"Ron Goulart - The Curse Of The Demon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goulart Ron)

doing parlor tricks -- can you do what Elijah Higgardy says in the note?"

"I would have obliged you in any way, bringing you untold wealth and worldwide
notoriety." Bismarck shook his head sadly. "That is, had you followed the
protocol and recited the proper incantation at the proper time. I fear, however,
that you did not fulfill the requirements of the ancient spell."

"How the hell could I? I was out cold and you probably had something to do with
that, too."

"When one's vital essence has been imprisoned within a cramped little chest for
endless years, my lad, a certain amount of pressure needs must build up."

"So -- what are you saying? You're backing out? Seems to me, as a demonic
entity, that you should be required by cosmic law, or whatever, to do what
you're supposed to do."

Bismarck laughed. It wasn't, exactly, the laugh of the real Mr. Bismarck as Dan
recalled it from high school days. "You know precious little about the arcane
laws of black sorcery, my lad."

"I did a Twilight Zone script when they revived the show a few seasons ago."

"It may be possible, since, I acknowledge, you did do me a very great favor in
freeing me from my enforced durance, to do you a small favor." He smiled, making
an unsettling chuckling noise. "What, pray tell, do you most desire?"

"Well, for starters I'd like --"

"I regret, young sir, that one favor, a solitary boon, is all that I feel in the
mood to perform for you." He held up one finger and for a few seconds it looked
green and scaly.

Dan sighed, resigned. "Well, I have a script -- a motion picture screenplay--
over with the Firebrand people. Could you work some magic to guarantee they'd
buy it?"

Bismarck snapped his fingers, causing sparks to fly. "A simple task, to be
sure," he replied. "What sort of money would such a transaction bring into your
coffers?"
"A million bucks, if we're lucky."

"I note, from scanning your disordered thoughts, that with such a sum one might
live quite comfortably hereabouts. At the very least, one might begin to exist
in a most comfortable and sybaritic fashion."

"You're not interested in money for yourself, are you?"

"Throughout untold centuries, I must confess, the acquiring of lucre has been a
major hobbyhorse of mine."