"Stephen Goldin - The Last Ghost & Other Stories" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

"But from an economic standpoint alone — "
"That's why I'm hiring only European girls — they're both cheaper and of better quality. I've already sent
my aide, Wilbur Starling, over there to recruit some of their better English-speaking professionals. And
what with air and water regeneration, cheap food concentrates, and the new atomic fuels, the cost of
putting them up there and maintaining them is down to a ridiculous minimum."
"But it's still a tidy sum. Where are you getting all the money?"
"Oh, I appropriated it from the Astronauts' Widows and Dependents Fund," said Hawkins, the smile
returning to his face. "That seemed the most likely place. I've also taken precautions, in case you're
wondering, about keeping this affair a secret. As Director, I have the power to classify anything I want.
Not even the President will know about it."
"What about General Bullfat? He's hated your guts ever since you were appointed over him to head the
agency."
"Bill, you worry too much. Bullfat has to look in the mirror every morning just to find his nose."
"Practical objections aside, Jess," Filmore said desperately, "the whole idea is immoral. It's just not the
sort of thing a government executive should do."
"That is absolutely irrelevant. Morals don't matter where there are men's lives at stake."
Filmore stood up. "Jess, if I can't talk you out of this ridiculous idea, I'll go find someone who can."
"You wouldn't fink on a friend, would you?" Hawkins asked, hurt.
"It's for your own good, Jess." He started for the door.
"It's such a shame about you and Sylvia," Hawkins said quietly.
Filmore stopped. "What about me and Sylvia?"
"Busting up such a nice marriage after thirteen years together."
"Sylvia and I are very happily married. We have no intentions of breaking up."
"You mean you haven't told her about Gloria yet?"
Filmore went slightly pale. "You know Gloria was only a momentary fling, Jess. You wouldn't dare — "
"Fink on a friend? Of course not, Bill. It's just that I have this annoying habit of blurting out the wrong
thing at the wrong time. But be that as it may, don't you think we ought to sit down and discuss the
situation a little more?"

#

As she was getting dressed again, Wilbur Starling asked her, "Babette, may I have a talk with you?"
Babette looked at her watch. "You will 'ave to pay for anozzer hour," she warned.
"Your thinking is too narrow," Starling said. "You've got your whole life ahead of you. Instead of just
worrying about your next hour, you should think of all the hours you have left." "Please! Zey are enough
taken one at a time." "Don't you want security in your old age, a good home — " "Mon Dieu, anozzer
marriage proposal!"
"No, no, Babette honey, you don't understand. You see, I represent the United States government — "
"I know your consul very well," she said helpfully.
"That's not what I meant. My government is willing to pay for your services in a special capacity." "What
must I do?"Starling's face flushed ever so slightly. "Well, uh, the same thing you've been doing, only up in
space."
"Space?"
"Yes, you know. Like satellites, around the world, Shepard, Glenn, Hammond." He made little whirling
motions with his fingers.
"Oh, oui," said Babette, suddenly comprehending. "Like A-OK."
"Yes," Starling sighed. "A-OK and all that kind of stuff. Will you do it?"
"Non."
"Why not, Babette?"
"It is too ... too dangerous. I do not wish to lose my life going into ... space."