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

"No."

"Perhaps you'd prefer Communists in Wales? Or the Capitalists in Japan?
Or if your affinities lies with a splinter group such as the Feminists,
Prohibitionists, Free Silverists or the like, we could probably arrange - "

"I don't want a war," Simon said.

"Who could blame you?" the little man said, nodding rapidly. "War is
hell. In that case, you've come to Earth for love."

"How did you know?" Simon asked.

The little man smiled modestly. "Love and war," he said, "are Earth's
two staple commodities. We've been turning them both out in bumper crops
since the beginning of time."

"Is love very difficult to find," Simon asked.

"Walk uptown two blocks," the little man said briskly. "Can't miss it.
Tell'em Joe sent you."

"But that's impossible! You can't just walk out and - "

"What do you know about love?" Joe asked.

"Nothing."

"Well, we're experts on it."

"I know what the books say," Simon said. "Passion beneath the lunatic
moon - "

"Sure, and bodies on a dark sea-beach desperate with love and deafened
by the booming surf."

"You've read that book?"

"It's the standard advertising brochure. I must be going. Two blocks
uptown. Can't miss it."

And with a pleasant nod, Joe moved into the crowd. Simon finished his
coca-cola and walked slowly up Broadway, his brow knotted in thought, but
determined not to form any premature judgements.

When he reached 44th Street he saw a tremendous neon sign flashing
brightly. It said LOVE, INC.

Smaller neon letters read, Open 24 Hours a Day!