"Richard Powers - The Gold Bug Variations" - читать интересную книгу автора (Powers Richard)

replacement, he said, "Might I make up for
some of my incurred guilt in this matter by
suggesting a substitute? Say, Eisenhower's
heart attack; 1955." Making matters worse,
he mumbled, "Should that be too obvious,
you could take alternative refuge in 1789.
Congress passes the Federal Judiciary Act. I'd
rate that as fairly crucial, wouldn't you? But
perhaps you've used it?"
I couldn't decide if this was burlesque or
the fellow's genuine attempt to repair
unmeant damage. I tried for knowing
reserve. "Ike's heart attack will do just fine."
He straightened like a teen coming clean
from the confessional. "Terrific. We're even,
then." He shifted weight from one leg to the
other and tucked a stitch back into his coat
seam. I reestimated his height: five-nine,
with a full moon. He coughed and took a
nervous step backwards. "I like Ike. How
about yourself?"
My introduction to Stuart Ressler's sense
of humor. I could think of no answer in the
world to give such a thing, so I returned to
the almanac. Through the miracle of
cross-referencing, I reverse-engineered Ike's
coronary and the Federal Judiciary Act. He
must have arranged the stunt in advance.
But I'd only posted the fact the instant
before he jabbed my shoulder. He watched
my bewilderment for a few seconds,
hunched his back, waved apologetically, and
walked away. He was almost gone when I
called after him. "I give up," I said, offering a
respectful truce. "How'd you do that?"
 "Never complain, never explain." He
looked furtively around as if it could not
have been him, violating this place of public
research by talking in full voice.
My propriety vanished. For the first time in
years, I stood face to face with another who
wanted to force his way into the indifference
of data. I slid from hostility to good-natured
self-effacement in under a second. "Piece of
cake," I baited him back. "Disraeli. I was born
knowing that one."
"I'll have to take your word for that. I'm
afraid I'm worse than aphasic with quotes."
And he abandoned me. Too soon to be
leaving. Never would have been too soon.