"Eugeny L.Schwarz. Dragon (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

Lancelot. Thank you. I'm full.
Dragon. That's all right. Eat anyway. What'cha doin' here?
Lancelot. Business.
Dragon. Huh?
Lancelot. Business.
Dragon. What kind of business? Come on, spill it. Huh? Maybe I'll help
you, y'know. What did you come here for?
Lancelot. To kill you.
Dragon. Louder!
Elsa. No! He's joking! Would you like to hold my hand again, sir
dragon?
Dragon. Wha?
Lancelot. I am challenging you to a fight, do you hear?

Dragon stands silent, fuming.

Lancelot. I am challenging you for the third time, hear?

A deafening, horrible triple howl is heard. Despite all its might, it
is not without certain musical quality. There is nothing human in this howl.
This is the Dragon screaming, stomping his feet, fists clenched.

Dragon. (Suddenly cutting the howl short; very calmly) You idiot. Well?
Wanna say anything? Scared?
Lancelot. No.
Dragon. No?
Lancelot. No.
Dragon. All right, then. (With a slight shrug of his shoulders suddenly
completely transforms himself. There's a new head on his shoulders; the old
one vanished without a trace. A somber, reserved, highbrowed, narrow-faced
graying blond man is standing in front of Lancelot.)
Cat. Don't be afraid, my dear Lancelot. He's got three noggins, so he
just swaps them when he pleases.
Dragon. (his voice changed just as his face did. Quietly and dryly.) Is
your name Lancelot?
Lancelot. Yes.
Dragon. Are you a descendant of the infamous itinerant knight named
Lancelot?
Lancelot. He is my distant relative.
Dragon. I accept your challenge. Itinerant knights are like gypsies.
You need to be exterminated.
Lancelot. I won't let you.
Dragon. I have exterminated: eight hundred and nine knights, nine
hundred and five men of undetermined social status, one old drunkard, two
loonies, two women -- a mother and an aunt of the girls I have chosen, and
one adolescent boy of twelve -- a brother of similar girl. This list has
also been extended by six armies and five rebellious mobs. Please have a
seat.
Lancelot. (Sits.) Thank you.
Dragon. Do you smoke? You may smoke now.