"Robert A. Heinlein - Magic, Inc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

MAGIC, INC
by Robert A. Heinlein
'Whose spells are you using, buddy?' That was the first thing this bird said
after coming into my place of business, He had hung around maybe twenty
minutes, until I was alone, looking at samples of waterproof pigment,
fiddling with plumbing catalogues, and monkeying with the hardware display.
I didn't like his manner. I don't mind a legitimate business inquiry from a
customer_ but I resent gratuitus snooping.

Various of the local licensed practitioners of thaumaturgy,' I told him in a
tone that was chilly but polite. Why do you ask?'

You didn't answer my question,' he pointed out. Come on - speak up. I ain't
got all day.'

I restrained myself. I require my clerks to he polite, and, while I was
pretty sure this chap would never be a customer, I didn't want to break my
own rules. If you are thinking of buying anything,' I said, I will be happy
to tell you what magic, if any, is used in producing it, and who the
magician is.

Now you're not being cooperative,' he complained. We like for people to be
cooperative. You never can tell what bad luck you may run into not
cooperating.'

Who d'you mean by we , I snapped, dropping all pretence of politeness, and
what do you mean by bad luck?'

'Now we're getting somewhere,' he said with a nasty grin, and settled
himself on the edge of the counter so that he breathed into my face He was
short and swarthy - Sicilian, I judged and dressed in a suit that was
overtailered. His clothes and haberdashery matched perfectly in a color
scheme that I didn't like. 'I'll tell you what I mean by "we"; I'm a field
representatve for an organisation that protects people. from bad luck - if
they're smart, and cooperative. That's why I asked you whose charms you're
usin'. Some of the magicians around here aren't cooperative; it spoils their
luck, and that bad luck follows their products.

'Go on.' I said. I wanted him to commit himself as far as he would.

I knew you were smart,' he answered. F'rinstance - how would you like for a
salamander to get loose in your shop, setting fire to your goods and maybe
scaring your customers? Or you sell the materials to build a house, and it
turns out there's a Poltergeist living in it, breaking the dishes and
souring the milk and kicking the furniture around. That's what can come of
dealing with the wrong magicians. A little of that and your business is
ruined. We wouldn't want that to happen, would we?' He favoured me with
another leer.

I said nothing; he went on, Now, we maintain a staff of the finest