not? I would’ve seen my own doctor sooner or later if
I didn’t get better, you know.”

The eyes of the nurses managed to convey deep skepticism.

“I’m not a bad person, just a little out of touch.”

“We make no moral judgments, sir. Our concern is merely guarding
the public’s health. Now, if you’ll come with us....”

The nurses conducted me behind the sales counter and through a
door.