"T. K. F. Weisskopf & Greg Cox Ed. - Tomorrow Sucks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weisskopf T.K.F)

The attendants walked away. The relatives without a word turned and walked out.
The music played.
William Lantry approached the glass fire lock. He peered through the wall at the
vast, glowing, never-ceasing heart of the Incinerator. It burned steadily without a
flicker, singing to itself peacefully. It was so solid it was like a golden river flowing
up out of the earth towards the sky. Anything you put into the river was borne
upwards, vanished
Lantry felt again his unreasoning hatred of this thing, this monster, cleansing fire.
A man stood at his elbow. "May I help you, sir?"
"What?" Lantry turned abruptly. "What did you say?"
"May I be of service?"
"I—that is—" Lantry looked quickly at the ramp and the door. His hands
trembled at his sides. "I've never been in here before."
"Never?" The Attendant was surprised.
That had been the wrong thing to say, Lantry realized. But it was said,
nevertheless. "I mean," he said. "Not really, I mean, when you're a child, somehow,
you don't pay attention. I suddenly realized tonight that I didn't really know the
Incinerator."
The Attendant smiled. "We never know anything, do we, really? I'll be glad to
show you around."
 "Oh, no. Never mind. It—it's a wonderful place."
"Yes, it is." The Attendant took pride in it. "One of the finest in the world, I
think."
"I—" Lantry felt he must explain further. "I haven't had many relatives die on me
since I was a child. In fact, none. So, you see I haven't been here for many years."
"I see." The Attendant's face seemed to darken somewhat.
What've I said now, thought Lantry. What in God's name is wrong? What've I
done? If I'm not careful I'll get myself shoved right into that damnable fire trap.
What's wrong with this fellow's face? He seems to be giving me more than the usual
going over.
"You wouldn't be one of the men who've just returned from Mars, would you?"
asked the Attendant.
"No. Why do you ask?"
"No matter." The Attendant began to walk off. "If you want to know anything,
just ask me."
"Just one thing," said Lantry.
"What's that?"
"This."
Lantry dealt him a stunning blow across the neck.
He had watched the fire-trap operator with expert eyes. Now, with the sagging
body in his arms, he touched the button that opened the warm outer lock, placed the
body in, heard the music rise, and saw the inner lock open. The body shot out into
the river of fire. The music softened.
"Well done, Lantry, well done."


Barely an instant later another attendant entered the room. Lantry was caught with
an expression of pleased excitement on his face. The Attendant looked around as if
expecting to find someone, then he walked towards Lantry. "May I help you?"
"Just looking," said Lantry.