"Mack Reynolds - Tomorrow Might Be Different" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

She got in on the complaints. "All of our beaches are air-conditioned and up on theArctic Oceanthe
beaches inSiberiaare warmed with ultra-violet rays."

Mike inwardly winced at some of the economic ramifications of that, but continued his genial smile as
became the position he held. "I'd like to visit the Soviet Complex some day," he said.

"Why don't you, Comrade?" Catherina smiled at him. "You've heard about the new policy for foreign
tourists, haven't you?"

He was a tourist agent and got most of the international publications on the subject, but this was
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something new. He said, in spite of a premonition of disaster, "I don't think so. What new policy?"

"It's free."

"Free?" Mike said blankly.

She nodded. "You have to pay your own expenses up to the border, of course, but once in the Soviet
Complex all costs are borne by the State. It's for good will. In the old days we had, what is your
Americanism? A bad image. So to change that we invite the world to visit us. All for the good will."

For a moment, Mike let his mind reel with the implications and its effect on such companies as his
employers, Horizonal Holidays, based inEngland. But then he decided he'd better leave it for a more
tranquil moment-sometime, perhaps when he was safely in bed and it could drive him to insomnia, or
better7to an overdose of sleeping pills.

Galushko had popped open a bottle of the Spanish champagne they'd brought in their portable
refrigerator and was pouring a glass. He sipped it, making a face. "Not up to our Armenian champagne,"
he scowled. He looked accusingly at Mike. This Spanish champagne is second rate, not sweet enough."

Mike said, "Well, that's the way it goes. Different countries, different tastes. Most of the Western
countries like their champagne very dry,brut . As a matter of fact, the Spanish champagne is sweeter
than French."

"Dry champagne," Galushko scoffed. "No taste!"

Mike said hopefully, "Well, if you will all excuse me, I'll get about my rounds."

Galushko was having none of that. "Oh, have a glass of the wine," the Russkie said overbearingly.

Mike said, knowing that it was a losing battle, "Well, I don't like to start drinking until after lunch, at
least. I have a hard day in front of me, you know."

"Oh, come on. Drink! Enjoy yourself. Life is short. And what is better than food and drink? Here try
this. Caviar from the Caspian. Real caviar! Not the mush you foreigners eat. We're expanding a hundred
fold the sturgeon beds-the new plan is to produce eighteen times as much fresh caviar."