"Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Probationers (engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

miss on Rhea?
- There is a new construction, and I am a vacuum-welder. There were
eleven of us and I fell behind the group, because I... Well, basically, for
family reasons. Now I don't know how to get there. I shall go and see the
cosmodrome director at six.
- To see Maikov?
- N-no, - said Yura. - That is, I don't know his name. To see the
cosmodrome director, in general.
Ivan watched him with interest.
- What is your name?
- Yura... Yura Borodin.
- Well then, Yura Borodin, - said Ivan and sorrowfully shook his head.
- I am afraid, you will have to die a beautiful death. Trouble is, that the
cosmodrome director comrade Maikov, as I am personally informed, has flown
out to Moscow... - he looked at his watch, - twelve minutes ago.
This was a terrifying blow. Yura's heart sunk instantly.
- How so... - he mumbled. - But I was told...
- Come on now, - said Ivan. - Cheer up a little. Your old age hasn't
yet arrived. Every director, when going to Moscow, leaves a deputy behind.
- That's right! - said Yura and exalted. - Please forgive me: I got to
make a phone call immediately.
- Go and make the call, - said Ivan. - The payphone is right around the
corner.
Yura jumped up and ran to the phone booth.

When Yura returned, Ivan was standing on the path in front of the cafe.
- Well? - he asked.
- No luck, - Yura said mournfully. - The director has really left
whilst his deputy can only see me after seven tomorrow night.
- Tomorrow night? - Ivan asked again.
- Yes, after seven tomorrow night.
Ivan pensively stared somewhere at the acacia crowns.
- At night, - he repeated. - Yes, that is too late.
- I have to now spend the night at the hotel, - said Yura with a sigh.
- I will go and book a room.
Down the path approached, busily shuffling his shirt feet, a chubby man
dressed with chic wearing a colonial helmet. His face was swollen, with
distended eyes. Under his left eye a dark, thickly powdered abrasion was
protruding. Within ten meters of approaching Ivan, the man ripped the helmet
off his head, and bending his body almost in half, hurriedly sneaked into
the cafe. Ivan bowed back gallantly.
- What's with him? - said Yura in astonishment
- Come on, let's go, - said Ivan. - It's on the way.
- One minute, - said Yura. - I will just go and pay.
- I paid already, - said Ivan, - Let's go.
- No, what for, - said Yura with dignity. - I have money... We were
each handed money...
Ivan looked across the shoulder at the cafe.
- And this ass-licker, - said he, - is my good friend. Pride and joy of
the international cosmoport Mirza-Charlie. - Yura also looked back. The