"Nayler, Ray - Pinball Zen" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nayler Ray)

"Doesn't seem like it."

Phil's eyes were red, the pupils huge, the way they always were. He used speed the way some people smoked cigarettes--to pass the time.

"Haven't slept in three days." Phil put a finger in his mouth and started chipping away at the nail. "I gotta have that half. It'd be one thing if you were just stashing it because you thought the cops...."

"Look...."

"No, serious. I gotta have it. I mean, I can understand you holding out if...."

"Phil...."

Phil smacked his fist down on the counter.

"You think you're better than me? I gave you the tip, man. I lent you the gun. You owe me."

Stan leaned in close to Phil, though it wasn't as if anyone could hear them over the chatter of the machines. "Look. He didn't have anything, Phil. He didn't. Why would I string you along? I'd give you your half if there was anything to give, but there was nothing."

"That's not what he said. He said he lost ten grand."

"You've been talking to him?"

"I called him up yesterday. Said I'd heard a rumor."

"Are you nuts?"

"How would he know it was me tipped you?"

"What if he didn't tell anyone else about it?"

"'Course he did."

"Who?"

"How would I know? Besides," Phil leaned in. Stan could see the tic and jerk of speed in his eyes, could smell the wet mouth and the rotting teeth. "What do I have to lose? I didn't do it. You did."

"He's telling you a story, man. I stuck the gun in his face and I made him show me where you said it would be. It wasn't there. There was nothing there."

Phil looked over at the two Street Fighter kids. A fireball skated across the screen. In the corner, the Altered Beast machine howled.

"He said if I found out who did it, he'd give me five hundred bucks."

"And...."

"And nothing. I want five thousand, not five hundred. But if you're gonna jerk me around, I guess I'll have to settle."

"Phil." Stan grabbed his wrist. Phil pulled away. "Phil, he didn't have it. I'm telling you. He's putting you on. Maybe he figures you tipped me."

"This is over," Phil said. "You and me? Over. Jen said you were acting funny."