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

"pride and joy of Mirza-Charlie" has already climbed onto the highest stool
at the bar. - The king of stinkers. An underground recruiter. The most
prosperous bastard in town. Two days ago he got drunk like a swine and was
stalking a girl in the street. That's when I gave him a few knocks. Now he
is very amicable with me.
They were leisurely walking down a shady green side street. It got
cooler. Disorderly engine hum was reaching them from the Friendship street.
- But whom does he recruit? - asked Yura.
- Workers, - replied Ivan. - By the way, who recommended you to work on
Rhea?
- Our plant has recommended us, - said Yura. - And who are this
workers? Do our own really enlist?
Ivan was surprised.
- Why would they be ours? The folk from the West. All kind of
unfortunate ones, who since childhood keep thinking about old age and dream
of becoming some kind of proprietors. There are plenty over there. Listen,
Yura, - said he, - and what if you won't get to Rhea? What then?
- Now, don't say that, - said Yura. - I will definitely get to Rhea. It
will be really unfair to all the guys if I won't make it. There were one
hundred and fifty volunteers and only eleven of us were chosen. How can I
not make it? I must get there.
They walked in silence for some time.
- Ok, so they get recruited, - said Yura. - And then where to?
- Then they get put on ships and sent to asteroids. The recruiters
receive commission per head placed in ship's hold. That's why, disguised as
sales agents, they hang around Mirza-Charlie. And other international
cosmodromes.
They came on to the Friendship walk and turned to the hotel. Ivan
stopped next to a large white building.
- That's where I have to go, - he said. - Good bye, Yura Borodin.
- Good bye, - said Yura. - Thanks so much. And I am sorry for talking
rubbish back there, in the cafe.
- It's nothing, - said Ivan. - The main thing is, you were earnest.
They shook hands.
- Listen, Yura, - said Ivan and paused.
- Yes? - said Yura.
- About Rhea, - said Ivan. He paused again, looking to the side. Yura
was waiting. - Yes, about Rhea. Why don't you, buddy, come in sometime
around nine o'clock tonight into hotel room three hundred and six.
- And what then? - asked Yura.
- What will come out of that, I don't know, - said Ivan. - In that
suite you will see a man who looks quite ferocious. Try to convince him that
you must really get to Rhea.
- And who is he? - asked Yura.
- Good bye, - said Ivan. - Don't forget: number three hundred and six,
after nine o'clock.
He turned and disappeared inside the white building. Above the entrance
to the building a black plastic board was hanging with white writing:
"The public order patrol headquarters. Mirza-Charlie".
- Number three hundred and six, - repeated Yura. - After nine.