"Robert Sheckley. Pilgrimage to Earth" - читать интересную книгу автора

Simon went to the refreshment stand and ordered a small glass of
coca-cola. He found that his hands were shaking. With an effort he steadied
them, and sipped his drink. He reminded himself that he must not judge
Earth by his own standards. If people on Earth enjoyed killing people, and
the victims didn't mind being killed, why should anyone object?

Or should they?

He was pondering this when a voice at his elbow said, "Hey, bub."

Simon turned and saw a wizened, furtive-faced little man in an oversize
raincoat standing beside him.

"Out-of-towner?" the little man asked.

"I am," Simon said. "How did you know?"

"The shoes. I always look at the shoes. How do you like our little
planet?"

"It's - confusing," Simon said carefully. "I mean I didn't expect -
well -"

"Of course", the little man said. "You're an idealist. One look at your
honest face tells me that, my friend. You've come to Earth for a definite
purpose. Am I right?"

Simon nodded. The little man said, "I know your purpose, my friend.
You're looking for a war that will make the world safe from something, and
you've come to the right place. We have six major wars running at all
times, and there's never any waiting for an important position in any of
them."

"Sorry, but - "

"Right at this moment," the little man said impressively, "the
downtrodden workers of Peru are engaged in a desperate struggle against a
corrupt and decadent monarchy. One more man could swing the contest! You,
my friend, could be that man! You could guarantee the socialist victory!"

Observing the expression on Simon's face, the little man said quickly,
"But there's a lot to be said for an enlightened aristocracy. The wise old
king of Peru (a philosopher-king in the deepest Platonic sense of the word)
sorely needs your help. His tiny corps of scientists, humanitarians, Swiss
guards, knights of the realm and royal peasants is sorely pressed by the
foreign-inspired. A single man, you know - "

"I'm not interested," Simon said.

"In China, the Anarchists - "