"Mack Reynolds - Ability Quotient" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

Doctor Smith looked at Bert. "How long will it take you to pack?"

"About two minutes. I'm already packed. But why?"

"I haven't the time to go into details now. Please get your things and
come with me."

Bert shrugged his disgust and began putting the few odds and ends he
had removed from his bags, back into them. He had two medium large
suitcases and a highly battered smaller one. He handed the smaller one to
the self-named Doctor Smith.
 "Here you are, Ralph," he said.

The other took it, as though grudgingly, possibly because it looked so
very proletarian compared to his get-up. But he led the way out the door
and to the elevator banks, and jittered unhappily, looking up and down
the hall, while they waited.

In the elevator, he said into the screen, "Metro," and the robot voice
said, "Yes, Professor Marsh."

Bert looked at him and laughed. "One hell of a cloak and dagger man
you turned out to be," he said. "What's all this about?"

He who was obviously Professor Ralph Marsh, rather than Doctor
Smith, John or otherwise, flushed in irritation. "I'll tell you all you are to
know when we get you to your new quarters."

"What was wrong with the old ones? I was satisfied."

"You'll see."

Alshuler gave up and held his peace. Shortly, they arrived in the
Parthenon Building's metro station and his guide dialed a two-seater.
They put the bags in the luggage rack and took their places on the seats.
Marsh dialed the little vehicle's controls and they took off through the
automated underground. Bert didn't bother to ask where they were going.
He was moderately surprised at himself, but then in the army he had
learned to follow instructions.

They entered another metro station, took up the bags again and
approached the elevator banks. Bert followed Marsh to the far end and to
an elevator that seemed somewhat smaller in cubic content than the
others. They stepped inside.

Marsh said, "Stand in front of the screen."

Bert's eyebrows went up a bit, but he followed orders.