"Mack Reynolds - Day After Tomorrow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

status-conscious town, my boy. Prestige means everything. When I take
over my Boss' job, maybe we can swing you a transfer and I'll give you a
position suitable to your attainments." He pursed his lips judiciously.
"Though come to think of it, that might mean a demotion from the job
you're holding now."

"Vodka Martini," Steve told the bartender. "Polish vodka, of course."

"Of course," the bartender said.

Larry said. "Same for me."

The bartender left and Steve muttered, "I hate vodka."
 "Yeah," Larry said. "But what are you going to do in a place like this,
order some weird drink, like a highball or something? Vodka's in. Suppose
somebody saw you drinking a gin cocktail."

Steve dug into his pocket for money. "We're not going to have to drink
them anyway. Here she comes."

She walked with her head high, hauteur in every step, ignoring the
peasants at the tables she passed. Her youthful breasts bobbed gently in
her diaphanous blouse as she progressed. She looked like a young,
prosperous, but unpracticed tart.

"Holy smokes," Steve grunted. "It's a wonder that Fredrick let her in.
She looks like a young weird."

"He let her in when she crossed his palm with half a bill," Larry said
cynically. "She has a nice pair of knockers, though."

Steve looked at him, even as he paid up for their untouched drinks.
"You one of these types that goes for kids?"

"I go for anything that has one of those things," Larry leered back at
him.

The girl hesitated momentarily before the doorway of the prestige
restaurant, allowing the passers-by to realize that she had just emerged,
and then turned to her right to promenade along the shopping street.

Larry and Steve trailed after her. Fifty feet below La Calvados, Steve
said, "Okay, this is it. Let's go, Woolford."

One stepped to one elbow, the other the other. Steve said, "I wonder if
we could ask you a few questions, Miss?"

Her eyebrows went up. "I beg your pardon!"

Steve sighed and displayed the badge pinned to his wallet, keeping it